Dye99

This season I went to a Alderbaron and a Loomis IMX swimbait rod to throw my keitechs and little dark sleepers. 1/4 ounce heads are the biggest and 3.3 inch is my standard. Its so much fun being able to one hand pitch baits under docks, pretty much my first " BFS " set up and Im having a blast catching fish on it..

Im 52 and I havent noticed any lack of reaction time yet. But I also am adamant about eating healthy, exercising and staying in good shape. Then I must add that I make my fishing runs short and sweet. 5 hours max, wear sun gear and make sure to hydrate. I feel as if Im in my fishing prime, old enough to learn from my youthful mistakes, yet young enough to not have the physical ailments that are due in the coming years.

Thats kind of personal preference in my opinion. I really like 2500s myself over my 3000s Not like its some huge difference mind you. In a kayak or rod tubes space matters for me.

Stradic is the answer. Ive got 4-5 of them and I can definitely attest to the fact they take a beating, feel super smooth, and do exactly what they are supposed to do. Sure Ive got nicer reels but the stradics are my workhorses.

I came back to Austin Texas from overseas in 06. Plans were to purchase a bass boat. In the meantime I was looking at different ones for sale I took my canoe out to pitch some docks when a weird looking SOT fishing yak came rolling down the shoreline towards me. Coolest thing Id ever seen. Asked him where he got it and he told me a local place called ACK.. I pulled in my line, paddled in and headed to the store and bought a Yak. Every few years I upgrade to better boats and electronics but I havent had the urge to look at bass boats ever since. The silence, the freedom of what waters you can fish, and the ability to just pitch the boat in the back of a truck and go is paramount to me. Love Yak Bassin! Its the only way for me.

alderbaron....

Fluke and obviously senko for me!

I fish the NED a alot, actually just coming in from a morning smallie trip right now. Best of the day was 4.14lb Everyones different, but for this is what Ive learned and how I do it. -Proper time for the fish to take the bait. When I set right away I was losing fish. -I do NOT hook set like a jig, I found it makes a bigger hole in the fishes mouth and more chances for the hook to come out. -Proper equipment, I use light leader, light braid and a rod that isnt that stiff. It's got more of a drop shot feel rod. ( G Loomis IMX pro 831s NRR ) -Raising the rod after the bite, Not jerking. As well as keeping the rod bent at all times, and letting the drag do its thing is paramount. NED is one of my confidence baits for Smallmouth ( Triple threat NED, Tube, and weightless wacky senko ) so I usually will use it every week unless the fish tell me they arent having it. Then the Dropshot comes out... Either way, Good luck!

Depends on what rod its on and what technic Im using it for. This week Im pretty sold on the Shimano Alderbaron. True work of art. But for top water frog work I love the abu garcia rocket. Curados are hard to beat for cost as well.

The only rods Ive ever broken were St. Croix. both setting on spotted bass with a jig. Broke one, got a new one and the next year broke that one. Trashed them and never went back to that brand. Luckily Ive no issues with the gear Im using now.

I use 20lb braid to 10 pound flouro leader. Dont know if its the right way but its definitely worked for me for years.

3.3 Keitech with 1/4 ounce head Vision 110 jerkbait DR spy bait.

From the pics I would, -Frog across the top of the pads stopping in holes. -Keitech 3.8 run on the edges -Wacky senko weightless on the edges -Weightless fluke pitched into open areas in the pads.

It's mostly a monthly thing for me being a small mouth guy. Spring is jerk baits, ned and tubes Summer is jigs, drop shot, shakey head Fall is back to jerkbaits, Neds and tubes I do intermingle all of them together though and I use topwater, flukes, cranks and spinnerbaits on occasion when the bite isnt here. If I had to pick one technic that I use every trip, all season it would be weightless wacky senko. I keep a NRX+ 852 Loomis/2500 stradic tied on for wacky all the time. Its the only rig that never changes and goes out on the boat every time.

6th sense glitch worn in purples or pink for smallies around here.

Those good ones used to be the norm... Even last year I was fishing a public lake and a homeowner came running out to to tell me the smallies have nests underneath his dock in a sandy area, actually watched me pitch bait underneath it and waited until I caught one. All smiles. Now I get yelled out before I even get close. Im always respectful, I dont argue or insult but it just blows my mind how rude people can be, having no knowledge who their are even talking to. Social media has made many people very brave and hiding behind a screen as well as hiding behind 50ft of water tends to make everyone heroes I guess.

Is it me or have people gotten more and more angry when you get near their docks lately? Fished for many years and never had any issues. I always stand off a ways, never pitch if there's boats parked or people there. Basically mind my own business. This year alone Ive been yelled out more times than all the years combined. People will go out of their way to yell out to me that its private property before I even get close with my boat. Yesterday my kayak fishing partner got yelled out by people saying this part of a bridge was private property, while they were putting up American flags. America land of the free, but you must stay 50ft from someones private property? Laughable at best. I just smile and ignore them but this year has been a ramp up in dock Karens like Ive never seen, ever. Are people seeing this elsewhere? How do you deal with it?

I jerkait fished for smallies and used a few different rods. primarily using the 110's and Juniors...I was never very confident in the technic. Lost fish, or didnt get strikes at all. I tried out the Megabass and it started making sense. Numbers went up in both landed fish and strikes. Either it was I was using the wrong equipment, lack of knowledge and skills or the Megabass rod was perfect for this application. I usually err on the side of me, but I cant help but think the rod made a lot of difference. They make nice stuff.

Megabass Orochi Ronin...

Cashion Frog extra heavy with 50lb and a Abu Revo rocket...

I came up as a pup in Texas power fishing. Now in north Idaho I chase small mouth. I really tried to power fish them but my numbers are always better with spinning tackle and smaller baits. I have been getting back in bait casters with the whole BFS mentality as of late, but I do love to use spinning tackle. Fighting a 6 lb smallie on 8lb test and a lite drop shot rod is pretty dang fun!

I only speak for kayaks not bass boats. I was involved in kayak bass tourneys and I wish that that there would be a tournament series thats only human powered kayaks. I have no issues with fish finders, but man some of these guys show up to Yak tourneys with gas motor on the back, spot lock trolling on the front, so much stuff they cant drag it if they had to. I have no issues with what you do with your boat, just always thought it would be cool to see those tournaments as well as human powered ones too..

For me, NRX+ for the best or Megabass destroyer, then spend the rest on a reel. Its all personal opinions though, so the best bet would be to get your hands on a few different rigs and you decide what you think feels the best. Youll know what feels good in your hands. My fishing buddy hands me a McSmalls ALX and to me it's an ugly stick, hate it. I hand him a NRX+ 852 for senko's and he hates it, feels like a cheap broomstick. All perception.

I use either. Only thing is for me, Ive got to be standing in my yak...

Ive used a few over the years and never was confident in the technic of jerk bait fishing until I purchased the Megabass Ronin. That rod is awesome, short, sweet and perfect action for visions and other JBs