Master Bait'r

Dang, broke off a freshy again today. Pretty sure it was a pickerel this time but the little guys were blasting away again just like they always do. I'm definitely setting up the boy with a FF when I bring him out Weds. He is going to LOVE it!

Texas Tackle split ring pliers for life. Boomerang cutter retractable is my fav for cutting line. Also for pliers/cutters I have two pairs of DeWalt compounds- both needle nose style and the side cutters. They're KILLER pliers and cutters, and they were only $15 each. (I have the ones on the left and the ones on the right)

I only really use the pocket frogs, and I usually rip the legs off and put my own skirt legs in. The legs are cool if you want to tug and pause, but if you want to walk them the legs will pretty much ruin that. For full sized frogs with skirts you'd probably be best off getting a Koppers. Nice detail, soft body and good hooks at a reasonable price.

I was at a DSG a couple days ago and some Megabass PopMax for $15. Thank the lawd they didn't have any sexy colors!

It's a toss up. Evergreen, Deps or Lunker Hunt. Depends on the situation.

Oh, and some pics of the tiniest dinks caught so far... Even the smallest fish can still fully inhale the little frogs. These things really are the Ned Rigs of the frog world.

Got a chance to use it with a few different baits and caught a few fish on it. Nothing big, but I can safely say I'm going to enjoy the heck out of this rod. It is exactly what I was looking for although the gloss reel seat (aside from being SUPER comfortable) gets a little slippery when wet. Other than that, it is pretty much perfect. I can only imagine how much fun the JBS is with that short twitch length!

Was spending some time FFing again this AM, nailed probably 6 or 8 1-1.5ers on it, and then it happened... What was more than likely my PB inhaled the sumbich and I set the hook like my life depended on it. Solid as a rock, it stopped my rod dead. He turned and I got to see the side of the body and it took off, my drag started peeling like crazy- mind you a PXLR has a pretty stout drag- so I'm trying to reel in but it's pulling me so hard my boat is now barreling towards the weeds, I watch the line go straight in, make a big right hand turn around some pads and stop dead as the momentum crashed me into the same spot as the line tightened- I had it locked up- bucking and stuck down in the pads, but it was there. My heart was pounding and I was trying to clear the pads as fast as I could... And I grabbed the line. Tugged it twice to try and loosen the pads while clearing with my other hand- it shook it's head and the line went *POINK* I yelled out loud like you see in the movies. Probably a couple times, actually. They may have heard me in space. I've never been so heartbroken, and it's all my fault for pulling on it like an idiot. I even lost my favorite finesse frog. Double whammy! I should have cleared all the pads by hand or just reached down and noodled it out. I'm such an idiot. Oh well. Live and learn I guess... At least I know they're there and FFing isn't just a dink magnet. I guess I really need to be more mindful of the finessey nature of the beast, although that fish was an exceptional outlier. I'm not going to be able to let that go... I need to catch that fish now. On a FF.

If I went a year without a bite I think I'd jump in after them with a broken bottle and a heart full or rage haha

It's actually the FSS. I wanted the extra length. Cant really comment on how it fishes but in hand (I'll find out tomorrow around sunrise) but it is certainly a nice package. Feels super comfortable in hand and all the components, fit and finish are on par with expectations for sure.

The newest addition. I am now officially running with a fearsome fivesome.

If there is no actual mats I'm going for the 852c and I likely won't put a weight on it if there's only 6' max depth. The hook will be enough. I use a Pixy R and 20# braid though, so that's a big part of making that work for light weeds or near structure too. If I was putting a weight on it I would probably want the 893 though.

There are a ton of reasons it *could* be, but you're going to have to start picking away at variables to find out for sure. Bend out or change your hooks first, and then also maybe try following up with a small punch rig or going with a finesse frog to see if you can ascertain what is actually hitting the big frog if that doesn't work.

The bane of my existence right there.

Catching dragons, lunkers, whatever. I could care less. If other peoples' pikachews (or any behavior for that matter) have you hot and bothered it's likely time for a change of scenery. I've never even seen anybody doing it personally.

Y'know, to others it may look crazy that we've spent thousands of dollars and thrown away thousands of hours of good sleep away to chase fish we aren't even going to keep. Just sayin. I know nothing about Pokemon and it certainly looks ridiculous but I know I'm the last to talk when it comes to doing things that others think is crazy haha

Find a cheapo boat of any kind of craigslist. I've bought several 10-12' Jon boats in that pice range.

The right size TM is the biggest, most powerful one you can possibly afford/fit in the boat. Nobody EVER regretted having extra TM power. Not even once.

Pretty excited about that! Nothing would make me happier than enough people experimenting, catching fish and talking about it that someday it gets picked up and actually made right from a factory. With all the boatless paddles that get produced nowadays I don't think it's much of a stretch to imagine.

Usually right next to the big ones! The same place *should* sell a couple sizes to choose from. TW, DSG, BPS etc... They all carry them. Just check the weight, you're looking for around 1/4oz or so. Hey thanks for the shout out! Admittedly I had to Bing it, but I will have to sign up! I really like your format and content!! Yeah pad crashers are nice and soft. The smaller ones are just teetering on the edge of what I'd consider a finesse frog, but they alone with the LT 45ers are both great frogs that are slightly larger and will work well once dialed. My favorite size is probably the lunker hunt 1/4oz frogs though. They have the tiniest profile and seem to just have a certain knack to draw strikes. I have several in various states of leg destruction and they all give slightly different looks. With legs they chug straight better and with skirt legs they walk and wiggle really well. To each their own though, different people will like different ones better and for different reasons. I think trying different stuff with your specific combo is important though.

Two aisles down on the right next to the artichokes.

Ford vs Chevy Stihl vs Husky If you don't already know why you want one over the other it likely does not matter all that much in reality. You're almost guaranteed to enjoy and be satisfied by either.

Is put it away and slow roll a spinnerbait over said weeds. You're wasting our time with a jig presentation.

Bring it to a mom & pop exhaust shop. If your outer shields are good and it sounds like a 6-pack in a dryer, it could be the inside to your catalytic converter too- also an easy fix for somebody who wants to get you fixed up and back on the road.

Funny This should come up, my gf and I just put a deposit down on an 07 Outback Limited w/ 83k. Should be be a perfect ski car! It'll be her 6th Subaru, and she is jacked up for that "6th" sticker emblem lemme tell ya.