NYWayfarer

Berkley Big Game #12 lb Out of the lines you mention this would be my choice.

My local Walmart has finally stocked some Ozark Trail lures. No Tungsten yet. The quality control is lacking as I picked up their version of the Rebel Wee Craw and it was missing an eye. The Ploppers are OK as I have caught bass on them. The problem is durability. One impact on a rock and the one I had was toast. My R2S WP90 has survived many smacks against shore, rocks and trees and is still kicking.

What size did you get and was it the River 2 Sea authentic Plopper or a knockoff? The 90 size is the only one I have to reel fast to get it on plane. If any other size gives me that problem it’s because the tail has accumulated junk where it spins and needs to be cleared. As far as retrieves it depends. They all work. I have had success on all of the following retrieves: Cast and immediate retrieve. Cast and pause then retrieve Stop and go Popper style of pull then pause Cast upsteam, let float downstream with subtle twitches (90 size just enough to make head bob up and down) That last one has got a lot of bites.

I have all but given up on ordering rods after my last two arrived in sorry shape. I am not about to go for strike three. I will stick with what I can buy in a tackle shop.

The Ned Bug. On a mushroom head jig.

Kayak fishing this week has been great. I had one bad day. The rest of the week was great with lots of Smallmouth, a PB Pickerel that broke off before I could get a pick and lots of Sunfish when the Smallmouth bite died out. Got a PB Redbreast Sunfish over a half a pound and lots of runner ups. http:// http://

Zoom super salty tubes and Strike King Bitsy and Coffee Tubes are all I use.

I took the kayak out on the river for a fishing session on Monday. It was a rare afternoon session for me as I was on the water at 11am and stayed out until 3pm. I had nothing but soft plastics with me. Ned, T-rigged craws and worms. Caught a bunch of Smallmouth and one Largemouth. http://http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// And I almost forgot a huge Redbreast Sunfish http:// 2 nights with temps in the low thirties has made fishing tough the two days after this trip. Got skunked one day and nothing but a dink Largemouth today and some Sunfish.

I am a Jets fan and I can say without doubt they are the worst team in the league. They were lucky to get their first touchdown of the season in garbage time today. They are sad in every area, offense, defense, coaching, front office and ownership. The bright side, no fans allowed in attendance for the home game. It hides the fact no fans want to show up for this embarrassment.

It’s fine as far as telescopic rods go. Things I like: EVA foam handle Collapses to less than 17” Nice blue finish on the rod Screw off end cap to drain water Things I don’t like: Only 6 guides (No floating guides) the Kastking logo, Rod name and rod specs are all stickers on the rod. Graphite/glass hybrid Short split grip 2 Of the Smallies I caught I didn’t even feel so sensitivity is an issue that I expected. When fighting the fish I could see the 6 guides were too few for the job at hand. The short split grip made it feel like a pistol grip rod. Overall I like it and it will serve its purpose as a hiking/travel rod just fine. I have the Kastking Blackhawk II and the BPS Adventur 1 Spinning telescopic rods and they are way better than the Compass. The floating guides and graphite make a big difference.

That’s a nice looking rod. You say you got it at Walmart? How much was it if you don’t mind me asking? Cant find it for sale online.

Cold weekend mornings both Saturday and Sunday. Temps were in the mid-thirties when I arrived at the water. Saturday I was glad to still be able to catch River Smallmouth on the Whopper Plopper. http:// Later that day my anniversary present arrived. My wife ordered the Kastking Compass telescopic rod for me. I paired it up with my Lew’s Tournament MB http:// With the morning being so brisk I took a hike with the rod collapsed. I tried a popper with no luck so I switched to a Ned rig and caught a bunch of Smallmouth Bass. http://http://http://http://

Never heard of the Lew’s Reactor. I have purchased the Lew’s Lazer HS Spinning and casting rods from Walmart. Great rods especially considering they are $29.99

Used Plymouth Duster.

1/4 oz Panther Martin classic in gold is what I throw most of the time.

Combo matches his shoes. Nice birthday present!

I change the stock hooks with Berkley Fusion trebles of the same size. I don’t like to go bigger for fear of messing up the lures action. I recently tried the Walmart version of the Crickhopper. They come with Eagle Claw Laser Sharp hooks. They work as well if not better than the Crickhopper and no need to change the hooks. Best part was they were $1.99 l lost one to a bad cast into a tree went back to get a replacement and they were sold out.

All of the above. The Rebel Crickhopper is a favorite of mine. When I notice them slurping it up when it his the water I change over to a Rebel Pop-R. I change the hooks out on the Rebel lures for better ones. Drifting a stick bait and small jigs are great options for Smallmouth Bass

I like all 3 pieces of advice. 1) When the bite gets tough from shore its time to break out my kayak and go find em' 2) Ned rig has saved me from a skunk many a day. 3) On days I can't catch a Bass to save my life I tie on a Crickhopper or inline spinner on my finesse setup (200 size reel/ML rod) and catch boatloads of Sunfish, Fallfish and Perch.

My wife loves her essential oils. She makes her own bug spray that actually works.

My favorite martial arts movie to this day is Five Deadly Venoms. If those styles were real I would want to learn Toad or Snake style. Black Mask and the Heroic Trio get honorable mention. As far as Asian cinema goes my favorite film would be Comrades: Almost a Love Story. I am a big Maggie Cheung fan.

Nice sponsorships. If you go the Lew’s route I recommend the TP1 Black Speed Stick. Give St Croix a look as well.

This is true. Most of the damage to my equipment has been on shore excursions. I try to limit the amount of times my gear touches the ground if possible. I have been carrying 3 set-ups lately and 2 of those "Y" shape rod holders you stick in the ground. First thing I do when I get to a spot is plant those in the ground and lean the 2 set-ups I am not using on them. Better than leaving them on the ground to get dirty or stepped on. Now if I can stop tripping and falling...

I can relate to this thread. I like my stuff to look like new. My rods and reels get a wipe down with a damp cloth after each session. I try never to toss them on the ground or let them bang into each other. All reels eventually get scratches including my Pro-Ti which has a titanium deposition coating on it. I touch up black reels that get chipped with a black sharpie.

I had a few White Claw raspberry flavored hard seltzers and some BBQ chicken last night. A refreshing end to Summer.