FryDog62

Last time I was out I got a call my wife was taking an ambulance ride to the local hospital... haven’t been out since, but keep the reports coming so I have a clue when I do get back on the water?

Chatterbaits tend to “float up” upon retrieve to keep the ideal level of vibration. I use 1/2 oz but more and more often 3/4 oz and they work perfect for LMB and SMB in shallow and mid-depths.

Looks like my father-in-law’s recent MRI of his GI tract... I think we’ll call this new knot “Diverticulitis..!”

As a comparison point, the 150 4 stroke (non-ProXS) 19p on the same boat tops out approx 50-51 mph.

Dark Sleeper 3/4 oz rips through some nastier stuff similar to a swim jig..

So I told him to stop fishing the Ned. He said “one more...” ... and now I’m eating crow..

If the product advertises heavy salt concentration, which many do, then you know it sinks...

Maybe a stupid question but will they survive being caught that deep?

Mel, you can find the 3/4 oz Project Z on TW: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man_Project_Z_Chatterbait/descpage-ZMPROZC.html They used to have the 3/4 oz with a weedguard too earlier in the season, but now appears to only be 1/2 oz. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man_Project_Z_Weedless_Chatterbait/descpage-ZMWC.html I have both, honestly I would opt for the 3/4 oz without the weedguard even though it might work to have a few 1/2 oz too and see what you prefer. Breaking Wind is my preferred color... er... I mean Bream... with an Ultra Vibe Speed Craw Trailer in either Bull Frog or Green Pumpkin Orange Claws: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zoom_Ultra_Vibe_Speed_Craw_35_12pk/descpage-ZSDC.html Let us know how it goes!

If around any kind of weeds, have to use braid IMO. Once the fish takes it down, no easy way to get them out with mono. Braid is strong and will cut through the vegetation, where mono will just stretch...

I agree a tougher time of year to find/catch fish. One thing that worked for me the other day was to upsize my Chatterbait. I went up to a 3/4 oz weedless Project Z. It stays down better and can bust it through the tighter cover, thicker weeds, etc. with more authority and without going really any faster. It wasn’t big numbers but really improved and covered a lot of water more efficiently...

No on the glide but lots of jigs up to 3/4 oz. Works great for that...

It started to slide off the edge in late Sept last year and Oct was largely miserable. I heard on the radio today that Aug 19 may have been our last 80 degree day of 2019 and if next spring is like this year we won’t see our next 80 degree day until May 19... a mere 9 months in between 80 degree days! Say it it isn’t so...

I have the Helium 3, 7-3 Heavy XF as well. Great, versatile rod. Pair it with a Curado 70, great balance, extremely palmable..

Sometimes in addition to line conditioner I will also tie the line off to a tree, back up normal casting distance and stretch the line for 1-2 minutes.

Berkley Vengeance, best $50 rod out there IMO.

Meanwhile... some sundown smallmouth on a new stretch of river...

If you can skip a weightless wacky worm under docks... I think you could run down a shoreline of 20 docks and catch a good handful of 2-3 pounders...

I hear ya and know how Tonka is so highly touted. But honestly I think you can catch a lot of small-medium sized fish there, just not a lot of quality/large bass IMO. I fish a lot of smaller lakes in the area and seem to catch bigger fish. The allure for me in learning Tonka more would be to fish tournaments... but not something I’m really planning. So I get there occasionally but find myself wanting to go somewhere else next time...

Great idea!!

I’ve skipped a lot of docks with plastics the last several years and seems that the bite is usually quite consistent. Not this year with the super late Spring in Minnesota... been hit and miss.. Until this past weekend... it really picked up. I visit a certain lake a couple times a year that has 7 boat lift/canopies in a row (a small private marina). I skipped under each dock and caught 7 fish including these two. Never caught more than 2 fish off those docks before - Shoulda bought a lottery ticket on the way home so I could retire and do this every day

I’ve found Gambler Megadaddys to slow the fall rate more than any other trailer. They do flap a lot, but again have really BIG flappers too..

Anyone throw a horny toad on as a trailer?

Just bought some new Cavitrons... what’s your favorite trailer or do you go without..?

Good rod, one of the other rods I use and really like for skipping is a Tatula Elite Ehrler 7-0 Medium-Medium Heavy.