BigAngus752

I realize these are popular with the saltwater guys that fish the coast and inland waterways, but if they made something like this that was all electric I'd be seriously interested in it for all of the freshwater, bass-filled lakes around my area that are either low HP limit or don't allow you to have a gas motor attached at all. I would have to have a foot-controlled TM, however.

^^^What they said^^^ Just as the sun is coming up I'm finding a pinch point and fishing a black Super Spook or black Whopper Plopper (depending on wind). They are my go-to lures at dawn.

Definitely not a "hookset" like you're plowing a 4/0 through a piece of plastic. I sweep my rod nearly parallel to the water to the left or right. Maybe one or two turns of the handle depending on what direction the fish is already headed. If it's running at the boat then you've got to work that reel like a mixer in cake batter but otherwise I let them decide where they are going for a few seconds after the sweep and hold and then adjust accordingly. I use my TM to my advantage also. If they are heading for the surface I drop the rod tip fast and take a step or two away from the fish. If it jumps I try to pull it flat so it can't get a good headshake and keep tension to get it back in the water. I much prefer when they just dig and dig until they're tired. Sharp hooks are your best friend. Keep the rod tip bent. Make sure your drag is adjusted properly. Don't horse them, it's not a tug-of-war. If they move, you move with them while you direct them toward your boat or shore.

I can't speak to satellite, but I can to those prices. We live in a town with fiber and we pay $95 a month for just internet. Granted, we pull 150 mbps at the most clogged time of day, but we don't need that much speed. If Starlink (or any satellite provider) can get you a steady 5mpbs you can watch standard def movies. If they can get you 25mpbs you can watch 4k movies. I would pay $80 a month for either if I was still living rural. I feel you're on the right track.

I have a drawer full of Cotton Cordells and I fish one every single time I fish. The hooks are good for only one trip out (a few fish) as they get dull quickly. I put Owner hooks on them and they last an eternity. All great advice from Mr. Brown and I'm emphasizing this. Bang that Super Spot along rip rap in conditions when the fish should be up feeding and you're going to have a great day at the lake.

Two big winners there! My wife's favorite. Good stuff.

Dual Pro 3-bank Professional Series came with my 2016 Ranger. If the boat isn't on the water, it's in my garage with the charger plugged in. Zero issues. When my current Diehard TM batteries finally wear out (it's been four years and they are still going strong) I'll be switching to lithium TM with an AGM starting battery so I'll have to change the charger. I'm not thrilled about that.

Would you say you have a plethora of topwater lures?

Dark, light, chrome, translucent. That's it for the vast majority of mainstream topwaters. I adjust the type of action more often than color.

Once that "heat dome" or whatever they are calling it got here (central Illinois), the morning bite went south. Initially I thought it was because of the full moon and fish feeding at night, but it has continued for weeks now and we have been through both tons of rain and days on end of bluebird skies. I've been able to fish several times a week lately and evenings are much, much better than mornings on my lakes. I get hopped up for the summer dawn bite and it just hasn't been there. I've caught fish, but evenings are more fish and much bigger fish on average. I have no idea why, but that is my usual answer when someone asks me why I did/did not catch a bunch/huge bass. I do or I do not. That is the answer.

Such a loss! He helped so many fisherman for so many years. Truly a giving person and a great man.

5lb 15oz. I had people around the lake staring at me because I weighed her three times while pleading (loudly) for one more ounce! LOL. I'm not complaining, however, still a wonderful blessing!

On the 188 the 'C' changes the rod storage from center to port side. On the 178 I think it's on the side for both models. The second live well takes space away from the gear storage. Three across seating in front. Great for crappie fishermen. Not so perfect for bass, but I know a lot of guys that fish multi-species and they like the 178C and 188C.

If they are hitting topwater, then they are destroying the Plopper. There have been early mornings that I have caught five bass in five casts on a WP 90 or 110. Just like any other topwater lure, it's finicky. The conditions have to be right for any topwater, but the WP and a Zara Spook are my best topwater lures. Both beat the frog by a country mile. I'll only use a frog in slop. If the sun is not quite up or just came up and I have a pinch point to fish, it's on. If you prefer a Choppo that works just as well. I have several WPs and one Choppo and I find no difference in catch rate. Just have to get the color correct for the conditions (and by that I mean light/chrome or black)

He was an integral part of my youth. LEGEND! 100 years from now we'll still be blasting his music and 100 years from now we'll still be trying to figure out what the heck he was saying every time he was interviewed. Also, if you liked him at all, I highly recommend you read I Am Ozzy. Truly entertaining read.

I have pulled off a side road into a closed lane also. It amazes me that they think putting two flaggers 10 miles apart with 8 side roads in between is enough to "close" a lane and alert people. Fortunately I didn't run into what you did. I would have lost it. Fantastic job cleaning up!

Before FFS fishermen had no idea how many bass they put their lures RIGHT in front of and were either ignored or spooked the fish. Now they do. I don't feel that FFS has changed anything other than taking the "sporting" out of the sport because now you can find the fish with zero skill or human intelligence. They still decide whether to bite or ignore you.

In-laws…

The wife and I got to spend some quality time with new friends. Wonderful day.

Not a sale, but anyone who is looking for the new Okuma X-Series rods should know that Fish USA has them for $20 less than Tackle Warehouse and has a couple models that Tackle Warehouse doesn't have.

We're gonna need to see some I.D., Tom. Passport will do.

Wow, that's a rough, and expensive, start to your trip! To be honest, though, I'm shocked at how well it turned out. I would never expect to even make it to the lake with all that trouble. I think you should have stopped for $100 in scratch offs.

AS you can see, this is half gone. Still, each time I get a pour of it I say "wow" out loud. It's astoundingly good.