lbriggs

My friend always complains that I catch more fish than him. Maybe it's because while he's busy talking my ear off, I'm fishing and catching fish. He's "that dude" that talks far too much, and complains far too often.

My home lake is a little river cove that holds a good amount of smallmouth and some largemouth. It's very tough to fish and I have found the best approach is to wade, not even be in a boat. I fished it nearly everyday for an entire summer and I feel like I have that place on lock; what baits work when and where. I think that given his expertise and his amazing reputation as an angler, I may have a 50 to 60 percent chance on any given day on beating him. If the conditions were tough and the fish were finicky, he wins. If the fish are in the current by the edge of the cove and the conditions favor my favorite ways to fish (front moving in, overcast) I could fight him for a win. I would have more rods and a lot more knowledge of the tough fishing of Iowa, and would win in those conditions maybe 65 percent of the time. Not to discredit KVD, he's an awesome angler. In an ideal world, he still has the cheap spincaster and we fish against eachother for Northern Pike. I win 80 percent of the time (or I like to think I would).

Clear water-try a slow sinking jerkbait that has a deep dive. Natural colored jigs and trailers, maybe a silver blade bait bounced slowly down those large rocks. A dropshotted trick worm or tube may do the trick. Good luck.

Great spring and summer for me. I was able to get out almost every day in June since I was out of high school and preparing for college. Caught my PB Smallmouth, Largemouth, Walleye, and discovered a love for Northern Pike. Also forgot my scale each time I caught a big fish, though (except walleye). Smallie was 18.5 inches around 3 pounds, Largemouth was 22 inches maybe 5 to 6 pounds, Northern was 31 inches, and Walleye was 24 inches and 4.5 pounds. Great spring and summer Iowa angling, but slow Fall bites and a nonexistent Winter bite wasn't fun. 9/10 overall.

Thanks, very helpful of everyone.

Perfect. Thank you. I love the KVD 1.5s and 1.0s. I also fish the Rapala Rattlin Rap in 3/8 so that's perfect. Thanks.

Thanks for the quick response! New to these forums, only a lurker here..hope my post is alright. The KastKing reel comes in tomorrow, I will be sure to update this thread. Christmas deal on Amazon, 60 dollars down to 36 dollars! Can't beat that for a reel that (supposedly) performs on the same level as a Abu Pro Maxx, it even has 11+1 bearings. The Black Max reel I purchased is a 2015 model, the drag is smooth and has yet to slip. Do you guys think that the Field and Stream Rod is up to snuff? I haven't heard much but what I have heard is very good. Will that combo handle squarebills and lipless cranks well? They are my favorite baits by far.

I have been seriously fishing for maybe 2 years. I am just out of high school and own three rods and three reels. Here they are; SPINNING 1.) Abu Garcia Veritas (6'6" medium power fast action) Pflueger President (3500 series I think, maybe a 5.4:1 gear ratio) ---Mainly using this for live baits, drop-shot, ned/neko rig, finesse jigs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASTING 1.) Field and Stream Tec Spec (6'6" medium power fast action) KastKing Royale (6.3:1 gear ratio) ---Just got these over Christmas. Planning on using jerkbaits, lipless cranks, and squarebills 2.) Black Max Rod (7" medium heavy fast action) Black Max Reel (6.3:1?) ---I like to throw heavy spinnerbaits and some topwater on this rod. I will start throwing football head jigs eventually with this. I really love my spinning combo, absolutely no problems there. I like the black max reel, but despise the rod on the black max combo. I plan on replacing it with a No8 Fishing *** most likely. I also have yet to fish with the Field and Stream combo but hope it performs. What are your opinions on these rods and reels for a small arsenal? Do each of these combos work for what applications and lures I will be using?