BrianMDTX

If you keep posting, one day you’re going to be surrounded by a horde of out-of-staters looking for your canoe lol.

I really like Strike King Rage Craws, but yeah, a bag of baits is easier and takes up less space than the clamshell packaging.

I mainly fish small ponds. Most smaller than what you’re referencing. All are man-made so no natural sunken stream courses, sunken timber, etc. Very little structure except for what’s on or overhanging the bank. Most of my catches tend to be right at the bank, around or under overhanging limbs (especially ones that are partially submerged), or off the bank where the weeds start to lessen a bit (4’-5’ deep and parallel to the shore).

I don’t really “downsize” but I also don’t have any huge swimbaits, etc. I use standard-sized soft plastics, jigs, etc. About the only concession I make is that I pretty much use 3/16 to 1/4 oz. weights on Texas rigs and usually 1/4 to 3/8 oz. jigs. Too heavy and they sink in the muck and you spend all your time cleaning gunk off your bait after every cast.

Yesterday I had good success with a 1/4 oz. Strike King Bitsy Bug jig with a 3” Keitech Easy Shiner, but the biggest bass hit an A-Jay Special, which is a hybrid weedless “Texas rig jig” with a 1/4 oz. weight, a jig collar/skirt, and. 4/0 EWG with a Strike King Rage Craw trailer. I had to cut and retie and used a 3/8 oz. weight and it was getting fouled on every cast. So maybe downsizing in weight is what I would say I do. I don’t use treble baits much as they are definitely getting fouled, unless they are topwater or shallow jerkbaits/squarebills. Even then you run that risk but the rewards balance that out unless the floating mats of weeds is just too thick.

Well, I just did exactly that to my Sea Eagle 285fpb. I was looking at peel-and-stick letters and numbers, and found a place called 1060 Graphics on Amazon that makes two simple decals for boat registration numbers. You pick the size, font and color and that’s it. Took about a week. 
 
So far they are sticking well but they haven’t been on long. And I keep the boat inflated. I’m a little more concerned about the actual TX registration decal. It’s on but it looks like it could peel off easier. I’m keeping an eye on it. 
 
See my thread “First Boat Motorized” for a pic of the install. 
 
BTW, you only need to register the boat, not the motor. And you don’t have to pay the tax as it’s an inflatable. 

I have come to believe that Lake Menderchuck is not a body of water. It is a state of mind. If you commit yourself to the pursuit of bass, fully commit, and make it a life’s purpose, any lake can become a Menderchuck. 
 
Not everyone can achieve this state of high consciousness. One could fish 8-10 hours a day, every day, and own more tackle than TW, and still not reach this enhanced state of angling. It is not a sign of weakness. It does not make one unworthy. It is simply a reassurance that some of us, a few of us, have the strength of will and the desire to seek out the best of the best, and attain the goal that others dream of but cannot obtain. 
 
Lake Menderchuck. It is a siren song we all hear. We can listen to the melody, but cannot comprehend the lyrics. Do not be ashamed! Do not despair! Revel in the knowledge that some have unraveled its secrets and can share with us the fruits of their victory! 

It’s a mystery at times. My far-and-away best color for a Senko is #956 (watermelon w/copper flake/orange w/red flake). Doesn’t matter if it’s a wacky rig or a weightless Texas rig. 
 
For a full-size worm on a Texas rig? It’s a Mann’s Jelly Worm in Blackberry (basically black with a hint of dark purple). 
 
Same water. Doesn’t seem to matter. But those two colors always produce. 

I really like the 8.1:1 for Texas rigs. I seem to get frequent strikes right after the bait hits the water and that fast retrieve reels in the slack quick for a good hookset. I have the Fuego CT paired with a Falcon Lowrider All ‘Round Fast MH/F rod. It’s a great rig. 

First thing I’d do is remove it from the reel and remove the handles. Take two Channelocks or Vice Grips and wrap the jaws in masking tape to prevent gouges and scratches, and grasp each end and straighten them out. Just use consistent force and bend them back straight slowly.