BigAngus752

I don't touch the stuff. Coffee is for grown-ups and I'm not even 57 yet.

I would ask two things: -Does my boat do everything I want it to do or can it be upgraded so that it will do everything I want it to do? -Is my boat in good condition or will it likely become a money pit? Those are the logical, cost efficient questions to ask. However, you may be in a financial position to base it solely on this question: -Do I want a new boat?* *The correct answer is predicated on your current financial situation 'Cause the last question is all that really matters. You can't take it with you.

I several of two different kinds. Rapala and the cheap fabric scissors from Walmart. Either are $5 or less, sharp as heck and last forever or until I step on them and break the plastic finger holes (hence the multiple pairs).

That actually makes a lot of sense. Thank you.

Zara Spook. I'll walk that all day if they are hitting it. One of my favorite fishing memories is when I was walking a Jr. along a rocky bank and looked down for just a moment my fishfinder. I HEARD a 5 1/2 pound bass suck that lure in. I didn't feel anything and I started to sweep the rod before I even looked up just instinctively based on the sound. I heard that big bass slurp it under. I never, ever get tired of the topwater bite. Unfortunately, it's not an effective everyday technique.

I agree. Great minds think alike. I'll post some reviews after I've had it on the water a few times.

That's begging for a pegged Rage Craw. Toss it in and let if fall.

That's great info and parallels what *** had to say about it. Their recommendation was to frequently manually adjust it based on depth to get the best response. If the CHIRP, downscan, and chartplotter work well then the FFS is just a bonus for me to play with. I found a new/open box at the GPS store for $150 off and ordered it. With my expectations set at "maybe" I think it's a safe bet to try out. Thank you for responding.

Does anyone have an real world experience with Eagle Eye? I was thinking about a new unit for my TM to replace the 10yr old HOOK 7 that I'm just running through the Ultrex. I only wanted a good DS unit but this seems quite a value even if the FFS isn't extremely high quality. It hardly costs more than other DS-only models. Using the search feature on here I found a couple of mentions in the past but no actualy experience. Has anyone seen it in person or heard some owner testimony about it? Thanks in advance.

^^^this is it^^^

Absolutely brilliant! And slightly diabolical…

You've gotten some outstanding advice already. I'll add and/or reiterate just a couple of things. My first plan would be to find "pinch points" where the body of water narrows. It could be a bridge, a place where the current turns or rounds a corner, or anywhere that the lake narrows slightly. Focus your moving baits on those points or, if the water is flowing, fish the eddies near those pinch points. Also remember that current doesn't require a flowing river. Wind can produce the surface current that brings fish to the dinner table. The next thing I would try is dark colored plastics right up against hard cover. Something really floppy with a lot of appendages or (my go-to) an Ol' Monster. Your mentality and dedication is outstanding. Best of luck.

You understood perfectly.

I can speak to Rend, but I go to Newton, Sam Parr, or Lake Sara before I go to Shelbyville or Carlyle for bass. I haven't been to East Fork or Sanchris, but I'm told by a couple of very good friends who are both on tournament circuits that East Fork is a smallish fish/big numbers lake and Sanchris has very healthy fish. I strongly suggest that you very closely study recent rainfall totals and maybe even make some calls. The weather from I72 and south has been horrid in random areas. Lakes in the Champaign county/Vermilion county area are high and stained but very fishable. I'm guessing that Lake Charleston and Lake Sara are chocolate milk with debris floating, but the weather has been such random, narrow bands of tornados and flooding that I'm only guessing which lakes are trashed.

IMHO you get extra points for being versatile with only a couple rods.

Very interesting topic. I am blessed to have the opportunity to fish numerous lakes. My SvF is significantly different for some lakes vs others. My "home" lake is ten minutes away and I fish it at least once per week March to November and sometimes more. I mean, c'mon! I KNOW what they are SUPPOSED to be eating and where they are! Which is the worst possible mentality. I have actually gotten pissy and gone home because the two rods I had on deck weren't catching big enough fish. The fisherman is smart. The fish are just being b-holes today. This is my lazy lake. I drive over after work and only use a couple rods and catch a fish or two on my "spots" and call it good. I would give myself a 1 for that lake, however you've allowed yourself some credit for changing colors, weights, and sizes and I am ALWAYS flexible with that so I'll allow myself a 2 for that lake. If I'm on a new or less-familiar lake I am at least a 10 if not 11. I love fishing new water and I love figuring out a body of water on a particular day even more than I like catching tons of fish. I've mentioned it before, if no one is catching and I can get a pattern down and pull a few fish then I am happier than boating 50 fish. And I mean that. On those lakes I keep an open mind and actively try new things, including practicing techniques that I have little experience with. This is the fishing I get excited about. The other lakes I fish are somewhere in between, but I try to stay mentally engaged and flexible at a minimum of 5. It's something that I actively work at which makes this an excellent subject of discussion as it has already caused me to take stock of my last couple of fishing seasons and make certain that I'm not allowing complacency to creep in (except on my designated lazy lake). Thanks for asking.

Two words per color? AND a bunch of alliteration? A little pretentious, don't you think?

I have a rod dedicated only to bladed jigs. I'm not a rod collector so this should tell you how much I love the bladed jig. It's a Duckett Terex in MH. A very parabolic rod with a moderate tip. Casting distance with a 1/2oz bladed jig is ridiculous. I scare myself sometimes. It's got good sensitivity and I use Sufix 832, which only adds to the sensitivity. I fish these through the thickest stuff and the braid allows me to restart the thumping with just a quick pop of the rod. Hooksets with the braid are just a sweeping motion even with the moderate tip. I'm certain Boyd was thinking of the bladed jig when he developed this rod. And, like all things perfect, it was discontinued many years ago. I wish I had a couple of back-ups. A rod not identical but very similar is the Jacob Wheeler series.

We were on vacation. I was telling Steph, "Hey, I know a guy....". LOL

We're glad you're here. We will get just as much from you as you will from us. Of the techniques you listed, I fish the Texas rig daily, but you have that nailed down. I also regularly fish a Ned rig, shaky head, and a wacky. I let the wacky fall as long as reasonable because that's when I get the most bites, then I retrieve it with little 'pops' of the rod tip so it's wagging back and forth as it slowly comes toward me. The shaky head and Ned rig I don't retrieve at all unless I'm moving on. I just put those on the bottom and gently shake the rod tip and then pause. Try rigging a Ned rig with some kind of plastic made by Zman. Throw it in a few inches of water so it's submerged but you can see it clearly. Then watch what current, a passing boat, or a gentle shake of your rod tip makes it do. It doesn't take much input to get excellent output from a Ned or shaky if they have the right plastic on them.

I had no idea he had some or I would have done the same. I don't see them on his sight and a search turns up nothing. Does he only list them when he has them?

I purchased these in medium. I use 12lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid, 65lb and 50lb Sufix 832, 6lb and 15lb flouro leaders, and 6lb Trilene. The medium size definitely slips on the 6lb stuff. It doesn't move on the braid. When I pulling through wood or vegetation it slips on the 12 and 15lb but it does not slip when casting to open water. Warning, I rarely fish weights heavier than 1/4oz. You may want the small diameter. I will buy the small when I replenish. I would rather fight them onto the braid than reset them every few casts. Considering that they are supposed to be bobber stops and I use them with tungsten weights I feel they work very well for the money. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RDZHQ53?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1

"Oh come on, man. You got no lady fingers, fuzz buttles, snicker bombs, church burners, finger blasters, gut busters, zippity do das, or crap flappers?" Joe Dirt.

Beautiful Saturday for a cruise on Watts Bar. Also spotted our first osprey nest. Looked everywhere but couldn't find anything that wasn't beautiful!