FryDog62

Just out from shore in 4-5 fow… 51 degree water temp pre-spawn. It was a cluster of a time. Net got caught in a rod/lure behind me, went to net it and the entire rod/reel went in the drink. Still stuck on the net though, but I couldn’t get the fish scooped up. Fish then dove and the line got caught on a notch in my paddle. Pulled that loose and I grabbed her jaw as the paddle floated away. Couldn’t get the camera in the cradle to take a photo. I heard a voice of someone that had floated up to me and watched the whole thing. He snapped a few shots from afar as I tried to unwind everything and release the fish. Doesn’t look like a 24 incher, picture doesn’t do it justice but I put it on the scale at 7.35. I did not deserve that fish, I need a different net with a shorter handle in close quarters in a kayak, this has happened before where I lost the fish.. - -

Shout out to @Siebert Outdoors. Until today I had ZERO confidence in red Chatterbaits. Ordered a couple recently and whattayouknow - 24 inch 7.35 pound LMB. “Hot Sauce” is my new favorite color

Admittedly, I tend to be an impatient person and have a low tolerance for stuff that doesn’t work. I like things new and under warranty. Less chance it got used and abused by the person that owned it before me. New stuff can still hiccup, but you minimize the chances, and many times have a decent warranty to get a replacement if needed. That goes for vehicles, boat motors and fishing equipment, etc. Worst thing for me is to finally get quality time off to go do what I like and - the truck doesn’t start, the outboard won’t run, or my reel yaks up a hair ball.

So, what I’m wondering with ALF - is it that they are just so short-staffed, or they don’t have the leverage of Tacklewarehouse? Or is it both? For instance, I’ve had a very common/popular Daiwa reel on backorder with them for weeks/months.. and during this time TW has it continually in stock. Now that backordered reel just went on sale at ALF while still on backorder! Is it they are trying to build demand and prove to Daiwa they are a major player and need to be a higher priority and receive more stock regularly to keep their customers happy? Or is it just a sad reality that the bigger retailer (TW) is simply higher volume and Daiwa treats them as priority over the smaller ALF’s and Omnia’s of the world? This has happened to me with other product/backorders at ALF too not just this reel. Lots of back orders, but that’s not the case nearly as often at the evil empire also known as Tacklewarehouse. Yes, ALF’s follow through and detail orientation seems to have slid backwards since the Covid era started. Lots of tackle companies have had the same experience, but they just seem to always be behind and details suffer. I had a new rod sent to me a couple weeks ago that was on backorder for 6 months. I had cancelled the order and purchased something else from them 5 1/2 months ago and the rod still showed up. Had to send it back even though it was marked paid (It didn’t feel right to keep a free $550 GLX rod!). Would have liked at least a future discount or points added to my account for returning it. Other credits/refunds are getting to be like pulling teeth at times… I think they need more people that aren’t spread so thin to be honest. Otherwise a good company I’ve enjoyed doing business with, really like their trade-in program… but yeah it’s starting to wear a little thin..

The best lures I have found to tick bass off in cold water are a jerk bait and a blade bait. If you are waiting for bass to get hungry and slurp slow moving lures, wait til spring...

That old state record needed to get reclassified as I’m pretty certain it’s fiction. I can see how that one came about - It’s 1948, and a couple of guys are fishing somewhere in Northern Minnesota and one of them catches a nice one… no scale or tape measure but let’s say it’s a solid 6 pounder which is a nice fish anywhere. Later that night around the campfire after a dozen Hamm’s the fish grew to at least 7 pounds… By the time they drive home and are greeted by neighbors and friends, “Oh my gosh you shoulda seen the 8 pounder that Oly caught !!” Of course - no scale, and it was right “even” at 8 pounds and unknown ounces, no tape measure, no photo, probably no idea the difference between a largemouth and a smallmouth, and just a bunch of crushed Hamm’s cans as evidence…

Here’s the part I don’t get - he self reports the violation and he not only gets DQ’d - but did I hear right that he also got fined? I can’t see how they could fine him unless there is more to the story…

Actually I got the NRX+ version with my store credit… didn’t want to take a step back lol

I see the old post has been revived. I too have the Fishing Specialties mount and it works “ok.” Then I added a second transducer mount - this time for 360 Imaging. I used the Dugout Kayak “Pivot 2.0” and really prefer it over the Fishing Specialties - although it’s nearly twice as expensive. The Pivot 2.0 works for either Livescope or 360. I like it better because it’s a solid mount (unlike the break away collar of the Fishing Specialties mount, which seems to wiggle loosely at times) and the Pivot 2.0 stows nicely along the gunnel of my kayak when not in use. I have thought about swapping out the Fishing Specialties mount for a second Pivot 2.0. Pictures in the link: https://www.dugoutfishing.com/product-page/pivot-livescope-mount-2-0

Get better Catt !!

I ordered a Loomis GLX 843 MBR rod online last September with a store credit I had… However, shortly after ordering the rod it went into backorder status so I bought something else with the credit. Lo and behold, the GLX showed up on my doorstep today. I contacted the store and they said that backorder just was sent out (nearly 6 months later). It was marked as “paid.” Almost tempting to keep a new rod like that for free, but I just sent it back this afternoon. A good store and good folks, sometimes people just make mistakes. If I’d have kept it, I think you sign yourself up for some bad ju-ju… lost fish, lost rods, capsized kayak, who knows?

Jerkbaits can be a tougher lure to cast and get distance at times, especially in wind. I try to avoid any SV spool for that reason with jerkbaits, although I’ve never used the Silver Wolf. I like to be able to get maximum distance, especially in clear water, and the Tatula Elite works great paired with 10-12 lb Tatsu or Invizx. An 8.1 gear ratio is great for picking up line between jerks..

Dollar pads on that water + Z-man ToadZ = fish !!

I need to trade my boat in for a dock that catches 14 pound bass..

You mean "GOA" lol...