FishTax

How do you store your paddle baits? I try to keep mine in original package so it doesn't get deformed, but those seem to take up a lot of valuable space and don't fit well into my pockets I usually store plastics in.

I'd say it worked! Nice fish

The downside is it involves a lot of skunks! But I do like catching the larger fish, which is why I don't throw neds or other smaller presentations. Shaky head with trick worm is about as small as I go but it catches good size in this lake.

My primary lake isn't a numbers lake, and I throw larger presentations so I catch larger fish, so I'd say my ratio is about 3 1-2 lbs for every 1 4-5 lb. I don't catch many dinks in my home lake, also it doesn't have large spots numbers like many other lakes in NC do. When I travel other places, it's usually a dink fest bc I always find the spot schools .

I grew up on a zebco 33. Never tried skipping one, next time I take my kids out I’ll try that on theirs and see how it goes.

Thanks @Woody Bfor that detailed breakdown. I agree with you on skipping.. I'm too scared to try on baitcaster much. Jigs always find something metal to clang on. I did skip a worm once really well so I know it's possible, definitely need more practice. Also difficult because I'm in kayak. My one good skip was standing in a buddy's boat. I'm going to try shaky head on my shortest rod this week and see if I can improve some.

My story: I shopped on FB for a long time. I knew I wanted a pedal drive, possibly a TM setup, and wanted to be able to stand up, but was on a budget. Maybe similar to you. I ended up getting an old town 106 pdl that the owner had custom built a trolling motor for that will interchange with the rudder in a custom bracket he built. Pretty cool, but I mostly use the pedals because I didn't register the boat and that's required, and also the weight and nuisance of the TM. The pedal system doesn't need a battery and is more reliable imo. It also came with a cart which is essential for such a heavy kayak. It also came with battery. All that I negotiated down to $1600 which I was very happy with. My advice is take your time shopping, buy used, but buy quality that you can add on later.

Let's say you're fishing docks in 8-12 fow, what are you throwing? I usually try to skip a jig (and end up scaring off every creature within earshot), running a spinnerbait parallel or over any brush piles, or going slow with shaky head.

@Koz I feel that. I got helix 7 on Black Friday and still haven't gotten it wet yet.almost did yesterday but got dark too quick on me. Going to break it in Friday hopefully

Great review, please continue to update this as I will be considering this purchase next year probably if I start fishing larger lakes.

I'd like to catch one over 7 lbs, catch my first small mouth, and get my boys hooked on fishing. Those are attainable. Bigger goal is a double digit, not holding my breath but Pat has proved it's possible in this area so there's a chance!

My numbers bait this year was the same as always, shaky head with zoom finesse worm. I branched out to learn new lures this year more so I don't really have a second place as I really got bit on a ton of different stuff at different times.

I generally fish 1 public lake that's about 1100 acres. High fishing pressure, but it has big fish in it. I occasionally fish some smaller public lakes (the ones Pat fishes) but they're a little further from home and pretty similar to my home lake, so I generally opt for convenience. I also occasionally go meet a friend to fish other lakes like Norman, Wylie, high Rock, or hyco. But only if they bring a boat 😎

Looks like I'm similar to many here, I don't bomb cast much. Average is probably about 20 yards, many are much shorter than that, very few are longer. Only exception is if I'm on a large flat the bass are moving around on, I'll throw a far as I can to try to cover it in fewer casts..

Do you have sonar? I think an underspin is a great search bait. Mackintosh has lots of points and wood, I can usually pull a couple from somewhere on a point with a shaky head, but finding out what depth they're in is key. Try tossing a jig or worm at lay downs in the sun near deep water.

Are there specific things you throw at, like deep water hard bottom, brush piles, etc? How long of a leader do you prefer? I'm going to get some Carolina keepers to try the @WRB method as well. I like the idea of having flexibility. I know everyone does it different but I enjoy hearing everyone's opinions on this.

Who throws one in the winter? What conditions do you throw it in? What's your setup? I'm looking to learn, don't have much experience with this so maybe an area to grow this winter as I'm dragging around looking for hungry ladies.. 😞

I'm going to end up with a ZL card.. not in the budget right now, but it'll be interesting to see how long I can hold out. Primary lake is 1100 acres but I'm not going to map but probably 20% of it. But then if I go anywhere else it sounds like I'm out of memory so I guess I won't turn that on anywhere but home until I get the card. Anyone have tips for a cheaper card? Can you find them used or refurbished?

Thanks Tim! I'm not going to buy anything else until I've got a few dozen hours with my current setup. I pretty much fish the same lake over and over so from my previous research I may not need a ZL card, definitely shouldn't at first. We'll see what happens, right now I just need to get some time to get on the water.

I got the helix 7 MSI G4. Haven't got it installed yet. If my lake is on the built in map, is there any need for a zero lines card? Do the contours on a map card update as I cruise around the lake if there's a change from what the built in says vs the transducer reading?

I think I saw a video on YouTube of someone melting old chewed up senkos and then repouring it as new bait. Anyone tried that?

@Catt wow, definitely have never heard of that. Learn something new every day, but the bait monkey remains alive and well!

I use a cushion I originally bought for my desk chair. The actual cushion is silicone, not foam, so I'm not worried about it getting wet. It was a Amazon purchase, very affordable, very comfortable to me. I'm on an old town kayak and this has made a huge difference for me.

Read everything @Pat Brownposts, he's the central NC King of bass fishing. My advice is throw a jig or shaky head and move slow, but everyone fishes different and has different confidence baits and experience levels. Do you use electronics?

I've never seen that bait before. Is it still made?