Vilas15

New for 2025 from Bass Pro. It appears Johnny Morris might have purchased the company Biobait and are making it their own? I might try the paddle tail bait both for fishing and throw one in some water long term as an experiment to see what happens. "Break down faster than traditional soft plastic baits" is a pretty low bar to clear since traditional baits don't break down at all. I've always thought its strange how comfortable most fishermen are with throwing what is effectively trash into the water. If they catch fish and actually break down like they're supposed to I'd become a customer. Even if it takes a while I bet it could help prevent fish filling up their stomachs with plastics off the bottom of the lake.

Rust isn't contagious. You're not "introducing rust to the new baits". Keep the water out and you'll be fine.

Why do most new boats I see have black or dark dark grey interiors? It's less of a concern up north here but it still gets hot for a month or two. I can't imagine having black seats and sitting on those after they bake in the sun down south. Are the fabrics something new that dissipates heat well? I can at least understand the look of a black exterior so long as you're up for the maintenance to not let it be covered in water spots, but the full blacked out boats inside and out are wild to me.

They are notorious for not hooking fish well. Not sure any of the knockoff versions have solved the problem but it's a possibility. Cant ever let the pressure off otherwise you're in trouble.

Thats the gill rakers. They'll get you every once in a while and they're easier to avoid on bigger fish with more room in their mouth.

Never heard of that happening with a leader that long. Gotta be the bait choice. Too small and a probably sitting still between jerk/pull/twitches allowing them to line it up perfect and get the whole thing at once. If it's a bait that swings out wide maybe the leader ends up next to the bait instead of out in front of it. Better change something quick before he kills a few more fish. You don't even hear about this happening with live bait and some guys waiting minutes to set the hook (which you shouldn't do).

If you end up over in Vilas county I could help you out with some info. We fish a 16.5' Lund as well and it's perfect size for those lakes. I also went to ISU but for grad school.

Too light. I use 15 lb 832 on spinning reels but won't go less than 30 lb on baitcasters. I dont need the strength of 30 but the 15's just too thin and has the problem you describe.

Something about LVD... Jeff Van Remortel guides up there. I can only guess this one came from there. I've caught one natural tiger that was only 28" I believe.

Knocked our skeg clean off on a reef in canada 2 weeks ago. Insurance is paying for a new lower unit. Wish I lost a side plate instead!

I have heard parking it overnight with a cover is worse than uncovered because they can slip underneath and grab all your electronics and gear without anyone noticing. Park near lights and if you use a cover maybe get some sort of motion alarm to put underneath as well.

3 spinning, 2 baitcasters. 1 for panfish/trout. 2 for musky. So 8 total. I haven't bought any in a while and think I'm set unless I break one.

Only had to learn this lesson 3 times. Now I'm a little more intentional with my morning routine before going out on the boat. Worth getting on the water a few minutes later instead of getting a bait in the water only to put the rods away and run back to the dock or nearest undeveloped shoreline.

Hows your tire pressure?

1. Bed fishing 2. FFS 3. Snags because I fish a lot of rock 4. Wake boats 5. Tournaments (or even more so non competitive anglers) that load up there 5 biggest bass during spawning to drive them around all day for a photo at the launch before releasing them in one spot miles from where they picked them up