Junger

They already say that they must be killed if taken in possession, so that's an official position. Should and Must are also very different, and it leaves the decision in the hands of the angler. If you want to kill them, I have no problem with it. I just don't like when people get the facts wrong and say that they must be killed all the time. Is there an official definition of sportfish? Just curious, my interpretation is that if I need a fishing license to catch something, it's a sportsfish. I think you know the DNR rules, but again, must kill if possession, should kill is not must so the angler can decide to catch and release. They are good eating for sure, but I only keep certain sizes (4-6lbs).

Just in case, but you may already know, the Striker Plus 7sv will create contour maps, not the older Striker Non-Plus. If $599 is in your budget, consider the Echomap 93sv. I have it and it is awesome. Quickdraw is nice, but without built-in maps, you'd have to spend a lot of time mapping the area which may not be that fun in a kayak. https://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-echoMAP-CHIRP-93sv-with-ClearVuSideVu-Transducer-P5097.aspx

The Echomaps have the built-in maps on the internal memory card, so you only need one external micro SD card for the Echomap to create Quick Contour maps, not one for each lake. The max size card it can hold is 32GB, which is more than enough for a lifetime, and it costs $10-$12. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B073JWXGNT/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Everyone is going to have their opinion, and if the DNR (MD or VA) says that you can kill them, it's within the angler's right to kill them for whatever reason they want. My person opinion is that the NSH is a great sportfish, and I welcome them primarily due to facts based science. After almost two decades of NSH in the DMV watershed, they've found their own niche and are not impacting the environment and decimating the native population, btw LMB, Blue Cats, and Flatheads are not native. John Odenkirk, the resident expert on the subject matter:

Amazon has the Owner CPS 50 pack (Medium) for $3.36 as an Add-on Item (10 left), which means it ships free with a $25 minimum purchase. This is $16.99 at TW. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AU5U7N0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I prefer the Owner centering pins over the generic Chinese brands you see because each pin on the Owner's is actually centered. Edit: Nevermind, Amazon must have caught wind after I purchased 4 packs and it's now $23.19.

Oh yeah man, that was me. Sorry, wish I had brought my swiss knife with me. What'd you end up needing it for?

Went to Black Hills from 9-11AM with my dad and son. I just got the Spro BB1 40 Rat yesterday so it was the first thing I tied on. The water was about 4 ft higher than the average due to the rain yesterday, both boat ramp docks were under water so launching was pretty interesting. Started off on the first cove on the right and my dad picked up a decent 2lber on a Yamamoto Cowboy. I was throwing the rat and I saw a shadow follow it and paused it, then a dink swiped at it but didn't hook up. I was really cool seeing the rat coming at me, followed by the bass in pretty clear water. Then the wind started to really pick up so we went to the opposite side of the main lake to get protected by the wind. I threw the BBZ past an isolated piece of wood and got hit on the pause right on top of it. It was probably just over 1lb. The BBZ might be my new favorite bait...the action and noise is just outstanding. I think it's gonna be killer at Lake Whetstone where there is a lot of good shallow shoreline under trees and isolated wood structure. A couple things I noticed about the BBZ 40: 1) If I reeled it too fast, it would actually start rolling over. 2) If I reeled it too slow, it would be more like wakebait. 3) At a perfect slow reel, it was about 2-3 inches underwater with amazing action. I think the way to work it is like #3, with pauses every few yards. I'm also thinking about using a barrel swivel mustad fastach clip to keep it from rolling.

Not advocating waiting like 3 seconds, but just wait to feel the weight of the fish, it could be a split second, or it could be 1 second if it didn't eat it fully and hasn't turned yet. But yeah, frog fishing can be frustrating if they're just slashing at it.

I disagree, but everyone fishes their own way and that's part of fishing. I have more hook ups waiting for the weight of the fish. They certainly can inhale the frog and an immediate hookset while they're turned will probably get you the fish, but sometimes, they don't fully have it and they regrip the frog after turning which coincides with feeling the weight. They can also certainly spit it out too.

I cut down the skirt legs to about 2-3" to help with short strikes. But yeah, all you can really do is wait until you feel the weight of the fish before trying to set it. Sometimes, they just swipe at it instead of trying to inhale it.

Budget?

You can try to do a map update, but no, I have not experienced that.

Some brands do put the hook size, and TW is usually pretty good about it in their item description, you just have to keep looking for the ones that have the description. Example: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Hammer_Jig_Heads/descpage-HHSSH.html

I have the Aird X 7' HFB and throw horny toads on it. It doesn't have a high quality reel seat like the Zillions, but honestly, the reel seat hasn't impacted fishing with it at all. It's lightweight and balanced and has plenty of backbone. I also have a 7'3 Heavy frog rod, and actually like the 7' length better for working frogs. To me, the Aird for $50-$60 is a great value for a frog rod.

I'm not sure if this has been discussed before or not, but is it possible to add a feature for forum members to their profile to add a "Rod Locker"? I see in our profiles we have tabs for "About Me", "Location", etc, maybe add one for a Rod Locker? I belong to a car enthusiast forum, and it's just easier to ask/give help just by looking at a person's "Car Garage". Just a thought.

I think they should put rods in the Large Hadron Collider to finally put this debate to rest.

But long enough to account for water surface tension.

Varsity Athletics, but the order is fulfilled by Amazon. Looks like only 1 left for the Heavy 7’2, great frog rod.

There's a vendor on Amazon selling the Tatula 7'2 Heavy/Fast rod for $81.12, and the 7' Medium/Regular for $80.00.

Better fisherman can be interpreted so many ways...going from shore fishing all my life to owning a boat this year opened up more opportunities to fish spots where I couldn't from shore. If taking a metric, such as fish per hour between shore and boat, I would actually say I caught more fish from shore. But, I catch more quality fish from the boat. One thing is certain though, since buying a boat, my rods have doubled and my wallet has gotten a lot lighter!

I guess, that's what I'm trying to avoid being "THAT GUY" who fishes all over another person, so I guess I will always yield, unless I am totally stationary and fishing a specific spot, such as structure. I'll also be fishing with my two young boys frequently so I don't ever want to get into any uncivilized situation.

I like the uni to uni for lighter lines, and for connecting reel backing lines, and FG for heavier leader knots.

Up at the very top of the website there's a banner: If that doesn't work, PM me for a 20% off code I got through email. 1 Day Only! 25% Off Orders Over $100 Code:ALLSTAR

I'm in Potomac, MD and here are a summary of my local spots. * Lake Needwood, Derwood, MD: Highly pressured body of water, go early in the morning for the best bite. Lots of bank access along the main path near the boathouse, but all highly pressured. I have the most success walking toward the south dam rip rap, and then up and along the tree-lined bank which has less access points, but better structure. This lake used to be a forest and there are a lot of old tree stumps in the water. Topwater, or weedless/lightwire hooks will save you money. * Lake Whetstone, Montgomery Village, MD: Also very highly pressured because it's smack in the middle of a highly populated residential zone. But, there are some really good size bass in here that are willing to eat. The water to the right of the boathouse is shallow, farther left of the boathouse toward the dam is deeper. Success using chatterbaits, jigs, and plastics swimbaits. Lots of carp in here too. If I have to fish in the middle of the day, I find the most success here. * C&O Canal, Widewater: Lots of bank access with steep drop offs. Fish it early before the crowds and while the sun is below the tree-line. Lots of structure for jigs. You can even put in a kayak and explore the far side which looks amazing for bass habitat. * Cabin John Creek: Park at Locust Grove Nature Center and go behind it, where you can find access to the creek. Lots of deep pools that hold small trout, chubs, and LMB. Great for wading up and down the creek with UL tackle. * Clopper Lake: I find this body of water really tough unless you have a kayak or pond prowler, but I've had some success fishing early or really late by the boat house. * Gunners Lake: Good access from Wisteria and a path that goes around the whole lake. The problem is right now that there's so much algae that really the only type of fishing is punching. I wouldn't go here until later in the fall. * Little Seneca Lake: I've only recently started to boat here, but I see people bank fishing here all the time. Google Hoyles Mill Trail for a good parking spot and trail that takes you down to a less pressured area of the lake for bank fishing. * Ponds at Olney Manor Park: There are two ponds behind the baseball fields, the one closest to the parking lot has more dink bass. Lots of algae in the summer, but there are enough holes that you can throw some weightless flukes or stickbaits to get some bites. Bring lots of bug spray for this pond though. Good luck!

I like the JH's, but not at MSRP. Last time I got them for about $12 each with stacked coupons at Dick's and rewards. They do start vibrating pretty much immediately on retrieve. Dick's will pricematch, it doesn't hurt to ask if they will pricematch TW. Overton's has a 25% off $100 promotion right now, and they have Jackhammer's for $15.99.