Finessegenics

How many rods do you feel comfortable taking/have space for? I've got a catch 100 and I only ever take 2 rods with me. I always have a ML/XF spinning rod with me. I use it for ned rigs, small swimbaits, dropshot, light tubes, small crankbaits (think tiny shad raps or original floaters), and whatever else I can throw that's reasonable to on that rod. Now, for the second rod, it's usually a MH/F baitcaster with 12# mono. I use that for squarebills, spinnerbaits, football heads, texas rigs. It's not ideal for something like a squarebill but it gets the job done. I just back down on the drag. Sometimes I opt for a M/F spinning rod instead, if I feel like I want to finesse it that day. You're pretty limited with only 2 rods but I get by just fine. In an ideal world, I'd take 3 with me.

Anytime between 10 and 1, depending on the time I need to wake up. I always aim for 7 hours of sleep if it's possible. Don't know how people do less, I really need it. I'm also not much of a coffee drinker so that might be part of it.

It's really not much but 1 hour is my limit for a one day session. Most of the time I'm 15-30 mins away. If I'm going to stay overnight or fish for a few days, the furthest I've gone is just over 8 hours.

Bank/wade fishing and kayak. Kayak was a recent addition for 2022, I'm having a lot of fun with it!

Mostly the same baits I really like all year: Spinnerbait Ned rig 3"-4" swimbait on exposed hook or EWG Crankbait Fluke* Only one that's different for me is a fluke, it really seems to produce better for me in the fall.

Don't let it get to you, this seems to be a tough time of the year for everyone, no matter where you fish. August into mid september is usually pretty rough for me too. With the temps seriously dipping over the past week or two I think it'll pick up for me soon. Hoping it does for you too

I've been surprised a few times too. And you're right, it always feels like a snag for the first few seconds

I'm not picky with my mono. I've found a few which I like and am fully confident in. Trilene XL, Big Game and Yo-Zuri Hybrid (not a mono, I know, but it acts like one).

I don't think I've ever tried a single willow! I haven't seen any in tackle shops around me either

My favorite moving bait for smallies. The one in my profile picture was caught on a 3/4 oz white and chartreuse Screamin Eagle. That's pretty much the only spinnerbait I throw these days. I like them because the thin diameter wire and small blades (relatively speaking, compared to other SB's) make them easy to burn.

It’s probably twisting and corkscrewing because it isn’t rigged completely straight. A little twisting doesn’t bother me but if I notice a lot of it, I’ll re-rig. it is hard to fish a fluke deeper in the water column so one thing I do to increase the fluke’s rate of fall is insert a light pagoda/nail/whatever you wanna call it weight right behind the ‘head’ of the bait. I’ll insert into the hook slot, towards the front of the bait, so the weight rests next to the eye of the hook kinda. I’m usually adding 1/32 or 1/16 oz. You can go a little heavier but I like them to stay lodged in there. With a heavier/bigger nail weight that might not be the case. I also use a spinning rod for my flukes so I don’t know if that makes any difference but thought I’d mention it. 15# braid to 8# or 12# mono depending on the cover I’m fishing around.

Cool! Show us what you got when it comes in Unfortunately, I couldn't get my hands on any prizes even though I did extremely well in DTL

Haven’t caught any of the bass live but I’m currently sitting at 50th overall for DTL, 99.8th percentile!

Horrible day 1 for me. 58 45 9 83 85

I don't think it'll matter, but just to play along, I'd choose the Zoom.

Shrimp is great for me too but can get a little expensive around my parts. Hotdogs also worked well but they need to be thread onto your hook/leader with a baiting needle. Look that up on YouTube and you’ll find plenty of videos on how to make a DIY baiting needle.

https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/ this is a good resource. It seems like eelgrass though

yes! If you can get away with wacky I’d try that too but it would get hung up a lot more than a Texas rig.

Definitely weightless. Senkos just don’t move the same when they have a weight pulling them down. The magic is in the weightless fall, even in current. I’d go with a 2/0 EWG.

Those would be good too, I just said ball head for simplicity

Go with the lightest ball head jig possible, I’ve used 1/8 oz in up to 20 FOW, and rig on any appropriately sized plastic of your choice. I like a finesse type worm 4” long or a grub of similar length. Hop it on bottom or slowly swim it. The walleye I’ve fished for really seem to like a naturally presented bait, which is why I go so light even in deep water. The current/ wind along with your slow retrieve will make the bait look lively but natural along the bottom.

that’s what I was thinking too. Why the sudden outrage now?

Decent for me but earlier in the day it was looking much better on BASSTrak 3 24 62 53 16

In my experience, smallmouth seem to prefer a fast retrieve. I don’t really do any slow rolling stuff anymore. Just hasn’t produced for me the same as a fast or true burning retrieve has. I get erratic sometimes with a fast 2-3 turns of the reel then back to my regular cadence but I’ve never noticed an increase in hits after those fast turns. As a result, spinnerbaits that are easy to burn is what I go for. Double willow, smallish blades but I don’t get caught up on exact blade sizes too much. The screamin eagle is all I need! 1/2 oz and 3/4oz. I’ll say if you’re burning one to step up in weight compared to what you’d normally use in an area.