Sphynx

I am not sure how much effect bass have had on trout/salmon populations, I have caught several of both species standing in the same spot fishing the same lures so from where I am standing they are in at least some competition for food, but they behave very differently and seem to coexist fairly well, I hope there is a solution where both species can be allowed to exist and provide enjoyment for years to come

Daiwa reels are generally considered to be the primary competition for Shimano, and both have devoted fans, are well made, and as far as I'm concerned both brands are equally worth checking out, one may fit a bit better depending on application, or on angler preference, but neither company has a habit of releasing shoddy products, if you are worried about quality I'd put those worries out to pasture and have a look at Daiwa, I fish several of the Legalis LT and Regal LT models for trout and panfish and they are fantastic quality and very affordable

There is also serious concern in OR/WA about the aggressive advances northern pike are making towards the main Columbia River, there are some estimates from state/tribal scientists that have projected the pike to establish themselves within the next 5-10 years and it won't be long before that impacts native salmon family numbers...all in all not good.

Well, today was the day I took the plunge and decided to upgrade from my Lews American Hero combo's, picked up a St. Croix Mojo Bass 7'1" MHF casting rod and 7'1" MF spinning rod, a Shimano Curado DC and the Stradic FL in the 2500 size to go with them, I actually preferred the FL to the Ci4+ on the St. Croix rod, it balances just a bit better in my hands and just felt "right" for me, decided to give some hi vis spider wire stealth a try, 30lb and 15lb, we'll see how I like these over the next couple of weeks before I finish upgrading in this direction, but so far I think this combo is a winner

Assuming you are in a boat looking for LMB (not much of an authority at all on SMB) you can usually get away with targetting the very obvious "high percentage" structure, docks and trees etc, I have found that for hard bottoms I prefer to toss a Texas rig or a jig into these areas, and I prefer a Carolina rig for softer bottoms, having done most of my fishing on muddy bottoms I find any presentation that gets your bait towards the bottom but keeps it out of the mud is more productive than dragging a worm through muck, or for areas where I can see the top of whatever vegetation I am fishing through I have had good luck trying to get the lure right around the tops of the vegetation, edges of grass lines and transitions from sun to shade middle of the day are also productive usually, if you cruise a grass line toss a jig or a soft plastic at anything that looks uneven, even small points can hold bass, I don't own a boat so I can't help you with reading electronics, but if you stick to targeting the low hanging fruit type areas that us bank anglers can't get to and you get there ahead of other boats you should have no real problems putting your friend on a few fish, possibly even a few really nice fish.

I'm all anxiety for Monday to roll around!

Yeah, those winds are pretty stout, they have tried to keel me ded a few times already, once while I was hooked up, it certainly made my first ever smallmouth a memorable catch lol, as to Walleye, don't know the first thing about fishing for them, or Salmon/Steelhead, but that is not going to be the case 1JAN2021 if I have anything to say about it, few guide services around that are reasonably priced, and a few guys from one of the tribes has offered one of these weekends after the commercial season has ended to show me what's what, so that was pretty cool, and I fully intend on taking them up on that offer.

Well, it's been a crazy couple of years and I'm sure like many fishing was sidelined mostly for real life considerations, all that aside, I landed a contract and a Washington license and am as of the last week fishing nearly every day for anywhere between 30 minutes and 3 hours on the Columbia, this is my first exposure to smallmouth and y'all, I think you can stick a fork in me, this is a whole new evolution, these fish fight like satan himself is in their bones, what a freaking rush, I think it's going to be one hell of a summer, haven't caught anything much over a pound or two, but then a river this big and strong I don't exactly expect to hammer any ten pounders, these fish are outstanding all the same.

When I am home, a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, when I'm not at home, a 2015 Freightliner Cascadia Evolution with a Great Dane trailer...

Well, certainly not the size I was hoping for, but dad gummit that's a smallie, and I got pictures of me catching it, one species technically off the list, though I obviously hope to do much better soon lol

The alternative name for a chatterbait is a bladed swim jig...so I guess technically...lol

I have done both, sometimes a trailer makes all the difference, but be mindful of the trailer you choose, toss a trailer on a spinnerbait that is too long and it can seriously affect the way it runs, too short and the skirt gets in the way and it's no good, I would say as a general rule unless I am wholeheartedly convinced they won't bite anything else I figure a trailer is not really necessary, since the blades provide flash/thump where something like a swimjig/chatterbait needs the extra help.

It is among the more versatile presentations for the amount of money involved, soft plastics are fairly affordable, nearly any rod/reel can handle it, and it is effective enough to keep newer anglers interested, I certainly don't think the one trick pony wins many tournaments but it's a great place to start for broke college/high school kids, or people who haven't got much disposable income.

You may need to adjust your brakes as lure weight changes, I'm sure someone smarter than I can give you a scientific or systematic explanation, but I generally find that as lure weight changes, brakes need fiddling with...or your thumb if you do it that way

I've never seen a MH that was rated for less than a 3/4oz total lure weight, I agree that a MH is not really an ideal punching/heavy cover rig, but I have gone as high as 3/8oz weights on a t-rig regularly with a 7'MHF and done pretty well with it.

Usually no, but I am an avid sports fan and if my fishing times overlap a sporting event I am interested in I will absolutely listen to the baseball or football game while fishing

One, the Texas rig, still one of my favorite ones too

Bass don't do it for me, they are fun to catch, but I don't eat them, crappie on the other hand are in deep doodoo if I hook into one, because he's swum his last race, I have also always enjoyed rainbow trout as table fare, and have many fond memories of catching and cooking them growing up.

Depends on the application, I generally run braid with no leader, though when I respool my reel next I'm going to go back to using a leader as a way to preserve line, jigs, t-rigs, things that are generally not "reaction" bites that you want on bottom I'd say Fluoro, topwaters, crankbaits that you want running on the shallow end of the depth range etc go mono, mono does have the advantage of being super affordable, I personally use Berkeley Trilene, the Big Game stuff works well enough and you can get a pile of it for cheap.

Who here thinks the extra 30 for the SLX 150 XT is worth it over the older braking system? Decided I should look into a new rod/reel and this paired with a 7ish/MHF is probably going to get the nod...just curious about others experiences and opinions

No idea what the refs were in 08, but both the salesman who sold me my license and a DNR fishing regulations guide book told me that it is very probable that MN is going to be going to a year round bass season soon, might still be limited times for keeping, but catch and release will probably be a year round thing within the next 1-2 years

Sometimes the fish want an extremely erratic motion on the jerk, other times they want something more subtle, one knocker vs rattles, faster or slower cadence, sometimes even a straight retrieve works well, maybe today they want it suspending, but tomorrow they won't bite it unless it's slowly rising, or sinking, and of course one color vs another might matter, way too many subtle differences that will make themselves clear with trial and error, when the fish start smashing the jerkbait your throwing, you know you've got the right one tied on...typically I decide if it's a good time to throw a jerkbait, then I start playing around with the various models I keep in my box until I get bit.

For clear water I'd have to say a bluegill, perch, or shad would be my go to choice, and then I'd probably throw in something crazy like a citrus shad or some other wild color, I have had surprising success using a "locater" sort of color in clear water when the fish just aren't having any baitfish imitations.

I fish the husky jerk from Rapala, I don't get out much during winter which is the best time for them in my opinion, but they do ok during other times of year...just make sure you are prepared to add/subtract weight by way of hooks/split rings to get it to sink/suspend/float to your preference.

Those look like prespawn fish...easily one of my favorite times to be out fishing