8pt172

Wolves in the Upper Peninsula will kill many deer at a given time in the winter yards and leave them lay. It is like shooting fish in a barrel when the deer are in huge numbers in close proximity. A predators instinct is to catch and kill things. That is why we often use reaction baits to catch bass who are not actively feeding.

Yes I saw that after i posted it. Is there a way to delete a post?

I use only 8 and 10lb braid on my SM set ups with 6-12lb FC leaders, depending on the structure, especially zebra mussels, etc.

Has anyone tried the new Berkley x9? or the Spiderwire Ultracast braid? I have been using Suffix NanBraid and was curious how these new lines are fairing?

Just purchased a NEW Limited Edition G. Loomis IMX-PRO 7'2" MH XF rod with a Shimano Bantam MGL 7.1 for $399.99. pre ordered and received $50 off The best bait caster I currently own is a Curado 150 DC, so I thought I would try one of the better Shimano's but didn't want to break the bank with a Metanium or Antares. Plus I love my several G. Loomis rods. Was say You?? Sorry just saw this was posted Friday.

Finesse Swimbait to me is the (Black) Marabou jig. Hard to beat when the water is cold and the fish sluggish or super heavy pressured.

Great Question!!! Spring time below 45 degrees can't beat the black marabou jig, and for 45 plus, it is the Keitech Fat 3.3 and 3.8' Sun gill swim bait. I slow crawl it along the bottom, keeping in contact with the bottom the best I can. When the fish transition onto the beds, the TRD is a killer. Suspended Summer Bass are the worst creatures to find and catch. Limited success with a Spy Bait and Deep Jerk on windy days. Deep crank has saved a day or 2 also. Fall, they eat most everything when you find them. Spinnerbaits and Jerkbaits in the wind are killer, when it gets flat calm the TRD and the Tube are my go to. Just starting to experiment with different drop shot presentations, but haven't had better success than with the baits mentioned above yet. If I had to only fish 1 bait all year, it would have to be the Keitech Fat.

Well, the first 2 hours of the break in is completed and I have been opening up the motor to WOT, and am getting 42 mph with 2 people and half tank of gas. The hole shot is much better and the RPM's at WOT is ideal at 5900-6000. So the 19 pitch was a good choice.

I find SMB a lot like Whitetail deer, they are creatures of the edges. I look for sand and weed edges and rock and sand edges. They seem to stay on the sand the majority of the time, only to enter the weeds or rocks when actively feeding. In lakes with large weed flats, look for isolated sand pockets. Often the SMB will hold up in these areas, opposite of a LMB where they will berry themselves in the cover.

A tiny 1/8 oz Black marabou jig will entice the BIGGEST SMB in the lake. Caught many 5+ and lost a couple TRUE GIANTS 7+ at the boat, thanks to the tiny hooks. But when the water is in the low to mid 40's, its the only bait i can get consistently bit on. I always cut the bottom 3rd off my tubes that are 3.5" or bigger. Just seem to bet better hook sets with the baits a little deeper in their mouths. In the Spring, the 2.5" tubes are definitely my size of choice. Match the color with the bottom is the key for me.

From watching several TV guys, they kill them all over the place on that end of the Lake

I pick it up tonight and start the break in process tomorrow. I have a G3 Angler 16.5', mod v. It ran 35 mph with the 70 hp and aluminum prop. I am primarily looking for better cruising speed and performance. I am sure with the 90 SHO, I will achieve this. Not worried about Top Speed.

I fished it a couple years ago, but during pre-spawn and had a good day. Started out on the long point on the NW side with tubes and swim baits and caught a dozen SMB, biggest about 4.5#. I then went east and north around the corner and caught a 5.5# LMB on a Swimbait. I was targeting SMB so I didn't go to the East side where I was told the larger LMB population is. A local told me the LMB is becoming the dominant species in numbers over the past few years.

I am hoping this new engine and SS prop combination will significantly increase my boat's performance!!!

Thanks, I spoke to several dealers who sell them and they all suggested a 19 pitch. So by next week I will have my new Re-Power on my boat!!! My problem was I was going from a 70 hp with 2.15 gear to a 90 SHO with a 2.33. I had nothing to reference with my boat. So, hopefully this puts me in the 5750-6000 range at WOT