punch

Honestly if you're just trying to prevent boat rash in your rod locker.. who cares what it looks like?

That's actually really clever.

I'll get some more pics of the Skeeter once I pick it up, but looks like a done deal. I can't wait to gut all the electronics and rig it the way I want! I'll be looking to sell a Helix 5 and a 859ci HD if anyone's interested, hit me up. Also, on another side note.. if anyone needs an expensive flippin stick I have a NEW never used Tatula 7'6 heavy flippin stick that I'm looking to sell. Shoot me a mesasge.

Marmot Precip is an AMAZING rain jacket and you can pick them up for under $50. The precip pants are awesome too.. you don't HAVE to get a "fishing" rain suit. The camping/hiking world has tested rain equipment that's cheaper & just as good (if not better) than the fishing brands. Why buy a $600 huk or simms suit when you can get a Marmot jacket & pants for like $70 on ebay?

Ya'll fishing the Costa event??

I have an Arashi Top Walker and I'll 2nd that it's very boyant and likes to stay on the surface. I've caught a few fish on it and it seems to be a good walker, but I wouldn't say that it blew my socks off. I do like it better than the Sexy Dawg though. One walk-the-dog bait that did really impress me last season was the new(ish) Rapala Skitter V. It's insanely easy to walk.. a five yearold could walk that thing. The V body design is very cool and it had a super unique sound. I actually found myself reaching for the skitter V's the most out of any of my walking baits.

This may be my new rig this year...

I'm using the extra time to do some used boat shopping... looking to be dangerous. I think I found my new rig.

I'l be using my auger and some jiggin raps.

You have to click to redeem the coupon then the total will adjust at the final check out. https://slickdeals.net/share/android_app/t/11476223

KastKing also has 30% off their rod racks today on Amazon.

Hrm, would you insure it as a snowmobile or water craft?

I've been those dip down under 200 bucks now on eBay... gosh darnit.

So, I have NOT fished with them yet. We still have hard water up here in the north country. I did buy a bunch at 25% off at Cabela's the other day and BOY are they a fantastic looking bait. The fit & finish is really high quality. I'm super impressed with the paint jobs and eyes they put on these baits. They seriously look like a Japanese lure. Amazingly shiney and lots of nice little details. IMHO, nobody does balsa better than Rapala, and I'm really glad these things have a Balsa core but a plastic shell because the #1 problem with the DT's is they crack if you wack them into a dock/boat. I can't wait to try these out on the river this season and bounce them off some rocks.

You can definitely get them cheaper in the bay. That's where I got mine.

Don't look at the forecast.... 30's again this weekend. Jeeeeeeezus.

This is the next rod on my to-buy list. Glad to hear a glowing review of it. I want a dedicated chatterbait & spinnerbait rod.

I'll second the tournament pro G.. they are aaaaaawesome.

A big YES to the DT series. They come with "ok" hooks. They are sticky but they can bend out if you get a nice pike or a fish that's in some grass. You don't need to immediately upgrade them IMHO but keep an eye on em. DTs work everywhere, and catch everything. They have been my go-to since they came out. They are not without faults though. Being balsa they can crack and break when hitting cover (or the side of your boat), and their bills are not amazing at deflection like some more traditional squarebills. They will get hung up a little more if your raking rocks on the bottom. They do catch fish.. and lots of them. Largies, smallies, pike, perch, walleye, bluegill's, crappies... They all will eat a DT.

St Croix seems to be very late with updating their website on all their new stuff. It's very strange.

Speaking of spring sales, Cabela's has ALL Rapala baits discounted (looks to be 25% off). There's some good prices on DT's, BX Brats and Shad Raps.. Basically around 2 bucks off everything.

Honestly if the regular Tatula Type R feels good in your hand, and not "too big" then you got the right version for you. The advantage you're really getting with the CT Type R is the smaller frame. I'd argue the original tatula's would probably cast better/longer because of the slightly larger spool, but that's just an assumption. You're not really missing out on anything with the CT version other than a more compact body and thus a lighter weight. Personally, I had the first tatula for a long time and always felt it was a little 'chunky' to palm.. then the CT's came out and I switched because they felt more comfortable to me. It's really just personal preference. They both are proven workhorse reels.

And scour ebay & facebook & CL for fishing deals.. and refresh Bass Resource all day.. and watch old FLW & BASS tournaments on youtube..

I don't know if it's my "best" tip but it's one of my favorite USEFUL tips that's a direct carry over from the ice fishing world... "any information you get on a bite is old information". Meaning if someone said "oh yeah, the fish are in such and such area and hitting jerkbaits right now".... two things are very likely: A. they might have gotten 1 bite and been embellishing and B. that was the bite window THEN and won't be when you get there. Obviously if you fish the same body of water often, you'll find reliable spots and patterns that work in specific times of the year... BUT don't build your game plan around what someone at the local bait shop told you or something you read in a online fishing report, or even worse, a facebook group. The ice fishing world suffers from this a lot. People chase someone else's old bite instead of trying to figure out their own.

I'm just bummed I gotta drill a hole to go fish some crappies still. This time last year I was already out crappie fishing in my boat! Guess we can go in our backyards and practice flipping into snow banks?