frankthedog

About 3 hour round trip driving for the lakes I want to fish. Then 6 to 8 hours on the lake in the kayak. Probably get out on shore once or twice for a 10 to 15 minute break. November to January is probably more like 4 to 6 hours on the water. It's usually a 12 hour day all together.

In 2020 I set a goal for myself to break 6 pounds on a Smallmouth. My previous PB sat at 5 pounds 11oz. This last December I landed a fish I thought was going to break it. Put it on the scale...5 pounds 11 oz exactly. Devestating. I persevered and this March I landed a 6 pound 8oz Smallmouth. I know I may have to put in either many more years fishing around home, or many miles covered to get somewhere a 7 plus is more feasible. Enjoy the journey either way bro.

Why do some suggest a glass rod for fishing chatterbaits?

I totally messed up. 3/16 to 3/8. d**n. You are correct sir I mistyped there. 3/16 to 3/8 is what should have been in the title.

This year I threw a Dropshot more than a Ned, overall anyway. These winter months for me the Ned does seem to produce more. I just wanted a rod that could do both well, I felt like it was hard to go wrong with any of the rods in the lineup, which made actually deciding even more difficult. I started the thread after the rod was already in the mail, I was just interested in hearing others' opinions. Super dope to hear good things about the model I chose.

Thoughts?

Thanks for the reply. I just bought the EXS72MLB after spending a few days trying to decide on the one Expride spinning model that would cover my needs the best. I am stoked to get home from work next week and pair that with my 3000 Vanford. It's Ned season round here.

Couple football jig fish from the last time out.

In your opinion, how would that rod throw a 1/8 oz Ned Rig?

They are the biggest, most badass fish in the lakes where I am—the coolest fish in the world. Salt fishing is mostly either trolling or jigging. It's boring. The way Bass behave and how it changes your approach to targeting them makes bass fishing almost like hunting in a way. I fished a derb or two over the years to bud. Don't get me wrong; they can be fun, but they aren't the best way for me to enjoy fishing. Ever have a whole lake to yourself catching slabs, still getting a pic on the ol' Ketch board but it's all just for you? That's the stuff right there.

It's all in the title. Most likely something in the 6'10" to 7'6" length. Some may say Medium, but probably more in the Medium Light to Light powers. Guessing the majority would end with a Fast or even Extra Fast action? There might be a few more moderate-leaning folks, who knows.

Rain usually means less people on the water for me

Most of the smallmouth on Vancouver Island seem to have red eyes

So now after a bit more research I am thinking that these were two male smallmouth as it seems females do not hang around the nest for any period of time after they have spawned? Thinking that these were two males cruising one of the only suitable spawning habitats in the lake, either guarding nests or waiting for females?

If I get a 2lb Smalljaw on a day out I am stoked. My PB smallie is 4.2 Have not caught a LMB yet, only one lake on the Island with them...and I don't know how to fish those god d**n weeds yet...