Drawdown

Different people (and cultures) do remembrance differently. It’s like Good Friday—some people want it to be solemn and devoid of any frivolity. Others don’t go out of their way to avoid joviality. In fact, the days commemorating the martyrdom of saints are often referred to as “Feast Days.” People feast. Either way is commendable. So too it is with our civil religion, in which our fallen service members are the analog for the saints. Whether one feasts or does not feast, as long as one does this out of thanks, that is the main thing.

Wheated bourbon, generally. Don’t know why everyone lost their mind over it. And I’m not a high-rye guy, either.

They have lots of foam below deck; won’t sink even if you shot a 12-gauge hole through the bottom. I can also say the War Eagle is a very smooth ride, and very easy to customize thanks to the mounting rail system on the inside.

I’d commit to keeping an eye on classifieds, including Facebook Marketplace. You’ll eventually get a sense for what is reasonable. Don’t know what vehicle you’d be towing a boat with, but aluminum boats are generally more lightweight and I’m partial to them. Plenty of used Tracker boats, or decently outfitted jon boats of various makes. To me, War Eagle and SeaArk are the best of the bunch.

For a MH/F or M/F combo clocking in at $350, I have to say I love the feel of the Johnny Morris Signature. That’s what I would get in your situation. But others are more knowledgeable than me.

I have always found it humbling that even tournament pros can go a whole morning without a fish before catching a big bag in the afternoon. Makes me feel less bad about

Got to mess around on a pond today after Sunday lunch. Tough bite after yesterday’s cooldown, though there were plenty of fish on beds. Tied on several different baits, both the bass and warmouth came on a Zoom Tiny Brush Hog on a black 1/16th oz jig head.

Skipping lures is way less stressful with spinning tackle (especially from the bank). Don’t really have to think about anything but casting. Eventually I might pick up a MH spinning rod just for this purpose—skipping stickbaits and creatures into cover, with 10lb mono and more backbone.

First fish on a Baby Brush Hog for me (TX Rig 3/16oz). Had to flip it out because of steep bank.

I don’t have the XML, but I got an Extreme baitcaster for Christmas. The XML reel casts amazingly well. Way better than my much more expensive Carbonlite reel. I’m sure the fact the Extreme for has a softer tip and loads up more helps, whereas the Carbonlite 2.0 is stiffer. Both rods are MH. Based on that, I think the XML would make a perfectly good chatterbait rod. Might not be my first choice for bottom contact.

They say if you go there, that evening when you’re about to drift off to sleep Wayne LaPierre jumps out of the ceiling screeching “from your cold, dead hands!”

I had the same experience growing up—when my family moved into a house with a pond, the bullfrogs were so loud they’d wake us up with that booming hoot. Caught a few good sized LM, put them in the pond, and it all went silent.

Topwater can be surprisingly effective on pressured lakes. But sometimes you have to throw it to the same spot 3 times (or more) before you finally drive a fish crazy enough to strike. Maybe it’s actually “calling them in.”

Bravo!

Same. I’m usually throwing topwater in the fall if I’m running braid straight to the lure. I tie this knot because I don’t feel like losing an $8+ plug.

The Coosa bass are fixing to spawn, from the looks of this one’s belly.

Been thinking about that play, lately. That 2019 team was the most fun I have ever had watching a sport, even though they went out with a whimper in the NLDS. Seeing Riley come up as a rookie and mash 19 dingers was electric. That comeback against the Indians. Josh Donaldson was always dangerous. And Freddie walking off Josh Hader in the 10th. Always drama.

I get to see them on Friday, Lord-willing, when the Padres come to town. Should be an excellent matchup. Arcia has been doing well at SS so far. And the organization has tons of depth to cover defensively (heck we even brought Charlie Culberson back on a minor league deal to back up Grissom and the other prospect should it be needed). I know Dansby’s offense is fickle enough to make him a gaping hole in the lineup for months on end. Last season was an exception to that trend. Drove his market price too high given the risk.

I didn’t need to know this existed, lol. Fat chance I ever am out that way though.

I’ll fish three sometimes. But I prefer to take just two.

Zoom Baby Brush Hog Zoom Tiny Brush Hog Pencil-style topwater Free rig

What a revelation they must have been at the time. Hard for me to imagine a time when there was naught but grubs and worms on the plastics market.

I hope YUM keeps making them. I’ve put them on a 1/8oz jig head (literally the ones marketed for panfish) and caught nice spotted bass in a swift current stream (the kind that has a knack for flowing under a mountain railroad bridge). Great thin profile for a fast presentation.

I was in the market for this exact thing. I’ll be trying a Berkley Drift Walker this year.

I’m fortunate to have a local tackle store that pours their own, and they are 2/0 hooks. The 1/8oz are a staple for me. If you haven’t already, I’d ask someone at a local shop if they could pour some to order. Otherwise, it’s a rare-ish combo.