BigAngus752

Interesting that you asked this right now. Mine just flip flopped three weeks ago. Up until then I was getting up and on the water before the sun was up. I would absolutely slay them with topwater for about 1.5-2hrs and then go home. Loved it. Then suddenly it came to a screeching halt. The water hit it's peak temp and the humidity moved in with no wind to speak of. I switched to evenings and a spinning rod and started catching big ones under stuff and in shade. In a couple hours in the evening for several trips I've caught at least one over 3lbs, sometimes 2 or 3. 11 fish in a few hours with a couple 3+ pounders is a great way to end a work day around my neck of the woods. I just sent my wife a pic of "bass thumb" a few days ago.

You beat me by five minutes!

It is strange. I could tell from the markings that the snake was a juvenile. Those fish are vicious fighters when you hook them. I don't know how, but the only thing I could think is the fish somehow knocked the snake senseless and then couldn't get out of it's jaws. Very weird.

It was a fight to the death, and confirms the old adage, no one wins a fight.

The only non-braid I use on my baitcasters is Yo-Zuri Hybrid 12lb. I tie only the Trilene knot and the Palomar. Excellent line with no knot issues. I did, however, try some 6lb Hybrid on a spining rod once. In two outings it broke at the knot six times and I tried four different knots. Maybe a bad batch? I have used Hybrid as a leader in a pinch and it was definitely not as consistent as having it on a full spool. Perhaps because of less stretch in a few feet of it? I typically use only leader-specific flouro as a leader on braid.

The most important thing to have "confidence" in is location. If you get good at finding bass, you'll catch bass. I have confidence in a large number of lures based on season, weather, time of day, and water clarity. If it's a bright, sunny summer day with water temps in the 80's and no wind then I have ZERO confidence in a shad-colored lipless crankbait. If it's late October and the water temps have dropped to 50 degrees and there's a decent wind blowing then that same lipless is absolutely guaranteed to catch 20 or more LM. Ask about specific conditions and you'll get better answers for confidence baits because the lures change with the conditions.

I agree 100%. I fish a public lake 15 minutes from home that is an excellent bass fishery with very good size bass. I am used to catching bass from that lake. I am also blessed to belong to a private club 25 minutes in the same direction. It's basically a private fishing reserve with a lot of water and a very limited number of members. I just got accepted this past May. The fish there are a different breed. I am not exaggerating when I say that four or five times now I was certain I had hooked a smallmouth only to find a LM at the end of my line. I also noticed that I rarely catch a bass with a hole in it's lip. I firmly believe I've caught some bass that have never been hooked in their life and those are the fish that fight like a Tasmanian devil. That's my theory, at least. Not very scientific.

I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, this is the best forum site on the internet. I have a plethora of hobbies and I am a member of numerous (probably too many) forums. The people on BR bear no resemblance to typical keyboard jockeys and that is due entirely to @Glenn and the outstanding people he has chosen to help him with this forum. It's not just informative, it's comfortable, peaceful and supportive. You've found the right place. Glad you're here.

Buzzbait. Has never happened. In defense of the buzzbait, I gave up on it years ago so it doesn't even get a chance anymore. I can't justify using it when I know for certain I am going to catch them walking a Zara Spook or retrieving a Whopper Plopper, depending on conditions.

You didn't overpay if that's what all the stores have it for. Bourbon is so ridiculous right now. You say the Eagle Rare and EH are almost non-existent, but they are never on shelves here either. I just have store managers that call me and ask if I want one because they know me. There are hundreds of liquor stores in the southern states that can't sell Eagle Rare and it sits on the shelves for $44. Just crazy. Let me know what you think of the Heaven Hill! Cheers!

If you want to do some work to find them, the MSRP on Eagle Rare 10yr is $44 and the MSRP on E.H. Taylor Small Batch is $49. Yes, I have purchased multiple bottles of those for that price or $5 or so over. In my area you have to develop good rapport with some store managers/owners but it's very possible. Both are absolutely excellent for the price. What flavor profile do you prefer? 1910 is a sweet-ish bourbon with a oily mouth-feel and some caramel. I like it but prefer the 1920 which is a slightly higher proof that brings out more flavor. If you like brown sugar and vanilla with some spice I highly recommend Wild Turkey Rare Breed ($55) in that price range. Something with less spice but full flavor is Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond (should be about $40). The bottled-in-bond guarantees exactly 100 proof and a consistent flavor. HH and McKenna are the two most popular. If you like a LOT of spice in a really rich bourbon give Smoke Wagon straight bourbon a try ($30) but really their small batch ($55) is the best buy of the brand IMO. I just poured myself some Eagle Rare 10 just because I was talking about it. LOL. Great bourbon.

'MERICA

If there is a chance of significant rain then I will pick one of the lakes that has covered docks. If it gets to really pouring and I want a break or to keep my sandwich dry while I eat lunch I'll just borrow someone's cover for a few minutes. I've fished in rain so hard that I've had to keep my bilge running all the time but that's unintentional. I don't plan to fish in rain that hard. A little rain can actually be pleasant. A lot is always annoying.

Yes! 1. No one else in my boat. Turns out if you stick to that rule you don't need to make any more rules!

I love this guy's construction videos! He puts together some good stuff.

Previous... Mustangs: 1968 Mercury Couger XR-7G big block (cousin to the Mustang in the 60's), 1970 Mustang Fastback with a 351 Super Cobra Jet (and Shaker hood) from a 1971 Torino, 1969 Mach 1 with 351 Windsor, 1987 Mustang LX, 1995 Mustang GT. Jeeps: 1948 Willy CJ3, 1985 CJ7, 1989 LJ, 1991 YJ, 1999 TJ, 2003 TJ, 2013 JK, 2014 JKU, 2014 WKII. Harleys: 1981 Softail, 2003 100th Anniv. Softail Standard, 2008 Electra Glide Ultra Current: 1985 Chevrolet C10 Silverado 1968 Mustang Coupe (owned for 34 years) 2003 Harley Fat Boy (full custom, owned 19.5 years) 2016 Harley Electra Glide Ultra Limited My son, who is about to turn 21, just bought himself a 2019 Mustang GT with a Track Pack today (with his own money). Like father like son. He doesn't fish...yet.... Here he is about 18yrs ago on the Fat Boy. He's 6'7" now.

They certainly look heavier. Thank you

Thank you. Good info. I would certainly appreciate the longer battery life but I like the large remote on my current Ultrex and I would never hold my phone while fishing. I can guarantee what would happen. LOL

How long have you had it? Any issues? What do you like compared to the standard Ultrex? What do you not like?

I think I'm going this week to look at a brand new Lund Pro-V Bass that's already set up with a 36V Ultrex Quest and the Humminbird network with two graphs. Curious if anyone has experience with one of these TMs yet? I never want brand new models of anything. I hate being the guinea pig.

And then I snap into a Slim Jim...

You can't go wrong buying any of the big three. All are excellent trucks. Heck, they even share parts now. All three half tons use the same auto trans now. I had a 2015 GMC that had turned into a repair monster so I traded for a brand new 2020 F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost. It's got just under 60,000 miles on it now and it's been absolutely flawless. I choose the Ford because of it's aluminum body. I plan on keeping it for a long time.

5:30AM, no wind and the water was almost glass. Very light misting rain. Walking a Zara Spook, looked down at my Lowrance and HEARD her suck it in and swept the rod. Topwater is the best of bass fishing IMHO. Stayed with the topwater for 2hrs and ended up with seven more on the Spook and a WP. Then went home and had breakfast with my perfect wife. I consider that a great morning. 4lb-9oz, Bone colored Spook, 12lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid on an Okuma TCS all-purpose M/H. Water temp 69 degrees and she was shallow on the rocks next to a steep drop to 8-9ft.

Exactly!