Woody B

(I hope I don't get kicked off the forum for this) If I'm truly searching....... trolling with a berkley dredger or 2. I've got one with no hooks that I tie a 2nd to with another 15 feet of line.

It's one of the few, or maybe only internet forums (of any kind) where peoples panties don't get in a wad when someone has a different opinion. I like to think we all laugh at ourselves, and each other instead of getting mad. I also want to know what kind of line to use

Nope. I want the water hot enough to almost make my skin sluff off.

My Wife had a bout with vertigo 10 years or so ago. I have tinnitus but it's not that bad. (probably from 40 + years of loud music, racecars and guns.)

I've got 3 Shimano's, 2 Diawa's, a Lew's and a 40+ year old Garcia Ambassador 5500C. I use 4 rods which usually are equipped with 2 of the Shimano's and the 2 Diawa's. I use the 5500C for deep cranks. I put it on my MH rod when needed. The Lew's and the other Shimano stay in the boat with my tackle. If I have a line problem, bad backlash ect I'll put one of them on. I suppose there's no brand loyalty with me.

Instead of throwing a topwater throw a spoon. It's my belief that the big, lazy fish sometimes hang around under the frenzy and gorge on injured baitfish from the frenzy. There were a couple lakes, 40+ years ago that had a good population of white bass. They'd be tearing up shad. My Dad would throw something topwater out and catch white bass, or small largemouth. I'd throw out a spoon and catch hogs.

I enjoy fishing alone. It's also great when my Wife comes along. Occasionally one or both of my Grandsons will want to go...and actually have time to go. 3 in my boat is a crowd, but I enjoy fishing with 1 or both of them. I've got a co worker that occasionally goes. He's got a boat too. Sometimes he goes with me, sometimes we'll meet somewhere at the lake. Sometimes he struggles to catch bass. I don't mind showing him where on the map to go. Last time we went together we caught 30 between us including a 5 pounder and a couple 4 pounders. The last time we were both at the same lake, at the same time he wasn't catching any. I sent him a screenshot of where I was at, waited, and let him fish in front of me. Him and his cousin that was fishing with him caught 4 within 5 minutes. I caught a 4 pounder right behind them. Him and I are going tomorrow morning to different lakes. We both promised to text fish pictures. I told him if he got a picture of Earnest T Bass (from the Andy Griffith show) instead of pictures of Largemouth and spotted bass things were tough.

Keep using the cheap mono. Change it often.

I like old threads coming back to life. In some areas 5 pound bass are....normal, in some areas they're trophies. I've caught seven 5 pounders this year. Biggest was 7 pounds 13 ounces. It an one other over 5 was on a texas rigged worm with an 1/8 ounce weight. I caught 3 on various squarebills, and 2 on a devils horse. I caught one last week that was 4 pounds 11 ounces on a devils horse. I only fish in one lake that has enough smallmouth to mention. I've only been there 2 times this year. A 5 pound smallie is huge around here. I caught one that was 4 pounds 3 ounces back in March on a DT16.

I've got a bunch of motor oil worms but they're all over 30 years old. Modern motor oil worms may be a different color. (the original) Motor oil colored worms are the color that Kendall oil used to be when new. It looked different than pretty much any other motor oil.

I had a ML and kept losing bass. It was a cheaper 2 piece rod, but I think it was too soft to get and keep the fish hooked. Now my light stuff rod is a Medium with moderate action. 1/8 ounce is pretty much the lightest stuff I use. I can cast that stuff just fine. (Shimano SLX DC with 10 pound mono)

I've got one with 10 pound mono on my SLX DC. I've got 12 and 14 mono on my others. I've had no problems with 10, don't know about going lower. Let us know what you try and how it works.

I bought my Classic XL (new) in December of last year. I like it. I beat the heck out of it, and haven't had any problems. I've got 100 hours even on it right now. I replaced the factory installed Hook2 sonar unit with an Elite 7 TI2. I also replaced the edge trolling motor with a Terrova. I looked hard at a Pro 170 and would have went with it but my wife said the black classic xl would look good behind my black truck. I've added a 12 gallon gas tank, and extended the front deck for more storage. A pro 170 has a longer deck, more storage and more fuel capacity than a Classic XL. It also has versa track around the gunwale. I believe a Pro 170 is basically the same size hull. My Classic XL is a Cadillac compared to the other boats I've owned. I've beached it, it's been banged against docks in the wind ect, and I haven't had any problems. A fiberglass boat would have needed some repairs. There is a recall on the trailer because some wheel bearings didn't get tightened correctly at the factory. I found my wheel bearings slightly loose and made repairs months before the recall.

Some intelligent people have given reasons why magic happens in some ponds, and doesn't in others. So, does the presence of apex predators help? I caught an 8 pounder years ago in the small canal around Moroso Motorsports Park in West Palm Florida. The canal was full of gators. My Grandson caught this in a pond that's slightly over 1 acre. (no gators in that SC pond)

I have an Exxon card and get 10 cents a gallon off at the pump so the only time I use something except Exxon on Mobil is if I'm really low and not near an Exxon/Mobil store. NC gas tax is higher than SC's. I live in NC, but I'm less than a mile from SC. There's 5 stores just across the state line with gas. 1 in Exxon, 1 is Mobil. That's where I buy most of my gas. Padlin referenced "top tier" gas. I recommend going to the website he linked and using only the brands listed. The MOST important factor for MPG is your right foot. Higher than needed octane is no help, however 87 octane may be...... borderline on many vehicles that it's acceptable for. Regardless of what kind of diesel vehicle you drive (big or small) I recommend buying diesel somewhere that sells a BUNCH of it. I'm not a fuel expert, and not intending to act like 1. I am an auto technician with 40 years experience though. I also have extensive diesel experience.

I caught my PB on a Devils Horse 30+years ago.

A bunch of people say bass fishing isn't good in Lake Wylie. I fish there pretty much every week and normally catch a bunch. I've caught 5 bass over 5 pounds this year in Lake Wylie. I've also caught a 50 pound catfish, while bass fishing, with 12 pound test. I don't know about bank fishing though. There's several dedicated areas, but a couple are closed right now for construction. I "believe" people fish (maybe bank fishing) right below the dam. FWIW I live in NC, but I'm less than a mile from the SC line.

The hooks on a devils horse aren't.....great. I replace them with a quality hook the same size. I also put a drop of wood glue on each screw when I screw them back in. This seems to make them last longer. Some people add split rings...something about the bass having less leverage to throw the lure. I've never done that but would listen if someone explained what they do. Like yours many times bigger bass just kinda slurp a horse. This one sounded like you threw a concrete block in the water. My Wife caught a 3 1/2 pounder on her next cast after I landed the one pictured. Perhaps the big blow up was to get to it first.

Go to the grocery and get some plastic food containers. The only drawback is the lids aren't attached when they're removed. You can get a variety of sizes.

Condolences from myself and Mrs B

On a whim, on the recommendation of a friend I bought one of these. I'm warming up to it, but I've got 1 problem. When I'm palming it occasionally my had changes the brake setting. I normally have it set between 6 and 10. Every now and then I'll cast, and get literally no distance. I'll look at the brakes with be set really high. I know I'm moving the adjustment with my left hand while palming the reel. Is there any way to make it harder to adjust? I've tried adjusting how I grip it, but after a while my hand is accidentally adjusting it again. I fished today with a piece of tape over it. FWIW I recommend this reel or a reel with these brakes for someone who has backlash problems. It's pretty much impossible to backlash. When set at 12 or above (it goes to 20) it's harder to backlash than a Shimano DC.

Everyone knows I like to fish with a Devils Horse. I might have broke a world record with this one. I caught this Perch on a devils horse too. (I also caught 8 bass)

Condolences from me and Mrs B. You and your family will be in our prayers. None of us know when we'll be leaving. I wouldn't worry about turning 63 in 28 years. Enjoy life. You may live to be 130.

Just use mono.

(I have skimmed, but not read all of the replies. This may have been mentioned and I missed it) The voltage doesn't drop as much when a lithium battery discharges. That's why the gauge will always show fully charged on your Ulterra. Like Siebert Outdoors I have an Ionic battery for my (12 volt) Terrova. My only lithium experience is with this battery. I'd get batteries with bluetooth regardless of brand. 4 to 6 hours in the wind would render my old 88 amp hour lead acid battery pretty much useless. I've fished multiple days, at least 12 hours in the wind with my 125 amp hour lithium battery and never had it under 50%. I've only had it since March, but so far I'm very pleased. It $tung when I bought it, but I would have spent that money on something else by now anyway. I'd recommend picking a manufacturer you like, then call and talk to them about your expectations, ect. Ionic said a 100 amp hour would be more than sufficient for me. I went with the 125 because I wanted overkill.