T-Billy

I went for a few hours today and took a skunking. As expected. The weather's been unseasonably warm for January. Mid 40's today. Water was 34 - 36.5 with skim ice on large sections of the lake. Marked lots of big shad schools, but couldn't buy a bite. I won't bother again until March iceout, but it was nice to get out for a bit.

Apparently he's also the GoPro Monkey!!! ?

Nah. This lake has roughly one of these per acre. Never seen an otter there.

The jar must be made of fluorocarbon since the bass aren't scared off by it. The smallmouth also struck the end with the red lid first. I think @A-Jay might be on to something with that red front treble hook. ? Kidding aside, Cool video. Thanks for posting.

I caught this four pounder bare handed. It was barely alive after being mauled by a muskie.

Darn fine way to start the year @Dwight Hottle!!! Congrats brother!!!

PM Sent. LOL!!! Not exactly rolling in them, but FedEx will be dropping off numbers 3 and 4 tommorrow. I do love those big knobs.

Absolutely!!! My reaction was similar to Zona's if you caught that episode where he got pooped on. I don't recommend it.

I've had a couple excrete some grey slimy stuff on me from the vent. It didn't smell like crawfish though.

I buy em direct from BBB.

Sure. Sometimes. I didn't see a Texas rig listed in your lineup. I HIGHLY recommend picking up a 100ct bulk bag of Big Bite Baits, Yo Momma's, some 3/0 VMC flippin hooks ( The regular ones not the HD's), some medium size rubber bobber stops, and some 1/4 and 3/8 tungsten weights. I prefer the smaller 3.5" Yo Momma. They list it as 3" but it's 3.5" long, and it flat catches 'em, big and small alike. Edit to add: Some Zoom Mag II worms, and some trick worms are must haves too IMO. I fish those on as light a weight as I can, 1/8 most often.

That makes 'em easier to find. They'll get dirt shallow to soak up the rays on sunny afternoons when the water's cold. Cold fronts will move 'em deep and/or TIGHT to cover.

I have both and the difference is about what I'd expect going from L to ML. I throw a TRD Bug with a 1/8 tungsten and a 1/0 VMC flippin hook a good bit in the spring. It's a mini punch rig basically. I have no trouble driving that hook home with the ML. I prefer the L for exposed hook neds.

Don't be afraid to fish shallow early in the year, especially if you've had a few days of stable weather. I've caught some good ones in 2' or less of 40 something degree water. Steep banks aren't always best, but you do want deep water close by that time of year.

The longer handle of a rod closer to 8' definitely makes casting easier. I've found the 7'10" Shimano SLX H MF to be outstanding and it's not an expensive rod. It handles three 1/4 oz heads fine, but I typically run three 1/8oz and two dummies. You don't wanna go too heavy with the rod. I don't think a big swimbait rod is the way to go. Something in the 3/8-1 1/2 or 1/2-2oz ballpark is about perfect IMO.

That one is impressive. I've had a couple like that myself thanks to unnoticed overhead tree branches. As a side note, your rod choice in that pic is 100% T-Billy approved.

Catching is the goal, but there's so much more to it than that.

My last trip of 2021 I saw smallmouth busting shad on the surface in 38 degree water. I couldn't get bit on anything I had with me, and found myself wishing I'd brought my topwater box along. I certainly wasn't expecting to need it.

I have a Ray's in one and hprbearings spools in two others. Mine are the spools with the round holes. I have all three spooled with 20# braid on medium or medium heavy rods. I use them for weightless plastics and light trig's. Happy as can be with em

Wheelers versatility and ability to quickly establish patterns sets him apart. The guy is good at everything.

Ark Tharp Series "Hammer" 7' MH XF. Soft tip for pitching light baits, plenty of backbone for the cover you described. Light, sensitive, very well balanced and $129 at full retail. You can spend a lot more and get less rod. It's my favorite rod for skipping docks , light jigs/trig's, senkos, tubes...

Clean bearings matter more than the material IME. I didn't notice much difference when I put ceramic hybrids in one of my super duty's, other than the ceramics are noisy when dry. I won't be buying more.

? Thanks Katie!!! LOL. I think they just bite my lures so they can come in the boat and get a better look at that awesome hat!!!