FryDog62

I too am on the intro to the Lake Commandos show playing net-man for Steve Pennaz. I’m a re-run (in many ways) on YouTube and a few TV commercials as someone who lands other people’s fish... gotta be known for doing something well..

Absolutely in the ball park. For smallmouth I use primarily 1/8 oz Tube jigs, sometimes 3/16. Neds almost exclusively 3/32 oz, but if over 15 feet and/or current then 1/8 oz.

At least for smallmouth it usually means they are angry or somewhere in the spawning realm...

No question, go with the iPilot with Spot-Lock. You'll be able to rattle off 4-5 casts from one stationary position, without it - 1-2 casts before needing to re-position. Over the course of a day, its a big difference.

I have both a Phenix Feather 7’1” Medium-Light and a Light and they are excellent rods. Another option that is a Medium, but fishes more like an ML is a MajorCraft Don Iovino 6’10” MXF. Also a great rod until it ended up overboard one day ?

Sure would but the silly bass season is still closed in Minnesota another 16 days!!

Yes, but if it’s regarding rods, reels, lures from a decade ago - the technology is obviously dated and the curse of the Bait Monkey requires you to buy something FAR better

I only use 12 lb fluorocarbon leader when I'm skipping Senkos under docks, but my main line is 20 lb braid. If not skipping or around something highly abrasive, I use an 8-10 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Actually its a great color to keep clean. All boats may get dirt or mud on them while trailering that need to be sprayed off. On a lighter colored hull, scum lines are easy to wipe off with a wet rag if you aren't near a hose. But the really hard stuff to clean are hard water spots. If you have a dark colored boat its nearly impossible to keep them off - especially black Mercury motors! That white hull will rinse off with the best of them and not show the hard water spots the rest of us have to really scrub and buff to get off. And the Yamaha blue will stay clean much better than a dark colored motor.

I was just at Bull Shoals last week with my Spot-Lock on several times and watched fish around me part like the Red Sea a couple times. Could see it happening on Livescope in a few creek arms too. No, it doesn’t happen every time, but again, the bigger smarter fish that have been caught before do get triggered by certain survival instincts - certain sounds, vibrations bouncing off their lateral line being a couple primary.

The problem with finding a frog rod is that you need a MH tip to adequately cast a lighter hollow body frog a decent distance, and the softer tip to walk-the-dog on retrieve. But then you need a Heavy backbone when you hook up and/or get caught in the slop. There are rods that have this unique combination of actions specifically for frogging, but are more expensive than your budget.

That’s a great color! I have that and the Chart Perch.

If I had to do again I would get an 8-10 inch screen with the ability to add Livescope/Live Imaging. The time of year that I fish freshwater (winter/pre-spawn), the fish are moving and show up well on that technology. I also plan to fish salt where fish are always moving in/out with the tide along with seasonal migration.

X2 + Trigger Happy Grips ?

The only thing that has worked for me besides Advil (which you don't want to take often) is Glucosime Chondroitin. You have to get the kind with MSM in it. I never miss a day, the times I did I definitely noticed. https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Glucosamine-Chondroitin-300mg-Capsules/dp/B0013OSMRK/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1S05C9C653P6S&keywords=glucosamine+chondroitin+msm&qid=1651012335&rdc=1&sprefix=glucosamine+chondroitin+msm%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-5

The best speed is slow and steady... which is better than stop/start, Spot-lock, etc. Sudden moves, or loud vibrations put them on alert and/or they just move away with no interest in a moving lure even if presented.

I'm of the opinion that the number one thing that spooks fish is Spot-Lock. Don't get me wrong, its a great tool, but the squealing and repositioning it makes (especially in shallow water) has become an alert/alarm to fish. Especially the bigger ones that have been caught before and have probably been conditioned to equate that sound with someone nearby that wants to rip their lips out.

We may have one of our few/first ever abilities to fish pre-spawn bass in Minnesota this year because of the late Spring. Most years the pre-spawn is well over by the time our limited season allows even catch/release bass fishing. Most years I fish pre-spawn jerkbaits in South Dakota where its legal. Much of the pattern will be similar here maybe by the mid-May season opener this year. I target flats between points that are also adjacent to deeper water (where the fish are migrating in from wintering spots). Best flats IMO are on the North side since they face South towards the sun and warm slightly quicker on that side of the lake. There really aren't many emerging weeds yet, so cover water quickly/efficiently but don't jerk too fast. The water is still cold and a fast moving jerk bait looks unnatural to the fish. I also don't recommend using braid because there is no give/stretch and the lure action snaps too much, again not looking as natural to the fish early in the year when the water is at its coldest. Experiment with cadence, but likely 2-4 moderate action jerks followed by a pause, then repeat. Sometimes the pause is momentary, sometimes painfully long (15-20 seconds). Speed up or don't pause in between as much once you figure out the cadence. Better to start a little slower and speed up if you can. Good luck ~

Hybrid Hunter JUNIOR runs right around 2.5-3.0 feet deep (depending on line you use). The standard HH runs a tad deeper.

6.9 on an Awaker fishing for muskies...

An old washed up ball player with warning track power like me - can occasionally launch it over the Green Monster with that reel ⚾

I actually like white bass although only eat some once a year. Technically they are a panfish. If you cut out the darker meat, the remaining white meat is excellent.... you just get more than your typical crappie, sunfish, etc.

I think if you're already used to using a 7 foot+ rod for skipping, a 6'8" is going to seem small pretty quick. Even from a kayak (I have one too) provided you're comfortable standing up when needed. Sucks with backorders, but if you really want the 7'2" Expride you might be happier long term just waiting it out - like many of us are doing on it seems for at least one rod at any given time!

Huge fan of GrandeBass - will be interesting to see what they come up with. Biggest worm I’ve used that does a reasonable job of standing up is 10 inch Yum Mighty Worm. But not as well as GB products...

I have several Tatula Elites... great reels. I throw crankbaits on a 6.3 and jerkbaits on 8.1 to pick up line quickly between jerks. Not sure which one I would consider giving up to have one reel.