AlabamaSpothunter

Another fun day but the weather wasn't great which dampened the bite. Got a half dozen or so on the Buzzbait, another half dozen on the Flashback Mini, and two on a S Waver 168s swimbait. Watching those fish follow it, and then hammer it right at the boat is so neat. Caught a few lb+ Crappie as well. I'm catching a lot of fish with Shad in their mouths, or they puke Shad up.....always makes me feel bad lol.

In Alabama the next state record LGM will come from a managed private lake. While my home private lake has a rich history of 10lb+ fish, I doubt the SR is swimming in it. However, if I did catch it, I'd be okay with revealing the story as long as the fish lived. The only reason I'm okay is because again it's a private, actively managed lake that couldn't be pressured like a public one. The CA lakes are a lesson we should all learn from, WRB and a few others made it quite clear that the WR bounty along with a few other factors were why the WR is likely not swimming in those lakes anymore.

Hate to hear about the PB aspect, but you collected lots of karma on that deal. Considering that you recently got a new Spot PB, I'd bet heavily on you topping that one soon enough Bob. The universe might just reward you with this same fish but only in a year when it's a 4-5lb fish

In that case I think the JDM Zillion SV TW 1000 is perfect. I bought mine as a dedicated 3/8th- 1/2oz Chatterbait reel. Either model would be great, but I think the SV TW is the better option and you save 50 bucks.

I started a thread recently when debating buying the Zillion TW HD vs the Steez TW HLC.....it was an overwhelming response that I should go for the TW HD as the HLC was very fickle and niche'd to throw a specific small set of baits. I'm happy with the advice and decision I made even though I wanted another Steez big time, and both of those reels were close in cost, and seemingly specs. The Steez limited SV TW at digitaka only comes in 8.1, but if I wanted an 8.1 SV TW, then I'd likely opt for that Steez option. Steez reels are incredible, but the law of diminishing returns comes in play quickly once you pass the Zillion's pricepoint imho. If you are going BFS/finesse, no brainer.....Steez are the top of the mountain in that category imho. Amazing reels and worth the money in my experience.

Bob that's epic.......that one FAT fish makes me so happy, imagine how much that fish is eating ? I don't care what size they are, 48 fish up top is incredible fishing. Beautiful kids, and pics! Great job Dad! It surely ruins you to some degree to other types of baits. I started back fishing this year being a 90% bottom contact guy, but incredibly that's flipped to 90% moving baits. I'm already thinking about how hard it's going to be to transition back to the bottom, and slow fishing. Fishing is already exciting, but topwater takes it over the edge.

I love to catch any kind of fish, however I don't get that floaty euphoric feeling from anything besides Bass in freshwater. Big fish of all types will thrill me, but a 5lb+ Bass gives me a euphoria nothing else in freshwater can match. Gar and Carp are a blast to catch because of their size, and strength. Gar are easy, certain types of Carp I've tried to catch were like Bonefish, others were like Bream. The silver torpedo looking grass Carp will pull a jon boat across a lake for half an hour. I find I get bored after X many number of other species, it only took 100-150 Crappie over the last two weeks for me to finally scratch that itch. On the other hand, I feel the same way about landing a Bass today as I did when I caught my first one......HOW CAN I CATCH MORE OF THESE THINGS ?

Yeah you guys that find a ton of them should build a shrine to the Saint of Lost Lures ? That or make a special XMAS tree this year with just found lures on them lol.

This is the SV TW that many of us are talking about......it's comparable to the SV TW G on TW DIGITAKA! - Japan Fishing Tackle Store Then this is the TW HD.....DIGITAKA! - Japan Fishing Tackle Store Comparable to the TW HD on TW as well. The JDM models are clearly different reels, however it's things like spool sizes, handle sizes, and in some cases brass vs AI gears.....which shouldn't be a concern on these reels we're talking about....the TW HD from JDM has brass gears. The American SV TW G might have brass whereas the JDM SV TW has AI.....someone can correct me if I'm wrong. Both of mine are from Digitaka.

You're too kind friend! This is most certainly the type of fishing you're accustomed to, there is just nothing like watching these fish on the surface, or the anticipation of waiting for that blowup. One of these days I'll catch half as many as you do on a good day.....around 25 or so up top, and at that point my excitement fuse will no doubt blow ?

Didn't catch the numbers like I've been this last week, but a 3.5lb Spot made the day on the buzzbait, and for about 10mins I was treated by a truly epic show put on by a pack of dozens of big Spots. I was lucky enough to get it on camera. I've never seen anything like it. Imagine flying carp but flying 2-4lb Spotted Bass.

Great looking fish Scott and appreciate the kind words. That cart is killer. First time seeing your pond.......beautiful! Nothing better than having your own pond

Thanks for watching, and the kind words Bob! It's so nice to be able to share these moments that are special for me with a community of friends. Many of us don't have friends or family who "get it" in real life. They want to, but you can see the boredom in their eyes when you try to share something so meaningful in your life. As always Katie, your kind words and great stories never fail to make me smile. Unlike you I've never had a ton of luck on topwater, and when I got into them yesterday I thought about how proud Katie would be of me hammering em' on top. You're spoiled, there's nothing more exciting than catching fish on top. I'm slowly building my confidence after yesterday and now today. You're gonna be buying a buzzbait while I'm gonna be buying a whopper plopper....almost bought my first the other day, but the same company makes the S Waver 168 and it was like two rows over.....the Monkey is relentless. I grew up reading Muskie stories like the one you just posted......everything about them seems epic.

Wow, those are wicked cool. You have the most custom and gucci stuff I've seen on here. Thanks for sharing it.

Haha, it was the same way when I first met you and saw your amazing LGM reports......I was thinking "Maine, this level of LGM fishing.....WUT" ? Agree 100% when it comes to seeing members from other places like John. This is a Basss forum, but it tickles me to see folks all around the world and up North love the Largemouth like us Southern US folks do. These fish are so special they unite us into a common and fantastic community.

Man those are some killer reels, I LOVE that carbon fiber handle on the Zillion. Got any more pics of gucci'd out Daiwas?

You'll get her next year! You can always come South.....Nov to March is when we have our best chances to catch PBs

Some products WOW you so much you feel the need to scream it on the internetz......I'll give OP a pass on this one, the Zillions are amazing reels. They are actually super fun at catching fish because of the clicker drag. Hearing a solid fish peel drag on a Zillion is a "why hasn't every company been doing this" moment. I doubt you can find a smoother reel than the Zillions with Hyperdrive. They are truly set and forget reels......one can't stress this aspect enough. They don't quite cast as far as a dialed in high end shimano, but again I don't want to always be dialing in a reel from bait to bait. These are top shelf reels at mid range costs given you go JDM. I did OP's review for him lol.

I totally get that. Having only started to revamp my setups, I'm going to yield to more knowledgeable members for suggestions. I imagine your money will go a lot further if you wait a few weeks for BF for rods, and then order reels via JDM.

You two are the Tom Brady and Mike Jordan of lure hunting ?

As others have mentioned, if you can spend a bit more, you can get one of the best reels on the market.....the Zillion SV TW. Whatever you do, you should be taking advantage of getting a significantly nicer reel via JDM exchange rates than you would for $200 domestically.

The Rain Man of lure hunting ?

Hate to hear that, however unlike 99% of humans, his life will remain an inspiration to others long after he's gone. He inspired me to throw a buzzbait for the first time in a long time today and I caught a ton of fish on it.....all because of Pat. True story

Another day with 15-20 fish, and a few big Crappie, however the highlight was getting on the hottest Buzzbait of my life after being inspired to throw them just last night reading about a guy who caught 1100+ 10lb fish on them. Got most of it on film. Got a 3.3lb Spot to start the party off. Lots of 2-3lb fish followed. Had two come loose that looked to be in that 3lb range as well.

You've got the eye for finding these things clearly. The best hunters I know all share the same thing in common, they have the ability to detect the most subtle of movements at long distances. They have good eyes, but equally important they know what to look for.