FishTax

This was awesome, thanks so much for doing that Mike! Also, the blemished jigs kit sounds cool, looking forward to seeing what turns up in that

Hate that I missed this, I'm definitely in for an order next time there is a run!

H20 has some decent looking ones that are good price and on sale frequently. I have some but haven't actually thrown them yet. This was a good reminder they're in the box somewhere, maybe I'll try this winter

Can't wait!

Yes I'm buying myself things. What I'm buying depends on what's on sale, as is usually the case

I missed this thread initially. Did you make the trip and if so how did it go?

3/16 is my primary. I also have 1/8 and 1/4 on standby just in case. I've caught fish on them all. I only use 1/4 in wind so I can feel it, or when I think a quick fall rate will trigger them.

Love it. And love the timeline so I'm not rushed. Thanks!

I try to reel down until it's heavy, then give them a tug. This works well unless they're running toward you. I use 1/8-1/4 weights with good luck. I don't usually have an issue sticking them. I hold the rod about 2 o'clock.

For me the best bite for the last few weeks has been about 4-6p on sun warmed gradual Banks, about 10' off the bank. I haven't been able to find them much outside of that pattern, but hopefully today I'll give it another try 😎 I haven't tried mornings lately because of my schedule. I love the smoke on the water and would go just for the beauty though.

Caught 3 yesterday on a random pattern I found offshore, thanks to something @A-Jay said a while back that stuck. It was 60/35 high low temps and I was very sure they would be in the Sun. I fished banks for 2 hours with no strikes and was getting irritated. Then I flashed back to what he said. As I was trying to think of a way to Target offshore bass. I had no crank baits with me but did have some chatter baits which I never threw, but I decided to throw them deep and let them touch bottom and then rip off the bottom. Doing that I found several three-pounders in the Sun in about 10 to 12 ft of water on gradual Banks. The sun went down before I filled my limit but I hope to give it another run this weekend and see if that pattern is still in play. I've never had luck with a chatter bait. this was new and fun for me. Fishing offshore with one when I am normally pounding the bank from my kayak. Fall fishing is always something new.

I'd catch them as much as possible, but not too close to another boat. And definitely always on a Whopper popper. Which in our area definitively doesn't catch anything, although we may try it again soon just to be sure 😎 But seriously, if the bite turns off you gotta keep moving, but that doesn't mean you don't hit that spot again later in the same day...

Yes. @Siebert Outdoors compact swim jig in 3/8 I believe. Not pure white, a couple strands of chartreuse at least and maybe a blue few as well. Basic white twin tail trailer. I've been swimming these jigs since the summer in various ways at various bodies of water and having consistent luck. Last weekend I caught some small ones on it which was a little unusual. I may go up to heavier weight and speed up to see if the big girls will thump it

I've been doing those things. It seems there are very few pioneer 1000's around, and I haven't been able to find anything with an engine I could grab but have certainly been trying. 6.5k is the estimate I was given but they're still working on a final quote, they said apparently this engine is really complex and rebuild would cost similar to new crate engine. Other brands evidently are way easier to do that on than Honda, but as you said they haven't worked on many Hondas because they rarely break.

I recently bought a Honda Pioneer used for $4500. Engine is shot, it cranks but there is metal in filter and I'm told a crate engine is about the same price as a rebuild. I'm curious what you would do- pay to get the new engine for about 6.5k, or sell it and just buy something else? I believe these usually sell around 10k used, so I'd hope I could get my investment back with a new engine but there is certainly no guarantee of that. If buy something else (used), what do you recommend? My goals are to have a bed for utility, be able to drive my young kids (3&6) or grandparents around my property more safely than my 4 wheeler, and be able to generally just have fun on my property. Not doing heavy mudding or long trail rides, more just utility type stuff. I don't need 1000cc, but would like at least 700 because I intend to pull an atv gravel grader thing on my driveway occasionally with it.

Cool to see how far first responders are coming in from and how quickly. I've seen California firemen in pictures, with their equipment. I'm sure every department in the local region has sent folks and throughout NC where I live it's all hands on deck shipping supplies and teams to help. Many more are ready but can't deploy because there is no access. I agree with what @Catt said - the church response in NC has led the way. Every church is gathering supplies and volunteers and 'baptists on misson' is coordinating it so it's productive and organized. Our church sent 3 tractor trailers full of supplies Monday morning with more going out throughout the week, and are coordinating with 'baptists on mission' to get supplies to the region. They have one of the best response and distribution setups going, along with Samaritan's purse which is based in Boone, right in the heart of the damage. Also, glad to see 1000 active duty military finally deployed to help. The 82nd is only a few hours away at Fort Bragg and they are trained for things like this. I'm sure there are many guidelines to using military resources domestically (for good reason), but knowing they are there and not being utilized is frustrating. I know there is a massive federal and state response in addition to private, it just sucks that we know people are dying and can't be reached and no matter who does what it will never be enough. The terrain is so difficult it's just unimaginable how long this will take. Places like Swannanoa are just starting to have reports come out, and they are bad. I'm very thankful all of my staff have been accounted for and are healthy in SWVA. Many don't have power or water, but they are able to travel and gas and supplies are available in their local area so it is much better than many places west of them.

It's bad. People on the ground are comparing it to Katrina. Many areas are only accessible by air, such as Montreat, Black Mountain, etc. It is still search and rescue, will be a while before it turns into recovery and rebuilding. Once cellular service is restored I think we are going to get a lot more really bad news about how bad it is.

Whatever is on sale. I let the discount bait monkey tell me what the bass want. 60% of the time, it works every time.

I get cheap polarized glasses from zenni. They are cheap and you get what you pay for, but I view them as disposable if I drop them in the lake or something. I've never tried Costa's but would love to. Maybe one day, but I have trouble getting that into my budget.

Pressure doesn't impact my fishing routine, as long as people aren't in my personal space and I have the space to do my thing. With that said, I think @Pat Brown said something which was maybe overlooked but is also my observation at least in central NC where we are. Unpressured fisheries tend to be full of small/stunted fish. Anecdotal, but he and I both seem to have observed this in various places, in my experience small private ponds which are everywhere around here seem to be like that. Also, I think the fish learn the lures and react to that more than anything else. If you hit them with the frog every day for a week, you will see a diminishing return. Switch to a fluke, etc., and you're back in action. Last thought- I have a theory that heavy pressure impacts their feeding patterns. On my home lake, it's electric only and you have to access through the marina which closes at 7p. If you happen to live by the lake and can slip a kayak in from private land, rumor has it 🤫 that the bite turns on some evenings between 7-8p and you can have a beautiful evening alone on the water and get some serious fish to bite, even though it's a very heavily pressured lake with regular tournaments on it during the weekends. Totally different body of water when it's 'closed', but the same fish...

I like going because of the clear water. Especially when they are shallow, I learn more about behavior from standing and watching how bass interact with their surroundings and my lures than I do fishing blind, even if I'm not getting bit.

Out again. I'd pay that much just for the rod. I've been wanting to try a left hand reel and will buy this immediately if I find it available!

I'd go with a lighter weight on whatever you choose, and for soft plastic use something with a flat bottom like a beaver instead of a worm so it doesn't roll over and hook as bad. When you get snagged, don't yank it because you're just setting the hook into wood. Lift the rod tip gently and see if you can pull it over the wood. If it pulls back and swims, yank it

We had a good false fall #2, in classic NC weather fashion we're expecting heat advisory in 2 days. I'm slightly embarrassed to say that in the pictured morning I was quite cold. I was totally unprepared for those temperatures. But I also love them and can't wait for more of them 🙂 Katie those pictures are beautiful! Fishing is just the icing on the cake being in that spot.

Seems like a bigger profile that would print. I think I just need to try it and see. Then I can convince myself I need more toys. Are you pretty happy with the G43x?