Graham

I use right handed reels and I just flip with the rod in my left hand. I learned it that way so it feels natural for me and there’s no hand-off needed.

I had one summer before I got big into bass fishing where I caught more turtles than fish. My friends still joke on me calling me turtle man now and then, hard one to live down...needless to say I always got a clean release on em. I commend your persistence and respect for wildlife.

Some of the fisherman that I know and most respect don’t use casting gear. While I personally like it, the bass don’t seem to mind what you use. Do your thing!

Conventional tackle for trout? Pfft, everyone knows you can only catch trout on multi thousand dollar fly gear...?

All you need is an alberto knot, simple and very strong. Only advice I'd give is to make sure you pinch the braid with your fingernails and rub it up and down a few times to help avoid slipping, and leave a decent enough tab on the leader material to allow for some (minimal), but inevitable slipping.

Straight shank, ewg, and screw lock hooks all work for me. I usually throw an ewg, but there are things about a good straight shank and a screw lock hook that I like for flipping and sometimes go for. Sounds like you are getting annoyed with the screw lock so try something else. Just because the industry says you have to do it one way doesn’t mean that’s the way for you. What ever is most comfortable for you is gonna catch you the most fish in my experience. Play around with different hooks!

Yeah, just got my quote back and it may just be worth it for me to sell my stuff to an individual. Didn't realize they wouldn't cover shipping.

Has anyone ever used American Legacy’s “best in class” rod and reel trade in program? Any thoughts on it or experiences with it would be appreciated. I’m thinking about doing a couple trade ins.

For some reason I’ve never thrown a jerkbait...

They fight pretty good I don’t mind one here or there. One of the owners of the pond I catch them most frequently at insists that we kill them if we catch any. I don’t ask questions, I just do as I’m told as the pond is fire, but I can’t help but feel a little wrong in doing so :/.

Welcome to the resource from a fellow Richmond angler! Which reservoir?

Donkey Kong!

What a stud! Where was this?

Thinking about you guys, stay strong brother!

I like a cavitron you can semi slow roll em or burn em, they get eaten for sure.

I hook up with plenty of big girls from my 12 footer .

@Junger I’ve got friends that are members, I’ll have to check it out!

Now you have a good excuse to get it cleaned up, I know you got some cool stuff James! I saw that crazy topwater lure you got while on vacation...never seen anything like that.

They sure do, matches my kayak too

I have friends like this, we are just cut from a different cloth. He obviously doesn’t share the same passion that you and I do. Sounds like you know what to expect when you bring him fishing so I wouldn’t expect much from him when he joins and you won’t get as upset. I wouldn’t call you an A-hole for feeling that way, but if it bugs you to the point where you are venting on a forum about it, I’d suggest fishing with someone different haha.

@flyfisher Just looking for something to hold a few beverages and maybe and sandwich or two on those longer outings. While it’s awesome that a yeti can keep ice from melting for 24 hrs I don’t need a cooler that almost costs as much as my kayak itself.

Bone is a great color. Mine doesn’t have have the knocker or the upgraded hardware but it walks beautifully. I imagine the knocker will give it some nice drawing power in that more stained water. I have several poppers with the large single knocker and they have a really nice sound to em.

That gave me chills! Sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you and your family. Really like your perspective on the tough situation though. I hope that you can find comfort in that spectacular catch, and knowing that he will always be with y’all in your fishing adventures.

Haven’t had a chance to really explore it yet beyond the bank, but I’ve got a yak now and am really looking forward to it! Any of y’all have much success there? Planning a camping trip there within a few weeks.

@Dorado Yeah when the bladed jig bite is on in some of my lakes and ponds there is no beating it. I haven’t gotten them to go for it this spring yet. No kidding about the sexy shad pattern and the chart black back, absolute staples. Most of my fish this spring have come on jigs, worms, and lipless cranks. Not sure if it’s just me but it seems like they eat a chatterbait better in the late summer/fall.