HawkeyeSmallie

Well when we are talking back and forth via email and he then asks for my telephone number, I guess I’d expect him to call me back. Apparently he doesn’t need the business bad enough.

Looking forward to hearing about how it goes. I was going to get a guide this fall but he never called me back. It's my dream trip.

This is gold. Thanks!

I believe it’s owned by the county. The sign has been out there a long time. It’s such a small lake I don’t think it’s high on the DNR’s list to manage.

Well not really. I've fished on and off since I was kid with years off here and there. This year I've fished the most in over 20 years and largemouth are definitely new to me. IF the lake is truly overpopulated which I assume it is. I still have the following question: I'm debating about talking with the conservation officer and/or the fisheries biologist.

Yeah I use the double pitzen myself. However I'd like to find an alternative. For me, the double pitzen gets very difficult when you are tying to a just a hook as opposed to a bait. For example a hook for a wacky worm. Feels like I need a third hand.

Just once. It's been surveyed once this year. 84% were 8-12" 16% were 12-15"

There's a very local lake that I fish, only around 20 acres. I've fished it most of the summer either going after bass or big bluegills. I can normally go out there and easily catch 10-15 bass. The problem is they probably average maybe 12". I've caught two 15 inchers this summer but that's it. I've wondered if they were overpopulated. Fast forward to a few days ago at another smallish lake (30 acres) and it's a night and day difference. Second cast resulted in a 18.5" heavy bodied fish. At least 3.5 lbs. I also caught a really nice 16" fish. Third largest was just shy of my season's best at the other lake. Needless to say, from now on I'm going to drive an extra 20 minutes for some bigger fish. Anyways, doesn't it seem like it's overpopulated? The sign at the boat ramp says anything under 15" has to be thrown back. I'm debating about talking with the conservation officer and/or the fisheries biologist. Anyone else run into something similar? Thoughts? Thanks!

Well last night I tried a jerkbait for the first time. Was a short outing but fun. Didn't catch any bass (on the jerkbait) but caught three crappies, one almost 13". Anyways, I'm using 10 lb Tatsu as line. My question, with the constant jerking, does that eventually mess up your knot? Should I be periodically retying? Thanks!

I've seen that but assumed it was a cheap knockoff or something. Hard to trust sellers these days. It's legit????? How's that even possible?!

Where did you get those big spools of Tatsu? Thanks!

I'm to the point where if I use floro it's only going to be Tatsu. I don't have good luck with any of the other Seaguar lines. I HATE floro.

I actually threw a french pearl last night for the first time ever. Going after bass of course and caught three crappies. One was 1/2" shy of an Iowa Master Angler award! First time I've ever thrown a jerkbait. Me likey.

Well this happened before the lure even hit the water. There’s a knob and a wrench for it.

What colors do you like to throw with some good wind/chop?

Well I treated myself to an extremely nice reel. Bought a Steez SV TW from a Japan store. No way I was paying the American price. Anyways, I didn't mess with the knob because I heard you didn't need to. I caught two really nice bass before I tried to make a longish cast. In mid flight, before the bait even hit the water I had a terrible backlash that snapped the line and sent my jig flying in the air. To say I was sad was an understatement. I watched a youtube video where a guy was making casts without putting his thumb on it and said it was dang near impossible to backlash. I was throwing I would say a 3/8 oz bass jig with a trailer on it. Not sure what I did wrong.

This over???????

Hot dang, went out this afternoon trying a different lake. Second cast of the day with my trusty white Terminator spinnerbait I caught an 18.5” bass. This girl had a massive body on it for that length. Definitely a top 3 bass for me this summer.

Abso100%lutely.

Thanks. I've got a swimbait rod that can handle 3.5 oz. At least that's what it says on the blank. I'm sure it would be fun to throw but with no electronics I'd just be casting blindly out into the lake.

What's a typical A rig setup weigh?

I'm around the CR area. Born and raised. Go Hawks!

Holy cow, maybe this is why I lose some fish as well. Sunday night my biggest bass jumped and threw my spinnerbait. I'm fishing from a kayak, but many times I'll set the hook on the right side of it and switch to the left to reel it in. I'm really trying to not let them jump if I can help it. This guy was farther out though and spit it before I realized he was coming up.

I'm a big catch and release guy. It probably shouldn't but it bothers me when I see some guys keep everything no matter how big or small. Not to be racist, but there's a dam I like to fish that's very popular and a minority population keeps EVERYTHING. Last time I was there a guy kept a 7 pound walleye and a 3 pound bass. At the same time he kept an 8 inch walleye. Literally kept everything.

If you don't mind, let's here some details. Mostly wondering what baits you were throwing. Thanks!