snake95

Agree. Another great low budget scouting tool is Navionics Boating App for $22/year, for mapped lakes. Navionics + Earth is a deadly combo.

I recently discovered I had a Vertias 2.0 7-6 MH rod in my collection that had been forgotten. There is a newer version now. It seems to be more of a HF in hand - emphasis on the F. I would think it would work as a jig and worm rod, or maybe flipping. Seems to be too fast for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. If you have one, interested to hear what you are using it for.

RDB do you anchor or use spot lock or just cast away?

I use a Sportsman PDL 106 for the reservoirs; in small ponds I'm paddling a Bondfide RS117. I seriously considered the AutoPilot and continue to seriously consider it. Good points on moving while flipping - I adopted a stake out pole to my gear last year and love it. I imagine staking and then flipping/pitching the immediate area, then pushing down a bit and working my way along the bank that way. Both of these very different methods clearly seem well suited to the AP.

Thank you for that experience - I had half a mind to message you since I figured you'd have tried this out from the canoe. I am working on standing. Seems like lots of opportunities for flipping in our waters.

Options for experimentation with a range of methods is one of my favorite aspects of bass fishing. I am developing as a kayak angler and my primary fishing areas are ponds and creeks (bays) of highland reservoirs of Georgia. We are blessed with two electric motor only impoundments nearby. One is shallow with weedy bays, one has shallow areas with weeds and other cover, but also has deep submerged channels (15-20 ft increasing in depth up to 60+ in some areas) with some long points and steep drop offs. I am looking to add one or two new techniques this year and flipping and deep cranking (15-25 feet) both have my interest. Any experience and pointers on using these methods from a kayak?

I live near Atlanta and have been to 3 of the last 4 classics (not Texas summer 2021). I have taken my son out of school each Friday to join me for each of them. It is fishing heaven. Will be in Greensboro and now Knoxville again. Sam's description is right on, though we've been to the weigh ins and blast offs and even to watch the guys come in at Green Pond Landing in SC. For me, the gear is awesome. But the people are the best part. Most successful Pros are people people (not all but most) and they are great with the fans, especially kids. In Anderson, we chatted with Aaron Martens as he waited for his turn to take his boat out (RIP Aaron). In Birmingham, Jason Christie strolled up to us and stood beside my son ("hi guys, how are you doing? let's get a picture together"). Later in the evening, we watched the boats going into the arena. While he waited to go in, we waved to Gussy and he hopped down off his boat to shake hands and talk fishing (not like he wasn't kind of busy!). Fishing tends to attract good people.

Great news! I will get them!

Came across a pile of Norman DD14s in old Norman (pre Pradco) packages, and other older Norman cranks. Pradco discontinued these and other Norman models. I don't know much about these but looking forward to doing some deeper cranking and they caught my attention. Do these baits require a lot of tuning? Anyone have any success with them?

That makes sense as a key factor. My conditions vary between those extremes.

This is interesting, thanks. I am originally from northern Ontario and fish in eastern Ontario for smallmouths with my brother every year. (I have lived in the US deep south for a long time). Trying this 7-4 rod for the first time, I imagined it would be ideal for long casts of ned rigs and drop shots for some of those tanks you are talking about. I was trying it out on our largemouth the other day and found I liked the feel for that. I could see myself really benefiting from that. I am a kayak fisherman and fish some long points and can use all the help with long casts in those conditions. Thanks. I see myself using this for similar applications. Makes sense. I see using similar baits. I use a finesse Neko a fair amount.

Just picked up a Dobyns DC 743 SF as part of their Boom Boom series sell off. It is a one-off length in the DC series. Always used 7 ft ish spinning rods for finesse before this. Tried it out today with ned heads and grubs and caught a few. Good casting distance, accuracy maybe not as good. Most of the time I am not aiming too close to a specific target with soft plastic finesse techniques. Interested to hear who uses spinning rods in the 7-4+ range and for what applications?

Considering getting an underwater camera. My main objective is to use it to learn more about underwater structure and to satisfy my own curiosity. I am not expecting huge things from it - not planning to go out looking for fish with it, per se. Typically stay away from off-brand products, but for playing around, I am fine with it, especially considering some of the poor reviews I have seen from some of the major manufacturers. Basically, I am looking for a "toy" that also works. Any suggestions?

I think this is Outlet Bait and Tackle. Maybe?

Not unreasonable. Thanks for putting out the answer I was searching for.

Very interesting seeing regional preferences. There are some constants, but not 100%. I am in Georgia and when I work out west I always pick up a few Roboworms and Japanese brands that aren't as common in the east. I will be mixing Roboworm fats and Reins bubbling shakers in with Zoom finesse worms and SK Fat Baby Finesse worms for shakey head fishing. For T-rigging I will be using Rage Cut R worms which have been very effective . TBH, I will use dozens of brands and styles.

Here in Georgia, my best was a carp that took down a 110 whopper plopper. I was astonished - but it really happened.

Yes this is what I was referring to. Sorry for any confusion.

Stupid question on the TW 20% off... when does it expire? I don't see that part.

My infatuation was the Gantarel Jr. Once I watched a bass follow my swimming bluegill, I could not put it down. I carried a Dobyns Fury 795 SB with a Gantarel Jr. everywhere in 2021.

I just wanted to point out that Dicks Sporting Goods seems to have suspended it's survey for $10 off $50 deal. I am not seeing it printed on receipts these days, and the old links don't seem to work. That thing produced some sweet deals for baits when they had major clearance prices. You could get a lot for around $40. If someone sees that it is working again let me know!

I am also an engineer and love data and see the value of it to improve understanding. I admire you guys that keep good records. I think that is cool. This year I started with a really simple spreadsheet on my phone. Fill in a few cells each trip. Seemed perfect. My fishing buddy is another analytical guy with an engineering background. First few months we did a good job comparing records. I am also a father to two pretty active kids. I made it to a lot of soccer games and almost all of their swim meets and various performances in 2021. However, I did not stick to my record keeping this year. Maybe in 2022.

My winter strategy for north Georgia largemouth in ponds is "vibration + flash." My best baits meet these two criteria; examples include: Silver Buddy (smashed them a few nights ago) Mepps Aglia Lipless (have not really dialed in yet) I fish the blade bait and lipless with variable retrieve speeds and sometimes hopping/stroking. I have found the Dobyns FR 705 CB to be pretty good for smaller lipless and blade baits.

LOL I had half a mind to just PM you, because I know you use YUM baits and have this kind of knowledge. I have found baits in Walmart "special" YUM bags that I later identified as lures they make for BassPro. Recently, they had some great Gene Larew baits (some discontinued, some still out there). I have found others that I can only guess were experiments. I will try out the Fred Craws and let the folks at YUM know they now have a name! ??

Catch anything?