Bird

Been using 8# Sunline Sniper for the last 6 years. Only complaint is it doesn't like the Palomar knot so after a few lost fish, Switched to the Fish-N-Fool and all is well.

The only bait I throw that could be considered " power finesse " would be the Mojo rig. The hook is a 2.0 and a finesse worm is T-rigged on med action rod with 1/8 weight. I heard one member call it a finesse Carolina rig. 😁 I don't know where finesse starts to infringe on power fishing but there's a well known fisherman locally who owns a tackle shop and has won local tournaments on a split shot rig, that's all he throws.

You don't like GOAT James. 😂 He's going to Golden State to play with another dinosaur 🦕

Got the clock set for 3:30 am tomorrow and will be off the water by noon. Won't even consider the following days until triple digits subside.

We still have the original Kelty tent that the wife and I used for years, never leaked. I see a lot of Ozark trail tents at the campgrounds we go to, they are reasonably priced. When Solo I go with a hanging tent made by Haven.

I've always loved throwing / skipping a fluke but personally have to be standing to be effective, partially because I like to see it. The bait that has put the most fish in the boat for the last couple of years has been a Ned rig.

@A-Jay That's a Mender"chunk".

Most of the time I'm throwing a Ned or drop-shot on a 8# leader and ML rod so have to be careful around cover and choose my spots wisely. I do lose several good fish per year taking the bait into heavy cover but it comes with the territory. The fight is what I'm looking for so never horse a fish in.

Most of my " power fishing " is done with casting gear but for fluke type baits I feel that spinning gear works better. 5-6" soft jerk baits skip better than any bait I've thrown and I fail miserably skipping with a bait caster.

The game changer for me wasn't the particular soft jerk bait, it was when I went to a screw lock hook....... hookup ratio went up. AND a weighted screw lock hook to fish deeper. I throw all the baits mentioned above along with Bass Assassin's.

Yes 38 yrs on the same boat is quite impressive....... she's been a good one.

Because bass are easier to catch then any other specie of fish, they simply are voracious eaters.

This " urchin " bait made me realize that bass are gullible and will bite anything 😁

Like a little colorful humor, great post. Most of the water I fish is gin clear and many of the lakes especially WV have an abundance of SM. Natural colors have been the way to go with your typical clear water baits. One color that I've always found surprisingly effective was white/Pearl....... flukes, easy shiners, spinnerbaits and finesse ShadZ on a Drop-shot. Side note: I learn way more on the water than any fishing show that's promoting and editing. 😁

Glad you're back.

I always give $40 towards gas and buy breakfast but no way am I leaving my full tackle bag behind. I do only bring 3 rods.

My love affair with the fluke has prevented me from jerking a Senko. I did have a weightless ZinkerZ start floating after the salt expired and was surprised by the darting action.

My fishing partner uses nothing but Okuma spinning reels and has been very pleased. He's not going to spend for X series though. Can't imagine it being nothing but a successful experience.

It may go 6 just maybe.

Jackall Flickshake is my all-time favorite wacky worm in Cola and Green pumpkin candy.

Haven't fished a T-rig in 2 years, it use to be my most fished technique for many decades. Once I discovered finesse I became tunnel vision and no longer willing to expand. Ned has been the most productive bait in clear water which is most of the water here. Drop-shot is right up there with Shaky head. Oh don't forget about Karashi, you'll need a light rod 😁

Brush hogs are a great stand alone baits T-rig or Shaky head but never used them as trailers. Even the baby brush hogs are a little to much for my liking for a trailer. Perhaps trimmed, they may work well.

I have to like the looks of a lure before I'll throw it......no to coikes, ugly. BUT find creature baits appealing.

Learn a few proven techniques, watch some videos and ask questions here. Texas rigged worm, wacky rigged Senko would be a good place to start and you can expand from there. Whopper plopper is a simple top water bait that you could throw early and late. Keep at it.

I can handle extreme heat much better than extreme cold. This past Wednesday around noon I trolled to shallow water and jumped in to cool off, very effective. Lakes I fish are very clean and clear and would think twice about jumping into murky water.