T-Billy

I've caught smallies over 5# on 6# mono. It's over in a couple minutes. These guys on 6# are a different story.

Man..... I don't know about that one. I was a wildman. I didn't think I'd live to see thirty until I was twenty nine. Seriously. I wouldn't mind middle age lasting a bit longer than it does though.

I see he prefers Talons over Power Poles.

One of the lakes I fish has long stretches of bank just like you describe. I've spent hundreds of hours cranking and dragging rigs down them over the years. It's all about the spot on the spot. A change of some sort. A spot where the slope flattens out for a short stretch, a little cut in the bank, a pile of rocks, a change in bottom composition, a pile of wood etc. I put in the time to fish it all, now I have a milk run down the lake fishing those little productive spots between long stretches of unproductive water. I always try to approach from downwind so I can easily stay off of what I'm fishing as these isolated places often produce multiple fish.

10-4!!! Couple days next week are gonna be warm enough to stick the Seadek down. I got the templates marked out today, a couple deck panels riveted down, and the trolling motor mounted. Should have the decking finished up next week, then on to electrical. It's gonna be tight getting it finished up and ready to fish by March, but I think I'll make it.

I approach this situation the same way. I too catch lots of white bass on rocky ledges in the spring. They're yummy. They go into the dead well and get released to the grease.

I'm gonna vote ARK Rods Lancer Pro rod, either the 7'3" Mag MH, or the 7'6" H. They have 40 ton Japanese Toray blanks and are lighter and more sensitive than a lot of the competitors rods that cost far more. Hands down the best rod for the $$ I've ever found. $99 full price, sometimes you can find them on sale for less. I'll also recommend the Lew's LFS reel. It's another product that I think is outstanding for it's $99 price point. It will likely get a lot of votes, for good reason.

What's your budget for the rod and reel?

Thanks, on a scale of one to ten, pucker factor was about a 13 until I got it stopped. The road had been plowed and cindered. Bare pavement at the bottom. Got near the top and hit ice, spun out and started sliding backward. Fortunately, I was able to get it wiggled off the guardrail that stopped me, and get it backed down and take another route out. Sweet gig most of the year. SUCKS when the snow and ice flies.

I slid backward down an icy, one lane, township road this afternoon in a loaded crude tanker. Roughly 20% grade, rock wall on the left, couple hundred yard drop on the right. Nobody is more tired of winter than I am. Been a rough few weeks here in SE OH and the WV panhandle. Extended forcast is looking better though. Should be back on the water in 4 or 5 weeks.

I'm with ya 100%. Broke two PB LM off in two years on 20# invisx. That put an end to flouro for me. Had two 30"+ saugeye shake off at boatside. All four fish woulda been on the wall had I landed them. Deflated is the best I can describe the feeling. Nothin you can do. Set down a couple minutes, get your head right again, and get back after it. No point getting mad.

Skunked? What is that? ? Seriously, like @WRB said, it happens to everyone including the top pro's. Watching the MLF format made me feel better about my skillset. Those guys get skunked on WAY better lakes than I get to fish. Normally happens to me a few times a year, and it's usually when the water's frigid and I know it's gonna be tough going into it. No big deal. It's gonna happen. I don't view it as a negative. I just try to learn something from the day.

I like to swim them along laydowns and let them fall deep into the tree tops early season, especially when it's too windy to pick them apart pitching a jig or T rig. LM often suspend under the trunks or within the tops in cold water. Either a single tail grub or boot tail trailer.

I'll add another vote for the Lew's LFS. I'm up to three.

Hmm.... You need cover.....Chop down that tree in the right of the pic and throw a bunch of big rocks around it. Instant Honey Hole!!!

No they don't, but they're just thin sun gloves so I was really surprised how warm they kept my hands on cold days. I like their sun gloves so well, I think I'm gonna pony up the $59.95 for their waterproof gloves before ice out.

Mod fast and braid are a great combination. Doesn't tear a big hole in their mouth as easy and a rod that loads deep into the blank acts like a catapult and does a great job of moving them out of cover.

I'll second that. I fish lot's of wood and rock with it too. Great abrasion resistance and the best handling braid I've found. I quit looking. 832 does everything I need a braid to do and does it well, and at a fair price.

I don't like a real bulky skirt. I usually use a tab and a half. I trim them to just behind the hook bend so they don't interfere with my trailer. No need to overthink it.

I just layer up. Keeping my fingers warm is the only issue I ever have. This past year I was amazed at how warm my full finger fish monkey freestyle gloves kept my hands in temps into the low 30's. I didn't expect that from gloves that thin.

Glock

HAA!!! I was thinkin the same thing!!!

I prefer fast or even mod fast, but I fish a jig on straight braid. No right or wrong answer, just a matter of personal preference and what works best for YOU.