umckibben

Why? So you have proof of the "true size" with out taking in to consideration the quality of scale or if it's locked in or...... If you ask him the size of the fish in the pictures I'm sure he'll tell you, I guess it's up to you if you want to believe him or not. I personally like long arming fish for a picture, I think the pictures just turn out better...imo

I see what your saying but I rarely... if ever have seen a smallie spawned out skinny, where I've caught many big head 5-6# largemouth only weighing at 3 and change that were spawned out with skinny skinny bellies, I'd say even the 5#+ class smallies pre or post spawn look more proportioned than any post spawn largemouth..

Kind of a tough Fall this year in Wisconsin, went right from late Summer fishing to late Fall fishing in a week, I feel like I missed out on that great Fall bite, most of the spots I fish early Fall are beating the banks on small ponds and rivers near me (South of Madison) which usually produce big schooling smallies or plenty of 3+# largemouth just haven't produced like years past, and I fear it's not going to turn around with the temps the way they look to be the next few weeks. Gonna keep trying when I can, I'd imaging you'll do the same! Good luck, Go Pack Go!

I love chasing river smallies but not exclusively, river smallies always seem active and feeding, not a lot of "skill" involved to catch 30+ fish/ day, just have to make good casts to prime spots, imo of course... Lake smallies on the other hand can be feast or famine, much harder to locate and catch the same 30+ fish/ day unless it's good/ great conditions. Although I love catching some beautiful Wisconsin Bronze, rivers or lakes, I'm a frog fisherman at heart...

Do you have a good system or tool to remove the small c clips?

Hmm, I'd really liked to hear the back story there, I guess that would make sense.... somewhat

I see some posts referring to different websites and social media outlets for buying and selling fishing gear, I tried to post ***.com but the post was censored? What gives?

Those river giants are a thing of beauty! Good for him.

Not really

Get a reel that's right hand retrieve, it'll be more natural not switching hands, I'm right handed, I hold the rod with my right hand, cast with my right hand, set the hook with my right hand, only thing my non dominate left hand does is turn the handle.

Haven't been there in quite awhile but we used to throw dd22s around the reefs with some good success some years sone not so good, those lake Erie smallies can get massive! Good luck

^^ +1

I'd get a good mh/ fast 7'-7'2 with a quality 7:1-8:1 reel, that set up will work with a lot of applications, then figure out what you like to do, if you frog slop alot add a heavy/ex fast w/ high gear reel, if your a deep ds guy add a med spinning set up, if crankbaits are your thing add a med/mh 7-7'6 mod/ fast, but id start with the quality mh/ fast and a good reel just add what you feel you'll need to fish your strengths, there's no shortage on rods and reels

Any thought about a '12 exsence DC? Used one can be had on Ebay for good price, excellent froggin reel imo!

I use a Shimano Exsence DC for froggin, and have a couple steez A's, I think the A's would do the job just fine, I do like the frame on the steez, I think it would be more comfortable throughout the day over the newer shimano style of the Mets, the bantam is a nicer palming reel too but I have yet to use one...