Craig P

I started out of a Hobie Outback, both salt and fresh but after a few years or so, I was in your position and bought a boat. I will always say that kayak fishing cannot be beat, it is such a connected fishing experience. If you never fully got into kayak fishing, it’s hard to explain but if you did, you know what I mean. I am unsure of the headaches a boat brings? I know the old saying, the best 2 days, buying and selling but my boating experience has been great and I will never look back.

I have never bought a higher end spinning setup for bass fishing so today I changed that and picked up one of St Croix's new Physysx rods. I paired it with a Shimano Vanford 2500 I picked up a couple of weeks ago during BP's trade-in days. Not a deal of a lifetime but I saved $30 on the rod with a recent coupon and $50 off the reel trading in an old Shakespeare $20 trout rod. Can't wait to fish it!

My wife said she felt it at our house but I was driving at the time, heading to Cabela's in Hamburg, Pa and can't say that I felt anything. Oh my wallet felt it though....

Does the result of this tournament prove that LS is an issue or that LS is not an issue?

Just following up on this post as their first tournament kicks off April 1st with a ride around. I made a post earlier in this thread stating "I hope I am categorically wrong on everything I posted above" as I was raising an eyebrow and questioning the authenticity and honesty of this association. There are some big names participating in this so it will be interesting to see how this association evolves. I am still raising an eyebrow......until every winning participant is paid. The ol put your money where your mouth is I suppose.

Not to mention that most electronic manufacturers have developed the same sales philosophy as computer and phone manufacturers, incremental updates to keep the consumer engaged and spending. FWIW, I am in Pa myself and I am using 2 106SV with GT56 on the transom and a GLS10/LVS32 and steady cast. I love this setup. The GT56 brings another level of image quality over the GT54 and the 10” has more pixels per inch than other displays in the Echomap category.

I agree about questioning mortalities and the sources of the reports. If you do a google search, you'll find varying numbers. Then do a search on other species, their estimated C&R mortality are not consistent either. Like everything else in the world, the numbers slant to fit the agenda of the reporting body. I am of the opinion that tournament fishing should not be allowed until after the spawn unless it's catch, weigh and immediate release. That just seems like common sense to me. Covid brought in a whole new population of anglers, FFS is shortening the learning curve. More anglers, more catching, more mortality. That is common sense. I believe every tournament body out there "believes" they are being as protective of the species as they can be.....but are they really? I just cannot support removing a fish, especially if on bed. I know the money behind it, the money can remain but practices have to be modernized.

I bought a Curado DC after failing at using a cheap Abu Garcia baitcaster. It gave me confidence and I was on my way but I think it had more to do with being a higher quality reel rather than a DC. I still use it, no reason not to but the many reels that followed are not DC.

He may have been using Panoptix? The current generation of LS as we now know it and love to talk about it today was introduced mid-2018 with the Garmin LVS32.

Just seen the pic. Agreed, over spooled. Still though, check that diameter and the setting.

Check the diameter of your line and see if it is better suited to be on another setting. I am running Sunline assassin 15, .0134 diameter and it’s a great paring. The lightest I run on any non-dc 150 reel is 12#. 10# just leads to trouble for me.

If I had to attribute success to just one thing, it would be casting accuracy. I practiced for a year daily casting to a bucket across the garage or outside and I still practice on the down times. Both spinning and casting. Hit the spot many anglers can’t hit and success will quickly follow.

Good article Glenn. I always reflect on the past year and keep a running note on my phone to plan for the new year. From boat to bait and everything in-between as well as adding tips I might find here or elsewhere. A great habit to get into if you want to get better at fishing.

What is your cranking battery?

I hope he has some aspirin on board. People who have bought that headset from Apple have found that their eyes can’t take it. I don’t think we’re built to look at things that close.

My wife has asked me on several occasions if I’d ever pursue that. I always say nope, it’s a young man’s game. While I’m not as experienced as you, my kids are grown and I actually have time but I’m experienced enough to know that standing on a boat deck fishing 8-10 hours a day, several days in a row, hurts!

The younger guys may know how to use the electronics but in general, people are not tech savvy. I say this as I sit in a dealer service center waiting room and listening to a service advisor tell someone they were able to hook up their Bluetooth to their phone.

Graphs are now what rods are, no one wants to switch a bait so they have 30 rods on their boat. They don't want to have to press a button either so they just look at another screen. I would wager that a majority of these professionals do not know how to use their graphs. They may know how to read a screen but they do not know how to navigate to the other relevant screens or settings to do exactly what the next screen over is showing. Marketing however is HUGE! and these electronic companies are loving this.

Good video Glenn. Not trying to be a teachers pet but I’ve always liked your videos, very informative and you’re not “just” trying to sell something and get clicks.

I have everything you've listed except for progressive. I do have separate readers but only need them on days that I've spent way too many hours on the computer drafting and my eyes are beat. Anyways, they are Transitions XTRActive. The polarization only comes on when in the sun / daylight and does not come on when in a vehicle driving with Low E Glass. This is really important if you have heads up display on your vehicle because with polarization, heads up disappears. However, polarization is 90% and the lenses only came in gray when I last ordered (this may have changed? worth checking). This isn't bad on open water but if you're a stream angler as well, 100% polarization is preferred and you'll find yourself wanting for something better. Hindsight being what it is, pun intended , going forward, when I need a new prescription, I will skip polarization and use an over pair for when polarization is needed on the water.

Glad to see it’s back on live. I don’t mind the 2 first days of qualifying not being broadcasted to keep both groups honest from peaking in on spots and baits. Let’s see if the 4th qualifying day shows a major jump for someone who may have slumped on day 2.

In your situation, a separate pole fits your fishing style well. I’m a mover so I point, cast and use the pedal to follow my lure and then rinse and repeat. If I find a pile of them I’ll just use the pedal to keep me holding and point as needed.

It is a huge benefit if you’re a crappie angler. I’m not too into crappie but a separate pole was the solution on my Tracker as there was not an easy was to mount a transducer to that TM. Since moving to the Crestliner with an Ultrex, I thought I would keep the same flexibility I had on my Tracker so I bought that Tackleshack system, mostly for a friend who is way more into crappie fishing than I am but in the end, it was just too convoluted to me so I went straight TM mount.

I used a Fishing Specialties mount when I had my Tracker. It was removable and attached to their rail system. It even had a removable handle for storing nicely. When I moved to my Crestliner I bought a Tackleshack Ultrex Live Pole mount. I didn’t like it to be honest and removed it so I just mounted the transducer to my Ultrex and run like that now. It’s just easier for me. If anyone is near SE Pa and needs a solution, hit me up. They are both collecting dust in my garage and I don’t have the heart to just toss them but at the same time, I don’t have much interest in boxing them up to ship.

No difference in sensitivity IMO. One does excel over the other in certain presentations so I wouldn't turn my nose up at one over the other. Anglers seem to get hung up on some things, I'm not sure what that is about. I have a friend who won't use a rod with micro guides, he says he just doesn't like them? I don't understand that but I'm also a married man and I don't understand a lot of things, just ask my wife, she'll tell ya.