NYWayfarer

In the old days we would say "you started it." Will Smith would have said "Don't start nothing, won't be nothing."

I had success this weekend throwing weightless stick baits while drifting along the shoreline. While the boat was drifting down the shore I would get multiple catches as the Smallies were attacking anything that looked like food that floated past them. Top water baits of any kind on this kind of drift would have worked as well. The way the smallmouth were surfacing for top water insects made it a fly fisherman's dream out there.

I also have the Vexilar T-pod Sonarphone. I did some research and the Vexilar is a better item than the I Bobber. The Vexilar uses a wifi signal rather than the I Bobber's Bluetooth connection. The sonar readout of the Vexilar actually looks like any sonar readout from a traditional fishfinder unlike the I Bobbers unique screen image.

The issue stems from advertisers bailing on Youtube as there was no way of knowing what videos their ads would show in. For example a Disney ad could pop up during a Lunkers TV video where he is night hunting hogs in Texas or him hanging out with Outlaw chewing tobacco. Not exactly the videos Disney would endorse. The Googan Squad seems to have countered this by partnering with Dollar Shave Club. They endorse DSC products during their videos and the ads that pop up are from DSC.

Fenwick Eagle or Daiwa Jupiter (Walmart exclusive) Both sell for around $60

Drop shot for sure. Small stick baits would be great on a ML rod. Also Trout Slayers, they aren't just for trout.

I find this to be true. I reapply my oil of lemon eucalyptus bug spray every half hour to be the most effective.

Depends on how you look at it. If I think about the money I spent on cheap pliers over the last 20 years it probably adds up to $500 That kind of money spent on something that lasts that long seems like a good investment.

I agree with all of this. I would add that if you are getting strikes but no commitments downsize the bait. I will start with a 5" stick bait then go down to 4" and eventually 3" using a small wacky or mosquito hook. Big bass will hit a smaller bait. Yum Dingers are great bait in shallow waters as their fall rate is so slow. Keep a semi slack line and be prepared for the hit on the drop. Green pumpkin color works great in clear water.

Can't wait to see the Sharky III!

I would suggest the Fenwick Eagle but I think the best you can get for 2 piece casting rods would be a 6'6" Medium Fast action. At $60 its the perfect balance of cost and quality.

I have a Vexilar T-pod I got for less than $100 on sale. The ultimate in portability. I can cast it out on heavy rod and line and reel it in bank fishing or tie a rope on it and drag it behind my canoe. Best of all it sends the sonar readings to my smartphone.

I use the Buck 732 fin x-tract. Pliers, scissors, knife and screwdrivers. I like the fact that all the tools on it can be opened with one hand. The other great thing about it is the knife is pretty beefy unlike most multi-tools.

I carry the Buck 732 fin X-tract multi-tool. Pliers, knife, scissors, flat and phillips screwdrivers. All tools can be opened with one hand. Best of all its priced under $40 Comes with a case and sharpening stone.

Funny what people get curious about on a fishing forum short list would be parties, weddings and date nights with the wife.

For years I used Mono for everything. That's because that was what I first used and it was all I knew. I use different lines for different techniques now. By watching Roland Martin on TV I discovered Spiderwire Braid. Reading these forums helped me understand the difference between braid, mono, and fluro.

I am happy this subject came up. I am the person, you know the one, who when at a backyard gathering has black flies and mosquitos flocking to them. My friend actually used to joke that he would stand by me as I was attracting all the bugs so he was safe from them. I also swell up from most of these bites so I take my insect repellent seriously. After doing some research I realized that the best way to stay bug free is to "layer" your defense. I start with soap that has eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil in it. both are natural insect repellents. I use shampoo with tea tree oil another natural insect repellent. Other soaps, body washes and shampoos contain scents that can actually attract insects. My cologne wasn't helping so I ditched that and only wear it on special occasions. The best bug spray in the world is not going to work if you go out of the house reeking of Polo, Cool Water or Drakkar! For bug spray I use the Fairy Tales brand I found when my son was younger and I was trying to avoid using anything with DEET on him. Their Bug Bandit spray contains a lot of the essential oils I mentioned above plus citronella. I also use their Rosemary Repel hair conditioning spray. Its basically bug spray for your hair. Sometimes I will use Deep Woods Off Sportsman if I need maximum protection. Usually when I know there are ticks about. I am happily bug free in the hot summer months using this method.

We get spoiled here on BassResource.com seeing all these toads being caught. Then we go out and it's nothing but the usual 1 pounders we can catch all day up North. Its a fish like you got that makes all those days worth it though. Congrats on your new PB!

Congrats on your new PB! That's a pair of fish most anglers only see in their dreams. I know I do

I have a question about this reel I am hoping you can answer. Is this reel waterproof? I have the Sharky II spinning reel which is waterproof for up to 3 minutes if dunked in water. I wanted to know if they carried this feature over to the Sharky bait feeder line of reels. Thanks in advance for any response.

I would recommend spending around double that for a reel that will last a couple of seasons. For $30 you can get a Kastking Mela II or a Shimano Sienna. Much better reels than the one you mentioned.

Jon B is one of the more entertaining members of the Googan Squad. He is talented when it comes to camera work, video editing and back round music. He has traveled to some interesting places to fish. Is he juvenile sometimes, sure. He reminds me of myself when I was that age traveling with my buddies to fish. Some of his early videos were actual educational types about baits and techniques. If I can't fish I like to watch fishing vids, any fishing vids. I think I need help.

That's the first thing I noticed when watching your videos. I started carrying one of these when fishing with my father-in law after that. Landing a fish on that mat has to be better than boat flipping them into a hot aluminum boat or boat carpet. First time my Father in law saw the mat he thought I brought it to filet the fish on the boat.

Another PSA on scent. Apparently dogs love it. I fish the same spot at a local pond. There is a path nearby where people and their dogs can walk. When I am applying scent to baits I will often lay it on the grass and spray them to avoid what Darren mentioned. I noticed that the dogs can not resist this spot. Anyone with a dog that passes by has their dog pull them over so they can smell the hell out of that spot.

Try Wet Ones antibacterial fresh scent hand wipes when done fishing for the day. Takes the fish and bait smell away better than anything else I tried. Started using these after I noticed my car's steering wheel was starting to stink the day after driving home from fishing.