senile1

I started out with the common earthworm as bait. Then I quickly graduated to Rapala minnows and countdown minnows. Within the next couple of years I added plastic worms and jitterbugs. That pretty much covers me from around 7 or 8 years old through high school (1968 - 1979). I started using a jon boat around age 15 using a minn kota trolling motor.

I saw that he leaned too far and assumed it was a smaller boat, but I see no post in this articular thread that states it is 10 or 12 feet. I thought we could help him out with balancing it. I have a 10 foot Jon I use now and then, in addition to my bass boat and I am able to stand and cast in it. (I don’t recommend that anglers stand in a 10 foot Jon but it does have to be a balanced boat to do it.)

That is a good example of how paying close attention to the details can make all the difference in catching or going home with a skunk.

If you are pitching correctly where the lure stays close to the water, 14 to 15 yards is probably the max distance you can reach with a heavier jig and baitcasting equipment. If you lob it somewhat in the pitch you can cast further, but then that would defeat the purpose of why you use the technique in the first place (i.e. quiet entry into the water in tight places). You can use your elbow as the pivot point and still achieve the same effect. I have a fused right wrist and had to learn a new pitching motion because my wrist does not bend. I have to use the elbow and I am able to pitch effectively. It just takes practice however you do it.

Congrats to your buddy! Keep taking him with you and he will exceed that PB in no time.

Sorry to hear that. Maybe you could tell us about your boat, its size, layout, etc. and some of the people here can give you some ideas how to make it safer. I would hate for this incident to keep you from doing something you love.

A lens cleaner and microfiber cloth will clean them quite nicely. I have a few bottles of Crizal lens cleaner that I got from my eye doctor but any lens cleaner will do.

I don't either, but that may be because I clean off my bait religiously. I think it would be rare that grass hanging off the lure would not affect the action, though that might not be a bad thing in some instances. ?

Yeah, the gift package is all Favorite rods in addition to clothing as well. It makes me wish one could request that they forego the gift package and just take $2500 more off the price of the boat. It is a decent boat package but I get that some will have problems with the word, "favorite," on the side of the boat. I don't keep up with the Googan Squad or their products because their videos did not appeal to me from the beginning.

. . . . and what does that say about the chemical makeup of simple syrup and southern style iced tea? ?

None. Everything is based on science and mathematical probability. If that info isn't available I fly by the seat of my pants - logic and experience.

Phoenix is a solid boat, IMO. I just made a post about a Lowe Favorite that appears to be outfitted quite nicely in standard trim. I don't know what you want to spend but you might check the links on that post.

My goodness. That's one hell of a bass.

Buying stuff is part of the fun of bass fishing. And think about it, 20 to 30 dollars here or there is nothing compared to some hobbies. Enjoy it while you can, but don't screw yourself up financially.

I assumed you were making a joke. I could care less about the color of the eyes. I bought them because of the action of the lure. ?

I am not in the market for a boat but I always keep myself apprised of newer models. I thought this might be a decent buy for some people looking for an aluminum boat with a lot of standard features including Humminbird Mega side and down imaging at the bow and console, a Minn Kota Ultrex 80, a single 8 foot Minn Kota Talon, and SeaDek flooring. The price isn't bad for all the included features. Video: https://www.loweboats.com/stinger-favorite Overview, Videos, and Specs: https://www.loweboats.com/stinger-bass-boats/stinger-198-favorite/

Nice video, @Glenn!

Any place with a latitude equal to that of southern Missouri and further south from there will guarantee you "year round" fishing. None of Missouri's big southern lakes (Table Rock, Northern Bull Shoals, and Stockton) freeze during the winter. The water temperatures in these lakes typically reach the low 40s during this time. The winter air temperatures should be easy for a Minnesota transplant to handle. It all depends on what you want. If you want some snow in the winter along with open water this latitude is for you. If you don't care about experiencing all the seasons and want bigger bass move further south, but this latitude is where "year round" open water starts.

Good point about the camera angle. From the pic that fish appears to be as big as some upper 5s and lower 6 lb'ers that I have caught.

A 15 inch largemouth is running about 2 lbs, or a little higher if it is a fat one. I enjoy those and they usually fight pretty hard. I will enjoy 14 or 15 inchers for a couple of hours, more or less, but at some point I seek out larger fish. ? There is a big difference between a 12 inch bass and a 15 for me.

I continue to use my pedestal seat most of the time even after years of running a trolling motor, but not for the reason the OP states. I have a 2000 Stratos 295 Pro Elite with a 91 inch beam. (Displayed in my profile pic.) The gunnels of Stratos boats angle in sharply at the bow creating a much narrower area to stand than 91 inches in the front. The lake I fish most has a lot of traffic and consistent waves due to that traffic. The pedestal seat provides an additional point to brace myself so I don't fall out of the boat. So I have one foot on the trolling motor pedal, one braced against a gunnel, and my butt braced against the pedestal seat when a large wake comes crashing in. And @billmac, you are correct. It isn't easy sometimes especially when the waves are really bad. On busy days at Smithville Lake outside of Kansas City the trolling motor blades leave the water on occasion due to the height of the waves.

Nice fish all around! I am glad you were able to get out and get your line tugged and there is nothing better than watching your children or grandchildren nailing some fish. I hope things come together for you so you can get out more.

At my latitude if you catch a significant amount of 2 to 4 lb fish you are doing ok and you get a pretty good tug on your line. I can live with that and be happy until I nail an occasional 5 - 7 lb'er. If I catch a bunch of 9 to 14 inchers I am happy but far from satisfied though and I will be changing locations, or if all else fails, I won't fish that particular body of water.

That's a tank for sure! Excellent work!

Nice article. I wish them well once again!