Bass Whoopin'

Because it is extremely rewarding. There is nothing like catching a bass on a technique that you have been practicing for a long time. We spend a ton of money on fishing tackle and new lures that come out in hopes that it will give us the competitive edge to catch that bass of a lifetime. When things finally start working and you finally figure out that lake and where to fish it to produce fish it can be addicting because you are starting to see your time on the water pay off. Everyones answer to this will probably be different but i think it has a lot to do with generally being a very rewarding sport/hobby. Anything fun can be addicting to a certain extent.

If they hit it and miss grab a senko or drop shot rig and cast right where the blow up was. If they aren't really eating the topwater go finesse. Try a punch rig or a texas rigged bait and try a drop shot or a whacky rig. Fish it slow. Jigs would be good to try as well. You can never go wrong with finesse if they are being picky.

I think a lot of it has to do with how rewarding it is. We spend countless hours on the lake or pond hopping just in hopes to hook the fish of a lifetime. We also spend thousands and thousands of dollars on fishing tackle over the course of our lifetime to help us do so. We experiment with certain lures and try all the fancy and new stuff no matter how gimmicky it may be. We practice our presentations and techniques so that when that day comes where the moment presents itself to pitch into a tight pocket where we think a good bass is lurking we are ready for it. Honestly it's just rewarding. Once you catch a good sized fish or you have that day where you are just catching them left and right it's a massive confidence booster and you just want to keep fishing to see what else you can catch. Those of us that go fishing 3 to 4 times a week and spend an entire day on the lake all know exactly what it's like. It's just peaceful and really rewarding. I've been fishing for years and most girls i date want me to take them but after an hour or so they just could care less. Where as i can sit there for 8 hours in my kayak and paddle around and not say a word for those 8 hours and just enjoy catching and releasing fish and letting the kayak bob up and down with the waves and listen to the water and birds. It's just peaceful and relaxing to me. There is nothing like it in this world. It's just an addiction we have that we love. Could be worse. It's better than drugs and alcohol isn't it? Lol probably just as expensive if you like to buy nice reels and all the new tackle as they come out each year but it's really the only hobby i have so i figured i might as well go all in for it haha. I'm addicted and i'll admit it. We all have that thing we love. Fishing is that one thing for me.

I always offer to help the older guys when i see them struggling to get their boat in the trailer. We usually get to talking for a bit and that's how a lot of good conversations are started. That's also how i hear a lot of great stories from the old timers. They even have some really good tips too. I was always taught to treat my elders with respect. That's just common sense in my family.

Be careful with that. It's not pulling the load that's the issue it's stopping the load. I don't have that problem. I just bought a 2019 Toyota Tundra. Sold my 2017 Tacoma TRD Sport and went with the big ole 5.7L V8. However when i was a kid we got away with towing a pop up with a Toyota Sienna Van. That was pushing it though. Get the right tool for the job.

I love my Jackson Cuda HD. I got it because it's much cheaper than a bass boat. I'd like to get a Nitro someday but the Kayak is a hell of an experience for the price. I mounted a lowrance Hook2 5 HDI on it and it's a sweet little rig for some bass fishing. Gonna try some musky fishing out of it next year. Never been in a tandem kayak though. I like being in control of my own rig.

I've had this feeling before as well. One of those "I hope he makes it" moments. Just from the way it was hooked and how i had to get it out. It happens. But that fish is probably gonna die sooner or later from being prey, a bad year in temperature/ pressure changes to the body of water, etc. But that doesn't mean showing remorse or feeling a certain way is a bad thing. I've had that feeling too. It sucks. I love fishing and appreciate all the catches i get no matter how big or small. Seeing them swim away is always the cherry on top. However, there are a lot of hunters who feel sad after they harvest an animal after a hunt. There is nothing wrong with that. Some people can do it year after year and feel nothing, while others may feel sad. We all have our differences. It happens though, don't beat yourself up over it. If that fish shares the water with Musky that hook is nothing compared to what the teeth of a musky would do to that fish... It's the circle of life. Do your best to remove the hook and keep fishing. You could always go to a single hook or barbless hooks if it bothers you that much. It would be harder to catch and you may lose more but i wouldn't lose sleep over it. It's all apart of fishing bud, shake it off and learn from it.

You could have a custom rod built that caters to your exact needs. I know it's easier to just buy one from a dealer/ company but more money does not always mean a better rod. Also just because you spend a lot doesn't mean it's any better than the other rod models from that specific company. I'm having a custom rod made to go with my Pro Ti reel. I have had countless people recommend him to me and say that his rods are comparable to top of the line loomis rods. I paid $230 to have it made and i'm pretty excited to try it out when i get it. I have a Pro Ti rod with the Pro Ti reel and i'm curious to see how a custom rod compares at 30 dollars cheaper. I hear once you go custom you'll never go back to manufactured rods again. We shall see. I used to have a Shimano Zodias with a Stradic Ci4+ and let me tell you that was the nicest spinning setup i have ever used in my entire life. I regret selling it. I love Lew's but their spinning reels aren't the greatest. Their casters on the other hand in my opinion are amazing. But shimano makes really solid stuff too. I've been wanting to try some of the DC series reels shimano makes. But anyways check out some custom rod makers and see what they can quote ya for a custom built rod. Best of luck on your decision! Tight lines!

Get yourself some practice plugs from the store or order them online. Eagle claw makes some. They are basically orange weighted plugs that you can tie on so you can practice. They are great for pitching and flipping practice and just overall practice to see how a reel handles certain weighted lures. I have a big yard so i tie them on every once ina while to test out a new reel/rod combo etc. I also practice pitching/flipping into the holes inside my nieces play house. It has the perfect sized windows and holes in the rock wall to practice my accuracy when pitching and flipping

I have a murdered out 2019 Tundra with the SX package. Extended cab with the long 6.5 foot bed. Fits my 7 foot 4 rods in the cab or in the bed diagonally. Toyota for life!!

Just picked up a Lew's Pro Ti reel as a Christmas gift for myself. And i thought it would match and pair really nice with the new Pro Ti rod as well. But 250 bucks for a rod seems steep to me. Typically i don't spend more than 100-130 on a rod. I really like my Lew's TP1 rod as it seems to be a really good bang for the buck and anything beyond that price tag just seems to get more gimmicky with the technology and the law of diminishing returns seems to kick in. Now i know the same can apply to reels as well and I know quite a few anglers who only use G Loomis rods and they are nice but i just can't seem to justify the price tag. I used to have a Stradic Ci4+ on a Zodias rod and that was quite the setup. Felt really really good but i actually found myself using my Lew's "Team Lew's Pro" Spinning reel on my TP1 rod more than the Shimano setup. So i ended up selling it to a buddy angler who uses Shimano exclusively. So does anyone have any experience with the Pro Ti rod? Is it worth the $250 or should i just pick up another TP1 rod and call it a day? I guess everyone can find different justifications for how much they spend on tackle so it's sort of subjective to the individual but if anyone has any experience with the Pro Ti rod i'd love to hear it. Positive or negative. I know a lot of people wouldn't drop the money on a reel like mine so i get that everyone sorta draws their line differently based on their budget and what they find useful. Any suggestions or experience with the Pro Ti rod would be greatly appreciated! There aren't any BPS or other tackle shops that carry the Pro Ti rod so it's sorta a shot in the dark for me. Typically i can handle things before i buy them but that rod seems to be an online only item for a lot of shops near me. Thanks in advance and happy new year to all!

I'm biased towards Lew's stuff. Just got my Pro Ti as a Christmas gift for myself! Trying to decide what rod i want to run with it. Either another TP1 rod or i may spend the money on the matching Pro Ti rod. Typically i don't like to spend more than a 100 bucks on the rod as i feel the TP1 is really a solid rod for the price and the law of diminishing returns seems to take effect after that 100-130 ish dollar price point but I'm undecided.