OldManLure

I believe solunar tables are as accurate at predicting fishing success as a spin wheel with segments labeled ‘very good’, ‘good’, ‘so-so’ and ‘skunk’ would be. A

If you plan to fish in low light conditions or deep water, it won’t hurt. I’ve tried Tackle Warehouse’s CS Coating UV Blast marker. It is a clear overcoat, and did not seem to alter the bait’s original paint scheme. I feel like the stuff with color would. I’m still not certain how effective it is. I have used it only a few times, and did catch fish with it on a lure in early morning and late evening. But I’ve caught plenty of fish without it in those conditions so I’m not sure. My rationale is it probably won’t hurt.

Was the tournament hurting that bad for entrants?

I have a friend who still counts on his fingers. He’s a carpenter and can only count to 8 1/2.

Given the limitations of a bass’s color vision and their poor visual acuity, it would be very likely that there are numerous examples of expensive, elaborately painted baits appearing to a bass as very nearly identical to the same bait of same color(s) with a basic, less detailed paint job. Give me a dark color, a light color and sometimes a spot, and I’m good to cast. I don’t need representations of nares, opercula, scales and pectoral fins. And I’m pretty sure bass don’t either.

I agree with @Pat Brown. Suspending on the pause is key. And in cold water pauses typically are longer. Beware that some baits described as ‘suspending’ may tend to actually be slow risers which means after each extended pause you’ll have to get them back to your target depth before the next pause. Many jerkbaits also suspend, except in cold water I fish them like cranks, sometimes with intermittent ‘twitches’ (instead of jerks) before the extended pauses.

@Jaybert I was reluctant to try longer rods from my kayak. I eventually put reservations aside, bought two and am glad I did. Don’t let the bad experiences of a few dissuade you from getting a longer rod. Using a rod longer in length than you are used to will require minor adjustments in casting, retrieve and landing fish. These adjustments are pretty straightforward and surprisingly easy to make. If you think about it, similar adjustments would be necessary if you went to a rod shorter in length than you are used to. A longer rod provides added distance when casting. It has also allowed me to more easily flip while seated to spots among rocks that otherwise might go untested. Given the number of rocky stretches on the rivers I fish, I consider this a huge benefit. Another advantage I’ve enjoyed is that the added length enables me to more easily guide my line around the bow of my yak rather than being helpless when the fish has decided to go under it. The only disadvantage for me is having to pay more attention to heights of tree limbs when carrying my rods to the water or back to my truck. In short, there is absolutely no compelling reason to deprive yourself of a longer rod. If you overcome your apprehension and get one, you won’t regret it.

I may be in the minority, but I sure don’t. They are second-to-none in catching the buyer’s eye, though.

Pretty much what @Choporoz says except I would not overlook a blade bait. It has been awhile since I fished a spoon, choosing instead to rely on Rapala Rippin Blades.

Rapala Shadow Rap Deep 9 or 11 in silver or bone. I want it a few feet above them. They will know it’s coming.

Not a problem; maybe an adjustment. 2 of 4 rods I use from my sit-in are 7’6” and pose absolutely zero issues. I purchased them this season, and they quickly became 2 of my favorites.

I’m familiar with the Milliken incident. His cheat wasn’t fishing without a license, but lying about it when he completed tournament forms. Not having a license was stupid; lying about it was criminal. Regardless, you didn’t mention him in your post. Had you, it wouldn’t have sounded like such a broad brush statement.

To equate violating a rule with cheating is pretty harsh. I’d be very hesitant to accuse someone of cheating simply because they failed to renew their license. I think cheating involves intent…intentionally ignoring rules to gain an advantage. And there is no such thing as “minor cheating” unless the perpetrator is younger than 18 yo. Cheating is cheating. And any incident of it should result in a ban from the sport.

fishingskirts.com They now also offer finer cut strands for the finesse crowd.

4-8’ and 8-12’

Stick with the old spinning rod and beat the hell out of it! Especially if you’re having a absolute blast with it. Why change?

No legs, no water, nor any other telltale evidence of use. I hope someone has taken a look at the officials. This seems like a pretty egregious oversight on their part, or…??

In addition to perch, I believe its vertical lines on green background can mimic young smallmouth.

Potomac walleye do seem to like it.

For the way I fish the squarebill on the rivers around me, it is the Bomber. It is one of only a few non-Rapala lures I carry, and Firetiger is one of two Bomber patterns I’ll use. And for the price, I don't mind damaging or losing one when plowing the bottom or crashing through rocks. I’ll admit that price was the first attraction, but they do catch fish.

Since he had a live well to hold it captive, I wonder how many times he used that fish?

^^What he said.

Collars allow you to easily change skirts for skirts of different colors/patterns; tied skirts don’t.

You might consider a stand assist bar. Old Town offers what i believe they call a ‘Steady Stand’ bar. It is easy to mount and folds for storage. As much as we may not like admitting it, having that 3rd point of contact at our age is a game changer. I added one to my 11.5’ Lure, and love it. Just being able to lean into it while standing provides a level of confidence that for me would be absent without it. It has on occasion even allowed me to remain standing and ‘ride’ the wakes of a disrespectful boater.

I think many of us are envious. I know I am.