the reel ess

Just tie one on and don't take it off. You'll catch good fish. You can use those trailers as T rigs as well.

I took a milk crate and zip tied (6) PVC rod holders in it. And I have two flush mount (angled to the aft) rod holders. So I can carry 8. And I will sometimes when I expect a mixed bag. But usually I carry 7 bass combos.

But I do have a ML that was my late dad's. I haven't figured out how to use it yet.

I don't finesse much. I love power fishing.

It's a feel thing. I set the drag for trebles pretty loose. It allows you to use a MH rod if you want. Lately I'm leaning toward all MH-Hvy rods and just use the drag and line to moderate the action. I set spinner/buzzbaits a tad higher. Maybe half of the breaking point of mono line. T rigs I set pretty tight if I'm using a superline or flipping hook and stout rod. Set it medium for wire hooks. For jigs and frogs, I lock it down. That's heavy cover and guerilla warfare. FWIW I use braid on all these except for the spinner/buzzbait rod. I use 15# Big Game mono on that combo.

Welcome, from a fellow SC kayak angler. I live in the piedmont region, Lancaster County. You have some beautiful waters up there.

The Zoom. But several packs because fish destroy them.

She should stop right now. But she probably wants a 7 pounder now.

I try to save as many as I can by the methods mentioned above. But if I'm certain I've killed a fish I try to give it to someone who's keeping them, if they're around. It happens. If it dies, some other creature will profit from its loss of life.

I can pick one off every now and then. But I still do better in the shadows even when the sun is up. One thing I like to do is go early or late when it's warm. That gives me another chance at low light conditions. I consider the frog to be a different thing altogether. They work well for me sometimes in full sun.

It's rare that I catch bass on topwaters in full sun in the middle of the day. But I can when it's overcast.

This is a clear case of fish organ harvesting. Went to sleep in a bed and woke up in a tub of ice.

A big bird probably

Florida has the most places for you to fish that don't freeze of any state I know of. Water is everywhere. I fished with a guide there who drove us an hour, mostly on dirt roads, to our destination. He told me we probably passed a hundred places I could put the kayak in and catch good largies or peacocks.

I guess that would be the state of Sinaloa

Up until about a week ago it was the Cordell Super Spot in gold/black. It caught me a 7.2 lb two weeks ago. But last time I went, the crappie were spawning and I jigged the shallows-I also caught a bunch of bass on the crappie jig on light tackle. That was a hoot. I only caught one on the Spot that day. Spawn will be upon us very soon here.

I haven't tried it, but bet it works.

I only plug the scuppers under my seat because they'll wet your behind with the seat in the lower position. My current ride is a Pescador Pro 10, which sits a little higher than my last one. The fore scuppers don't usually take on any water. I don't concern myself with the aft ones.

As light as wind, current and the depth you're fishing will allow. But I have from 1/8-1/2 bullet weights in the bag. I prefer tungsten when I peg the sinker because it's smaller. You can force a fish's mouth open with a larger weight. Lately I've not been pegging my T rigs and I'm using 1/4 oz. lead. 3/16-1/4 is the go-to. I didn't believe when I started fishing jigs that they would bite a 1/2 oz. and hold on to it. I was wrong. The big ones will try to take it back from you even after they feel resistance.

It's always that way in early spring. Can't tell you how many spring breaks at the lake house have been ruined by cold weather. Work keeps getting in the way of good fishing days. But daylight saving time is here now and it'll be warm soon enough.

In addition to live bait that's already been mentioned, crappie jigs, Rooster Tails, Beetle Spins. These are also good for a mixed bag.

I love them too!

It's never too early to plan. My buddy told me he found 2 bluegill and a frog the bass had spit up in his livewell yesterday. But then I live in SC. As for the reel, I use a Lew's LFS Tournament MB 7.5:1, I think. If I was to buy another it would be in the 8 range. The faster, the better for frogs.

Good way to lose an eye

I used to hear bass boats running high speed in fog so thick we needed a compass to get across the lake. Very irresponsible. But people have a tendency to push the envelope after the do something and don't get hurt, like so many reckless motorcyclists or street racers.