casts_by_fly

Falcon expert series, head turner model. 6’10” so just above your range. Great rod for what you’re describing. if you throw in another $50, the cara series medium heavy is a 6’8” version of nearly the same rod. I just picked up a used version (for less than your $200 mark) and it’s a great short rod. I am fishing it with topwaters and jerkbaits, but would have no problem putting a 3/8 jig on it.

There is only one factory boat with a trolling motor that I know of and that’s the old town autopilot (two lengths). Have a 120 and it’s a machine. Spot lock, cruise control, heading. I would go 136 if I did it again, but the difference isn’t enough for me to spend the time and effort to upgrade a 136 with what I have in my 120.

These are great. perfect light Ned head for weeds.

how many rods are you doing and how often? I'm going to assume bass rods. You can build a single rod every now and then with just a pack of razor blades, a lighter, some popsicle sticks, and a shot glass. You'll make some compromises on your choices but it will get the job done. Next step up I'd add a finish turning dryer/motor setup and a wrapping stand. Get both for about $50. They will make wrapping a lot faster and efficient. Throw in a better spatula for finish application now that you can use a 2-part epoxy to finish with the dryer. If you're going to do custom grips or grips from cork rings then you'll need some files and sandpaper. The above will get you to building a couple rods a week if you plan out the drying time. You mention shop. If you're going to do more than a couple a week then a power wrapper and a drum based dryer are a good idea. You're going to add a couple hundred bucks there but you'll want it for that many. You'll probably want a lathe for some tools for hand turned grips. If you're doing anything specialty like diamond wraps, checkerboard grips, or other stuff then you'll need that equipment.

My wife is staying in the city this week so I tried to maximize my time on the water. Last week got waylaid with work and other stuff and were away the next two weeks so this was my last chance of bass in the prespawn to spawn. Fished three lakes m/t/w. Monday and Tuesday surprised me with 68-71 degree water. I hadn’t fished my favorite smallmouth spawn top water spot so hit that this morning- it was too late. Only little males left. On the way back to the ramp I thought the largemouth might be close to beds and ended up losing a 5# fish. The largemouth Tuesday were heavy on the beds. Lots of big fish cruising and not much that would even look at a bait. Finally convinced the small male of the set of 4 fish and he was 3#. The other two were 4-5 easily. Ended up with just a handful over three sets of fishing. At this rate, when we get back in two weeks we’ll be in a full summer pattern at least. Grass is going to be thick this summer.

that's about it. Depending on the place I'll throw a buzzbait along the semi slop so long as I'm not grabbing too much grass. I got two last night on flukes off the back of the grass beds. Last year was a good swim jig year for me.

Try getting a backlash with braid while throwing a 3 oz A-rig. When the spool finally catches it will launch right out of your hands. The fact that it was 40 degrees air and water both probably didn't help with dexterity.

Based on how much weed growth I'm seeing over this side of the delware in NJ already, I'd bring a punching rod and a frog rod with you. The pond weed is already 8-10' tall in places and the milfoil is rapidly catching up. I have now switched to my weedless wedge prop for the rest of the year.

I picked up two packs to try a couple weeks ago. I already had a small fluke on a jig head tied to my rod when they came in. Not a whole lot of difference between them and a small fluke for profile and action. I'm sure they will all work much the same.

This is the story of my season this year. I feel like I forgot how to fish. The past two seasons I think I might have lost two fish total. This season I've come unpinned on two 5+ bass (one on trebles, one on a single hook), cast a rod completely out of my hands and into the lake (successfully recovered), and struggled to catch fish when and where I should be able to pick them. Due to various reasons including sick dogs, visitors, and trips I've not made it onto the water half as much as I'd have liked by now. The good news is that I haven't broken anything and haven't hooked myself significantly. Still plenty of time for that.

yes pay attention to the weight capacities. The more you load a kayak the deeper it sits in the water and the more effort to maneuver. Also, wider is better for stability, but also for weight capacity. Also consider total weight capacity as including you, your gear, all equipment, etc. On my autopilot 120 I am pushing up close to the limits and I'm only 220lb myself. Of course that includes a motor and lithium battery (about 50#) but I'm still close. I would understand how much gear you want to carry, double that weight, and add another 50 lb. Then add that to 370 to get your carrying load. I think you'll be looking at a wide 14' boat. There aren't many that have a 370 lb working capacity to begin with, let alone with gear. The autopilot 136 will get you there. A Hobie PA 140 would also.

I wear either my jacket or my hooded shirt when fishing, both of which have a zippered chest pocket. The phone stays there until I am taking a picture. Water is no problem. Losing it would suck because it’s my work phone too annd would need a new sim. Always back up your entire phone to the cloud. That’s the easiest solution to never missing data.

You're not far from Beltzville (I haven't fished it). Also not far from the Delware river at the water gap. There are free national park shuttles that can drop you up higher and float down to the gap to get out. https://www.gomcta.com/trip.php

eek. Sounds like you need a new one. Lots of the current models are waterproof and submersible. Not sure which brand you prefer (I'm apple) but I can say that an iphone 11 will survive a complete immersion. Mine fell out of my pocket while cleaning the pool last week and fluttered to the bottom of the pool like a jigging spoon. No ill effects. Not even a glitch of the screen. Just dry it on your pants and keep going.

drainage could be part of it, though it depends on what was coming with the drainage. If it is suburban drainage like we get up here in a few places, that would be yards, sidewalks, and road runoff. You get a lot more nutrients and salts in that than you do silt and dirt. As a result we get algae blooms that life off of the yard fertilizers that wash in. How was your spring for rainfall this year and what size of creeks feed it? Any new grass in the upper ends that could help trap silt? We have a lot of 100-300 acre natural lakes around here that get a lot of grass. Not huge streams feeding them and the streams are generally rocky mountain streams. As a result, what silt and dirt does come in generally is held back by the grass in the area so we get a lot of clear water up here.

that’s about what I would expect on the house battery. You ran down 50 ah is 7 hours. That about 7 amps drawn. A 9” graph draws about 2-2.5. Live imaging about the same. So 2 9” plus at2 should be about 7-7.5 amps. that’s incredible on the ghost though. That’s 12 ah drawn at 36v. That would be 36 ah on 12v equivalent that’s next to nothing for a full day.

I use 832 anywhere I need braid. 50 lb for frogs and light punching.

you have no idea. I’ve trimmed the trees that overhang the pool but the primary wind direction is from the trees right into the yard and pool. In a bad year I have to blow leaves every other day.

Wow. Some of those are pigs. Love it. fishing 18-22’, what depth jerkbaits are you fishing? 10-12’ rated depth baits? Anything less seems like you’re trying to call them up from too far but the proof is in the pudding. I don’t know jerkbaits so trying to learn from you and a-jay.

wow. 12 yards is a lot. That’s a lot more than a leveling project. Looking good! my spring seeding is 3 weeks and 2 days in and looking pretty good. Need to cut it this week for the first time.

A siebert shot caller in bluegill or pumpkin craw will get your there. Add trailer of choice.

Thanks for all that you've posted already (which I hope you'll now take down from youtube). I hope you keep doing video and getting some great photos that you can post here. Its always inspiring and encouraging to know that the fish are out there if you just keep working for them. Also really sorry that people have done that to you. Like you said, people will be people but it doesn't make it right. You've checked your truck and boat for a random airtag, right?

the microlites are great for the price. I love my 7'6" for 4 lb test and single eggs for trout.

I was throwing the same one last week (delta red junior version). I have fished the bigger one before. It comes through sparse grass better than a lipless or other lipped crankbait. But its not a cureall and you'll still pick up a lot of grass. A high rod tip seemed to help a bit (yes it was running shallower then so that helps too).

I far prefer people to quote me if they are replying to me directly. It makes it clear who they are referring to and also gives me a notification that someone is talking to me.