4 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

Rich, I did the same thing on the Trappers.    I won’t be able to use them for 3 months so I hope they work out.  For the price, I thought I can throw them if they don’t work.   Let me know what you think when you get the chance to try them.  

Im in the same boat (pun intended)! I won’t be getting out to try them until March at the earliest. I’ll def report back when I can!

The force of the JDM bait monkey is really strong. Another whacky stick showed up today.

 

Still waiting for the reel for this puppy.

Why not try Stella on.

4 hours ago, gimruis said:

I made a trip to the newly expanded Thorne Brothers Custom Tackle Shop in Blaine today. First time since their expansion last year.

 

Picked up a world minnow jerk bait and a phantom soft tail (for muskie fishing).

 

You could drop a couple thousand bucks in there so quick. Some of the larger specialty muskie lures range in the $70-$200 range.

 

They also had a replica of the new state record pure strain caught in Nov 2021 from Mille Lacs Lake.

Those Shimano WM Flash boost are worth every dollar.     Very intricate and unique lure.   The flashboost really works too.    Perfectly level when suspending as well.  

On 1/15/2023 at 3:21 PM, Master Bait'r said:

Been a while since I posted here but I’m still out there collecting stuff.  
 

Just picked up a new rod I’m WICKED stoked on- the new P5 Kirasame Kameyama Special with the stinger tip.  Planning to use it for bottom contact soft plastics and small jigs and I can’t wait to put an exsence on it and go to town.  The taper on this rod is absolutely unreal- the stinger tip gives so much more versatility than it could have otherwise- combining small bait sensitivity and flex in the tip with big boy backbone just beyond it.  It feels like it should handle everything from Neds to 5” senkos with EWG heads and I’m stoked to find out.  
 

Sweet.  I'm strongly considering that model.  I received another Kasumi 6-11 today...already caved on my 'no purchases for 6 months' resolution ???

 

 

5 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

already caved on my 'no purchases for 6 months' resolution 

1 hour ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Those Shimano WM Flash boost are worth every dollar. 

I needed to see it in person and this was the only shop nearby that had them in stock. I won’t be able to use it until May.

16 hours ago, gimruis said:

I needed to see it in person and this was the only shop nearby that had them in stock. I won’t be able to use it until May.

They work!  Almost too well when pike are nearby. Tieable steel leader is necessary for me. 
 

scott 

37 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

Almost too well when pike are nearby.

Gosh dang it, that is going to scare me off from using it in 75% of the waters I frequent now!

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Gosh dang it, that is going to scare me off from using it in 75% of the waters I frequent now!

Just a fair warning. I know they ain’t cheap. 
 

scott

On 1/16/2023 at 1:30 PM, killobet said:

The force of the JDM bait monkey is really strong. Another whacky stick showed up today.

 

Still waiting for the reel for this puppy.

Why not try Stella on.

Got the reel today!

I have my first Phoenix Series event coming up on Lake Lanier next month and the since main forage is blueback herring I bought some shallow, medium, and deeper depth crankbaits (Frittsides and a Dredger) as well as some swim shads in those colors. I also picked up a Stunna Jerkbait in the Northern Lights pattern.

 

Over the past few years I've gotten away from fishing soft plastics unless they were a trailer or I was throwing Senkos. So for 2023 I decided I will make a concerted effort to fish more soft plastics. I plan to make it a habit to take only soft plastics on some of my kayak outings this year.

 

So I loaded up on some Man Bear Pigs, Power Lizards, Brush Hogs, and Rage Bugs. I also added a Plano Edge 3600 terminal tackle storage box. Personally, I think they are overpriced, but I do like the container within a container storage. I'm tired of the terminal tackle spilling into other compartments when it gets jostled. I'll probably end up buying another one in the future.

 

Not much, just some known producers. Except I’m trying some Sunline Shooter Defier mono for my Texas rig combo. 
 

4 hours ago, Koz said:

I have my first Phoenix Series event coming up on Lake Lanier next month and the since main forage is blueback herring I bought some shallow, medium, and deeper depth crankbaits (Frittsides and a Dredger) as well as some swim shads in those colors. I also picked up a Stunna Jerkbait in the Northern Lights pattern.

 

Over the past few years I've gotten away from fishing soft plastics unless they were a trailer or I was throwing Senkos. So for 2023 I decided I will make a concerted effort to fish more soft plastics. I plan to make it a habit to take only soft plastics on some of my kayak outings this year.

 

So I loaded up on some Man Bear Pigs, Power Lizards, Brush Hogs, and Rage Bugs. I also added a Plano Edge 3600 terminal tackle storage box. Personally, I think they are overpriced, but I do like the container within a container storage. I'm tired of the terminal tackle spilling into other compartments when it gets jostled. I'll probably end up buying another one in the future.

 

I picked up.a couple of frittsides in that HD threadfin color...they look amazing.  I'd google past tournament results for Lanier during the month you'll be fishing it.  Just one of the steps I take before I prefish a new lake.

On 1/16/2023 at 6:48 PM, KP Duty said:

Sweet.  I'm strongly considering that model.  I received another Kasumi 6-11 today...already caved on my 'no purchases for 6 months' resolution ???

 

 

 

I bought one just before Christmas. Great rod. I have only been able to use it a few times but it has that special feel to it. I can't wait to get out on some big water (aka not a pond) to use it. 

1 minute ago, FishTank said:

 

I bought one just before Christmas. Great rod. I have only been able to use it a few times but it has special feel to it. I can't wait to get out on some big water (aka not a pond) to use it. 

Great rods...not sure where they get 'slow' for the taper...it's fairly vetsatile.  I wanted a second one 'in the future', but JLS has them in stock, so I had to act.

On 1/15/2023 at 4:21 PM, Master Bait'r said:

Been a while since I posted here but I’m still out there collecting stuff.  
 

Just picked up a new rod I’m WICKED stoked on- the new P5 Kirasame Kameyama Special with the stinger tip.  Planning to use it for bottom contact soft plastics and small jigs and I can’t wait to put an exsence on it and go to town.  The taper on this rod is absolutely unreal- the stinger tip gives so much more versatility than it could have otherwise- combining small bait sensitivity and flex in the tip with big boy backbone just beyond it.  It feels like it should handle everything from Neds to 5” senkos with EWG heads and I’m stoked to find out.  
 

I was sent this rod by accident. I so wanted to keep it but the supplier insisted I send it back to Japan despite the shipping cost being almost as much as the rod. I have been considering it ever since but I don't tend to use spinning rods as mush as I use to. The tip of this rod is something special though. The rod I received did come with instructions (which was weird) that the rod tip is not as stiff or powerful as other rods and to fish accordingly.  

 

3 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

Great rods...not sure where they get 'slow' for the taper...it's fairly vetsatile.  I wanted a second one 'in the future', but JLS has them in stock, so I had to act.

 

You talk about about acting.... Did you see that they had a Megabass Arms Challenge? I went to check on an order from them and the front page of their website locked up. I refreshed it and there it was. I immediately put in my cart but then I thought would I actually fish this piece of art. I stared at it for 5 minutes and then it was gone..... So next time, if lightning strikes, I am snagging one of those bad boys. 

This is the first tackle I’ve bought since probably July or august.  Gasp, I’m  going through withdrawals.
 

 First picture of stuff is all from the same vendor on eBay.  Which, you can get good deals on but, usually the lots are the same color/type of bait. 

 

6 x 2 pack of owner tournament trailers in white blue flash.  I only paid 20 bucks for that lot. I have some x-raps I need to replace the back hook on. 

 

6 x 3 packs of strike king squadron swim bait jig heads in 1/8 which, I paid $20

 

3 ever green stealth blade jack hammers in 1/2 oz in bhite delight.  $30 for all 3 kinda good deal depending on where you buy your jack hammers from.  Generally I’ve seen jack hammers run from $12 to $17 depending on vender.  Bhite has been a very good color in 3/8 oz. I’m hoping with it being heavier and the blade being smaller than most chatter baits that it will help keep the lure deeper. 
 

 

last pic is a 2 pack of spro phat flies in blue gill.  I really want to get into float and fly fishing in the early spring.  I’d like to have some success that start making my own flies. 
 

time to get ready.  It’s been a mild winter up here in the mitten state.  I have a feeling we could be fishing by mid March. 

1 hour ago, KP Duty said:

 I'd google past tournament results for Lanier during the month you'll be fishing it.  Just one of the steps I take before I prefish a new lake.

Thanks. I have looked through previous years worth of tournament data by month for the lakes we are fishing at, studied the maps, researched preferred forage and structure, read tons of articles on each lake, and have some "secret" GPS coordinates for some lakes.

 

But as a co-angler this year, much of that is up to the boater when I get paired with someone random. I'll be paired with a buddy for some of the tournaments.

 

All of the lakes we're fishing are historically tough. The biggest bag for a boater on any of the lakes was under 21 pounds. 

Imakatsu DILEMMA POPPER NEW - KKJAPANLURE

 

Trying to not give in and buy this popper because I have 129 others but the temptation is great.

 

Allen

7 hours ago, FishTank said:

I was sent this rod by accident. I so wanted to keep it but the supplier insisted I send it back to Japan despite the shipping cost being almost as much as the rod. I have been considering it ever since but I don't tend to use spinning rods as mush as I use to. The tip of this rod is something special though. The rod I received did come with instructions (which was weird) that the rod tip is not as stiff or powerful as other rods and to fish accordingly.  

 

 

 

I also have other JWR rods but I have found that I really like the physics and positioning of a spinning rod in bottom contact baits when I’m finesse jigging for a long time, for me it is very intuitive and natural.  Also this tip seems absolutely perfect for my bigger bento minnow drop shotting desires.  I would love to see those instructions lol, mine did not come with that!  

17 hours ago, Munkin said:

Imakatsu DILEMMA POPPER NEW - KKJAPANLURE

 

Trying to not give in and buy this popper because I have 129 others but the temptation is great.

 

Allen

Man that thing just looks like it gets bit don't it. Ordering one, looks too dang good. 

@AlabamaSpothunter, are you sure these Flashback Minis are all that? They’re tiny! I also got my Garmin Striker 4 kit today. Looking forward to using it asap. Got it on sale at BPS.

 

38 minutes ago, ScottW said:

I also got my Garmin Striker 4 kit today.

I got the Striker 4 ice fishing bundle, and I've really liked it so far. If I get some mounting accessories and a power source I can put it on my kayak in the spring. 

58 minutes ago, ScottW said:

@AlabamaSpothunter, are you sure these Flashback Minis are all that? They’re tiny! I also got my Garmin Striker 4 kit today. Looking forward to using it asap. Got it on sale at BPS.

 

Awesome stuff Scott....and that green model is killer, I haven't seen that one yet.   I got one with a Chartreuse blade, but not those green swimbodies.   Love my Garmin, I'm sure you will too.  

 

Caught about 10 fish on that bait today......and one 2lb Crappie.   Second 2lb+ Crappie now on this bait.   

Now you got to get some 3" Armor Shad, and then you'll see that it makes the perfect 3" Shad imitator.  

 

ETA;  I'll send you some of the Armor Shads if you can't find them locally, Marks Outdoors carries them.    

16 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Awesome stuff Scott....and that green model is killer, I haven't seen that one yet.   I got one with a Chartreuse blade, but not those green swimbodies.   Love my Garmin, I'm sure you will too.  

 

Caught about 10 fish on that bait today......and one 2lb Crappie.   Second 2lb+ Crappie now on this bait.   

Now you got to get some 3" Armor Shad, and then you'll see that it makes the perfect 3" Shad imitator.  

 

ETA;  I'll send you some of the Armor Shads if you can't find them locally, Marks Outdoors carries them.    

Been a minute since I’ve been to Marks Outdoors. They still on Hwy 31 in Vestavia?