SummertimeCarl

Not a huge purchase, but I finally ordered some "custom" soft plastics I always see on Instagram with fancy pictures, etc. First impression is they're a little smaller/thinner than I would usually buy. They smell way different than any other soft plastic I've used too, (which could be a good thing I guess). Seem to be pretty "floppy" so I'm hoping they have good action. We'll see how they work out this weekend.

Got my first "keeper" sized largemouth in months yesterday. Tried chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits but can only seem to catch them on texas rigs.

I play guitar and upright bass, trail run, hike, backpack, do a lot of cycling, just now getting into shooting sporting clays. Anything outdoors is alright by me.

Over-harvesting is a good point. I honestly hadn't considered it too much for bass (even though some few keep them), but I guess catching & keeping their food sources has an effect on their size & population also. I don't use graphs but I do love my baitcasters and fancy lures and can't imagine knowing half the stuff I know without the internet. Does anyone know anything about wildlife management? I see stuff about it all the time on KY Afield, an outdoors TV program here in KY, and I always think to myself "should this stocking and shocking etc really be necessary?" For those lakes with great fish populations and little pressure in Canada, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, do we know if they are managed by the government at all? I used to swim in the lake by our family lake house and look up at the trees and think "this must look just like it did hundreds of years ago" only to realize later in life the lake was "created" in 1969. Kind of took some of the mysterious wonder out of it for me.

Growing up, my Dad would always say things like "Back before Kentucky froze over in 1986, you could go out rabbit hunting and come home with at least 4 rabbits guaranteed" or "When I was a kid we used to catch 50 keeper bluegill like it was nothing." The population, pressure, and pollution has almost certainly increased from say the 1960's-70's. I live in Louisville, KY and all the lakes nearby see a TON of pressure. But sometimes I forget that in most lakes there is some type of government wildlife management at work. Do you all think the fishing was better or worse in the past as it is now? I'm 28 and always tell myself "If there wasn't so much dang pressure on these lakes I'd be catching 4 pounders all day." Should I stop giving myself that excuse?

Thanks for the heads up about the Dick's sale.... I went ahead and picked up a Berkeley Lightning Rod Casting Combo for about 50% off. A $38 casting combo will be great for my kayak so I don't need a rod leash and won't be heartbroken if I lose it in the water.

I can definitely see it happening, honestly. When I get bored of fishing I try to switch it up. Maybe take the ultralight rod to a nearby creek or try to kayak a new small lake. New water especially is always exciting for me.

"Dharma Bums" - Jack Kerouac

Sounds like a great do-it-all box to me. I love fishing with minimal tackle. I'd add: pliers assorted weights ziploc bag with assorted soft plastics (In my truck I keep a bag with 2 of all my favorite soft plastics, an extra just in case one gets lost or damaged).

1/4oz green/pink Rooster Tail on my wife's rod.

I have a left-handed flippin' stick because honestly I usually flip into cover, bounce three or four times, then reel in and flip again. It would take nearly two times as long if I had to switch the rod in between hands. For casting and retrieving though I much prefer a right-hand reel. I think people think you have to choose one-or-the-other but each can serve their own purpose.