Tracker22

Yep, Marion area.

Heddon baby torpedo

I enjoy posting stuff that pis*es off FB fact checkers.

Might I add another pointer. Don’t sweat the long flips i.e. 10,20, 30ft. I’m amazed at how many big fish I catch right under the boat. IMO, bass feel secure hiding in the weeds. I mean don’t be banging around in a tin boat but bass don’t scare that easy in the weeds. You could be parked right on top of a biggen.

Punching is my favorite and most productive technique. 99% of my bites come on the first fall. I’m in and out.

IDNR has been doing a lot of grass killing all over the state. Some needed, some overkill.

Pssh… I got five miles from the lake and my truck broke down.

I love the Spro rat!

My tip for anyone starting with baitcasters is to become proficient at untangling birdnests before you hit the lake. And start with monofilament. It is more forgiving and doesn’t kink as bad .

JK big rig; pi$$ off the side all the time (although might dribble a little due to short appendage).

Can’t even get a license down here. I checked four places. They all said they have had problems with IDNR since last year. Oh, but you can get one online for a small fee. BS! Sounds like a scam to me.

Funny, I just discovered them in southern Illinois last week. First time I’ve ever seen them.

With those options, I’d choose the kayak. Winter fishing is dangerous whether in a kayak or Jon boat. Experienced kayakers tend to use more caution than boaters in adverse conditions. Layered non-cotton clothes with a dry suit of some sort. I’ve been fishing until ice over for the past 5 years and have never turtled but I prepare for it every trip.

Some pads and grasses don’t work with the widened gap on the hooks.

Learning how to quickly clear a backlash is crucial to learning baitcasters. YouTube and experience helped me learn.

Met a buddy at the lake to take his new used boat out for the first time. I backed him down the ramp into the water and when I pulled out the back half of the trailer stayed in the water.

Scenario: small lake, water temps low eighties, coontail and pads. Shallow end one to two degrees cooler than main lake. I’m only catching dinks on shallow end and very few to none on the main lake. Where should I fish for big ones? Shallow or deep?

The advantage and disadvantage of kayak fishing is that we can’t run all over the lake. The advantage being that we tend to fish areas more thoroughly. The disadvantage obviously is if the fish aren’t there we’re stuck. Slow down ( not like you have a choice) , fish the spots that other boaters are skipping. Personally, I just love fishing behind a big Ranger and catching fish they never saw.

I’m suffering from the summer doldrums also. I catch fish until 8am then nothing. I’ve got a tourney Saturday. What would y’all throw after 8:00?

Off topic, but I grew up in Collierville. Man! That town has changed. I remember as kids, laying in the middle of Poplar Ave. at night and the town had like four traffic lights, total. Geez I’m old!?

What I’ve noticed is that a lot of scents contain an oily substance. This substance leaves a trail in the water. Maybe fish can see or smell this trail. I use Megastrike and SlabSlobber scents.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/insect-and-animal-control/insect-repellents/7250632?x429=true&gclid=Cj0KCQjwka_1BRCPARIsAMlUmEpywRluVYrUEwgvPe7yZW4ufCO4jvDjnyMMwZJNmDgAJY-lWmtDU-QaAr2ZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Buggins Natural Insect Repellent works for me in So.IL.

Yeah, I don’t think they could make it any more confusing.

No, only listed lakes are open.

I just changed from a 7’ to a 7’6” and I like it better.