AC870

From the lake to the fryer. The wife loves bluegill fishing. Kept some for the first time in a couple years. Fried them the day they were caught. This meal was some count!

I’m on the lower end of Guntersville. Wide open water and wind a lot of afternoons. I got back in the boat business 4 years ago, I had an Xpress H50. I loved that little boat but there were 2 setbacks. No storage to speak of and it was only 16 feet long. I sold it (which I still regret a little because I really did like the boat) and got a Triton TR19. This is a dual console boat. Difference in ride and storage is significant. But it’s not apples to apples comparison since 16 vs 19 feet. I still look at larger aluminum boats and sometimes plot to get another one. The wife is like “No, way. You’re nuts. You’re not trading our fiberglass boat for an aluminum boat.” We fish under bridges some and I never worried about the aluminum like I do the glass under there.

So, how’s the Xpress working out? I bern thinking this same thing. I’d love to pull my Triton to the beach the time or two I go every year but the salt would eat up my painted trailer. Been thinking of going with 18-foot aluminum with an aluminum trailer. No idea when I’ll pull trigger.

It’s a little late for the traditional “bluegill season” here on the Big G but the wife and I got into them and caught well over 100 this a.m. Ol’ Mr. Whiskers tested my ultralight!

Pads are out on Gville. No mats yet. These things were popping like a mat will in the fall. Picked up a bass on the Shim E Stick you see in photo but disappointed I didn’t catch more.

Personally, think building a rod is overkill for this application. I have the Walmart Abu Vendetta 5-6 Light, not ultralight, and it is a fine gill rod. My other panfish rod is a 6-6 medium Shimano Sojourn. I spool both with 6 or 8 lb mono, preferably 8. I got tired of bass hitting my cricket and breaking me off.

I just got the Lew’s Mach II Metal Speed Spin combo from Dick’s for $119 shipped. Hadn’t got to fish it a lot yet but I think I’m really going to like it. There are some solid deals out there on combos if you look.

Zoom Ultravibe Speed Worm, Red Bug Whopper Plopper Trick worm/Shim-E-Stick Lipless crankbait squarebill Planning to play a little more with ned rig, drop shot, underspin.

Great job. Congrats.

I been trying to pare down some. Pack 3 Plano boxes and a gallon bag of soft plastics in a duffel bag. Fished with 3 baitcasters and 2 spinning rods all day yesterday. It’s not the end of the world to retie on the boat. A palomar and an improved clinch are pretty easy to tie. There are 3-4 rods in the garage that hadn’t been out in awhile. Couple are spooled with braid and will get used for punching/frogging this fall.

Fished the Foodland Tournament on the Big G this morning. 200 boats. Pic doesn’t do it justice. We caught short fish all day. Couldn't put anything together

Good grief. What’d that beast weigh.

I wasn’t going to buy another rod and reel. Had fought it hard. But I sold a rod and reel. And the Lew’s Mach II spinning combo was on sale for $120. And I love the Winn grips. So an order was made. Looking forward to throwing finesse baits on the new rig. Should be here by end of week.

Cut him loose until he grows up.

Yellow trick worm.

Welcome back. Word of warning: it’s an addictive puppy.

If you can, pre-fish. I went in cold on the Big Bass Tour last year on my home lake. I’ll not do that again.

Caught 2 on RedEye Shad in last few months. You think you got something decent for just a second, then they start that roll. Caught one on an ultralight with a cricket bluegill fishing the other evening. Little ultralight held up good.

First Whopper Plopper Bass of the season for me. Sent pic to a buddy, who said “That little guy is fighting outside his weight class.”

My latest purchase: Scottsboro Tackle Swimbaits.

It’s bluegill/shellcracker season on Guntersville. Wife and I caught 110 in 2 hours after work. This shellcracker is biggest one wife ever landed..

I been thinking about selling some of the stuff I never catch with - spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, jigs. I like Texas rigs, lipless crankbaits, Whopper Plopper. I’m going to give the shaky head an honest shot this year.

My great nephew Jace and a nice Guntersville 5-pounder. It was slow for us Sunday afternoon. Weather has been up and down. But spending time with the little man and his dad and this fish made it eventful.

I’d take a look at Xpress. They have a great reputation due to the Hydrolift hull. My next boat will be a big Xpress.

Usually but not always.