Functional

havent gotten to Jordan yet this year, been extremely busy. I do have a trip lined up starting Friday on Lake Norman until July 1st though and my father is coming over for a long weekend in late July. We may explore past the local lakes here then. Appreciate the feedback so far on the lake though.

I dont drink a hell of a lot but when I do I want to enjoy it and usually go for scotch. Holidays and vacations usually see beer though lol.

I dont usually drink beer but when I do and have a choice its been Banquet. Really came to enjoy it the last 2 years or so.

Spinnerbaits: heavy wood, weed edges, little wind and little cloud cover Chatterbaits: weeds, little wood, heavier wind and or cloud cover. I change retrieve and depth i fish then at depending on the fish that day. I'm more likely to let a spinnerbait sink to the bottom and slow roll it though than I am a bladed jig. Chatterbaits I wait until I get to the depth I want them reel just quick enough to get the blade going and keep it at that place. I may pop it from time to time pending if I'm fishing it in weeds or if I'm skimming bottom. I use it as a more aggressive spinnerbait and I use a swim jig as a less aggressive spinnerbaits. They all have a place for me depending on the conditions.

I've heard of it but never seen the action until the above video. Now I'm interested. Seems like a step between a swim jig and a bladed jig. @Swamp Girl this seems right up your alley.

Remember recently seeing Kristine Fischer using something like a 2oz weight on a creature bug flipping it sky high to crash through the junk on the surface. If I remember right she pulled out a decent fish from it. If I can get through it, I fish it. If the threat of breakoff is high I just make sure the rig is cheap(ish) 😂

Gaston in the summer and any holiday is an absolute war zone. I avoid fishing weekends in the summer there and avoid holidays all together even in my boat. I've literally had a full can of beer hurled at me thinking they were doing me a favor as they drove by. The person fell over after the throw she was so drunk.

I've been having the joy of my 4 year old taking more of an interest lately. Took her fishing from the dock for the first time with her own rod and some worms and caught a few. She successfully picked up a worm so I could hook it, cast her own rod, set her own hook and reeled in the fish all by herself. She was extremely proud (it was the biggest blue gill all day) and we made a big deal about it! I've learned her attention span is about 30 minutes to sit there but she wanted to follow me around while I fished. The day was gift enough.

after about 2 successful trips if size stays about the same I'll try new areas on the 3rd trip, possibly even half way through trip #2. I'll use the tried and true as "pick me ups" from strikeouts hunting bigger fish or a tough day in general.

Frame of mind is everything. Even on your BP meds just remember there is someone out there praying for the health a lot of us have, even if it isnt perfect. Live the best you can and dont take it for granted.

Awesome to see her out there with you again. Also beautiful lake to be fishing. Couldn't ask for a much better day in my opinion!

Absolutely

My sister in law bought me one of these for Christmas. I'd if its the exact one but its got like a sugar grit or something in it and strong lemon smell. Works the best out of everything I've tried.

big, flashy and noisy. I'll usually throw a spinnerbait on with some big blades in either straight white or black/blue with a paddle tail trailer and slow roll it. My home lake is routinely stained like that and thats the best luck I've had. I'd also find some healthier grass and ultimately try and find the cleanest water. Fishing the "mud line" has worked for others in the past but I've never found a distinct edge on my home lake.

I've got a Cannon Ultimate Angler and like it a lot. Huge improvement over my old $50 paddles. Lugged my big Recon120 around just fine and made everything smaller so much easier. For your situation though I'd almost wonder if one of those convertible paddles would be a better fit for you? Split it in half and use a handle end while you are standing and moving and have the other paddle half if you have to use it in an emergency as your main propulsion.

It's really hard to beat having a good dog. Longing for the day we decide to travel less and can get one. Since the day I was born I've always been around/had 2+ GSDs until about 8 years ago and life is certainly different without them. EDIT: My biggest hope is the day I die I get to be reunited with all of those that have passed...

his first point? or his second point?

I'm not a Whiskey guy but Elijia Craig has been my go to when I have it. However, I recently picked up a bottle of Bookers and it is for sure in my top 5 and might contend with my top 3. Going to try my first Blantons this weekend so well see. Was not impressed with Weller or Buffalo Trace. I'm more of a scotch person and Lagavulin (16 specifically) is my top distillery. Glenlivet Caribbean Cask and Glenmorangie 18year round out my top 3.

This one is for @Swamp Girl . Her comment on poppers was in my head and I came across this guy. Kind of a nostalgia buy also, my father had this in his box and I used to love throwing it. If I recall it performed well so figured I'd pick it up.

If that bass was a person it would for sure have Cankles. I'm with Pat, 5lbs around here is a nice bass. In NY a 3 was occasional and 4 I'd say was a really nice bass. Down south I've come across enough 3s and 4s the "magic" isnt the same here. 5# and up get the blood flowing more than normal. I've never measured length in my life.

Kittery has friends and Family 25% off right now. FF25 is the code.

Thank you both. I have medium glove sized hands and in general am not a fan of long stem reels (lookin at you Lews) so not sure I'd hate the Vanford. For about $5 that weight savings is probably worth it. I really dont ever change spools, if I'm needing another line I'm respooling.

I usually start small and once I find them and start getting regular fish I'll switch to the larger profile to go for size on the fish. Occasionally I'll switch the weight to slightly heavier if I suspect the fall rate is a bit off if I stop catching when I switch to the larger. Never had an issue catching fish on a smaller bait when they were hitting big bait but cant say they have always hit big bait when they were biting small bait. If that makes sense to you.

Thinking of maybe picking up a nice spinning reel since I'm using jerkbaits so frequently now. With the 10% sale at TW these are about $5 apart. I dont know much about nice spinning reels so can someone school me on the differences and if one is truly better than the other?

it sounds to me a transition to a Jerkbait would give you a very similar profile to still catch and a new lure/technique to learn. I'd also maybe throw a walking bait and see how they react to that. If you go the jerkbait route I'd pick one up that is roughly the same size as the fluke you've been using. At least for me I've noticed matching lure and forage size can make or break a bite.