Fishin Dad

I am pretty sure that is a Berkley Chigger Craw The only thing that throws me off is the size. If that is the standard rage bug on the right, the craw on the left looks BIG.

I actually divide my containers by action, size, and color. Those meet most of my criteria for choosing a bait. Trailers for jigs, T-rig baits, shaky head baits, etc. I don’t make over complicated with 30 containers. I just keep colors together in a small craw container for example. I am not nearly as organized as some on here……………A-Jay!

I agree. I do not consider those techniques for covering water. With that said, I really had great success this year with the shaky picking apart specific areas or cover. For me, I use the shaky head as more of a finesse tactic (mostly spinning)and T-rig more of a power technique (casting rod, heavier line). To answer your question better, I would use a shaky head when fish are on the bottom in more sparse cover. I use a T-rig when fishing heavier cover or thicker weeds with a bigger rod and heavier line and work the bait more to cover a little more of the water.

Ok Fellas, I have hundreds of bags of soft plastics. Have used creatures, craws, worms, frogs, etc. I have some criteria for where I use each, but I am wondering about your system? Is it cover, water temp, water clarity, weather, fish size, etc. Just curious as I have gravitated more towards creatures and craws and away from power fishing worms. What do you choose and why?

I like the smell of soft plastics, but Smelly Jelly makes me gag, and I have a strong stomach for smells.

Zillion SV for sure!

I like 17 lb. and sometimes move down to 15 lb. for smaller jigs to give them better action. I do have 20 lb. on my T-rig pitching set up for wood.

I have that same Shrade knife! I usually use my electric for walleye and panfish, unless I only have a few or do not have electricity. That Shrade is a great knife.

Thanks Krux! I know. We have 7% sales tax here. That is what helps bring it to the $73,000. That price actually came from my dealer. He priced the extras at what I see them for in most places. I might be able to save a little, but I think I would rather pick it up ready to go fishing. I am not overly mechanical with this stuff either. I have some buddies who are and would help me, but I won’t have that much time until June. I will be wanting to fish bad at that time.

I agree. I went to the last Minneapolis Boat Show with my buddy. I am glad I am a bass guy, those walleye boats are $120,000 now. That’s crazy. The wakeboats are out of control. I thought $73,000 was crazy. The boats you see on Minnetonka are totally crazy.

I agree K1500! I have 3 months off each summer, so it will get used!!

I am trading in my 2013 and getting only $7000 less than I paid for it. That part of the market being high is helping me. The other side, not so much. Thanks AJ. I agree. I am not getting any younger. Financially, this will not put us in a situation where we can’t take care of our family. I just don’t like over paying for things if I don’t have to. That’s why I have waaaaaay too much tackle I bought on sale. Time with your grandson is priceless, no matter what you do. It sounds like you will guarantee that for him. That’s awesome!!!

That is my dilemma right now. I really want the boat for next Spring and have the green light from my wife. However, with the rate of inflation and continuing supply chain issues, is it going to come down within a couple years??? If I knew it was going to come down 15-20% in 2 years, I might wait, but with the stare of the world, I am not sure of anything right now.

Heck yeah I skipped school to hunt and fish. I am a teacher myself now. I have also skipped some graduate school classes to fish. My grades have always been solid and I am currently in the process of getting another masters degree. In these classes we are studying the neuroscience of brain development and trauma induced brain deficiencies. It is proven in recent years with new MRI equipment that socialization and challenges/adventures outside the classroom actually improve learning (yes, even ridiculous standardized test scores, which are worthless). So don’t feel guilty if you skipped school to be with friends or have outside adventures (it has also been proven that being outside for just 10 minutes will increase brain function). Get outside, enjoy adventures, and make friends you enjoy being with. Your brain will thank you!!!

Thanks AJ. Yeah the glove box in that extra console is my storage area in my partners boat when we fish in his. That thing is huge!!

That makes sense then Moguy, thanks for that insight. Still a lot of money. Yikes That’s kind of where my mind went. But, with what moguy said above, if aluminum has gone that crazy, it makes sense. I have spent a lot of time in my tourney partners 1875 and love it. I have also watched most of your videos on it (thanks for those). However, if you are offering a test ride on Menderchuck for those smallies, I will for sure take you up on that!!!

I just priced out an 1875 Lund pro v bass xs with 200 Pro XS. I loaded it up with Ultrex 112, 3 Helix units, 2 Raptors, jack plate, and upgraded trailer. The price tag was around $73,000. I know prices have gone up on everything, but does this seem logical. I have called other dealerships, and the price was very similar. Just checking here to see what you all think. Thanks for any and all comments.

I usually tie on a couple jigs and glue trailers on at home to make them last longer while skipping. I usually lose a jig way before the hook would rust. I wire tie my jig skirts so the band is not a problem at all. Colors are pretty consistent and weights are 3/8 and 1/2. Black and Blue and green pumpkin or bluegill colors of some time.

Love fishing new waters. I love the adventure, the new scenery, and finding a hidden gem. This happens both as planned trips as well as finding an access too crowded and just finding another lake because you have to. Both ways have paid off. They have also busted. This reminds me, I had a lake in mind while looking over the winter. Think I will hit that this weekend.

I have over 30 combos ( add another 15 to that with ice fishing, yes, drilling holes in frozen lakes and catching fish......Lol). I started building rods now and am adding to and/or replacing a lot of those combos that I don't like something about them. It is just another part of this hobby that I love. I have given away a lot of combos I don't use anymore to young fisherman. I am a teacher so when a student shows an interest, I will try to set them up with a combo and some surplus tackle. Trying different rods, reels, and baits is one of the things I love about this sport.

We drop shot here a lot in summer on largemouth only lakes. We target deeper weed lines and offshore rock. I will rig with a trick worm, senko, fluke, other finesse worm. On the weed line we rig it weedless by Texas rigging and texposing. On the rocks, we often nose hook.

I stay very excited about fishing, but many times, the intangibles that come with fishing are just as good for me. A fox following me down the shoreline and watching me fish. Nesting eagles talking to me and diving down to get a meal. Otters playing in the water. Loons singing. Seeing a young kid with his Dad getting super excited about a catch. Often times it is the adventure more than the fish. The fish are still the drawdown the lake though. That tick on the line and hook set with anticipation. Yep, still does it.

Most around here would take you up on it. We did have a little bit of rain and a welcome cool down to mid 70’s, but it looks short lived. The 10 day is back to heat and dry. Our lay downs are out of the water now Not useful cover anymore. ?

Haha. Not many. I want to stay north here for the summers and thousands of lakes. The south will be amazing during the blizzard season and I really love southern hospitality. We just have to figure out where to go?

Geeeez, I need to move south in retirement. I can’t even imagine what an 8+ would be like. Our state record is 8-15. I only know a handful of guys who have caught a 7. My wife agreed we will head south in January and February when we retire in about 8 years. I hope I can figure out how to grab my PB down there somewhere.