T-Billy

Most do, but I haven't found a need to. I don't have dig or abrasion issues with 40 and ya ain't breakin it pullin on a fish. 40 gives me a little better distance than 50, and all the power I could ever want. OMMV.

Your reels are fine. Are you having an issue with braid dig using 20#? I'd recommend a 7'6" heavy fast for pitching cover, and 40# 832. Ark is having a buy one get one free sale on their website right now on the Lancer Pro series rods. They're an outstanding value at full price, and a steal at half off. Set your spool tension loose so the spool has just a bit of side to side play, and as little brake as you can use without constantly over running.

Boo....... I much prefer the every fish counts format.

And yet you caught 22 more fish than I did yesterday. Way to go HAMMER!!! At the rate you catch them, I'm starting to believe Z-Man named their top of the line chatterbait after YOU!!! I'll second that. Personally, I'm coming around full circle. I'm throwing less different stuff as the years go by. I have a handfull of confidence baits, and mostly just roll with those. Amen Brother!!!

Yup. Crackheads and miscreants don't get to dictate where I go.

I was a bit overdressed the other day, but it's what I had handy. I've been known to sit in the woods from daylight till dark, temps in the teens, waiting for a deer to walk by. I don't often get accused of being a smart man. LOL.

I was dressed for the run down the lake, rather than what I actually needed to be comfortable fishing. The clothing contrast in our posts just struck me as funny. Good luck today. I'm gonna get out for a few hours this morning too, but I gotta cut it short for a dental appt.

41 in Maine and Katie is fishing in shorts and sandals. Meanwhile, it's 43 in OH and I'm bundled up looking like Hugh from Ice Hole Truckers!!! ? I'm such a Wuss!!! ?

Another reason is abrasion resistance in rock and heavy cover.

That's why I went back and ordered a second Zillion HD right away. Only took a couple casts to realize, I REALLY like this reel, so I figured I better get while the gettin's good.

I think you're pretty well set with what your using.

That's what I had in mind when I suggested the dry change of clothing. It would be easier to swim to shore in a wetsuit than in wet clothing towing a dry bag though for sure.

Getting out of the water and dry QUICKLY is the essential part. However you want to go about it, the ability to do so is critical. I've been in low 40's water and it'll cramp you up in a hurry. I carry a pair of insulated coveralls in a taped shut hefty sack when fishing spring and fall. My boat also has a low transom and I have a hydrofoil on my outboard so getting back in is pretty easy. You don't need to spend a bunch of money, just make sure you can get out of the water and into some warm dry clothes within a few minutes. Good idea to keep your phone in a ziplock while on the water this time of year too.

Those onry critters keep their distance during the day, but they'll come right beside you, within a couple feet of the boat and slap their tails in the dark. They haven't made me pee myself yet, but there's been a couple close calls!!! LOL. Other critters will walk right up on you in the dark too if they can't smell ya. I've had deer come within 15'. Don't wander too far from shore. Take a change of warm clothes in a bag that will keep them dry, and stay out there and enjoy the fall. Maybe spend some time on those more populated waters where help is easier to find? You'll have a lot less company there this time of year. Congrats on an AWESOME morning of fishing!!! Those are some fat, healthy looking, absolutely beautiful bass you're catching.

I don't have that blank, but I have the 6'8" M XF Avid X and like it for finesse Trigs, and jigs. I have a Fuego with a shallow braid spool on it and 10# 832. It's my one step up from a ned rod.

That bottom pic is sweet. Makes me wish I was there.

Thanks Katie!!! I am indeed a blessed man. Awesome wife, awesome life. I've been blessed far beyond anything I deserve, that's for sure.

I got to make a few casts with the HD today. It's exactly what I'd hoped it would be. Great distance, super smooth, not the least bit fussy, and I love those big round handles. I wish all my reels had those. Problem is.... The wife loves it too. I'm gonna need another one. She broke it in today by catching her PB musky on a chatterbait. 44 incher. Edit to add: No point in letting the Japanese Monkey torment me. I surrendered immediately and ordered #2.

Thick, shallow wood tangles over clay and shale is where I'll be starting. Today was tough. 2nd day behind a strong front. Morning surface temp has fallen from 58 four days ago to 51 this morning. The only bites I could come up with today were pitching shallow brush, and those fish were buried way back in the thickets. Stable, warmer weather and sunshine for the next four days, and I'm off 9 of the next 11. I'm gonna be grindin. It's big girl season.

Twas an absolutely gorgeous day at the lake. Bit of a chilly start at 43 degrees but it warmed up nicely as the day progressed. Second day behind a front that pretty well cleaned off all the fiery colored maples, but the oak and hickory trees will hold on to their beautiful pastel colors for awhile. The post front bite was tough. I only managed four bass and three dink saugeye in 8hrs, but the smallest bass was about 2# and the largest was 5 pounder #3 for the year. Like the last, this one just squeaked in at 5.03. Unfortunately my wife only managed to get one bite all day. Fortunately, this was the bite!!! Her new PB at 44". Her previous PB was 38". Nice upgrade!!! It was the highlight of both of our 22 season. It smoked her chatterbait, and tail walked a couple times for us. She handled it like a champ, and brought it to the net in just a couple minutes. She was good to go until it was in the net. Then came that awesome adrenaline dump. She was shaking like a leaf and fighting back tears of happiness. What a great moment. I'm so happy for her. Only eight bites for us in eight hours, but it was an awesome day of fishing. Thank you Lord. Neither of us will forget this day anytime soon.

I've felt a lot of fish hit n spit my T rig at that range over the years without exposing the hook point.

Senko.

I've never needed to go that far, but I often take a step or two when a fish knocks a bunch of slack in my line with a moving bait.

BPS Panfish Elite is one heck of a crappie rod for the $$$.

The little castle nut thing is the pinion gear. Don't crank the handle with the spool removed. The spool shaft keeps the pinion lined up with the main gear. Time for a full tear down and servicing.