Glaucus

How have you never caught a SMB in Minnesota?! Get on that! Amazing fish to catch and should be easier and more plentiful than LMB.

I learned to swim by getting in the water.

Ideally deep water. You can use it in shallow water but you're going to have to burn it or jig it. No telling what size bass it will catch. Could be anything from under a pound to double digits. Bass are aggressive and will eat anything they think will fit in their mouth. My Illinois PB of 7lbs was caught on a 3/16oz spinnerbait with no trailer. I was fishing a place known for numbers, not big bass. Definitely wasn't targeting that type of beast. My 2nd biggest came off a 4 inch Senko in a similar situation. I've also caught bass on crankbaits that would have died had they actually tried to eat a real thing that big, and bass on plastic worms that are the length of the fish itself.

The rivers will surely be open. They've remained open here in North Central Illinois for the most part despite the insane cold we've had here and there. I think the solution to all my northern problems is to have Scott Martin adopt me.

Being right handed I only reel with my left hand. Right hand works the rod and the fish. Truly believe right handed people only reel right handed because left handed baitcasters were few and far between or not at all "back in the day." so unnatural imo

It took me awhile to cast Senkos on a baitcaster. Oddly enough the learning curve of using a baitcaster was extremely fast for me. If I remember correctly day 1 or 2 and I was golden for the most part. Senkos on the other hand took a bit and I think it's because of wind resistance. I dunno.

The 25 size is not only suitable for L and UL. A size 25 on a ML rod is perfect. A size 30 is perfect on a M rod. So size 30.

Yep. However they do cast differently than a hard plastic in 3/8oz.

Slim Jim's are so terrible for you. I cringe when my wife gets them for my son. I think the Jack Link's version is healthier though.

If it wasn't for smartphones automatically changing time I would always be late twice a year. Or early in one case I guess.

I just thought it was a good time to subtly scream out for intervention.

During spring, summer, and fall? Every morning and every evening, Monday through Friday, all day, every day on weekends. Several requested weekdays off as well. I think I sleep 4 hours a day during fishing season.

Copolymer. Really it's going to be Yo Zuri Hybrid due to it being good for anything at an excellent price. 12lb on a baitcaster can uproot a tree.

2 week extended forecast into March... 20s, teens, and single digits. I'm so freaking over it. Best weather comes at the end of the forecast with 41 degrees and... 80 percent rain. Illinois is a true cesspool in every way.

I always take a package of Jack Link's Beef Jerky, a box of Nabisco Wheat Thins, some Welch's Fruit Snacks, a couple bottles of BODYARMOR SuperDrink, and a gallon of water. Protein, carbs, salt, sugar, water, and vitamins, without being terribly unhealthy. Vital for staying healthy in the heat.

Big Game. Stren is just a legendary name that is pretty mediocre to poor in modern times.

Spinnerbait

Casting a country mile in open water: MF Typically: F If I had to pick 1, F.

Always leave elaztech in its original packaging.

Daiwa Aird X. I got a casting one for my son, but nobody has used it yet because of the weather. People say it runs a little light and that it is not quite a fast but not quite a moderate fast either. Handling it I would have to agree, which actually makes it better in my opinion. Being a tad lighter and a tad slower gives it the ability to do more things well, but still be able to do what a MH/F should be able to do. Not really necessary imo. People who don't fish a lot and are essentially novices won't be able to utilize the ever so slight sensitivity upgrade in better rods anymore than the average person can tell the difference between a 10 dollar bottle of wine and a 50 dollar bottle of wine.

I had a smallmouth put both sets of trebles on a whopper plopper into my hand. Worst experience ever.

There are two camps. One believes that harvesting bass is necessary to produce big bass, and the other believes in the "let 'em go, let 'em grow" philosophy. And then there are those who over the years have developed a true love for these fish and couldn't intentionally kill one anymore than they could kill a family pet. Logical, illogical, doesn't really matter. Human emotion is complex.

I've killed a few that I know about. Probably many more that I don't know about. Part of the sport. They don't always survive being caught, especially after a gut hook or gill damage. I don't allow or disallow you to do anything. I'd never say a word to you about it unless it got brought up, such as this thread.

I put what is essentially a rope around a dogs neck, I use a spray bottle on a misbehaving cat knowing they hate it, and I nail metal to the feet of horses. Can we stop with this now? My point was clearly that I personally don't see bass as food. I literally follow the stories of pet bass on YouTube. I'm not some kind of extremist who hates people that eat them though. I really don't care what other people do. I choose not to.