Turkey sandwich

When Berkley discontinued the Christmas Cider colored 7" Power Worm I cried. That worm was responsible for more 4lb+ bass than everything else I threw combined as a teenager. Those worms helped produce my first 20lb limit. They've basically stopped existing, even via the internet, since probably 2000. I hold a small memorial every year. In fact, typing this makes me very, very sad.

Similar, my Fenwick Aetos MH MF is faster than most "fast" action rods I've fished and has backbone similar to St. Croix in terms of overall power. Not surprisingly, even the Aetos fly series is very, very fast.

If the goal is bigger river smallies, I may also suggest learning how to fish football head jigs in rivers. They just tend to be a really productive bait that can be worked at lots of different depths, anywhere you've got mid-sized rock and gravel. I also think there's something to patterning big fish, too. Remember, the biggest, most dominant predators in a system are going to be in the best possible positions to feed that also satisfy their comfort (water temp, oxygen, and current). For example, shallow weeds, in or on the edge of current, later in the day up until right after dusk, or as water temp begins to fall (think late summer - mid autumn pattern) can be a fantastic pattern for big fish because everything is present - food, easy ambush opportunities, more comfortable water temperatures, and a ton of heavily oxygenated water. Coincidentally, similar areas with nearby slower current or slack water tend to produce a lot of "surprise!" musky and pike along our rivers here in PA.

Sorry you got dumped, man. It can be terrifying, and obviously expensive. Rapids above class 2 can be really, really tricky, because as much as big kayak is great for stability in most conditions, they can be extremely difficult to maneuver in complex currents and big rapids. I'm really glad you're alright. The important thing is to learn from it and not just let it ruin fishing from a yak. If I can make a suggestion about video series or instruction, seek out anything you can find from Jeff Little. Not only does he put out great stuff on paddling in current, kayak safety, etc, he's also one of the best river smallmouth instructors you'll find anywhere.

agreed with @Spankey. Also, cheers! River smallmouth a different kind of fish.

Most of my bass fishing is smallmouth, but I do keep tubes around for pitching mats or throwing around docks when I am fishing largemouth. They are ridiculously versatile still.

The Elite has a **** ton of backbone.

I have a MH MF Aetos that is a phenomenal spinnerbait/bladed jig rod. It's also way faster than most MF rated rods. I also wouldn't throw crankbaits on it in most conditions for the same reasons @J Francho mentioned.

Still, you aren't going to find much high end that's going to fish presentations requiring high sensitivity well for that entire 1/2 oz - 1 1/2oz range. If you already have the Steez as a MH jig rod, why be concerned with the new rod fishing 1/2oz lures? By all accounts, that seems like a great rod for throwing bottom contact baits up to about an ounce. Why not just focus on something intended for heavier jigs, punching, and flipping 1oz+ weights? As for frogging and most top water presentations around heavy mats, I typically make do well with MH rods. If I were to look at something specifically for frogs, I probably wouldn't be looking too much in the $300-500 range unless I really had the cash to burn. To me, I don't see frogging as an all day technique that would wear me out if I didn't have a perfectly balanced stick, nor does it require the sensitivity of say, a jig, T-rig, dropshot, etc.

as for the rattle and wire tie, it can be done. Pick up glass rattles and rubber tubing. Cut the tubing into roughly 1/2" sections and insert the rattles. The tubing should be tight enough that it be difficult to insert the rattles. After you get the bands wrapped around the rattles, simply thread the hook through the band. They will get beat up and you will lose some rattles, but it works wonders an they're relatively easy to add/remove.

.5oz to 1.5oz is a huge range to cover with one rod. Jigs are best fished on a fast rod. The problem is that the faster action a rod, the more narrow it's weight rating, typically favoring lighter weights. For example, lets assume that all of the following action rods weight rating begins around 3/8 - 1/2 oz. A med heavy x fast may rate up to 7/8 oz, a med heavy fast may rate up to 1 1/8 oz and a med heavy moderate crank bait rod may rate up to 1 1/2 oz. It would obviously not be worth buying a rod designed for crankbaits for jig fishing just because it gives you a larger envelope for weight. Also, specific reason you need a 16" handle?

I have a St. Croix Legend Elite MH Fast jig rod and it's phenomenal. Everything from the blank, quality of guides, cork, and craftsmanship are all excellent. I got mine as a warranty/trade in after I snapped a tip on a Rage for something like $150-$200. It's easily the best jig rod I've ever fished. Also, mind you, the MH will cover most jig and worm applications exceedingly well. I know nothing about the Phoenix, but I will recommend a Legend Elite to anyone who likes a full cork handle and is willing to spend the money.

I can't say enough good things about these jigs, especially the use of recessed line ties, wire tied skirts, and the Owner Deep Throat hooks. IMHO, these are some of the best jigs available.

@Dwight Hottle Thank you for the replies. I really appreciate it.

When you're finding them that deep, is it a seasonal thing? I'd imagine in the summer, they're going to be sitting above or at the thermocline, no? Are you typically seeing thermoclines over 30' deep in Erie?

Those are tanks. Great pics as always, Dwight. I'm admittedly a lousy jerk bait fisherman. Are they in rotation most of the year? Are you fishing them above deep fish? in suspended schools? Or do you primarily just treat them as a pre-spawn and fall bait?

Great rainbow! That is some incredibly clear water. How deep were you fishing? That's a very visible bottom for sure.

This also varies depending upon the species of crayfish and where in the country you are. In some parts of the country, and in some species, the crayfish can mate, lay eggs, etc multiple times throughout the year. And just to make it even more complicated, a body of water likely has several species of crayfish that all may be at different points in the cycle at different times. So it's not like there's one set size, color pattern, location (different species will live everywhere from muddy weed beds, to rocks, to burrowed in muddy swamps and even burrowed in wet fields), etc. The best things you can do are catch crayfish in your local lakes to compare color or to fish the conditions and using some basic colors and a tub of dip'n'dye to match the hatch.

Don't make it complicated. Fish different types of shade until you find the ingredients necessary for fish to hold there and you can start to find a pattern. Work the outside edges first and work your way in. Try to stay stealthy as best you can. Usually, I'll start with some type of jig (I always have one tied on and I'm fishing some type of jig more often then almost anything else) pitched or skipped into the shade. If I'm not getting a reaction with a jig, a wacky Senko or weightless worm can make for a great follow up bait. Jigs in shade won me a tournament back in June.

same. I alternate between the 3.8" and the 4.8" and they've treated me well.

This is probably pretty accurate. The separation between good anglers and everyone else is huge during the tough days. I think trout fishing is maybe the best example. Everyone can catch fish at the opening of the season when there are tons of easy to catch, freshly stocked fish. This is when everyone and their sister has a full stringer. Who's catching trout late in the spring? Into the fall? During the winter? Where safe for the fish, mid summer?

It happens to everyone. Sometimes the best you can hope for is to learn something that day. Most of my days out this year have been far from stellar, even on stretches of water that I routinely catch 25+ in a day. Sometimes we get in the habit of fishing the past, ignore a lot of things, and miss patterns that are right in front of us. Other times, we fish tricky conditions and patterns that may have crushed days earlier end up being useless. Fishing is basically trying to solve a constantly evolving puzzle. That's what makes it exciting.

That is awesome! I love that he got a shot that sturgeon. That video just made me want to bounce a tube.

Here in PA, it's been staying hot late into September and even October. Are you fishing largemouth or smallmouth? In my experience, early fall is less about which bait as it is simply finding the fish. Early fall can be really hot fishing and almost your entire tackle box comes into play. Later into the fall, more finesse stuff and slower, more natural presentations tend to be key. If you live on or near water where a lot of forage dies going into the fall (shad/herring, especially) that can make a great pattern. Late fall, fish will be deep or on their way deep and in rivers, moving away from current into protection from current in deep water, bays, behind points, oxbows, etc.

I saw this video the other day. I fancy myself a reasonably composed fellow, but NOPE NOPE NOPE. Serious props to the dude for keeping a level head, staying functional, not panicking, and making it home.