Fishin Dad

I agree it is regurgitation, but, to a NEW angler, it gives them the knowledge it took others years to find out in one click of the mouse now. And even that other 10% is helpful in learning quicker and/or more in depth.

My opinion is absolutely it has gotten easier. Knowledge is power (remember School House Rock), and the ease of gaining knowledge now is exponentially higher. Instead of hoping to stumble upon someone who can explain something they heard (I.e-the Ned rig), you can now read more about it and get at least xxxx opinions and examples of it in words, pictures, and video. Now add in mapping, sonar, side scan, and live this and that, and finding fish and areas to fish is waaaaaay easier. Grandpa used to teach me to triangulate “the barn”, “big tree on the hill”, and the “water tower”. Then drop a clip weight and measure it by arm lengths to get a general depth. With all that said, I HATE “most” technology and don’t have any social media. I long for the days of old and simple lives, when people actually DID TALK to people instead of looking at phones or computers. I did catch fish with grandpa, but on a couple lakes we knew well. Pressure was less and fish didn’t seem to see so many things. Do I use fishing graphs.........yes Do I like catching more fish..........yes Is it easier now.....................YES

I had originally thought it was getting bumped as my rods sat on the deck of my boat, but no way. I then figured out with certain techniques and sometimes fighting fish, my hand would catch the dial. Slightly annoying, but I am just more aware now and it has been better. I do wish they could figure something out, but not a deal breaker for me.

I noticed this as well. More this year than last. I just finally figured out what was happening this year too. I am now just more aware of it, and adjust as necessary. I will never switch to a reel where I have to remove a side plate to adjust it however. That is a "reel" pain in the rump.

When I first started, I went to a lake that was supposed to be a great bass lake, I got skunked. I felt like I had no clue. I kept talking to people at the ramp and others that I knew fished it. I even brought a guy out with me who had some experience on the lake. After gaining a little knowledge, I just tried to go out there and “enjoy the experience”. This lake is now, many years later, one of my confidence lakes. With all that, I got skunked for the first time this year there on Thursday. It’s fishing. Good luck and enjoy the experience!!

Jason, I bet that Steez rod is sweet. Would love to have one, but a little $$ for me. I think they may have a little more tip as Andy Montgomery had his Daiwa “skipping” rod as a heavy power before moving to Lews.

Our bass do bite well here and we have so many lakes, you can get away from pressure. I would really like to have a chance at 7+ lber. Though. Good luck out there!! Think of us freezing here soon. I have to drill holes to fish then.

Well, I went out today on a different lake and caught 11 bass. Probably the last fish of the year for me was a nice 4.6 lb. on a jig by a bridge piling. Thanks for the encouragement!! Good luck to all you lucky folks who have a much longer season. Off to the deer stand!!

Rodfather, Thanks for the encouragement and congrats on the PB!! 7 lbs. was my goal the last 2 years, but still waiting. We had some bad winter kill on some of our better lakes with over 2 feet of ice and incredible amounts of snow. A lot of big fish washed up on shore this spring from lack of oxygen. I am jealous of you southern guys and I am moving south during January and February for sure when I retire. I am not a crank bait guy either and also get caught with confidence baits too often. Good luck on the rest of your (long, I am jealous) season. Today may get be my last day for the year, cold weather is coming.

I am going to give it one more try tomorrow, then the weather takes a cold turn. High in the 40’s, lows around 30. Time to stick some meat. Hopefully the new moon is good to me. Thanks!

Thanks GreenPig! I am jealous when I see you southern fellows PB’s. I can’t even imagine a bass over 8 pounds. Have fun hammering them with those spoons. That’s something I have never done. I will be drilling holes in the ice for fish in 2 months. ❄️?

Hey Tennessee, Sorry to hear about your skunks, but I would trade for your PB! You would be really close to our state record with yours. We have 15,000+ lakes and it seems pretty easy to catch fish, but, the Fall just doesn’t like me here. I have just really struggled here in the fall the last couple years and it is driving me to hang it up early. BTW, I am jealous of your much longer season as well! Good luck your next time out!

It has to be something with the connection of the blade to the jig or possibly something small lodged in between. Check that out or tie another on and see how it feels for comparison. I find all chatterbaits to run different, even among the same brand and styles. Some stay down better, vibrate better, etc.

Headed out today at 2:30 once it warmed up a little bit (58 degrees air temp.). Hit the lake with water temps only 47-48 degrees. Yikes. Fish were not havin it. Nothing. I have said the last 2 years I am storing the boat in October and taking the bow out earlier. Should have listened to myself. Have not done well at all in mid October. First trip this year with nothing. I may make my appointment to have the boat serviced for October 1, 2020 to force myself to STOP!!

Money is not a deal breaker and I want to get the right rod, but if they are close to equal rods, I wouldn’t mind saving a buck. Thanks GReb I just saw that extra 10% now! Both of these rods seem to be liked with a preference to the Expride from what I have read. Dang it I wish I could hold both rods and see a personal preference. Thanks again for all this info everyone. Birthday is coming and the family wants a choice. Coming soon

Sorry Tom, I actually meant to say pitching and skipping. I was thinking the same thing about the medium heavy being more accurate skipping and pitching. I do have a couple 7’3” heavy rods, but I really like around 7’ rods to skip more accurately. For pitching, I actually like the 7’3”-7’6” rods. Since this will be my primary skipping with pitches in between rod, I wanted to stay around that 7’ range. I currently use a 6’10” and it works, but a couple more inches are preferred since I am 6’3” and it is easier for me to keep it close to the water with a little longer rod, even just a couple inches. Thanks

I agree. While I know it may open a Pandora’s box of sorts, since I can’t hold all these rods, I want to gather as many somewhat specific opinions as possible while narrowing it down a bit with specific parameters.

I also just checked out the Daiwa Elite AGS that has pretty much what I was looking for. Anyone use one of those? Specifically the 7’ m-mh. I do do have a 6’10” Tatula I am using now. Like a little shorter rod, but 7’ seems about right for me. I will check out the Fitzgerald rods as well.

Rich, i have not not used a Kistler yet, is there a soft enough tip on the Helium using the heavy? Thanks

Wow, the Expride in a landslide so far. I thought it might be a little closer. I will also check out the Helios. I have a Helios reel that has been solid for years. Thanks everyone.

Hey Folks, i am looking for a somewhat specific jig rod. I would like something in the 7’-7’1” range, MH (skipping and Flippin 3/8, 1/2, maybe 5/8 oz. jigs). I want a rod without exposed threads hitting my thumb or finger(so a small Fore grip). I want to keep it around $300. I have a lot of other rods, but want a solid dedicated jig skipping rod. I have narrowed it down to the Kistler Helium3 and the Shimano Expride. Have heard great things about both these rods. If you have experience with these or any other rods meeting this criteria, I would appreciate any help in picking a rod. Thanks!

I have really liked it. Have used the 100% pure fluoro and found it to be good quality and value. You get 250 yards instead of 200. I have some Pline Tactical fluoro as well, but haven't used it yet.

Hey Frydog, How do you compare the performance of the Alpha SV to the Zillion SV? I have both the Tatula SV and the Zillion SV. Just wondering compared to those what you like.

Hey Punch, how do the bibs fit. I am 6’3 and 210 lbs. with long legs. I am thinking the large, but curious if they are long enough and how generous. I wear a 33”-34” waist pant. Thanks

Just curious what line you use for jigs? It seems like a similar technique to Texas rigs. For no reason at all, I have been trying fluorocarbon for jigs and braid for Texas rigs. Still haven’t figured out what I like the best for all techniques.