Columbia Craw

I’ll see them in person before long. Pre spawn dirty water magic.

Mike, you should show your Cosmic Orange Twist spinnerbait.

May. “Winter stays along time this high.”

You have to fish where they live. Fish the time of year they are accessible. Fish baits and techniques that are proven. Fish high percentage locations. Fish gear that won’t fail. Fish often.

Still looking

I was watching a documentary on the Smithsonian channel and a team of salvage divers found Lake Menderchuck on the bottom of Lake Michigan. Mystery solved.

Well I’m 71 and for the most part, still in good shape. I use a butt seat for stability. I have neuropathy in my feet so standing on a trolling motor for hours gets painful. I just have to take a short break. I just bought a new thermal vest which has some flotation built in. I always use a pdf when running and a kill switch. I also know I’m not 50 anymore.👍

I have an uncanny ability to stay focused with my binoculars .

Split tail lizard.👍

Many years ago, YUM produced the Zellamander named after Zell Roland. It has been my all time favorite Carolina rig plastic. Smallmouth ate them like no other. It has a twin tail and was soft. I ran out and never could find them. So I stumbled, something I do a lot now, and checked Bitter’s Baits and lo and behold, they produce the exact same lure. Maybe from the same mold??? And they are soft. I can die a happy man.

Major tournament circuits have undergone a major transition in the last couple of years. Controversies have followed. This is not new to the sport. Outboard motor horsepower went from 150 to 250 and boats got bigger and more controversy followed. Rod lengths changed and more controversy followed. Electronics have seen the greatest technological advancements followed by more controversy. Frankly, I don’t care. The only thing that I do care about is the change in the culture. One positive about that is I’m willing to let technology pass me by. I prefer to stay in the era where I cut my basing fishing teeth. It’s like wanting to own a 72 Chevelle SS. That’s my era. I never want to know if our kids were boy or girl. That’s my era. I didn’t pass any torch. Others just learned to light their own.

I like the song lyric, Love the one you’re with.

Blue craw with red flake Rage Bug affixed to an Owner 4/0 EWG, 5/16 Sieberts tungsten flipping weight, pegged on Diawa 20lb J Floro.

I’ll double second Sieberts. Mike also offers a Tungsten jig that reduces the size but provides a stronger hook. I get all my jigs from Mike and wire tied.

TD Fuego OG Zillion SV 105 SV 103 (best Daiwa ever made Daiwa SS SV Ballistic EX 3000 Shimano Castaic Shimano Curado 100B SF

Zone on Santee Cooper.

Just in case you are interested, I bought this vest. The arm holes are a bit snug but I like the product and the concept. It’s not bulky, just the right length and exceptionally well made. I have no plan to test the flotation being water rep is 40 degrees. Better to go safe.👍

Perspective and context. Pros? What bodies of water? The annual big nine? Practice or no practice? Neutral locations? Parody in funding? There is no doubt in my mind that there’s a handful of anglers who could compete and well. Dominate? Not likely.

Reaction Innovation’s Man Bear Pig. Missile Baits Baby Destroyer. Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog. You don’t hear much about these baits but they are very very effective for me.

I also have both, Chatterbound and. Bandersnatch. For bladed jigs the Chatterbound is my choice. It’s an exceptional rod but very simplistic. The MB is apples and oranges. What it has going for it, besides good looks, is a “regular” action. That action will be a plus in bladed jig fishing. It’s also pretty sweet for spinnerbaits, buzz baits and Super Spooks.

The term coach is relative. Coaching is a teaching style. Sharing knowledge is teaching. Coaching is a style to help show or demonstrate how to apply that knowledge to the level you develop skills. When I was a police officer I coached young/new officers how to gain and apply knowledge and they developed skills along the way. As far as bass fishing, I’ve coached high school kids in much the same manner. I’ve also had many many anglers teach or coach me. The greatest lessons however have been self taught. Don’t underestimate your own ability to teach yourself, learn your own lessons or develop your own skills. Too much of today’s lessons are just given without the expectation of having to work at seeking knowledge and information. There’s no sacrifice or work involved and there is little vetting of what is being handed out. Put in the work and the reward will follow. That is something I try to instill in the high school team anglers.

I’ll wear my Mustang when running the big motor. I want the benefit of assisted flotation. I’m aware there’s no Coast Guard approval. Thanks!

Sizing in line? Thanks!

Tatula 200.

Has anyone here had or has any experience with Striker’s Float Vest? My other half is rightfully insisting I wear a PFD when fishing solo. This looks like a reasonable option.