FishTax

I just held a shield plus and am leaning toward buying it. Haven't totally decided yet. Does anyone carry with a red dot? Online people make it look like it doesn't impact how you carry it but logic says it would have to. I've never shot a handgun with red dot but I'm interested. Hopefully a friend will get one first so I can try it before I decide

Have your experimented with your hook set? Sounds like the jump is almost immediate. Do you tend to yank up or sweep to side? Not sure if that's helpful but if you want to try something different maybe that's something. Personally I haven't had much luck stopping the jump. My favorite technique is to yell at the fish that they better not do it. Pretty sure I've seen one smile in mid air at me...

Happy birthday, and happy Medicare Day haha. Hope you had a great day

I'd go out without fishing gear, but with life vest of course and a knife on the vest..I have an inflatable. Only used a few times before I upgraded to old town pedal drive but I let me know I loved being on the water and hated being blown around and having to paddle a lot. Mine was the equivalent of an air mattress. Very tough to control, but I did catch bass on it so it got the job done!

Yes they work all the time. Except when the fish don't want them. Always worth trying though. I definitely like gold blade over silver based on my results. Many times something else works better but most trips on the boat I'll at least try it. That's why I have several rods

Yeah when it rains like that waterproof doesn't always work so well.. At least the affordable stuff doesn't. I found it best to put my tackle in truck or dry storage when it rains and only carry what I need on my body until it calms down.. Having to empty and dry tackle isn't fun.

Good rain is fine. If it's hurting your skin it's time to take break

I'd be thinking about what they eat, and where that's located. Where would I sit for optimal comfort and protection, near a buffet of snacks? Bass are just like us. They want a recliner with pretzels in the ac. Find those pretzels. 😎 I'd pay attention to the ledge where the water goes from 10-20' or whatever the slope is, in addition to shade and any cover you can find. With no electronics, you may try dragging a jig to determine depth and bottom composition, if it's not too junky down there.

I’ve actually never fished Jordan.

I've seen fish spook from my rod with casting, and from a jig sailing through the air which I guess they think is a bird.

Carry clean underwear in case a beaver surprise you. Just saying...

Come on down and join us! We'd love to have you Katie!

I had to let @Pat Brown tell the story because he's an awesome story teller. My accountant self is missing that poetic sparkle. I'm about to head out for night fishing. Time for @IcatchDinks to score a huge NC nighttime jig bass!

I was about to suggest a swim jig! It's currently my favorite pond lure because I can keep it off the bottom muck, vary the presentation, and it catches Biggins

I'd go weightless toad. Vary the retrieve. Burn it, twitch it, walk it, twerk it. Etc. 😎 Also like a light swim jig. 1/4 or less. Very minimal trailer, like a pintail plastic or scrap senko. Weightless plastic gives a ton of options here. Others have covered this well. Flukes can be jerkbaits, swim worms can do anything, weedless swimbait is very versatile. Lots of choices. Find the intersection of what you like throwing and what the fish will eat and that's a great day!

I've got some. They are fine. I like that they come with case. Like any other brand, the fit matters and everyone has a different head so that will be unique to you..I find if I wear them 4+ hours they push on the top of my ears a little. I have a big head

I think they eat at night because they are chilling in their fish recliners in the deep shade all day.

Probably. Definitely worth trying, just keep it above the thermocline of course

Pretty sure Pat caught his dd in July in NC. Just saying. Don't tell anyone though 😎 For real though I'm very much looking forward to it and if nothing else we should get a good photo out of it.

I wear a cooling hat, the brand is 'mission'. You can dunk it in the lake and shake it, then wear it and it cools your head down fast. One of my best purchases. I also have a kayak cooler that holds more bottles of water than I could drink. And a few snacks. Peanut butter crackers are salty and filling, great fishing snack. Dip the hat in the ice melt and you'll shiver 🥶

Today was 90 here. Water temp was 83 in the morning, got to 85 by mid day.. first time I've packed a full ice cooler with water for a trip.

Well today one jumped totally out of the water about 3' from my kayak. No where near my lure. I think he was just mocking me.

Kastking zephyr. 'bfs'. I can't throw super light on it but am very comfortable with 1/8 on it.

I have a newer Honda Ridgeline. It gets about 22/23 mpg mixed city/hwy and has AWD. It is perfect for me, because it rides very smooth like an SUV but does everything I need a truck to do. Rods fit in the cab very easily, as do car seats, and hauling the kayak in the bed is a piece of cake. I make road trips regularly on it of 3-4 hours each direction and am very comfortable. It also has a trunk below the bed that locks, which is really cool for security and a great place to store tackle and/or guns.

Agree on the brands and am leaning in that direction. I doubt the folks going with me will be doing much fishing, so I'm basically looking to be a couple notches above what they rent at the marina which is pure garbage as least as far as the seat goes. I think I'm going to get whichever one has a stadium seat at the lowest price point. I want my wife to be able to paddle around a couple of hours comfortably, and it needs to be light enough to carry down a trail in the woods. Not too worried about stability as she won't be standing except to get into it.