RRocket

That's the person doing the fillets. Dad uses electric primarily on Walleye and Perch and never a bone. Ever. So boneless are they that when we're bored, we'll say "I found a bone" just to get him going.

My dad fillets fish almost every day. As long as I can remember. He's old and set in his ways. But when he finally tried an electric fillet knife, he's never switched back. I think he had a Rapala, but now uses a Bubba. I believe they have a blade for most sized fish. Also, if you don't clean the fish immediately and the BEST fillet is top of mind, I STRONGLY suggest you learn "Ikejime" method of dispatching fish. You can easily see the difference in fillet quality. And it takes very little effort.

1/0 EWG. Maybe #1 depending on bait. I like the Ryugi Infini Offset Wide Gap Worm Hook. From as small as size 2 if you have something really small. I also like a ringed hook. My choice for that is Decoy 417 Ringed KG.

I fished "poop" baits and by extension high specific gravity baits a ton this year. I ordered many of these baits by multiple manufacturers. No small feat (or cost! ) for what are mostly JDM baits. I weighed all of the baits to know exactly how heavy they were (they're heavy! ) and I proceeded to learn how to fish these. Not only did they produce, they were also great fun to fish! But more important, I think these high specific gravity baits altered my perception of what a bait is or can be.

That's a really great bait! I think people forget that where there's bass, there's usually catfish. And there's no question that bass will eat catfish fry! If you want a downsized catfish profile, Great Lakes makes one. https://www.greatlakesfinesse.com/225-flat-cat

Canada It used to be certain Premium were Ethanol free, but that's not longer the case these days. Ethanol in all fuel.

It is mandated by law here that ALL fuel has ethanol in it. So we've learned to work around it. I put a specialized stabilizer product in all my fuel cans (Startron or K-100). This prevent phase separation, remove small amounts of water, long term storage up to 2 years, etc It is used in all our small engines (outboards, lawnmower, snowblower, generator, powersports, etc). have not had issues with starting or long term storage. Been doing this for a decade at least. One important key is to keep tanks filled to max at all times during storage; periodically check and top up as needed. This prevents any headspace in the tank and reduces the possibility of condensation during storage. I find this to be most important and overlooked when dealing with ethanol fuels.

Had a couple of PMs about this from people who saw photos in other threads, so I thought I'd detail this fantastic little boat here. I had somewhat unique requirements for a boat. It needed to be lightweight, able to safely fish standing, room for 2, very stable/safe and fit in trunk of a vehicle. After much research, I ended up with a Scout 365. The boat itself is 12 feet long. It weighs a mere 64 pounds, which is much lighter than a kayak. I chose to power it with a Suzuki 2.5 HP, which comes in around 28lbs. Altogether, boat and motor come in around 100lbs with the boat footprint being about 36"x24"x16" when folded up and in the carry "taco" bag. Boat came with a footpump, but I got a cordless inflator with auto shut off. This allows the boat to inflate while I get other things ready. Each pontoon has a chamber (3.5psi) and the floor a chamber (5psi). The floor is the same type you'd find on a stand up paddleboard and is rigid when filled. It comes with 3 aluminum benches (I only use 2). Set up time from the time I'm parked until I'm in the water is 15 minutes when done leisurely. I also added landing wheels to easily wheel around parking lots. As a bonus, in this area you don't pay boat ramp fees if the boat has no trailer. I added a hydrofoil, as I knew I would be shallow in some of the creeks or tributaries. It will motor through in under a foot of water. Solo, it will do 10mph (16km/h). With 2 people and gear aboard, around 6mph (10km/h). Engine positive sips fuel. Internal tank is 1/4 gallon (1 liter). I have not run out of gas yet! Consumption rate is allegedly 1L per hour at wide open throttle. My trips are typically 4-5 hours. I do carry an emergency 1L fuel tank with me "in case". Boat performs even better than expectations. Standing is safe and easy with the casting bar and I have fished easily without it. But it gives a large safety buffer with it on, so I usually fish with it. It also works fantastic for rod storage with 2 rod holders on it. Unlike a kayak, it's also extremely stable and at no point has there ever been a fear of capsizing. Indeed, many people use these in coastal waters running out to platforms which seems crazy to me..yet proves the safety of the vessel. For my part, I've used it on tributaries and creeks, the Detroit River, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. It's also stable enough where the wife has fallen asleep while I've fished! The boat garners attention whenever I put it in at public ramps with nearly endless questions, compliments, thumbs up, etc. I've even been "pulled over" in the water by police just because they wanted to check the boat out. The kayakers also don't seem to mind when I put in at a kayak ramp. Durability was a question early on, but now there is little doubt: this is a tough little boat! I ground it out every single time I use it (running it into shore/ramp to pull out, shallow creeks, etc). I have hit deadheads too..which you can barely feel due to the air floor. This usually garners an odd look between those on the boat and a "did we just hit something?" No hook has damaged either the floor or pontoons. And I occasionally find a hook or lure rolled up in the body that I missed before putting away. I've had no reason to use the included hole repair kit yet! Overall, I'm very, very pleased with this boat and it has exceeded expectations in every way. So much so that we have decided to buy a large(r) RIB as our next fishing/pleasure boat. All in all..we love this little boat! https://scoutinflatables.com/products/scout-365

Ya, I was at first thinking the Free Shot rig too. The Free Shot hook is the part that's "Free" as opposed to the weight.

I fish the Free Rig most days and I think I understand what your're trying to do. I control the separation via the weight/buoyancy of my bait and the Free Rig weight. A little experimenting is required. Some baits drop slower than others. And sinker weight also plays a role in separation. If I REALLY want separation, I'll use a floating type plastic (Z-man). You can separate it repeatedly after the weight has hit bottom by merely putting the rod tip down/line slack. Rod tip down and the bait floats back up the water column. Remove slack to bring it back to weight on bottom and repeat. Using a floating bait opens up some fun presentations! As mentioned, a little experimenting is key. I had to play around with weights to get the separation and resulting action and flapping behavior on the fall from a Dolive Beaver. Using too light a weight didn't pull the Beaver down hard enough to get the arms really flapping on the drop. I was trying to achieve what you see in the video. https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxBaLcwUcP_po-JP7tD2wbOgRNw3etZyi7?feature=shared

This. The array of colors is mindboggling...in a good way.

I think this thread's ultimate answer is....there is no ultimate answer! There is no wrong answer here, as expected. I do dig seeing what everyone is throwing around though!

This is really an excellent post and has been my experience in the last few years. I had moved away from the Texas and into the Free Rig. And I really enjoyed some of the technical or unique presentations. A DoLive Beaver on a Free Rig is bonkers! Most recently, I've moved away from weights and have been experimenting with the newest high specific gravity baits from Japan. I can see this evolving to having different weights at different parts of bait. For example, a heavy nose on a swimbait, or a heavy butt on a craw..or various weights throughout. Maybe just the ends of a Senko? Laminated weights. Just more attention and evolution to that aspect. So yes, I'd definitely rig one for Texas..but also one for a Free Rig. I tend to fish smaller baits, but I had a good time fishing a Yamatanuki on a Jika Rig...which would be equally at home on a Texas. I've also fished it weightless Texas. Fun little bait!

For those that use Z-man (Elaztech), I can confirm that the Plano Synergy Edge works with no worries. Most cubbies are filled with Elastech baits and have no wear, damage, etc. Baits are perfect too. There are also non Elastech in here as well and they stay isolated when the case is closed. No damage to those either. Just sharing in case this is of interest to someone.

I'd throw a poop bait (Coverscat). Likely a new look for many fish....these were very impressive in pressured areas this year for me. They also skip ridiculously easy...kayak or otherwise.

I can't comment on "fishing" specific, but many technical outdoor clothing companies have tall in their sizing. Companies like Outdoor Research (lifetime warranty BTW). You could grab either softshell or hardshell outers and make your ideal set. While not "fishing" specific, this gear is made for outdoor activity and its what I wear much of the time. Just including this info as an option for you.

Real nice rig!! Wish such a boat would work for my needs. A real beauty!

I too am finesse (ultralight only) and follow pretty much what you wrote. Though instead of a traditional Ned, I use a modular Jika that I can change weights/hook in about 1 minute without a re-tie. (I call the Jika the "improved Ned").

Real nice work learning those new techniques!

Very cool!

Not sure if this applies to you, but I use the little Jigbox. Foam bottom, dome lid. Slits in foam for hooks. Even just throwing in my chatterbaits haphazard, I've got 9 in this tiny thing (it will allegedly hold 50 normal jig heads). I think if you were more meticulous than I, a few more would fit. Any of the skirts sticking out from case show no ill effects. Again, not an issue for someone more meticulous. This suits me perfectly as I'm a "replace as needed" tackle kind of guy. I pack light. I stock up before I leave the house. However, they make a larger 3600-sized case to this one. I think it would hold plenty of jigs..or chatterbaits.

I use this little guy JIGBOX Fishing Jig Organizer - Holds 50+ Jigs - https://a.co/d/2G8SwEW

If you try it, please let me know how you like it. I'm interested to see if your experience mirrors ours.

I use what I consider to be the best wacky hook I've ever used. Bar none! As a bonus, it's also the finest drop shot hook I've ever used. You can get with or without weedguard. I've turned a couple members here onto this hook and they flat out love it. Some unique design features make it a standout winner. That little crook holds the bait beautifully. The hooks are extremely sticky! I know it's going to sound like BS, but I've never missed a hookset with these..it feels like they darn near hook themselves. So good is the hookset, that on multiple occasions the hook has passed in..and back through again. And for reasons I don't understand, most of the hooksets are dead center top of mouth. Not only is this a stupendous hook, but it's one of the best pieces of tackle I've tried in the last couple of years. If you're a wacky or drop shot enthusiast, you really owe to yourself to give this hook a try! Baits pictured are a 5" worm, and a 4.2" drop shot minnow. Hook size is 1. Hayabusa Spin Muscle hook.

I'm committed to minimalist fishing. I've talked about my gear and tackle box before. Two thin 3600s..one for baits one for tackle. One rod and reel. That's it. As such, it's usually simple for me as I believe if you can't catch fish with 3-4 different baits/techniques...the fish aren't going to be caught that day regardless. My first half of the season differed slightly from the second half. First half: Search bait: Chatterbait. Great search bait. Can also be fished like a jig or Ned depending on trailer. Target fishing: Jika Rig: A great do it all rig. Jig, Ned, Swin, etc Choose your plastic and go! I use a modular system here so I can change hook and/or weight in 5 seconds without re-tying. Topwater: Any Z-man Goat...up to and including the Goat Toad. They all work. Second half: I replaced the Jika and used "poop" baits almost exclusively the second half of the year. They worked so well and I had a ton of fun fishing them. Now throughout the year, I still fish rigs I love to fish. If for no other reason than to keep in practice. And, because my system gear is mostly modular, no extra tackle required. For example, I'll tie on a Free Rig. I love the Free Rig...which can use the same hooks and weights as my Jika. And so on with other rigs. Always good to keep in practice..especially with rigs you really like!