PaulVE64

Tank testing different materials. Personally in cold water I'm dead drifting the magnificent black maribou jig.

mine has 3 legs.

I really liked the feel of the Curado.

I set my phone's timer to go off every 5 minutes. No reeling it in until the alarm goes off. No hops or pops in the first 10 casts.

Trolling with anything for everything that swims Deep spoons & crankbaits for lake trout, pike, walleye. River crankbaits and topwater spooks for smallies. Though I will admit walking the dog is tiring.

DT4

If there is a mile or so long stretch of water that remains atleast 2 ft deep and has a 30' deep pool in it I think the bass will winter in it. They need the area to ensure enough prey is around and the depth for stability.

Maribou, rubber, silicone, hair and some flash

Final note for the season, water temps are now hovering in the mid 30s and I'm thinking about how lucky we are to enjoy fishing. I suppose i could have taken up another hobby like frisbee golf or crack. Have a great winter dreaming about the next warm day

Like an ice cube? That's how I pictured it as a kid.

Perfect for skipping under trees deep into the nasty.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfzd9S1OGXJ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Tying flies and jigs from hair/feather/fur is a relatively inexpensive hobby, but every hobby is expensive. Thankfully I get to fish them and I can be fearless in the rocks and laydows.

Last year was whopper p. , tube & black maribou jig. This year I was determined to use other techniques and it was spook, yum d. & a wilderdilch. https://images.app.goo.gl/juy4ZMZajuSrvCoQ8 Gear was, 6' fenwick hmg mfast 6' stc Triumph mlfast 7' stc avid mlfast & an occasional fly rod

The migration habits of snallmouth bass are almost a mystery. I've found a few articles and if I remember correctly smallies can move 2 to 3 miles/day. I also remember theyll travel 30 miles to get to stable winter holes. So if your close to the St L they have likely all empty out of the tributaries. Hope that helps.

I'm finding them near deep river bends with shallower rocky shelves or boulder fields nearby. My water temps are 45-50 F

I've yet to play with an Ark rod. What does the invoker pro 6-10 ML XF feel like? Is the tip "crisp" like an NRX. I'm not looking for a noodle

Important differance - thanks

Buddy told me the gearing is the same on the 2500 and 3000. Just the spool changed. That might make the 2500 better. I appreciate a rod that can take abuse. I snap tips way too often.

I havent been able to lay hands of the tatula elite. Ark Rods or the TFO Rods. I'm really looking for a snappy tip like the NRX I was playing with the Curado CDS70LA and it felt the best at my budget.

Psycho Stick is rated to 1/8 oz only. Will it throw 1/16th with any distance?

End of year is coming and I may buy a new Spinning setup to chase my local river smallies. I'm primarily throwing 1/16 oz bass streamers and maribou jigs in 7 ft to 2 ft of depth with current. Budget is $400 for rod and reel. So far ive played with (in order of felt preferance) 1. the nrx - just too expensive to purchase within budget 2 steez - almost as snappy as the nrx but still too expensive to pair up 3 curado - felt great with a new Ultegra on it. Why does no one to about this rod? 4 daiwa Kage again with an Ultegra 5 tatula xt - I liked its price but I think I would have loved an elite which I couldnt find anywhere. Wondering if I should hold out and wait until I have tried one? 6 procyon - surprised by this rod but it paled against the Kage and Curado and the upgrade in reel wasnt worth it against the Ultegra I did not handle any St C or Fenwicks as I have a few river rods from them now. StC Triumph 6-6 LF 2 pc St C Triumph 6-0 MLF HMG 6-0 MLF StC Avid 7-0 MF and a few very old ugly sticks for trolling crankbaits Any other suggestions I should try out for a finesse rig ?? I prefer shorter rods.

What rod/reel would you recommend for around $300?

Thanks for the pics. I recognize a few of those patterns. The brighter ones would attract pike in my waters. Multi species. In Ontario are you near to Timmins?

17 ft Coleman Craft Canoe. And it's not the "Coleman" everyone thinks it is. These were made by this crazy coot of a guy. The kind of characters that build dragon castles in Colorado's woods.