The Maestro

Lol at thinking any man standing on a bodybuilding stage is natural. They're practically competitions in who's willing to push drug use the furthest.

Another vote for the Bantam. I'm far from being an equipment snob or "enthusiast". But man I finally got to try out my Bantam and it's really in a class by itself. Incredibly refined feel and the all metal construction just gives a feel of high end quality in your hand. We'll see how she holds up after a full season but so far another one is at the top of the list for my other Cumara. I wouldn't be surprised if Shimano jacks up the price on these based on the positive response.

I think you might be overestimating the power of the rod. I'd bet it will be seriously underpowered to deal with big bass in cover never mind big pike and musky.

I've tried golf enough times to know that I'll never like it. Fishing on the other hand....that very first time sitting in a tin can aluminum boat and seeing my friends bobber get pulled under at his cottage when I was 8 or 9 years old. I knew right then and there that fishing was for me.

How anyone can find golf to be more fun than fishing is beyond me. Can you get an adrenaline rush from golf? My ex-brother in-law was big into golf until I introduced him to fishing. He slowly quit golfing altogether.

I have a lot of Uncle Josh pork trailers. I found them for $2/jar about 10 years ago so I cleaned the guy out. I went through all the jars and saved the best ones in a Mason jar with my own super salty brine. I haven't opened that jar and the are still pristine. I think I might use some this year. I also have a lot of the Uncle Josh Meat chunks.

I've heard of this. These guys often pick it back up when the kids get a bit older and the baseball and hockey games and practices are over.

Once in a while I'll see someone selling all their fishing gear citing quitting fishing as the reason. I'm not talking about quitting because it's become too difficult due to age or physical issues. I'm talking about someone who was a serious angler just up and deciding they don't like fishing anymore. Have you ever known someone who did this?

If I could only pick one it would be a 3/0. Anything bigger will be too big for one of my favorite baits...the Yamamoto Flappin' Hog in 3.75" size. Yet it's still big enough to handle larger baits.

What are your go-to baits when you need to let them soak in order to get bit? I haven't done much of this but I'm thinking a jig with a craw trailer that floats (like pork) and still has subtle action without moving it much. I hear senkos are good for this also.

40lb Power Pro.

Once you're done experimenting pick up some original Power Pro and call it a day.

I was big on pitching Rage Craws, t-rigged or on the back of a jig in milfoil. I'll still use them but I've gotten more into subtle baits.

This makes sense. Something about the bait (profile, color etc..) has the fish convinced enough that it MIGHT be alive/food that they'll watch it closely and then that first little bit of movement seals the deal.

I'm usually happy with fewer quality bites vs. numbers. If I'm getting desperate I'll pull out the wacky rigged senko.

I think it applies even more to big fish.

Picked up a used NRX 895C for a pretty good price. It has a few cosmetic blemishes but nothing major. It seems like a beast of a rod. Not really a fan of the aesthetics. Never been a fan of recoil guides and they look even less appealing being part of the hybrid guide train. We'll see how she fishes in a few weeks when bass opens. Either way I don't see myself ever paying full retail for one of these rods.

I don't have social media either. My fish pictures are for me and my man cave. I don't catch a lot of fish that I would deem to be "picture worthy" so when I do get one I will take as much time as I need to get a picture that I will be happy with. I also carry 2 scales and extra batteries because I want to know the actual weight of my big bass, especially when I get one that will be worthy of a replica. I know lots of guys don't care so much about all this stuff but for me having an accurate record and a nice picture of my big fish is a way to preserve these memories.

These days you can buy a mount to put your phone in and attach it to the tripod. I also carry an old point and shoot (5MP) with me but the cameras on current phones are pretty incredible.

If it's a fish you really want a nice picture of when you're alone you need to use a proper tri-pod and be ready to take A LOT of pictures. It's a pain but worth it imo. The picture in my avi was done this way.

It's a "do nothing" bait that does nothing EXCEPT catch fish.

What do you do for carbs? I know some people advocate cutting out carbs but I don't think i could function on no carbs.

Funny you should mention this. I was curious about the same thing and measured 2 of the same rod (Cumaras) at the same place on each rod with high end calipers capable of measuring 0.001" (one thousandth of an inch) and was blown away that they were practically identical down to the thousandth of an inch.

I reel with my right (both baitcaster and spinning). I pitch with my left so no need to switch hands but actual casting I need to switch the rod in my hands. This works out since there's more hang time to switch hands before the bait hits the water on a cast vs. a short pitch. I never gave any of this stuff any thought. It's just what always felt natural to me.

Pay very close attention to your bait. A bite from a big bass is usually very subtle. If you are going to set the hook, ALWAYS set with authority. Never just a half hearted attempt. Better to take an extra second or two to get yourself into a proper position than to try doing it with your body at a bad angle.