softwateronly

My 7'6MH A balances just in front of the lock nut with a curado 70, 6.9oz. My 7'6XH A balances just in front of the lock nut with a 7 speed bantam, 7.6oz. I would expect something similar in the Heavy if your reel is in this range. scott

You fish those firework jigs before? Long time ago before they got picked up, I grabbed a few from a fellow fisherman like an open air drug deal on the lakefront. They caught for sure but are long gone to toothy fish and I forgot about them. Just ran into them on tw and about to order a half dozen. Hope/think they didn't change much. scott

Does their action transfer through all the lines? Or is there a specific line you're referencing? Thanks scott

I might be in the minority, but rodwise, the regular magdraft got good hookups on any MH/H I threw it on. If magdraft freestyle, I definitely think a powerful, longer jig rod is best, especially if long casts are the way to get bites or there is a lot of cover. I use a 7:1 reel because I've settled on that as my standard, but the magdraft definitely is a challenge to reel slow enough, so a lower ipt could be perfect for you. Although, I'd be leery of any ipt less than 24-25ish. I need to be able to catch up to the ones that hit it on the way toward me. scott

True. I don't remember a time when exprides existed and Matt wasn't proclaiming it the best. The 610M is my 2nd favorite set up for it now, I use it for vision 110's and LC staysees/pointers almost exclusively. And to me, the expride does do well with the lighter/ more delicate jerks. There might be better, I wouldn't know, but this rod is good at the more finesse jerkbait actions for me. What changed for me was the rerange on the adrena 6'11M+. The slightly stiffer tip/ heavier action allowed me to really dance the jerk on semi slack line. Fishing with a rather loose drag meant a great hookup and land ratio even with a faster rod. Somehow the internet led me to the nishine erie darter 115, and this lure in hologram smelt combined with the heavier rod is just the deal on my lake. It's my number 1 by a mile and really fun to fish. The 15" (TW measurement) handle is something I've learned to work with, though a loose fitting jacket in the forearm can be problematic. scott

My best way to handle this is adding different gloves and changing when pulling the anchor/driving. Fishing gloves, water proof gloves, warming gloves. These are cheap and full water proof and pretty warm. Very useful, Thanks @T-Billy I also keep a pair of ski gloves/mittens around to warm my hands up if I lose them. Intermittent warm ups and staying dry allow for hours of s**te weather. scott

My best guess is that water volume compared to surface area is the main equation to figure out which lakes will warm/cool faster. scott

I'm usually learning about new (to me) techniques/lures here and youtube. That'll probably reflect in the three lures I think people should be more aware of.... - fintech title shot. Very versatile and useful in weedy lakes. Pretty sure it was someone on this site that pointed it out. - dale hollow tackle punisher jigs. A-Jay was the first to post it that I paid attention to. - nishine erie 115sd jerkbait. This jerk in hologram smelt is absolute killer for me in my clear water. I think this was a youtuber for one episode. Mikeyballz? - honorable mention; poor boy baits eerie darter is a drop shot killer. Though I read that quality might have gone down recently and I don't like drop shotting. Then this is more of a notice to the midwest peeps, gambler is a seriously overlooked company up here. Their soft plastic line up and terminal tackle deserve to be considered for our natural weedy lakes. scott

I just picked up a few more with the pure fishing deals, but they are still in my personal undecided category. Vision 110+1, jr+1, and Rerange MR are on steady rotation while the Nishine Lure Works Erie 115SD Jerkbait is the star. I added in the stunna +1 and world diver this year and caught with both, but a slight edge to the world diver. If my memory is correct, the stunna has good roll and an erratic dart, but always seems to move forward on the jerks, it sits slight nose down, suspends/slow sinks below 55ish, and has good hardware, the fusions seem like the real deal to me. For my fish, when I can get a jerkbait to roll and dance without much forward movement, including 90 and 180 degree turns, I catch more. The action on the stunna suits my fish best on a faster cadence with more forward movement, but that's usually the time of year when I can start to get to my preferred single hook presentation. Regardless, I still have enough confidence to give them another year to see if I can dial in when it might shine, it also didn't hurt as much at $5 a pop. scott

I found a used Steez AGS Sensor a couple weeks ago for $350. I've paired it with a jdm zillion g, but have only cast micro jigs into a nearly frozen river. It seems like I'm gonna like this rod, maybe worth getting on your list. Feels slightly more sensitive and 1/2 power lighter than a poison adrena 6'11M+. I have and love the steez 7'2H power pitch as my 3/8-3/4oz grass jig in cover, hoping the series continues to impress. scott

I've used a DC706cb graphite. It's fine but I wasn't excited with it. I moved to owning a 6'10M expride and a 6'11M+ adrena, which means I rarely use Dobyns for jerks anymore. I sold a FR705cb graphite because I found the 706cb much more versatile, ie not whippy. scott

I need a smaller, deeper jerk bait for some open water work. Either of you endorse Duo Realis Rozante Shad 63 MR Jerkbait? scott

Time on @A-Jay's Menderchuck's with him guiding is a big brown bass dream. But about 2 weeks earlier, this is the Menderchuck for me... @T-Billy trigger warning, no scales in sight . scott

I've only caught one Brown approaching that size. Probably 10 years ago with the water in the high 40's, and I can still hear my drag singing! Only time I really feared getting spooled. What beautiful fish, congrats!! scott

This probably is not helpful and not traditional, but I throw a deep x 300 and an 8xd on a exprideA 7'7H. It has served me well, soft enough to keep em on, but stiff and sensitive enough to feel/rip the weed tops. Also a great a-rig, scrounger rod. This shouldered chunk was a DD tactical crank.... scott

Nothing like net trouble, when you have a big one on trebles!!!! Well done, heck of a fish! scott

Insulated neos. I work outside, there's nothing better. Smart/wool socks, regular shoes, can't get cold feet. You can do an easy 12hrs outside in them. Wear a life jacket though, no one is kicking with those things on. scott

He's just staring at his bass in disbelief......it's love really scott No, just guesses. The biggest was 25.25 long and 18.5 girth. My guess is a good 9. The other is high 7's in my mind. D walkers are irresistible to fish and so long lasting. Definite fave of mine. scott

See, maybe you could just be well prepared for all the requirements of the job. I think having a boat with you would be best scott

Terrible pics, but they're here. 1st was from the pier, 1/2oz gp/shad jackhammer w/ 4.5" gp/chart swimmon. 2nd was a 100mm river2sea D walker in ice white on a flashy swimmer. scott **1st fish is last pic**

I hope you're able to make it happen. scott

My favorite is DJ swim jig crappie w/ a d walker in silver side. Not a great pic of the lure, but it's in the right spot scott

I went down to Lake Murvaul last feb and rented a jon boat for 4 days and caught my PB twice. If you don't move, maybe a well timed vacation will do. scott

I've only done it once, but it was effective. Boil water, take off burner and on simmer, wait a min or two for water to be not rolling, bait in tongs, swirl around 10-15 seconds, take a look, repeat if necessary, lay them on a towel. scott

In my mind, you're the only terrestrial pest eradicator who shows up with a boat full of rods. scott