FinCulture

coulda been a big cat

dang I wish I had close spots with smallies like that

hey dude, welcome!

I almost always pick Ike, he never fails me!

the thing is that lakes tend to be warm at least in the summer so you really wont need them. you could just throw on a bathing suit. Fishing a hot morning in waders at the lake may cause some discomfort. Rivers on the other hand are generally painfully freezing, making waders a good option if you wanna stay dry and warm. Plus you can slip and fall a lot in rivers so having waders'll keep you dry when/if that happens as well.

maybe try to work a finnese worm right outside of the branches nice and slow and draw them out.

Congrations man!

welcome Ben!

Freedom of facial hair! It's in the constitution! MERICA!!

everything those guys said.

id hafta see exactly where you were to be able to say. was the tree between you and the spot you wanted to throw your bait?

im gonna go on a hunch here, even though I could, just could, be wrong, and say you caught them on a swim bait.

buying new, you're going to be way over your budget. The boat itself is between three and four thousand biggins, and im not talking about bass when I say biggins. a motor could go for another 3000 at the cheapest. just keep exploring for a package deal online or anywhere else you can. and don't glue yourself to the grizzly, be open to other options. If you look for any boat package in your price/size range as opposed to just that v-hull, you'll find something soon enough.

I would go with braid and a leader given you know a good splice knot, perhaps the FG. You'll have more sensitivity and will be better off if you end up hitting cover.

man, walleye are very high on my bucket list. They just aren't too common in Massachusetts. Welcome to the forum!

I'll be thinking of this when I'm fishing a jig and not catching fish tomorrow.

ya don't let deep pondering on the role of artificial scent agents drive you to your last wit on your quest for the elusive bass.

Agreed. I wouldn't call Strike King, Rebel, and Arbogast "Walmart brands" They all make some quality tuff and can be found at Bass Pro Shops, Dick's, etc.

I don't think you will never catch a fish with them untreated, but I think you bite ratio will go down somewhat, but probably not by much.

loomis between the two. maybe also look at the St. Croix Avid or Avid X in the same price range.

I think it's more of a plasticy smell. Either way, a quick overnight soak in some scent should take care of it.

that little guy either got in a fight with a slime dart or the prop of my minn kota!

I've also had luck around dusk. Many of my trips go from about five to eight thirty (nightfall) I caught 3 fish that together weighed about 10 pounds during my last trip at this time.

Would this be a good spring time bait because of the slow, finesse approach?

If you use a swim jig, definitely add a paddle tail swimbait trailer if you don't already, it makes a big difference. Your dragging and hopping technique sounds on par, maybe try casting down the shoreline instead of straight out, aim for overhanging trees, rocks, pads, etc. that are near the shoreline. bass'll often be there looking for craws, frogs, and insects so maybe try that if you didn't before.