Craig P

Interesting stats. I didn't even know those stats were available. Gill needs to work on his non-FFS game, he could be the next Wheeler.

Looks like it's working for Gill. That kid is good with the scope for sure.

There have been a few consistencies among the posts. Go buy one setup and see where it fits in and more important, that it helps you catch. I started with one, now I am up to 3 but as I mentioned, I don’t consider myself a BFS angler, just a light bait angler. I am down to just these 3 rods in my boat now. Other than specific techniques that are specific to just a few lakes I visit, that is when I visit my rod rack to grab that special setup.

I think you nailed what the Expride EXC68another siteSB can do. IMO, it is just a great all-around light bass fishing rod and I recommend it as a first BFS setup if the $$$ is reasonable to you. I use it for slow moving baits though I have used it for spinnerbaits, I just prefer another setup for spinnerbaits. What I expect out of a setup vs anyone else is unique to all of us BUT, I know that Expride, even if it turns into "not your favorite rod", you will end up finding something that is does great for you so know that if you go in deep with BFS and buy more, that Expride will never get shelved. I do like the Curado BFS as well. I prefer Sunline Assassin FC in 8lb. I have thrown 6lb on it but with 8, it is so well behaved, and I never have to think about it. While I am technically fishing BFS, I still power in fish so that extra strength fits my fishing style well. My current favorite setup and the one that is my hands most of the time is my St Croix Physyx PHXC68MXF. This is a phenomenal spinnerbait rod for me and it's accuracy top tier. The confidence I have with this rod hitting any cast is off the charts, very sensitive and powerful making it borderline BFS, I just call it light bass fishing.

I am enjoying it. The 2025 looks interesting but I can't seem to find much info on it. Looks like it may be DC?

Raritan Bay, NJ is starting to heat up. 1 of 11 boated today. All overs which is such an odd thing to say, it is what it is. I caught one fat male that I swore was going to be a keeper but he came in at 32", grrr...

I hear ya there. For me, I’ve seen just 2 others in 6 years of bass fishing throw spinbaits. Both, crushed in front me. A major reason why it is my #1 bait.

Chatterbaits, even the pricey ones. I have been on a great bite, whether spinbaits or T-Rig and switch to a bladed jig, deadsville. Switch back, game on. They just don’t work for me.

Looking like captain Morgan with no recess. You can recess with that boat. You’ll cut into the support about 1/4” towards the seat base. Not enough to compromise it but you need to be calculated and start your rectangle tight to the front at the round access.

Sounds like a nice setup. I’m not a sitter but I have a butt rest from my last boat that I tried, not a lot of room so it just collects dust on a shelf now.

I don't know how, but I missed all of your updates since you and I PM'd last. Congrats man! I like your choice of add-ons. What did you end up doing for batteries? I see you caught your first fish in it too. Sweet! My last boat, my first fish was a sunny. I wasn't even a Bass chaser yet. LOL but then the addiction happened.....LOL

Give me a stick, some line and a hook found on the side of the river and I’ll catch fish. That is literally how we fished when I was a kid. Now that I’m older and have a little scratch, I sure do enjoy the higher end.

I wanted to add another Curado BFS to the lineup but the Monkey got me when I found out Digitaka had a 22 Aldebaran XG Left in stock. This reel is so light I thought the box was empty. I already loaded it up with 6lb Sniper Assassin FC, just for yucks. I like 8 lb but I want to see how low I can go and see what all the hype is about.

I am always up to date on the yard work. One of the perks of working for yourself. I “make” time so I can make time to go fishing!

Wow, you called it! I would have agreed if it were not for new baby syndrome. Seems every athlete, no matter the sport, falls off the first year after having their first child. I put that in the "we're only human" category. His performance this year so far has lived up to my theory but being a fanboy, I can't tell you how happy I am for him. I am also a Wheeler fanboy and I had read that his father passed away before the tournament started. I feel for him too. I hope Dustin dedicates this win to them.

While not a pond, a small reservoir I fish yielded just 2 bass yesterday, today, 15 in 90 minutes. What a difference a day makes....never give up!

75% of the time at home. If out and just wanting a coffee, I’ll buy one but it just isn’t as good as home. Im a coffee snob I guess. Once you start using a French press and get your grind and temperature to your liking, DD, Starbucks, Wawa, etc. just aren’t as good.

I don’t think anyone “needs” a BFS setup while chasing bass if you use spinning setups. I know for me, I much prefer a casting setup for chasing bass so the BFS bug has bitten me. I’m not going to lie, it’s fun and I enjoy it more than spinning.

I am OCD when it comes to that. I pull it off and wind it back to the original spool and start with a fresh spool. That now old spool can be used for a shallow spool or for leader.

I was able to hit a small local lake last week and caught 2 LM. Nothing of size but it was nice to catch a little earlier in the year than I usually do. Unfortunately, I went back the next two days and couldn’t find a bite! Only gets better from here right?

Ever get stuck by a dogfish? Prepare to bleed a while, they have anticoagulants in their spines. I can’t tell you how much I hate those things. Staying away from using real bait helps keep them away but you always get a couple here and there regardless. I’ve been hit twice the last couple of years. No matter how careful you are they just know the perfect timing and twist to get you where you least expect.

I "demoted" the two SLX's I have to salt duty about 4 years ago. Anything that I upgrade that I cannot find another freshwater job for I dedicate to salt. One I was using just a few days ago and it is still running top notch while throwing 1/2 Ounce underspins. The other met it's demise 3 years ago bringing in a 100lb brown shark while fluke fishing. I did use that one the following season for a couple of back bay striper trips but it just got way too rough and sloppy but to land that shark, yeah, I'll never question the strength of a $99 SLX, it's strong!

Get some clear zipper pouches or even ziplock storage bags. Put all your bags of one color into a pouch or style of baits into a pouch. Keeps my brain very organized now.

Hard to deny a Ned, it always catches but I’ll give a close second to a t-rig craw. My favorite thing BFS though is throwing small spinbaits like a pond magic.

In Pa, I can’t say that red has done anything significant for me. I won’t not throw it but I have not found a reason to choose it specifically because of it being red. I will add, there are certain bodies of water I fish where one color does work better than other colors. I guess I just haven’t found the body of water where red is the goto yet.