Hartwood71

Yeah, it's interesting. But man, It's fun to watch the Ryder cup team battle it out on a mini golf course. Enjoyable.

Noticing you hadn't gotten a reply on the Raid rod, but while also looking for info about the Raid Anti Spin Border, I found this was posted a month after you asked. https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/267793-raid-gladiator-anti-power-nose-initial-impression-and-short-review/ I'd be curious to hear any thoughtful reviews of the Raid stuff; particularly after the huge tariff bump has THT charging $499 for a rod that costs about $250 usd in Japan.

First time out in southern NY, yesterday. Still some flash ice early in the day, but managed first northern LM of 2026 on a +1. A 'purdy' little thing, all upward from here.

Yeah, in my mind the Clear Laker and Ito Wakasagi with their half/partital foil on the bottom could fall into the "HT- Half Tone" or "Stealth" buckets, but I haven't seen them make any distinction. This is where I can see some biz strategist at Megabass reading this and laughing at our efforts to bring logic to their shenanigans.

Updated Treble Hook and Split Ring size/weight chart. Added stats for a few more JBs as well as front and rear hooks for 45 small Cranks (<9' divers) and Lipless. Sending as a link to Google sheet (just too many lines to be a legible printout).... https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eLvGFbCxq42r1zZgodNog2-dfv1PqTYi/edit?gid=1004069493#gid=1004069493 Please let me know if you see any material discrepancies

Shepard’s or Cottage Pie all day. -John McGuire

nice rods

You're good to go. IMO, way better to learn how to use the tool in some different ways than it is to endlessly look for other tools. As a tool, I'm very sensitive to not being replaced.

I wouldn't worry too much about nailing down a 'perfect' glass or cranking rod - of course there are a million options and a bunch of worthwhile videos to make suggestions. IMO, get the baits right first, don't spend an extra dollar and just use a heavy rod with monofilament. You'll get the flex from the mono to help the treble baits stay seated. You can then play with the size of the mono if necessary. This advice is geared to keeping costs down and landing about 99% of the same fish. ....and as always, keep your hooks sharp. Buy and practice using a sharpening file, by hand.

You've already gotten good bait suggestions above...just want to suggest you make sure to use a rod that can handle deeper cranks. They can pull a lot of water, creating a lot of drag/rod deflection - it's easy to overload a 'lighter' rod. Lotta ways to check this box -just wanna plant that seed if you don't already have a solution. Cranking is a blast. You're gonna love it.

Roger. Good point on the smaller jerks - both of which I also use and will begin to add to the chart under “Cranks”. I’ll send a heads-up here when I do.

No problem. That list actually has 110 Jr’s stocks on it also. (Hook Size 8, .27 gram / split rings size 1, .06 gram, 4.5 outside diameter). Prob easier to look at this link to Google Drive vs the original images provided. Plus, the link will be getting updated over time. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eLvGFbCxq42r1zZgodNog2-dfv1PqTYi/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101682476362302263449&rtpof=true&sd=true I was going to start digging into stock numbers for cranks as well but held off because the need to dial in crank weights isn’t as crucial - compared to suspending jerkbaits. This current list of trebles includes up to size 1 which gets you covered for a lot of small-med cranks and lipless - I’ll be going upto 1/0. As for crank stock hooks and split rings I’ll be adding some soon - but the world of trebles is so large that I’ll only be scratching the service.

Berkeley blue fleck ribbon tail 10” with 1/8 bullet, unpegged. 2’ of water in some light bullrush grass. 17lb mono. In Southern Palm Beach County. Enjoy that trip. Peacocks there for sure.

@GRiver go get it! Just caught my first peacock in January while texas rigging for LMB in Fla. Not exactly a hawg, but a fun surprise.

The Old Bucket of Rice.... Sorta morphing this thread a little, but want to share a solve I've benefited from in the recent months. Definitely not comparing to carpal tunnel or anything that severe [sorry to hear that's been a struggle for you and fingers crossed for your speedy recovery]. However, to a lesser degree but in the same ballpark, I've definitely noticed more 'creakiness', weakness and tendinitis in my hands and forearms. Which obviously can matter for fishing. I'm writing this as someone who exercises a fair amount - not as someone who works with their hands and has real hand and forearm strength. My mechanic friends sometimes struggle with other issues like arthritis but the following exercise often helps them as well. While I will accept some basic realities of aging, my hand achiness is definitely more a function of too much time on screens (iPhone and laptop). In this case, I'm particularly focused on strengthening 1) my thumbs 2) smaller muscles in back of hands and 3) fighting off both tennis and golf elbow tendinitis. They're all connected. These are not properly addressed by gripping exercises like dumbbells, pull-ups, rowing, etc. For me, most of these injuries/aches are caused not by overuse but by weakened muscles/tendons which are then put under abrupt acute load [like hitting a golf ball in a Northeast springtime]. When it gets left unaddressed the discomfort is more chronic and consistent. To fight against this crappy trend, I've turned back to an old exercise I did when a baseball pitcher - it's cheap, effective, natural, and safe - The Old Bucket of Rice. I run through a cycle of exercises 3 times a week. And it's working as hoped. Lotta good videos out there about this: here's one -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=almX92LQgz0 Need: 20-30 lbs of rice in a 5 gallon bucket to prevent rice spilling all over the place. Uncooked ;-) It's been a huge benefit to my life: less pain, injury prevention and I like to think my wife is impressed at my rejuvenated jar opening prowess.

I would like to have seen that insurance claim

I spend a lot of time in the field and ticks are near the top of my list for ‘worst things on earth.’ I do not believe in overkill with these things and use all reasonable means possible to manage the risks. For those of us who use rowboats and canoes that live outside flipped over on grass, ticks are a very real issue. Be vigilant about a few basics…a couple of these underscore what @NelsonIII said. I definitely use permethrin on clothes (boots, pants, top shirts, jackets) when near high grass, brush or woods. This stuff can be nasty but just read about proper use and it becomes the predominant protection. I’ll even spray insect repellent over legs right before walking into field. Check your self along the way and after. Good clothes color to spot ticks helps with quick inspections. And don't dismiss particularly small spots as just dirt. We keep our pets/dogs wearing Soresto collars and monthly Semparica Trio (expensive) - good for protecting them and helps guard against them as carriers back to us. After hunting or walking with dogs in these environments we check them for carrier ticks with fine toothed comb. Separately, we manage controlled burns every couple years in a number of fields. This is obviously not a suggestion - it just points to how far we go in managing the risks they pose. Beyond this, stay in the car.

Nice is nice. And Nicer is nicer. However, from a productivity standpoint the deminishing return kicks in >$250. But that doesn't stop me from usually running right through that wall at full speed.

NY/NJ- 3.5 hours round trip. Sometimes a day trip, but usually with a stay over. Fla- 5 min.

Totally agree and that's an important message - we gotta read our own live situations. Can't be all pictures and dreams. Embrace the gross-ness! You have as many perch variants as I do treble hooks. Respect. Always catered to the water I spend most time on (I.e. For me, I don't load up on stained water baits in my NY access. And I don't spend much time with transparent baits in Fla access). I finally put that sheet together just to try to help myself (or others) not be bumbed when I get the delivery and find it doesn't suit the goal. Pictures just don't always give a great sense of finish. And oh yeah, it's a result of dorking out during the cold weather. Could be described as a cry for help.

Thumbs up on the hook keeper for sure. My C is Aluminum gearing, but has help up very well. Also light at ~6 oz and casting length is right there with my Aldebaran. Enjoy the A2. I'd like to hear your thoughts after some time.

Only 13-Fishing prod I own is the Concept C and I gotta say it's an excellent reel. Good to hear similar about the A2.

To help me make marginally more informed decisions when siphoning through the ‘shopping’ process for Megabass Jerkbaits, I compiled this color chart. Took parts from various sources (other people, articles, even called Megabass USA and the person humorously said, “they actually don’t even tell us a lot of them”). State secrets I guess. Frankly, I'm not sure why Megabass doesn’t produce a comprehensive description, but what's life without some confusion. Besides, I probably deserve it for paying $25 for a jerkbait. Here is both a PNG-image and a link to the Google Drive spreadsheet (much better resolution). I'll occasionally update it up over time. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10RxILuL9UKO0HDC2VhNROQ-c16rUq2fD18PMoI5qE-4/edit?gid=0#gid=0

That's excellent. I also just had a physical two weeks ago and was genuinely surprised at my BP and bloodwork stats - Best they've been on 20 years. I'm def not obsessive about eating and exercising but cutting back a little on food and exercising just a few times a week has yielded real results. Funny, it turns out that following sound advice actually can make a difference.

I've also had success with Spawn Killer. Not sure if it's color vs color temperature vs profile vs reflection. That said, my Spidey senses are eager to try the Mat Aka Tora once the ice has passed. I think JBs were never recognized as effective in red for spring is because the fishing marketing machine had always been geared to moving us into crank baits by this time of year. I dunno.