Aaron_H

Same boat. I can't even stand the cold springs here in FL without turning purple.

This is terrible news for me! Toddlers, probably ?

This is the hook I use, but in 2/0. Fantastic hookup percentage, zero complaints.

I'm hoping I can pull out another great year anchored by the jerkbait, so I'll go with that. 1/2 oz H2O Ultimate Jerk Shad in Crackle is what I'm hoping to get my biggest this year on (and fingers crossed for some more DDs this year, too). Bite really picked up around this time last year so we'll see. Lipless and chatterbait are also strong contenders for big fish of the year.

Picked out a few clearance deals at Academy today. 1/2 oz RES 2-tap $3.69 2x KVD 300 jerkbaits $5.18 ea And a 40 pack of tungsten weights for only $18.46. Very, very happy with that price, normal price for that pack was $49.99.

I didn't start keeping a log of my trips until 2018, but here's my yearly trips for each year: 2018: 83 2019: 115 2020: 124 2021: 110 2022: 100

I picked up some of the small 90mm Gilly in that same pumpkinseed color (dead ringer for a shellcracker IMO) and finally got to play with it a bit today. Have it rigged with a 1/0 EWG in the same diagonal position, with 2/3rds of a 1/16 oz nail weight in the belly. It runs upright, and (mostly) swims at a slow retrieve, but it blows out really easily and if you go too slow the tail doesn't engage. It does have a very natural action when it's doing what it's supposed to do, but I don't know if I'm impressed with it so far, need more time. It looks pretty good on a twitched retrieve, too.

I've used my 6'10" M jerkbait setup for topwater walking baits, weightless senkos, light Texas rigs, underspins, finesse jigs, etc. My favorite techniques to throw on it are the jerkbait (of course) and the weightless senko.

6'10" M/XF Shimano SLX A, SLX 71 MGL 7.2:1, 12lb mono.

How could you lie to us like this? ? I get it, and the 'analysis paralysis' can be hard to get out of. You've got some really great advice here, just gotta make that jump into trying something out. If it doesn't work out, can always try to exchange, repurpose, sell to another member, etc. But at least you will have a stronger idea of what the next move will be.

Agreed. Palomar or bust for frogging. I'm not amazing at it, but for me it's a much (much) softer rod twitch than walking something like a spook, it doesn't take much to get that frog to spin around. I also prefer a deeper keel on the frog, but I'm not sure if that's just in my head. Something like the Bully Wa II walks easier than a Pad Crasher for me.

I've had good experience with the gold/black and the table rock colors down here in FL.

Yep, several new soft plastics under the H2OX line, new lineup of hooks, etc. The new packaging also lists the exact model VMC treble hook used as well as recommendations on what rod length/power/action/line combo to throw them on (excellent for a beginner or someone trying out a new technique). The H2OX senkos are a few cents more each than the BPS branded ones I use, but I'll be trying them out soon out of curiosity. Seems like a great deal versus the Yamamoto at only $3.99 for a 10 pack. I picked up a few of the refreshed jerkbaits. There are a couple of small differences, they updated the eyes with a logo on all their hardbaits, but also the scale pattern is reversed versus the old version. Makes no difference to me, I don't think the fish can tell.

Tying it to a phone app will end up dating it sooner rather than later. You've got guys on here using 30+ year old reels and they're still going strong, how long will that phone app be supported? Say what you want about Shimano's DC system (I'm not in love with it, personally), but at least it's pick up and go. No app, no charging, all the tuning is right there on the reel. Abu tried putting out a rod recently that was paired to some phone app, I noticed those ended up on bargain closeouts real quick. If this is right up someone's alley, far be it from me to tell them how to spend their money or enjoy this sport, however.

That's a sweet rod for sure. Nice snag, hopefully you put it to good use this year!

I only have one that size, SLX MGL 71HG. Spooled up with 12lb Big Game currently.

A worthy brag. I didn't fall in, but I definitely got wet wading in after some hung up lures. Last time I fell in was Nov 2021, fighting a bass, stepped into the water to land the fish better and slipped on the silty clay bottom. Fell on my butt in the water and the rod completely unloaded, thought she came off but still got her. Was worth the embarrassment for my first 9lber, though. That mouth! You know they're big when you get "bass thumb" all the way down to your palm. I can't say it enough, myself. I joined a couple of years before I started contributing, but just being able to search through and read all the past threads on the questions I had was a huge, huge help in getting me in a position to improve as an angler. Such an incredible wealth of knowledge here!

Husky Jerk was my first foray into jerkbaits a few years ago. Still a good one, especially for how inexpensive it is. Hardware upgrade is a must on any Rapala hardbait, IME. I still throw them inshore for trout and reds.

Still puts a smile on my face, Mike. Chatterbait is a favorite presentation for me. Fingers crossed you get a giant on it this year!

That's a huge 5 bass bag for the year, congrats! And good luck next year on a teener, that's the dream right there.

Some really great budget gear already posted in here. For rods, I've been very impressed with the 13 Fishing Defy Black, I have the first-gen model 7'1" MH/F and it's a fantastic chatterbait rod. Rated as a fast but I call it a moderate-fast+, it's a very versatile rod and the lineup runs the full gamut of techniques, hard to find in a $59 rod. The SLX is my bread and butter budget reel, but don't sleep on the Caius B, either. If you're throwing moving baits or don't need the aluminum frame, it's a great reel for the price. Same VBS brakes as the SLX, and with 15lb mono it will sling a bait out there. Picked it up for my little brother as his old SilverMax was getting pretty crusty, and I've been very impressed with it.

That's awesome! You've had a ton of success this year and I've enjoyed your videos a lot. Hope that success keeps up for you this year, too. I mean, that's why we play the game! All of my goals in this hobby are second to having a good time. Frustration happens, but if I'm well and truly no longer having fun with this sport, then why am I doing it?

I can't speak to barbless, but I have played a bit with single hook replacements for trebles on a couple of baits (lipless and jerkbaits). The Owner 1x Single Replacement Hook is solid and the way to go IMO (pinch or file off the barb for the barbless guys), follow the sizing guide on TW and you'll be good to go. The hookup ratio does seem decreased. I have had some bites that I did not connect with that I feel I would have with trebles, but it's not dramatically less. And that larger gap hook really does hold them well. Lost a few fish here and there but I would say less often than with trebles. I'm not a hardcore believer in them for bass at this time, but they work and are a worthwhile experiment IMO.

Was that with the trailer you were working on? That's a toad. Ol' girl is thicker than a bowl of oatmeal.