HawkeyeSmallie

How did you break it? Its one thing to step on it or shut it in a door, but if it’s on a hook set?

Dang dude, jealous. I’m so close to pulling the trigger but it’s not like I NEED it. I have an UL spinning that pretty much does the same thing. Throwing tiny cranks for big bluegills is just as fun as catching bass.

That the 23 model? It’s on my want list. I can’t think of a reel that is more beautiful. I want it for throwing tiny cranks for bluegills/crappies. So much fun. Thing is GORGEOUS.

100% facts.

Well true. I've always gone through Japan Lure Shop and there's always been a fee for the currency exchange or something. I didn't know if I would get socked extra now? IDK (obviously). LOL

Has purchasing JDM changed with all the economic/tariff changes? The US dollar has fallen correct? Which means are purchasing power has diminished right? LOL, I'm not an economist. Just wondering if the advantages of buying JDM have changed, for the better or worse. PLEASE DON'T TURN THIS INTO POLITICS. Thanks!

This is sad to hear. I have a couple of P5's and there is nothing better looking and just fun to fish with. I was also thinking about getting the X Bites for a dedicated finesse/free rig rod, I'd cry if it broke though. LOL PS I bought a NRX+ after my other two Megabass rods and was disappointed in the looks/feel of it. Nothing kicks you in the nuts more than dropping $650 on a rod and being immediately disappointed in your purchase. :(

I've ordered three times from the Japan Lure Shop and was impressed every time. They don't have much stock in Megabass rods currently so I might have to explore other stores. Bummed because I love the free lures!!!!!!!!

Kill them all, unless where native.

Well, my wife wanted to go out for lunch yesterday so she said we can drive by a lake and I could check the temp and fish for a bit. Like a dog when they hear the word "walk", I was sold. I bring ONE pole and ONE lure and a pair of pliers. After about 5 minutes of casting, my lure got slightly snagged and after a very light jerk my lure was now floating in the water, 10 yards out, unattached to my line. The lure? A dang $25 Vision 110. What to do? I can see it. Floating there. I can tell it's scared and lonely. Within 60 seconds, I'm standing in the cold breeze with nothing but my knickers, trying to gain the courage to enter the 52 degree water. My wife sees what I'm about to do and quickly tells me to stop and put my clothes back on. She talks me out of it. I'm then contemplating on coming back (15 mins away) with another pole to snag it or come back with a kayak. All of those options seem like too much so once again I'm standing in the cold breeze with nothing but my underwear. Waded in and went for a little swim. The whole time my wife was laughing at me and taking videos. So yeah, my first official start to the 2025 fishing season. Back at it tomorrow.

Never the same location. My most heavily used for the day starts in the front of the pack. My rod holder that I built around a plastic milk crate had 4 holders. Decided that wasn't enough so went to 6. What a huge difference. Mine are all vertical and what a pain when you get a snag and have to go under some tree branches. Haven't lost any yet but it's been close. I'm rocking some pretty expensive rigs right now so I need to be smarter before it's too late.

Unfortunately yes. I'm beyond exhausted. Been working 100 hour weeks here at the end.

It's 4/15, which for me means the end of busy season and time to start fishing. I'll probably buy a license tonight and start getting stuff ready. Anyone in Iowa or nearby? I normally don't fish this early in the season but I am this year. Pre-spawn right now? I have a thermometer so I'll have to check the water temps. Thinking of loading up rods for: jerkbait, jig, swimbait, spinner/chatter bait, maybe something else. I take as much as my kayak allows. LOL CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Well when we are talking back and forth via email and he then asks for my telephone number, I guess I’d expect him to call me back. Apparently he doesn’t need the business bad enough.

Looking forward to hearing about how it goes. I was going to get a guide this fall but he never called me back. It's my dream trip.

This is gold. Thanks!

I believe it’s owned by the county. The sign has been out there a long time. It’s such a small lake I don’t think it’s high on the DNR’s list to manage.

Well not really. I've fished on and off since I was kid with years off here and there. This year I've fished the most in over 20 years and largemouth are definitely new to me. IF the lake is truly overpopulated which I assume it is. I still have the following question: I'm debating about talking with the conservation officer and/or the fisheries biologist.

Yeah I use the double pitzen myself. However I'd like to find an alternative. For me, the double pitzen gets very difficult when you are tying to a just a hook as opposed to a bait. For example a hook for a wacky worm. Feels like I need a third hand.

Just once. It's been surveyed once this year. 84% were 8-12" 16% were 12-15"

There's a very local lake that I fish, only around 20 acres. I've fished it most of the summer either going after bass or big bluegills. I can normally go out there and easily catch 10-15 bass. The problem is they probably average maybe 12". I've caught two 15 inchers this summer but that's it. I've wondered if they were overpopulated. Fast forward to a few days ago at another smallish lake (30 acres) and it's a night and day difference. Second cast resulted in a 18.5" heavy bodied fish. At least 3.5 lbs. I also caught a really nice 16" fish. Third largest was just shy of my season's best at the other lake. Needless to say, from now on I'm going to drive an extra 20 minutes for some bigger fish. Anyways, doesn't it seem like it's overpopulated? The sign at the boat ramp says anything under 15" has to be thrown back. I'm debating about talking with the conservation officer and/or the fisheries biologist. Anyone else run into something similar? Thoughts? Thanks!

Well last night I tried a jerkbait for the first time. Was a short outing but fun. Didn't catch any bass (on the jerkbait) but caught three crappies, one almost 13". Anyways, I'm using 10 lb Tatsu as line. My question, with the constant jerking, does that eventually mess up your knot? Should I be periodically retying? Thanks!

I've seen that but assumed it was a cheap knockoff or something. Hard to trust sellers these days. It's legit????? How's that even possible?!

Where did you get those big spools of Tatsu? Thanks!

I'm to the point where if I use floro it's only going to be Tatsu. I don't have good luck with any of the other Seaguar lines. I HATE floro.