Master Bait'r

Oh, absolutely. I only throw bigger baits and trebles when I know it's a pretty clean bottom. I try to throw top hooks when it's suited- I just can't seem to not catch everything (weeds) anyways. Maybe I just stink at them, I didn't mean to say they aren't good baits though... Just not really for me up in MA. As I said before I've moved more to the finesse side of things.

Deps Silent Killer 145 and Bettencourt jointed rat for topwater Gan Craft S song and Deps Slide Swimmer for mid column Megabass Limberlamber extra fast sink for the deepness. Hudd guys will be outside my house with pitchforks and torches within the hour I'm sure, but never got into them as much as I like the concept of top hooks. More of a finesse guy then a big bait guy though for sure.

Barbarians are sweet hooks. Like 3x katsuages!

Yeah I've pretty much abandoned the Zodias line. As much as I like the handle design and love how they look, the weight range just doesn't fit the bill for what I need. I will likely just trade my MLXF back in to 13 and get their 6'10" A Series Light action rod. It's rated from 1/32-1/6, which is literally exactly where I was looking to be. For only a restocking fee, it's the simplest way- and I already know I like their full grip, blanks and guides.

Hello all, I'm looking to put together a nice trout and panfish rig, as I'm moving to Vermont and in that specific area the rivers/streams are far more plentiful than the ponds and lakes. I wouldn't be mad if it still worked for finesse bass tactics too fwiw, which brings me to my main question: Light or ultralight? I'm looking right now at the Zodias spinning line, and the lower end of the rating is 1/16th for the L vs. 1/32 for the UL. I'm looking at the 6'8" 1 piece option either way, and a 1000 size reel, likely a Stradic Ci4+ to keep it all in the family and sexy matching because I'm foolish like that. Do I really need to go Ultralight and give up the bass crossover potential or will that light action do me just fine for light fly spinners, egg rigs and tiny t rigs etc? I feel like it would, but I would like some more experienced opinions on the matter. Thanks in advance for your input!

Smaller frogs, bigger hooks. Works like a charm! Hoping the big guys take note at some point and make it easier to throw them, it's definitely a pain to make your own all the time.

I haven't been fishing in over a month. Cruising through this thread is worse than water boarding lol

Keeping that bar set nice and high, I love it!

It's a dangerous purchase, and you're opening a door you can never close again lol.

Please do! I love that kind of stuff!!

I've been wanting a polar craft 16' for a hot minute but these are even cooler... If you're a solo angler anyways! Even a 20hp would plane those out real nice! That HAS to be for the canoe. No way was that boat 5400. No. Way. Lol

It depends! I'm a welder so it cost materials... Very cheap. If if you only have expensive welders around it could be a couple hundred bucks. The same concepts can be applied with wood though. Try to think in terms of cabinet making... Enough forethought and design consideration and anything is possible! Rod locker, tackle tray storage, hidden battery trays, live wells... You name it you can have it if you can figure out how to make it right! The foam for a deck that size would likely be $50-60.

If you get someone to weld in 1"X1" floor joists on the hull support bands, you can go even lighter. I think the last boat I did had 11/32 non PT ply. Once the foam was under it she was sturdy as could be and still very light. Just try the foam first and don't try to do too much at once. It is really powerful stuff while it's expanding.

It is 2lb density closed-cell foam. It's for flotation and safety but it's also super rigid. It comes in two separate chemicals that are liquid, you mix them and it blows out into a foam and fills crazy space. It's like "great stuff" on steroids. It can allow you to use a lighter gauge floor plywood and still get a really sturdy, safe floor.

Clear water smallies? Probably Ito Tennessee Shad and a variation of pro blue if I had to pick without knowing anything. Hard to decide though... So many awesome colors!!

Not if you can't afford a 1648! Think of it as a really big stand up paddle board with a motor. Those square bow/flat bottom jons are less tippy than you'd think. OP, yes you can make it work but I'm not sure I'd go any higher than the seat tops w the casting deck. Also if you go light with the frame and use 2# 50/50 2-part closed cell foam underneath you will have a super solid platform and save a bunch of weight. Doubly if you know a welder and can have him put in aluminum floor joists for you.

If you have one, you seriously should! I'd love to show anybody around, it's a really cool place! Literally the the only downside to this move would be that I'd have to leave a great fishing area for one that's just sort of ok. I'm likely going to have to get a fly fishing rig or a nice UL to keep myself sane in the rivers.

I was just offered a position to essentially manage an entire ski resort. I said yes! Goodbye family business that I've been at for 17 years. It's a massive and unimaginably complicated change but I'm doing it. Mountain life, here I come!

Drought will always lead to a big uptick in deadfall. Trees are going down everywhere. Seriously, if you have been in a drought stricken are and have a borderline tree in your yard either up your homeowners coverage and start picking out shingles or take it down now before the first ice storm lol

The 65s will do well with smallies and panfish for sure. Bust out the ML spinning gear and have at it!!

Loving the profile of those fx9s. My finesse jerkbait box is already testing the seams tho

Probably the Slug-Go SS. The number of ways I can rig that whiptail worm and catch fish I'm still counting. They walk like nothing else in the world on a weightless t-rig, you can bite off the tip and Ned them really well, Neko, wacky, drop shot, jig trailers you name it they just kill it. If you aren't familiar:

It always amazes me the stuff people live by that I don't even use. I'm making a list.

Got another decent one today on the ff. Saved the day! I was getting skunked up until then.