NYWayfarer

I have had nothing but positive experiences with Lew’s customer service. I have ordered parts, spare spinning reel spools and even the little badge that fell off my baitcaster. Nothing but friendly helpful service by phone and email.

I fished all weekend with a sinus infection and a huge scrape on my calf from falling over a fire pit. Unlit fire pit thank goodness. I probably would have fished with 2nd degree burns knowing me.

Whiskey and Coke Zero or Vodka and Tonic are my go to cocktails.

That’s what I use for Kayak fishing most trips. I try and pack as light as possible and this tackle bag is the perfect size for the minimalist.

Father’s Day fishing session with my Son. Lots of Bass and Bluegill caught. We had a great time. He caught the biggest fish that day. I am very proud as he is a lot further along with his fishing skills than I was at his age. Especially with a baitcaster.

Friends came to visit over the weekend and rented a house on a local lake. Fishing was great. We caught lots of Bluegill from shore. I was using the Eurotackle EPF Swim. A 1” swimbait on a 1/32 oz Eagle Claw jighead. A fantastic rig that produced fish all day long. Most of the gills were 1/2 to 3/4 of a pound. And this one that needed to visit Dr Pimple Popper

I can get by happy in life with my St Croix Triumph medium action rod paired with a Lew’s Speed Spin SS20HS total price $160 Same with my St Croix Bass X medium action casting rod paired with a Lew’s LFS baitcaster total price $209

I fish alone most of the time I enjoy fishing with others as well. Most of the time no one wants to go. If they do it’s not when I want to. Most days I am on and off the water before these folks get outta bed.

Favorite makes a 4 piece casting rod for $60 called the Favorite fishing Army Geo rod. Comes in a clear plastic package that doubles as a travel case. Its my stick of choice when flying somewhere I can fish. Fits in my suitcase nicely.

No river giants yet but I am having lots of fun with the Whopper Plopper 60 My other catches have come on a Zman Finesse TRD on a Kastking Ned jig EWG hook. Anytime I can get to fish the last few weeks is a blessing. My Dad had a nasty fall and his health has deteriorated as a result. He is finally home from the hospital. That presents a whole new set of challenges as my elderly Mom is his primary caretaker. Between work, my own responsibilities at home and helping take care of him I am stretched pretty thin.

In these parts the weeds get the same treatment as mob informants...they get whacked!

If it’s that color that interests you, try looking at the Abu Garcia Ike reels. They have the same paint job.

There is a local place near me called Martha’s and another that the original owners of Martha’ opened called Rob and Deb’s Frozen dreams. They make the best soft serve ice cream I have ever had. My favorites are the pistachio and the Dole Whip Strawberry. The strawberry is my number one. I love it because it has no chunks of fruit in it. I love strawberry ice cream but hate the frozen chunks of berry in most brands.

The weather this weekend here kept most folks off the water. I hike and fish secluded areas on Holiday weekends.

What time is it? Plopper time! Finally the topwater bite is back in my neck of the woods. Strong cold front pushed through here this weekend. Brought temps down to the 40’s at night and 50’s during the day. Mostly cloudy and rain. This morning was 46 degrees when I left the house. I debated on bringing my Lew’s LFS Inshore/St Croix Bass X combo with my new Whopper Plopper 60 tied on. Glad I did. It was my most productive lure. I was able to catch Smallies and Chain Pickerel chasing baitfish in a cove from the bank. I could see the baitfish jumping out of the water to get away from these predators. It was a simple matter of casting the Plopper just past the commotion and reeling it fast or violently jerking it through that area to entice a feeding frenzy.

Catch and release. I did give a couple to a fishing buddy. He loves to eat them.

I have been obsessed with the Bullhead fishing this spring. I have a rod rigged with a Nightcrawler on a circle hook each time I am bank fishing. I tie a bell on the end of my rod as a bite alarm so I can concentrate on other species while that bait soaks. That bell has been such a welcome sound this season.

It’s been a fantastic multi-species year so far. I am enjoying catching all that my local waters have to offer. I spooled up my old Shimano Symetre 1500 reel with 6# line a paired it with my St Croix 6’ ML Avid and caught some big Pumpkinseed. Big Yellow Perch as well Bottom fishing for Brown Bullheads Paddletail swimbait fishing for Chain Pickerel Ned rig fishing for Rock Bass

First Smallmouth Bass of the year!

I am salivating just looking at the picture. Had a half bottle of Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon wine tonight. A nice way to unwind from last week before the new one begins.

My best advice for someone new is be observant. Watch what the fish are doing. Are Bass chasing baitfish around? Tie on a paddle tail swimbait. Are they coming up top to investigate something floating? Tie on a topwater. No sign of activity? Tie on a jig, Ned or bottom bait.

I can see this combo working well with a 1/10 oz Shroomz jighead/finesse TRD rig fishing on my kayak.

Striped Bass. It’s a sin to live in this state and not have caught one. Every time I made plans for a trip for Striped Bass something came up and derailed me.

I was visiting some relatives this weekend a couple of hours from home. I packed no fishing equipment and wouldn’t you know an opportunity to fish presented itself. A quick trip to the local Walmart fishing section and I was able to put together a nice little combo. Abu Garcia MaxZ 10 spinning reel $35 paired with a Lew’s Laser HS 6’ medium light rod $30, 110 yard spool of 6# Berkley Trilene XL and I was ready for some Trout fishing. The MaxZ reel impressed me. Casted like a bullet. Drag performed great. No anti reverse switch. 35 fish caught, zero issues.

Sticker says made in Korea so that theory is correct. Looks like it has more magnets than my Mach Crush. It’s graphite framed so not quite a Tournament MP or KVD both of which are aluminum framed.