Fishlegs

I shop at Academy a lot, but if they do a "spring classic" type of sale like BPS I've never noticed it. They have something on sale almost all the time though. You can sign up for email notifications with them like most places to get some notice on sales.

What do I do during these cold days down south? Consider moving to Florida. 🤣

We’ve seen pictures of your tackle shop, so we believe you’re named after the ape. 😉 All kidding aside, stay strong for your family, and know the BR community will be thinking of/praying for you.

That's pretty much what I did @Swamp Girl. I laid on the ground beside the water in disbelief for a few minutes, picked up my stuff, and went home. I was utterly defeated in that moment, but 30 years later I still haven't given up. I'm still fishing.

For the most part I'm where you are, but there are a couple that will always haunt me. One in particular. It was a DD that I lost right at the bank. I'll never forget the heartbreak of that morning, but it's also part of what drives my desire to fish. I want to win a battle against a beast like that.

...and @Bluebasser86 is going to find a way to catch it!

So you come home from fishing with no pants on, and your wife isn't surprised? I don't think my wife would let me fish any more. 🤣 Glad you made it back safely, and I hope you've warmed up.

I'm always amazed at the various methods that people use to chase the same fish. TX rig will always be my #1 since it's my #1 confidence bait. I had good success with brush hogs, & the Rage Menace this year. I wanted to try colors other than GP, watermelon, & Junebug this year. The two that stood out were both golden hues. Honey Candy for the menace, and rootbeer pepper green for the brush hog. I plan to continue using those. Lipless crankbaits are #2 for me. A new color that I had success with was, wait for it...gold. Specifically, a gold shad SK RES tungsten 2 tap. Another lure I plan to use more often. The "best of the rest" for me are spinnerbaits, underspins, swim jigs, drop shot, and ned rigs.

Wow! Very impressive catches. Congrats on an incredible year!

You're a celebrity to the BR family @Glenn. 😊

I would throw them in the river. If they came back with a fish attached, I'd probably throw it right back in the same spot. If there's not a fish attached, I'd try a different spot...but not in California. 😉

These guys are crazy. You don't want Academy stuff. You should package it all up, and send it to me for proper disposal. 🤣 Just kidding. Their stuff is very good. I use their hard baits, soft plastics, hooks, weights, rods, and it has been good. Not just good for the price...good. The only thing I didn't like enough to buy again are their spinnerbaits. I had to spend too much time trying to get them to run true so I gave up on them. Otherwise, I am a big fan of their brand.

I agree. That’s a beautiful smallmouth!

Excellent fish @Pat Brown!

Prayers for a successful surgery, and full recovery.