InfantryMP

I would spend extra for a trolling motor with spotlock or anchor mode if it is not standard. In Florida, I would invest in power poles or talons as well because of the shallow water you may fish. I would also get a travel cover, one mistake I made was not getting the travel cover. It makes a world of difference if you can get it from the dealer. Depending on what you want for electronics, you may need to upgrade one graph for FFS if you are looking for that.

I have not caught anything on the A-Rig. I have tried it a few different times, and it just never gets bit. I have thrown it in 30ft of water around suspended fish, I have used them shallow 7ft or so. Still nothing. Sometimes in my waters, I feel like its just too big. I can get bit on a single swimbait paddle tail, but not the rig with 5 of them.

With the snow that just poured in on Monday in central Indiana, I wonder how it affects the spawn this year. I know it will be warming up crazy this weekend, some parts of the state in the 80's or close to it. I wonder if the bass are just as confused as we are on when the fun starts?

I have had great success with the Duracell AMG batteries from Sam's Club. The 18 month in store warranty was great too. If anything happened I could get it swapped out. They were not that expensive either. I will say this on the lithium argument. I see a lot of pros using them successfully. I do not doubt however that if one failed on them on a random Tuesday they would not tell you about it. I do not think the price is justifiable for the weekend guys, or even some local tournament folks.

Even if it starts spinning a little bit. Once you are anchored down, just put the trolling motor on like 2 for speed, and correct with the trolling motor. I think that will be your best bet if you cannot have two.

Yea me 2

The last hour will be everyone literally cruising trying to find beds. If someone was smart, they would not worry about the biggins, and just go win the tournament for 100K. I feel like everyone is concerned with both.

This is my #1 trailer for the chatterbait. I have used others, but this has produced more than any other for me. I use a 7'2 MH Fast action rod. I also have it paired with a Shimano SLX DC 7.2 gear ratio. It is a great all around rod I would use for chatterbaits, Spinner baits, smaller crank baits. I guess I am not the best person to take rod advice from. I only have 3 technique specific rods (two 7'5 Top water with braid, and a 6'8 medium jerkbait rod). Everything else is essentially 7'-7'3 M- MH rods.

I think it is for the day, especially with the weather/ storm coming in.

Yesterday I had two back to back blowups on a whopper plopper in a creak full of smallies. I followed up with a small red crank bait, and he hit it like a ton of bricks. I normally would not follow up with a crank bait, but hey it worked out that time. I typically would throw a weightless wacky rig, or a shakey head or a T-rig.

I am not a huge fan of paddle tails as trailers for chatterbaits. I have never been bit using one. I strictly use Eeliminators as trailers. I have caught so many using that trailer it is hard to pass it up.

I like how I did my first boat purchase. I started with something a bit smaller (cheaper), that had a couple decent upgrades. I used that boat for a few years, with the only things I needed to fix were trailer lights, and a couple of new batteries. Once I was comfortable with boating, I upgraded. Here is what I would look for: 1. Obvious hull damage 2. Engine runs, and test drive if possible (or take a ride in it) 3. All the electronics are sound (pumps, switches, livewells) 4. Trailer is serviceable and not about to break down With a 20K budget you should not be finding a ton of boats with floor issues etc.

My philosophy is this: 1. Find structure- Side Scan, 360 helps the most with this in my opinion. Mark em on the graph. 2. Once I find the structure I want to fish, I will look at it with Active Target. If there are fish on it, I will fish it immediately to see how they react, and what they are doing. 3. If it doesn't work, I move on to other structure that may be productive I also hit high percentage spots, like points or docks in between where I am idling or what not getting from one waypoint to another.

All of the anglers are in MLF boats, promoting the MLF sponsors. Strader wanted to drop some F bombs hardcore after losing that fish. I do not think it was the 25K fish, but it was decent. I also agree that he should have slow rolled that fish a bit better.

It is getting interesting here down to the last 35 minutes or so. Wheeler is clawing back, Ish is getting some distance. Its coming down to the wire with a few guys!

Maybe I spoke too soon...in 9th currently

I have used Active Target in 4ft of water. It worked well, and I could see fish. Depending on what the bank looks like, you may not need it. Skip docks, hit those laydowns, there could be fish there that you may not see on FFS.

They use MLF boats during these events. I know Fletcher was a bit frustrated on Day 1 with the boat he was in. Wheeler has been non existent in this tournament. It is odd to see him not in the top 5. I am glad to see Ott doing well though. He and Texas go together well!

Great work! I know that was a fun fight.

Same here!

Starlink just raised prices too. The initial deposit is now like $700. I used 4G AT&T signal through a modem at my last house out in the middle of nowhere. It worked great for streaming Netflix. My son would game on it too, but you could not do both at the same time well.

Yea I saw his 2D sonar hat, and I said I want one of those lol

Unless I mess up a cast, like the wrong spot, I will fish it back to the boat. I have had to many fish hit right at the boat to not do that.

I looked at my jerkbait box yesterday and again this morning. Between Edwin and J Lee, those stunnas will be sold out soon!

Similar position here. My Ex-wife thought fishing was dumb (unless we were on a boat on the ocean). Never got to do it. Now, my wife and I fish together a lot. She also understands that the tournaments are something for me to do for fun and competition. I think it is healthy to be able to do a hobby by yourself without your spouse too, sometimes a little space to do things is not a bad idea. I think my wife would hate to come to a tournament I am fishing and be in the boat all day.