SPEEDBEAD.

Still can't. LOL

I'm sure there is some stuff up there but there are exactly ZERO plans and ZERO funds to refill. If, and that's a big IF, they ever put water in there again it's going to be waaaaaay in the future.

When I get out the sissy stick, it's the lowest cost one I throw. 6'10" BPS Extreme and 2500 Symetre. Total cost on sale and after discounts was around $120 or so. Frog combo is also around that price, Fenwick Venture and Revo S-L

All good suggestions but I'd say save up for a *** hardgill. The initial cost seems high but the overall value of longevity and effectiveness irons that out for you. I've had one for about 5 years now. It's beat up and looks like hell but it still swims and catches fish like nobody's business.

The first one tail walked with about 3/4 of its body up out of the water. Kinda like a smallmouth....with bigger teeth.

LOL, you know what I mean.

Bro, that lake is DONE. Completely drained, no plans to fix the dam and refill.

I'd say there is a reason Dwight fishes out of that big walleye boat and not a "bass" boat. This would serve as pretty good confirmation of that decision.

I hope no one fishes the same stuff I do around me honestly. If the price of the bait scares people away from throwing them, it's just another leg up on the competition (the bass, not a tourney guy).

They are good baits. Pretty popular in the upper Midwest and Northeast. Very durable, which is nice since we have toothy fish. The tail kick is kinda subtle. I agree that his new bluegill bait does look promising.

Dropping it in cool water after boiling can help with the wait time. Your bait shouldn't still be that hot after an hour though. Letting it sit on it's side in the box, especially if it is warm outside, will just kink your tail again. Make a box that allows the baits to hang down and you won't have to worry about it. Just about the only bait I have seen that doesn't get kinked is the RealPrey stuff made from silicon.

I like CLP also.

Seems to loosen up the plastic a bit. Some guys hang them by the tail for drying and have said that it lengthens the bait a bit. I don't have firsthand experience with that though. I boil most of my baits, right out of the box. Things can get funny when they sit in a bag or clamshell. It boosts my confidence if I know a bait will run true. One bit of advice: Only boil the back half of the bait, at most. I made the mistake of dipping a whole bluegill once. Eyes came right off the bait.

Very carefully.

Yep, wading. It's fun standing waist deep in moving water with a 3 foot long fish swimming around you.

One is a good night, two is pretty darn special. Caught, photographed, released two toothies last night in about 2.5 hours.

LOL, you have read some of my aimless ramblings right? You're in good company. No need to split.

I gotta throw it out there that I work a second job solely to support my fishing and gun habits. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. LOL

LOL, FOS. That cracked me up.

I realize that these things aren't for everybody and honestly, I'm good with that. I'm a little off the beaten path most times and this goes hand-in-hand with my personality. I fish for one fish (or two if I'm lucky ). In the time I've been throwing these things, I've lost only a couple lures. When compared to the fish I've caught, the price is relatively small. I fully believe that without those specific lures in those specific situations, not all of those fish would have bit.

Just as you pointed out with your reels, you will never know until someone shows you or you try for yourself. Your assumptions about "ultra realistic swimbaits" are just that. Until you have used one or seen it applied properly, you are just grasping at straws as to whether or not a generic minnow bait will produce just as well. I'll concede that in some situations, you are absolutely correct in that they will eat whatever is in front of them. However, the days where they are in lockdown or in less than ideal conditions, you will see a difference. I've seen it. Others have too.

Last night was the first time I had it in the water. I think its a keeper. It's a converted SK, just called it a SS to ease any confusion here. LOL

No clue, that was the second one of the night. Water was really warm and I didnt want to keep it out any longer than I had to. Mid 30's probably. Both fish were really thick but didnt have length. My buddy I fish with (who catches WAAAY more skis than I do) reported seeing one that was pushing 50. He doesnt fish the big stuff so he gave me a call to see if I could tempt the big girl. Only the little sisters wanted to play though.

Yeah, I would. Different strokes for different folks. In the last week I've thrown free Bassmaster baits I got for previously signing up and I've also thrown $200+ baits. Deps Slide Swimmer from last night.... It doesn't make me a better person for spending the money on them and it doesn't make anyone a better person for saving their money for something else. It's just fishing. Fish what you want and what you feel gives YOU the best opportunity for the fish of a lifetime. As long as someone isn't waving the $$$ in your face (which yeah, I have a problem with), then just go fish. It's supposed to be fun, whether you are fishing an NRX/Stella combo or a snoopy rod.

Off topic, but I can't catch anything on the A-rig.