Michigander

There's absolutely real money in merchandizing, so I guess it doesn't really matter where your money comes from as long as it comes. Win it on the lake or win it in the store, same difference.

I'm not at all sure what to expect. I haven't found a winter forecast that seems believable yet. I know that I was back on the kayak in late February this year, so not sure what to expect for 2021.

That's fair. But part of the game is getting paid, so if you can get by cashing fewer but bigger checks vs more consistent but lesser winnings, I think that's aa valid a strategy as any. Hackney (jigs), Martens (drop shot) are both known for their techniques. You have Monroe on frogs, etc. They're out there still and they get big wins when the conditions are right. Also, I think specializing probably helps you get your brand out there and be more marketable for sponsors. I don't see Hack Attack Spybaits lining the shelves, for example. LoL.

I've played with Tatsu in 6lb test. Is it good in heavier sizes like 15/20lb or is Invisx a better choice at that size?

I mean, if it there was a solid crank bite I bet he did catch them all that way. But he probably threw other presentations during practice until he figured that out. Also, that's one tournament out of a whole season. I would wager that he used other lures during that time. I think all the pros have a preferred way to fish but they're really limiting themselves if they aren't versatile.

Are you asking about a specialist or are you asking if a non-versatile angler can be successful at the highest level? I don't think guys who can only fish one way even make it that far. And you have to remember, back in the day, you were only seeing a few minutes of fishing per guy out of what could have been 8, 16, or 24 hours of tournament fishing. Odds are they weren't just cranking or just flipping aj jig that whole time.

So sharp rocks or smooth rocks? And what kind of hooks and lures are we taking about?

What kind of rocks?

How timely: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/jika-rig.html

Drone drop off or surf cast a jig.

Enjoy that pristine looking trailer while it lasts, lol. Nice rig!

If you're real serious, you could hire a scuba diver with a video camera to follow you as you idled around. ?

Gonna be a rough one this year, we're only a week into December. LoL One thing you could do is catch one of whatever you are attempting to imitate and hold your jig and trailer up to it to see if it is a reasonable match. Other than that, fish interrogation is clearly the only way.

Looks like I got my Tackle Claus gift, a reprieve from the Bait Monkey. I didn't see anything on the TW Christmas sale that I actually want to buy. It's a Christmas miracle!

I have one and it works fine, just a little loose on tolerances throughout but it hasn't failed me on the kayak. I bought it in store because I needed an inexpensive reel right then and that was what they had. For the weight, I would rather have a Penn Pursuit III though.

Love Smackdown on my spinning reels, not so much on my casting reels, especially for pitching. It seems to stick to itself which isn't an issue for a normal cast but is for a short pitch.

I've got this one and it isn't glamorous but does pitch really easily. https://www.enigmafishing.com/products/ippon-flipping-ip100-f-series-baitcasting-reel?gclid=CjwKCAiAwrf-BRA9EiwAUWwKXnazLvRYr7bvWBQXjbC9ytprbU9VSzaciuAUFhQHlWdMpl_O4trMERoC9QAQAvD_BwE

Oh, how interesting! That's a heavier weight than I expected. Very fascinating. Thank you, I really appreciate this!!

Nevermind, I'm an idiot. I totally misunderstood what you wrote. I was thinking you were cutting parallel with the strands or something, not perpendicular. That's how I do it too, lol.

Generally, it's considered highly dangerous to use flammable solvents in an ultrasonic cleaner unless the machine is designed to handle those low flashpoints. I have a cheap Harbor Freight one and would not use flammable solvents in mine as I rather like having a house.

I list my two preferred and tested inexpensive spinning reels here.

How do you separate it with scissors? I just pull it taut and let the strands separate themselves.

I can deal with the rain, it's the 18mph wind I read on the forecast that'll keep me on my couch. LoL.

Yeah, you can basically get as deep as you want to on this stuff.

I'm not a cold water bass expert by any means, but I was only in that depth because I was attempting to sneak up on a drop-off and was traveling through water I expected to be devoid of fish. So I was certainly surprised. Yeah, the ice is coming. I don't want this to have been my last 2020 trip but it very well could have been.