DitchPanda

This may be a long shot but I'm trying to figure out a certain episode. All I remember is somebody in a life boat on a different planet at night and the ocean was lit up with bioluminescence . Sound familiar to anybody?

I understand that and I'm sympathetic to that situation. I also believe that it depends greatly on location. I've talked with a few home builders and contractors of various types and many have said last year was fantastic for them. I'm sorry for your struggle man that stinks...it just sounds like its very different here. Every company locally is looking for people..jobs that paid 16-18hr a year ago are now offering 19-22hr starting...extra PTO...2,3 even 5k signing bonus. Crazy how different it is.

My PB of almost 9lbs was caught on a 2" crappie grub on a light power rod with 6 or 8lb mono. So like stated above it can easily be done. I agree with @roadwarrior that the stress on the fish needs consideration in the summer time.

Forgot the kvd 1.5 shallow has done some damage the past 2 summers as well

Well I wasn't 100% clear in my post part of my increase was promotion based. But yes I do understand the struggle don't think that I dont. This year my COLA raise is about even with inflation so I understand it being hard to get ahead. The sad reality is a hobby is supposed to use your disposable income...if companies end up pricing average Joes out of the hobby that sucks and it will ultimately end up hurting them in the long run. I'm thankful for 2 things..1) that I have a decent job in a part of the country where its not impossibly expensive to eat, pay taxes, buy a home etc. 2) for tackle sales and companies like big bite baits and Yum that offer good products for reasonable prices. Between those two companies you can buy bulk packs...25ct, 30ct or 100ct at great savings..on multiple worms, stickbaits, grubs, craws, creatures or chunk trailers. With the cost of terminal tackle getting crazy as well I switched back from tungsten to lead for alot of applications and all of my tungsten I do buy comes from Siebert who has good prices. Nako looks like another great option as well. As for hooks I went away from gammy and owner unless on sale and have used VMC and Eagle claw in their place with no lose in hook ups. As for jigs I purchase some from Mike as I said before he has reasonable prices...and I buy BOSS heads alot and make my own skirts. Its tough but you take the savings where you can find them and live without the stuff you can't afford or justify. Funny thing is since I started focusing on simplifying my gear and tackle and not needing the "best" of everything I still catch as many fish and have as much fun. Plus its better to hang a swim jig that cost $2.50 than one that cost $6...helps me sleep better at night.

I recently made a green pumpkin shad skirt for a bladed jig...1 tab green pumpkin black flake, 1 tab mouse and 6 strands June bug for the back. Looks really nice but now I'm wondering what color trailer to throw?

I don't throw lipped cranks very often..the most productive of the past 5 years for me would be a bomber square a or a size 5 frittside.

I've watched the Gary Klein seasonal patterns 3 or 4 times...its cool to see a guy i know as mostly a shallow power fisherman fishing deep with spinning gear.

Guess it depends on the industry. With the pandemic and now labor shortage in my neck of the woods the company I work for is throwing money at people trying to keep them. My wage has gone up $4.50 an hour in the past year plus we just had our biggest profit sharing check in plant history and next week they are giving us value share. My buddy who works in a completely unrelated industry just got a big bonus and said his 1 on 1 review / wage negotiations went very well.

Good advice!

I feel bad for you Florida guys..I don't know how you manage to tough out 2-3 45 degree days a year..must be hell ?

So this year I've decided to buckle down and finally work on my health. Thru my 20s and into my early 30s I managed to keep myself in relatively decent shape. I'm 6'3" and for about 10 years or so my weight was between 205 and 215..plus I used to do some weight training, walking and running plus worked over the heavy bag several times a week. Over the last 6-7 years I've gained a shameful 75lbs topping out at 290. Well this December I said that's it I'm done with this sh$%. I switched my diet over to a moderate keto...cutting carbs back to 50 or less a day..plus stopped drinking pop, very little beer and staying hydrated drinking a gallon+ of water a day. We are purchasing a treadmill and an elliptical plus plan to go walking outside 3-4 nights a week once it warms up. As of this point I'm 7 weeks into my lifestyle change and I'm down to 272.5lbs...a loss of 17.5lbs so far. I'm a long way off from my goal but seeing the progress is keeping me motivated. Plus after I cut out all the refined sugar and flour crap from my diet I noticed my back is feeling the best it has in well over a year. Here's to improving everyday!

Your welcome...I'm excited to watch it

That is one I have not considered so I will check it out. Btw I tried to watch your newest YouTube video but nothing uploaded its just black screen. Thought you may want a heads up.

I agree. Yeah fishing stuff has gone up but what hasnt? Just saw cauliflower on sale for 3.49 a head..next week its 7+. That's a 100% increase in a week..I've never seen senkos go from $8 to $16 a pack in a week. Also I was talking to a buddy at work who does alot of shooting and coyote hunting. He said yeah I just bought a new rifle, scope and ammo for yote hunting...I got a good deal he said only around $3000. Can buy a top end rigged fishing kayak for that type of money. Or a dozen nice rod and reel combos.

So last fall I had decent luck on my local small lake/ big pond for walleye. I never targeted them but in a month period I caught 6 walleye between like 18" and 27". At ice out what areas do you target? Being a cold water fish do they move up shallow to feed early on? What are your best baits and time periods?

For you guys in the North that trap creek minnows in early spring..what areas do you target? I haven't done it in years and never was very proficient at it so any tips are appreciated.

I can't narrow it down to one bait...over the years I've caught random giants on all kinds of stuff...frog, lipless, chatterbaits,buzzbaits, Texas rigs. Heck I caught my PB on a 2" crappie grub! Hands down my top 2 are a jig and a spinnerbait. Last year was a down year for me size wise..in. 2020 I caught 3 6s and a 7....last year I only got one over 5. Got her November 6th on a Ned rig TRD.

For guys that use both...which do you prefer? I've used the zoom for years and never tried the T mac...I do see that are quite a bit cheaper

I prefer a shaky head in rock and also in colder water. I prefer a T rig in wood or grass.

I'm pretty solid and accurate with multiple types of casts and I can skip a jig decent. I've been using a baitcaster for 25+ years..still no expert.

My best day size wise ever with a buzz bait was in fall several years ago on a windy rainy day. My best 5 went somewhere in the ballpark of 26-27lbs which is a huge bag up here. Had a high 4 a couple 5s one pushing 6 and one over 6..it was unbelievable.

What a bummer man..sorry for your loss. Its amazing the bond you can form with a pet. At least you know you did the right thing for him...you can find peace and Solace in that.

Was gonna say 40 is jeans and hoodie weather..if I'm working hard I may just do a long sleeve shirt. I can get into that. There is a feeder creek that dumps into the river right behind my local ponds that comes up in spring and the channel cats roam up in there looking for grub. Its fun close quarters combat.

Rick Clunn just put a video out on Bassmasters about red baits..I would assume if he believes in it there may be something to it...He's caught more bass by accident than I ever will on purpose. I had good luck on a hot sauce color siebert fogy last year. Red lipless doesn't do much for me..I prefer gold black back in the same situation.