Bird

That's crazy. Lol Opens the door for this.......I over casted a private dock and caught a dog, seriously. Snagged the top of dock with a Rapala jerk bait and dog came running and grabbed it , hooking it's mouth. My friend was laughing so hard as I said, GET ME OVER THERE ! Drag screaming. I hugged the dog and was able to free the bait without injury.

A discharged battery freezes quickly below 32*. A fully charged deep cycle battery will be fine outside as it discharges slowly.

Camera's are fun and let you know what's in the area but other than that they serve no purpose for the trophy hunter. All the really big bucks on my property simply don't move during the day after August and that's with 0 hunting pressure. The only time they screw up is during the rut chasing tail. If your just after deer in general than simply hunt around acorns.

A fully charged battery won't freeze unless you live in Antarctica so no need to remove them with your regimen. I've yet to pull a battery from my boat or RV in many years.

Sometimes these Bass simply leave us perplexed. I keep throwing what's been time proving......sometimes it's just wasted time. Lol When I can't figure out what they want I always end up finesse fishing " usually works "but prefer a more aggressive approach.

From early spring to late fall I throw more flukes and Assassins than any other bait. They skip so well to places I can't get other baits. I find nose hooked better for hook-up rate. Around here, smallmouth prefer pearl......largemouth , watermelon seed for clear water.

Oh you never used chain link before??? Not the greatest for top water.

It's one bait Bass never get tired of.

Keep enjoying that friendship with Ben and keep showing off some fish for him.

Ok maybe this may come across as offensive but leads to this question. How hard is it really to learn how to fish.? These predatory fish are smacking buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. Lol River smallies will hit bare hooks if you jig em'. I fish because I immensely enjoy it but don't see the science. Locate fish and most anyone can catch them. Kids all over YouTube slaying citation after citation. Lol It's easy recreation.

The great reviews on Amazon has got me squirming for yet another unnecessary rod and reel.

And a weed guard like a leaf spring but certainly brings back memories of yesteryear......and the pork trailer.

Then you have this ^ . Lol

I catch more quality fish in April, May and October every year.....around here. That said, my biggest LM by a long shot came in the middle of the day in hot August on a 4" culprit worm , 10.4

It appears due to vast varying opinions that no clear cut answer exists. I throw mostly braid in 15# unless my bait is gonna sit for observation, then a 8# leader of Sunline FC goes on......like a Ned or drop shot and such. Braid can misbehave in the wind and can form a love relationship with a front treble. But it's sensitivity and cast keeps me from straying. FC unlike braid sinks which works well for those who finesse fish, think 1/16 ounce applications. Just when you start to fall in love with that reel " spinning " full of fluorocarbon you find yourself sporting a pair of 3.0 reading glasses spinning in circles on the lake in a battle. That's my short story.

Makes sense. Just last evening I went to my favorite online tackle supplier and punched up " swim jigheads " and WOW.

Yeah, I'd lean towards the Fluke or Assassin myself, very versatile. Nose hooked on a little wide gap or with a big 5.0 Run them high or low with a nail, fast or slow,endless.

I keep 6-8 baits tied on all day.

Not sure if I'm on topic or " knot " but another benefit to a FC leader is when you experience a snag......the leader will always break so your not pulling your boat under the surface trying to snap braid or cutting unnecessary lengths.

The wife and I were eating out on a deck over a big pond in Alabama watching alligators being fed.....they actually fled the scene when the GIANT alligator snappers showed up, they look intimidating.

I wished the big ones shared the same tenacity. Lol I've often caught bass, crappie and bluegill smaller than my bait and always get a laugh.

With all that you've mentioned, technological advances such as our fish finders, videos, fishing equipment and tackle options, younger anglers have the advantage. Imo The one advantage us old guys had was minimal fishing pressure or lake activity years ago as there were no jet skis and simply not much boat activity at all. Fishing has become a VERY popular past time for good reason so we're always looking for a presentation the fish hasn't seen to increase success rate.

Fished in southern Alabama for years while visiting in laws.....Gators never once presented a concern. We actually shew away the ones being fed by paid tour guides so we could cast. Bugs were the only issue we had. Lol

I direct tie everything so re-tieing is often. I've had no issues with polamar and Sunline but only ever use FC as leader material, Alberto for leader. I think leaving a nice tab when using FC and polamar, I leave 1/2" or more. If you don't like braid, I'd recommend a good mono over fluorocarbon for a reel fill. I don't use leaders for any top water applications but will admit......straight braid will grab a front treble occasionally.

Hmmm, I've been a diehard Roboworm thrower. I'll give em' a try.