Neil McCauley

Honestly don't really measure or weight anything anymore. I suppose a 6+ lb LMB or a 4+ lb SMB are "good." Have caught 1-2 of both in the last calendar year but 99% are smaller than this.

Let's settle this. On theory, on barometric pressure:

Inspired by the bullnose rudder thread. In an effort to get my canoe to track decently on long distances, I have ordered the bullnose rudder and this "large fin skeg" for kayaks. Question is where to put the fin skeg? I am thinking the front 1/3rd of the canoe bottom. Going to epoxy it. I'll take it out and post results this weekend. Boat is a Old Town 147 and a MK C2 55lb thrust TM.

A fish finder would definitely help. I just bought a couple 1 oz jig heads and some 3" white tubes. Going to give lakers a try this weekend for the heck of it.

Have a canoe with a TM, and also do some ice fishing. Anything reasonably priced that would work for both? I am new to FF. I have been looking at the Lowrance Elite 3x.

Crankbaits, crankbaits, crankbaits. And don't be afraid of the big ones (DT16, 10XD, etc). For some reason, casting seems to be better than trolling. Probably because they like a stop-go retrieve.

I am in the area but it's one of the lakes I've not fished yet. I hear there are some monster pike in there. Looks like lots of mid lake open water structure. That's about it.

The hour before sunrise and after sunset are best for me. Seems to be a bigger difference for SMB. If I had to choose it'd be sunset.

Trout streams are very hit or miss. Generally the specific hot spots are not spoken of on online forums. Have to do some exploring.

It's tempting to try to make a keel. Something that can be tied to the gunwales.

People should keep at least 2 casting distances between boats imo.

Yea, could not find bulk purchases. I got 4 11-pks- sizes 1,2,4,6- of Mustad KVD 1x Strong 2x Short Triple Grip Treble Hooks. Mostly going on plugs and crankbaits. Did I do OK? I have been losing a LOT of fish lately so I hope this is the solution.

Depends on the kind of trout...Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, etc...

I have a 55 lb MK C2 on my 14 ft canoe. The tracking is really awful. If you are cruising at 4-5mph but not paying 100% attention to the horizon it veers off course. I wonder if the rudder will help?

Really good thought imo.

Same here.

My hardbaits need replacement trebles and I'm looking to make a bulk buy. What do you use? Also any advice on style- long vs short shank, round vs angled bend, etc.

I've been using a treble on my whacky rigs lately works well. . For some reason mid summer I lose a ton of bass also. Literally over 50% on some days. I think they just have more energy to throw the hook.

No, not really what I meant. I don't think I've ever kept 10 fish. Just 5 is fine for myself and wife. I don't start keeping them unless I'm already catching them at a good rate... a couple within a few mins for example. Don't need to actually get 10 in an hour.

Not my most productive (Skitter Pop) but it is my favorite: Bass Pro XPS "Top Knocker" I wish it was still made. It has a heavy ball bearing inside that rolls on a track end-to-end. If you twitch it gently just right the ball rolls back and creates a delayed "knock" that shakes the lure and seems to drive any bass looking at it insane. I get some really violent strikes on this. It also casts a mile, even further than a zara spook.

Almost that time of year again..."football" season.

Use a fine mesh net and scoop it around in your fishtank where your golden shiners are raised.

Color doesn't matter nearly as how good-tasting the name sounds. "Watermellon"..."green pumpkin"..."bubblegum"....yeah....

Reaction. Like all the best lures for bass. The sight of it triggers something primitive deep in their little visual cortex the same way a flashing spinnerbait does for a pike or... a glimpse of nice cleavage does to us... Does it even make logical sense to chase these things? No. But that's evolution. I think what senkos have is a lifelike response to slow currents as they're sinking. Any thing any shape any color that wavers and flexes like that as it drifts down is to bass = alive, meaty, and helpless.