Standard

I normally use Sufix 832, but with the pure fishing codes going around this winter I picked up a few spools of X5 and X9. No complaints about either one.

I'm running Berkley X5 on mine and it's been good.

All my rods are braid to flouro leader, using the Alberto knot. The only time I have issues with it is when I get sloppy and try to tie one fast. Make sure the braid enters and exits the flouro loop on the same side. When tightening, I pull main and tag lines first to get everything cinched down, then pull hard on the main line while making sure the braid is fully seated.

Topwater for sure. Had one launch clear out of the water to hit a Choppo this past weekend, so awesome to see. I've been using my Mojo Bass glass M/M for topwater, crank baits and chatter baits. Really like it, even more so after putting on a Zillion SV TW.

The Rip-Stop in the chartreuse / silver / red color combo worked great this weekend. Buddy had one in the size 9, and I had just picked up a size 12. Both worked great, smallies were crushing them. The Rip-Stop in the chartreuse / silver / red color combo worked great this weekend. Buddy had one in the size 9, and I had just picked up a size 12. Both worked great, smallies were crushing them.

Had a pretty good weekend up north chasing smallies. Saturday was actually the better fishing day, pretty consistent catches throughout. The rain was fine but the wind, especially on Saturday, was something else. Much nicer on Sunday, but I took home a good sunburn. Water temps started around 56* and warmed to 60* or so both days. Jerkbait was the winner overall, with a trolled flicker shad a close second. The jerkbait drew some really aggressive strikes. Even managed a few on topwaters Saturday. Got them in anywhere from 2' of water to 15' while trolling, they seemed pretty scattered.

I haven't, I use braid on all my bait casters.

While I have targeted bed fish, something about it just doesn't feel right to me. Also, finesse fishing isn't really my jam. I'll target areas just outside likely bedding spots in case any are roaming around. I'm heading up to one of my favorite smallie spots shortly for the fishing opener here, but I have a feeling it's gonna be a tough time as they're probably actively spawning and just getting on to beds. I may end up doing more pike fishing than anything.

I'm more of a crank fisherman, and prefer them with rattles. I think it's more about annoying them into a strike rather than helping them locate it. Same deal with whopper ploppers. They don't really look or behave like anything natural, but they tick off smallies. Like someone parking in front of your house blasting music. At least that's how I look at it

I rarely fish without a 45min - 1 hour drive. I try to limit it to 1.5 hours one way for a day trip, although I occasionally stretch it to 2 hours if it's for a good spot. Fly fishing in the driftless, I may start at a spot that's an hour drive but end up with a 2 hour drive home at the end of the day.

I finally had the chance to use the JDM Zillion SV TW I picked up over the winter - it's fantastic. Super smooth and I really like the clicker. Purchased from Digitaka, got here from Japan faster than some Amazon orders.

Welp, almost hit the second goal already. Been a pretty good start to the year as far as size goes.

Only when I fall out of my kayak...

Love the hybrid hunters. Picked up a few last season, along with the smaller jr size. Smallies love 'em, too.

It all depends on the waters. Went out for the first time this year in a flowage and caught a 5.45 lbs 20"+ on a relatively small flicker shad, on a steady retrieve. Not too long after, got another 5 pounder with a 1/2oz (or maybe 3/4oz, don't really keep track) chatterbait and a slow retrieve on the fall, after I felt it take a swing. I got three 16-17" smallies on three casts with a squarebill worked slow after that.

Finally got the kayak in some water this weekend. Wasn't expecting much with the weather - cold, windy, and scattered showers. Glad we toughed it out, though. First one wasn't too crazy, but it did hit a topwater Second one.. well, I thought I hit a snag because my lure just stopped. 5.45lbs and just over 20" Third one was another chonker, although I didn't weigh it. Ended up with another 4 or 5 fish after that. Was a d**n good day to get out.

I'd like to get a 17"+ smallie on the fly rod, and a 21"+ in general. I may have broken the 21" mark before but I didn't really start carrying a bump board regularly until last year.

With the regular season closed here, I've been hitting up the driftless region for some fly fishing. Still learning, but I've managed to get at least one the last few trips. Luckily flies cost a lot less than lures, as I'd be bankrupt with the amount I've been leaving in the trees.

As soon as I get on the water

Every time I'm tempted to buy a boat, I remember that my kayak works perfectly well. And that I hate fishing around other people and being limited to boat ramps.

Yup.. I started out with an Ascend 12T and it was just ok. Before a full season with the 12T, I upgraded to a Jackson Bite FD. Pedal drive is a game changer, and the Jackson is so much more stable. I'm sticking with my 7" finder, though.

Had a sunfish get pike'd for the first time last year. Held on all the way up to the kayak, but let go right before I got him out of the water. Same day, another pike launched themselves about 3 feet in the air after missing a topwater. Wish I had a gopro for that one.

I'm partial to the 105 sized Choppo. I think they have a better action than the WP, plus they're a couple bucks cheaper. Also have a few 120 sized Choppos, and a pair of 5.1" Drunken Mullets from Chasebait that were on sale at Scheels. Big smallies have no problem smashing the big top water lures.

I picked up some Strike King Hybrid Hunters, both the regular and Jr versions last season and had really good luck with them. You can run them almost like a wake bait, or crank a bit faster and get them down to 5-6 feet. Smallies around here love loud rattle they have as well.

I don't often run straight braid to a lure, but when I have the palomar has worked great.