FishTank

I have always wonder about the YouTube videos that test leader knots. They don't really replicate on the water results so here you go. PE #0.6 and 8lb leader with a Carrot knot. Granted it took me 10 minutes to get it in the kayak. I was using a G. Loomis NRX+ 821S and a Vanquish C2500S. The leader knot is still good. My drag washers might need to be checked though. If I had to guess, it's about 12lbs.

I buy these from a local fly shop. I believe they are made by Orvis. They come in 1/16 and 1/8oz heads. The cast pretty well on BFS gear or a hair jig spinning setup.

Braid usually for me at least backlashes the most, mono the least but I tend to like FC the best. Confusing for sure. Braid, depending on brand, can retain water changing the weight of the spool and how your braking system will work and react to casts. Braid can also flatten causing line to dig in but this takes time. Braid digs deeper into the spool and can be harder to get out. On the other hand, mono is softer and will cast better and further but breaks down faster. Some FC can kink and become weaker with backlashes. In my opinion, I would stay with a good quality mono if backlashes are the concern. I would suggest trying to grab a spool of Sunline Defier Armilo as it has been discontinued or Sunline Machinegun Cast. They also have Super Natural but it does not last as long as the aforementioned two lines.

I picked up a 4th of July Bento Box from the Hook Up Tackle. For $100, this is best box ever. All good stuff and great colors.

I've had good luck with gold colored crankbaits on few lakes I fish. They seem to work best in lower light conditions and stained water. Depth and size hasn't really been a factor, action has made a difference. Despite my luck, any time I look for a hot, new crankbait, gold is the last color in stock. Why is that? What do you guys think?

I use to fish those and you have to have light line, around 6lb and you have to run them slow (like dead slow). They are great for shallow water bank fishing so it's really just a niche lure for me. The ones I had rusted and got pitched. Not the best quality bait in my opinion. I really haven't bought anything to replace it in an 1/8oz. I pretty much stick to a 1/4oz now. I like the OSP High Pitcher. It's bigger but still small. But for pond fishing for bluegill, crappie, and bass, this lure has out produced the small spinnerbaits by a mile. It has been my cheat code as of late. If you want to just go out, have fun and catch some fish this thing below is a blast. It's the Z-man Flashback Mini. It's doesn't seem well made but I have caught over 100 bluegill on it. The supplied softplastic is not the best and will fall apart but they make a bait called the Shad Fry Micro. It works great and lasts.

I caught two on the 6in Silver Shad a couple of days ago at my local pond. It was a struggle to get the fish to commit to it. I had a lot follow it but not bite. The two I caught crushed it though, which was fun. This pond is full of bass. If I was fishing something else, I would have caught several fish.

Thanks for all the support. My break from fishing only lasted two days. I got out yesterday and caught a few. I will be revisiting the spot I hooked into this fish many times over. Maybe I will get lucky. @A-Jay I don't think I had a state record but it was definitely bigger than the 10lb 2oz bass I caught 18 years ago. I would say around 11 to 12 but not any bigger. I am still kicking myself for not grabbing the net but I will remember how this fish felt different and even looked different from any other bass I have caught. It wasn't as violent and the bite felt more like a snag. It looked almost sold black on top and almost solid white on the bottom. It was a genetic freak, at least at the lake I was on. Seeing this fish and hooking into it was awesome but it also gives me hope for future outings. Who knows, maybe this fish has some friends. 👍

I have tried several knots and this has worked the best so far. It needs to be tied exactly like this.

Usually when fish are feeding in grass this time of year, at least in my neck of the woods, they are chasing small fry. So, I will rig a small 2-3in paddle tail swimbait weedless or a 4in with a weighted ewg hook and fish right through the weeds (if it's not too thick). Around the edges of the grass, I fish an ewg ned rig.

Straight FC but I will use braid to leader on small BFS plugs and little jerkbaits from time to time.

Over the years I have noticed their baits soften up in the heat. I don't know about a new formula. I bought a few packs of Skinny Dippers back in April. They worked fine then but now in 90 degree weather, they seem squishy. Sitting in the garage, they're fine.

Its the.......

I bought my fishing buddy a Revros and so far so good. He likes it and has caught several fish without issue. It seems smooth enough and has been a solid performer. I will also say the same thing @bulldog1935 said above.

This going to sound unbelievable and I wish it was.....So I went to one of my favorite lakes today and had my mind and heart destroyed. I have only caught one double digit bass in my lifetime and thought I would never see another one, until today. I was fishing a line of weeds when a monster hit my ned rig. I was only in a few feet of water and when this fish didn't jump, I thought I caught a catfish but about 8-10 feet from kayak I could see the head. It was so big I thought I had two fish on there. As it got it closer, it jumped. That's when my mind went blank, I 💩 my pants and I forgot I had a net. All I could think of is don't loose it, keep reeling in. After a few minutes of it running, I got it right next to the kayak and went to lip it. I gently reached down, got one finger on it and snap, my line broke. This monster had gotten my line in the crevice of the rudder handle and just like that, she was gone. I stared at the water in disbelief for about 15 minutes as my new personal best swam away. The mouth on this fish was three times the size of my fist and it was as round as a volleyball. In length, it was easy to measure since it laying on its side on top of the water right next to the kayak. It's tail was at the end of my side rail and the head was just beyond the rudder handle. That's 30 inches. You guys can guess the weight but it's the biggest one I've ever seen in person. I think I need a break from fishing after today.

There is really good BOGO stuff to be had, especially the Lucky Craft baits. I can't recall them ever being on this good of deal.

Not sure what this guy is. Any ideas? I caught it in a local creek. Looks like a darter fish but I've never caught one or seen one out of the water. Whatever it is, I'm pretty sure I was not supposed to catch it.

That would not be the hook I would use. I would probably throw that around some heavy cover with a senko. Also, the senko would be a better choice around weeds and cover. The Flick Shake works better around light cover and rocks. It's also a good choice for fishing deeper water with some patience. Below on the left are wacky hooks that I would not use on the Flick Shake. They are larger and have heavy wire. On the right would be the style I would choose. The one with the arrow pointed to it is from Zappu and works perfectly with the Flick Shake.

I don't see the mat finish weights on their site and I don't recall them ever being labeled. I have ordered plenty over the years from them. For a good marked, mat weight, I like Mustad and Nako but it's hard to beat the prices and quality of the original OM weights.

I have not had much luck with the Stunna lures but the few fish I have caught have been stuck pretty well. The hooks seem solid to me. For replacements I like the Owner ST-36's, the Ryugi Pierce and the Gamakatsu G-Finesse hooks depending on the jerkbait. I am thinking the same though. Braid will pop fish off easily especially if they jump. Also as you mentioned, the rod as well could be a factor.

I use a Wilderness Kayak Crate. I don't always take it on a boat but it can sit between the two seats pretty easily and it holds more than enough.

Got home today after a little road trip and the Monkey had these waiting for me. It felt like I had won the lottery. If you have fished one, you might know what I mean.

How about the 90mm handle that goes on the Steez A II? I put one on a Steez CT and it works great. The original handle always felt small but I didn't want to put a big bulky handle on it. The 90mm seemed to be the ticket.

They're very similar. Between the two I kind of like the Twin Power better. It feels better balanced but not by much. I like the drag better on the Certate. Both reels are smooth but in different ways. It might be a personal preference on this topic. The line lay on Twin Power is also slightly better. You really can't go wrong with either one.

It has been just a blast to fish. I have it paired with a Megabass P5 Whippet. This combo has brought in a ton of fish and despite the rod being 6'6'', it will cast a mile with some light braid. I can't speak completely for the Stella but I have played with one and I think the Twin Power is slightly smoother. For the money, you can't beat it, except maybe with the Vanquish but I would have a hard time choosing between those two.