T-Billy

I said it before and I'll say it again,@Pat Brown is a HAWG SNATCHER!!! Congrats Pat!!! Heck of a fish!!!

In anticipation of this fall's muskiepalooza, I decided I should get a proper reel for the task. There's a Daiwa Lexa 300HD on the way. The monkey says he approves, and recommended I buy a second.

Once I was swimming Leesville Lake, plum full of muskie, couldn't stop to take a break. It was awful hard fending off those things, with both hands hanging on to my ding-a-ling. ?

Glad I got well stocked on the old Tharps and Invokers. I especially like the seats on the invokers. Looks like they're using the Tharp seats on both series now. They're comfortable with alot of my reels, but are kinda cramped with smaller frames like the Lew's SLP and Curado 70's.

Smalljaws like it too. I retrieve it just fast enough to get a soft plopping sound, and stop it a few times during the retrieve for just a second. Bites often happen right when it starts back up. I've never had much luck with it during daylight hours.

I throw a 110 in loon once in a while at night when fish are busting up top. Never been a numbers bait for me, but when I do get one to bite it's usually a good one.

Atta boy!!! Those tigers are beautiful fish. Congrats!!!

NO SKINNY DIPPING!!! ?

I've got a pool and a pond. The pond would be good for you. ?

Yes, yes, and yes.

Good luck tomorrow.

I'm with your mom. The transformation the Lord made in my life beginning in 2011 at the age of 41 is nothing short of astonishing. My family and friends were amazed, but noone more than I. It took time, it took effort, "still does and always will" but the results cannot be argued with. I no longer struggle with depression or anxiety, I'm 12 years sober and don't miss it a bit, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. I've been blessed far beyond anything I could have imagined. I always encourage folks to read the book. Then, whatever you decide about it, at least you're making an educated decision. Keep it simple to start. Begin with the gospel of John, and first John. You'll get the basics of who Jesus is, and what it means to follow him. I know I'm on thin ice posting this here, but please understand, it's meant only as encouragement, and shared out of love. I'm not trying to "push" anything on anybody. Just doing my best to love my neighbor as I love myself.

Moose is delicious, but without refrigeration, I'd stick to small critters.

Dang!!! 5 weeks of fish? I like fish, but I'd have had to poach me a critter or two.

That's about average these days. Used to be more like 12.

Oh what a difference a day makes. Same time, same place, very different results. Nine bass over nearly 10hrs of fishing. Best of the bunch was this 3.27#, caught skipping a sweet craw up under a low hanging sycamore tree. I thought for a minute it was another big'n, but it was 3# of bass wrapped in 5# of hydrilla by the time I got it winched out from under there. LOL.

My experience jives with yours Woody. My lakes have both shad and sunfish. LM seem to key on shad spring and fall, and transition to sunfish through the summer months. SM seem to stick with shad, minnows and craws unless there's a mayfly hatch going down. When there's a hatch on, my local smallies seem to single mindedly feed on them in the mornings. They'll be slurping bugs off the surface all around me at first light, and ingnore everything in my box including little maribu jigs.

LOL. The lake that fish is in has TONS of shad and gills. She was over 6 back in May, and will be again by November. She's got a big ol head and isn't bug eyed yet. She has the potential to top 7 if she makes it another year or two.

I used to run short arm spinnerbaits a lot at night. The chatterbait replaced 'em. ?

@Pat Brown is a hog snatcher. Congrats on yet another dandy Pat!!! I had a heckuva good time myself starting at about 1:00 this morning. The LM were absolutely mauling my chatterbait. Dunno how many I ended up with, but I think I cracked the 30 mark. At one point I boated four in five casts to a little pocket. Every single fish had it choked, even the dinks. The half dozen or so that came off were because of the rippers tail getting balled up around the hook. Unfortunately, one of those lost was a really solid fish. It threw the bait the third time it came up and wallowed on the surface. Quality wasn't great for the most part, but the numbers of 1 - 2.5 pounders was sure there. The king of the nightime world. I found a bit of redemption for the lost big'n in the early morning light, with this long, lean, 5.85#. My biggest LM since I caught a 6 even, in December of 21. This one now sits at #3 on my all time LM list. Boat docks with rock under them have been very good the last couple nights. Tonight's my last night of vacation. I'll be headed out for one last hurrah before going back to the grind.

Boga may not work well for you in a yak. They work like tongs and get their grip force from the weight hanging on them. I learned this the hard way, by losing what at the time was my wife's PB muskie. Landed it, unhooked it, and was letting it recoup in the water while she was getting the phone ready to get a pic. One big headshake and it was gone. Left her fighting back tears and me looking for a rock to crawl under. I redeemed myself last fall when I netted this 44" for her. I'm now officially forgiven. LOL. Those vice grip style fish grippers may be your best option in a kayak?

Yeah, I'm sure I won't regret the purchase. It's what my guide buddy uses. Outstanding quality and handmade right here in OH. The net I've been using is 48" deep, but only a 32" hoop, and a pointed basket bottom. Usable, but less than ideal for sure. RS net is 36x40x48 with a flat bottom and heavy latex coated mesh. Bring on that Fitty!!! LOL.

I lost a few nice muskie last fall the same way. A-Rig snagged in the net, big esox going ballistic outside the 32" hoop. I just dropped a few hundred on an RS Muskie Mag net in anticipation of this November's Muskiepalooza.

It would take 2 minutes tops to throw a strap on it, drag it out of the way, and be gone. I wouldn't launch and risk coming back to my rig being trashed. I'd just pull it out from in front of the ramp, and laugh all the way to a different launch. Fear only the one who can kill both body and soul. ? Nah. Getting caught might cost a few bucks, but it wouldn't land ya in the pokey.

Neanderthal. Do you even walk upright? ?