starkeer

I caught my new PB at 7lbs 4oz this weekend. I honestly did not think bass this big could even be found in Utah. Caught on a dropshot.

Welcome to BR, YT!

Haha you've never fished in Utah, I've fished extensively in Maine, Minnesota, and Michigan growing up. Utah is hands down more difficult to catch a bass and a big bass. Some of the smallies swimming in Northern Michigan lakes could eat some of the larger bass I've caught in Utah haha He's in Grand Rapids. Fishes the Thornapple a lot.

Not sure if anyone else has done something similar to this but I thought of a cool Christmas idea and thought I'd share. I am in Utah and my best fishing buddy is in Michigan. We decided to each send each other a $25 TW box with no rules on what could be sent. Then throughout 2020, whoever catches the biggest fish on a lure from that $25 box wins. Loser has to buy the winner a 6 pack of their choice. Just a fun to way enjoy the holiday's and pick up some new lures in the process. It's something I hope we continue to do and I cleared out a Plano box just for any lures I might get each Christmas.

Threw it till my arms got tired. Had a couple follows but nothing serious. Nice to know I am not alone haha

I was recently kayak fishing a California reservoir and I came across a ton of active fish. It was a shoal running from the mainland to an island only about 50 yards across and about 4th of water. There was a ton of bait in the water all very small .5in-1in minnows and fish were busting on them all over the place. I fished the area hard with almost every bait I could think of and only managed two missed topwater strikes. I felt like they should have been all over a yo-yoed lipless, hard jerkbait, fluke or other dying shad imitating baits. If I cruised over the shoal I could see multiple fish in the area and some very nice fish as well. Were these fish just so keyed in on the baitfish that my presentations didn't matter or could I have done something different? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Were you just visiting the Belgrade Lakes area or are you there permanently? My Dad lives on Long Pond so I get daily updates from him. I've tried to get him involved on BR but he never sticks with it.

Good luck! My dad continues to report excellent fishing with rising water temps.

Made quite a long flight from Utah to visit my Dad on the Belgrade Lakes Chain in Maine this past weekend and crushed smallies all weekend with a few largies mixed in. He is truly lucky to live on one of these lakes and fish it every day the weather allows. We had decent weather for spring in Maine, some rain, mid 50's, peaks of sunshine with water in the high 40's. Fish were caught mostly on ned rigs and lipless cranks with a few jerkbait and jig fish mixed in. Largies were all caught on spinnerbaits in warmer water areas. Overall, an amazing trip and great to spend 4 days fishing with my dad.

I am sure this has been discussed in the past but I am looking for a reel for my new Kistler Helium 3 which I would mainly use as a bottom contact rod. After research and reading through here I am thinking Curado 70 but could be talked into a Chronarch MGL but it seems that is more of a finesse/light bait reel. Am I on the right track or should I be looking elsewhere? I was hoping to spend around $200-$250 but don't have a problem going above that if I find the perfect fit. TIA. Eric

Completed my swimbait combo this week. Dobyns Fury 7'9 SB with the Quantum Monster that I picked up during the TW Christmas Sale. Spooled it with 65 lb Sufix 832 today. Pretty excited to take a couple trips to NoCal this year and test it out.

Honestly, I hadn't had a chance to take a second look at it. But this information seems to have solved my issues and I cant wait to get everything spooled up. Thanks everyone!

I was new to baitcasters this past summer and felt like I got pretty dialed in on Abu’s, Shimano’s, and Diawa’s. However, I got a pretty great deal on a Quantum Monster 300 during the TW Christmas sales and I cannot for the life of me figure out the braking system. Does anyone have experience in adjusting the brakes on this reel or similar Quantum reels? Thanks in advance.

I have a 6'6 HMX spinning rod that I really like. I use it mostly fishing wacky rigs and it has served me very well.

Can't believe no one has suggested pitching jigs into coffee mugs yet.

It definitely does and I am familiar with all those lakes and reservoirs, I am just thinking about getting the the best possible fishing within a 12 hour drive or so. Kind of a fun destination spring trip for me. I fished sand hollow and quail creek 2 weeks ago and the fishing was pretty slow. Thanks for confirming my original thoughts, I'll do more research into potential launch points.

I recently moved to Salt Lake City from Minnesota and have (not surprisingly) found the access to quality lakes tough to deal with. I am thinking about taking a spring pre-spawn trip somewhere within driving distance. I would be taking my kayak so in an ideal world I wouldn't be fishing huge bodies of water. I would not want to be driving more than 12 hours or so. In your opinion's what would be some of my best options. I was leaning towards the NorCal area but I am open to anything. I was going to spend 4-6 days fishing depending on how much time I can get off work. Thanks!

I have very little to zero confidence when it comes to fishing bottom contact baits (jigs, T-Rig, Carolina-rig). My theory is if I invest in a dedicated, quality bottom contact rod it will lead to me missing less bites and gaining confidence faster. What rod/reel combo would you recommend for someone looking to gain confidence quickly. I would like to keep the combo under $400. I've had long hard looks at St. Croix Avids and ALX Zolos. Am I on the right track? How about reels? Thanks in advance

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for, Shawnee was definitely on my list of lakes to check out.

I am going to be moving from Minnesota to Utah towards the end of October and am thinking about taking a much more southern route that would take me through the KC area to spend a few days fishing. I will have my Kayak with me. I am looking for any tips or areas to pay attention to that could help me out. Also, what is the fishing like towards the end of October? Not sure if or even when you guys season winds down down there. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I am super curious about this as well. I am moving to Utah at the end of this month and will be driving. I am thinking of going south and doing some kayak fishing along the way. If I was to head across Kansas would it be worth my time to stop and fish? I would have plenty of time and it would be a great way to break up my drive. What is the fishing normally like in late October? Any particular areas to highlight? Any help of advice would be appreciated.

I am pretty worried that the fishing is going to be very slow from here on out with nothing but cold temps in the forecast. This past week has been rough for me in terms of numbers but I did catch 4 5+lbers so if this is the end at least I went out with a bang.

I've been pretty happy lately keeping Hothands handwarmers in my jacket pockets, they really fill the pocked with warmth and you can warm up your hands really quick. Worked well for me on Friday and Saturday mornings. You can buy them in bulk from most big box stores and they stay warm for 8-10 hours.

@FryDog62 I remember seeing a different thread by you that you were looking to try out some larger swimbaits around the area this fall. Any luck so far? Have you been throwing anything? Thanks

I was having a slow morning, just 3 or 4 smaller fish, when all that got turned around by this 5lb 7oz fish. I am really hoping this is a sign of things to come as the fall bite heats up hear in Minnesota. Caught on 1/2oz white/charteuse spinnerbait with a 3.75 Rage Swimmer trailer. Also, I am trying to stop long-arming everything but it was seared into my brain by my dad when I was a kid and its a hard habit to kick haha