T-Billy

Yep Bowfin. They're really cool looking when they're lit up in their spawning colors. Don't get your finger in their mouth if you want to keep it. Once they bite down on something they're not big on letting go.

Sheee's Baaack!!! Congrats Katie!!! I don't think I've ever caught 59 in a day, and I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever even been close. Those few times I was in that ballpark my average size wasn't as good as yours. Way to go Hammer.

I've never seen top fuelers run in person, but I'd sure like to.

I had a 9' hydroplane with a 20hp Merc Hurricane as a teen. Guy I bought it from claimed it would do a bit over 60. I'll tell ya, it feels a whole lot faster than that when you're kneeling down with nothing but a few feet of canvas and plywood in front of you. It required pretty calm water to open it up though. Twas a fun toy. Bought it with earnings from my summer job at the marina.

Lol. Yep, ESPECIALLY in there Lassie!!! It took me time to gain confidence pitching into the stuff I regularly fish now. Experimentation too, in order to find the right rig. Once I wised up and gave the snelled flippin hook a try there was no looking back. That slow seductive wag gets 'em. Good luck tomorrow. Keep yer britches dry.

Zoom is second only to the baits made in my garage.

49!!!??? That settles it. I'm doing a belly flop off the front deck first thing tomorrow night. That oughta REALLY get the chatterbait bite going!!! LOL. Glad it ended well Katie. Congrats on a great bogventure!!!

Bag and baits be damned, I'd have shot that sucker.

Thanks for the info. I haven't been hit yet, but I've had it raining goose poo all around me several times.

Yup. Geese are buttholes. They absolutely do it on purpose. I've had 'em do it too many times for it to be accidental. I once saw a girl in a bikini get bombed by a heron. She was covered in that nasty crap head to toe, which then caused her to spew like a fountain. It was quite the awful sight. That was 40 years ago. I can see it in my mind like it happened yesterday. ?

Just a head light for landing fish, tying knots etc. I also keep a good flashlight handy.

Works for me. I like being there when other people ain't, and pitching gnarly stuff is my favorite way to catch 'em. Something magical about night fishing as well. When your vision is limited, all your other senses are heightened. Plus you never know when a beaver or heron is gonna make you jump out of your shoes and pee in your pants a little. ?

My #1 lake has a reputation as a dink factory. It certainly lives up to the reputation, but it also has a good population of big fish. They don't come easy though. The lake is small, roughly 1100 acres, heavily pressured, and has lots of cover in the form of laydowns, large pad fields, and weeds that grow out to 15' deep or so. Best odds for the big girls are in the cold, after dark, or deep in the slop.

Richard? I bet he has a fast boat. Our office manager has God given floatation devices and a ski boat named "Always Wet". She's Awesome.

Not in my experience. I've tried turning it off when fishing for spooky shallow fish in clear water. It made zero difference. Trolling motor will absolutely spook them.

You're on a roll with that thing. You're gonna turn into Jimmie Houston if y'aint careful.

Have you tried a spinnerbait? They have a reputation for catching larger than average fish. ?

Keep the line laying across your index finger. Easy to do with either spinning or casting.

Congratulations!!!

Lew's Super Duty. Small, comfortable to palm, long casting, good line capacity, tough as nails.

I've used X9 and still use Infinity. Both are smoother than 832, but neither holds up as well to heavy cover. 832 is king there for it's abrasion resistance, while being much smoother than a 4 carrier. 131 is a little smoother than Infinity, and handles better thanks to the gore fiber, but to me it's not a night and day difference. Not enough to justify the cost difference for me. It adds up with as many rods as I use braid on. I'm happy with Infinity for chucking and winding, and 832 for flippin, foggin etc. If price isn't an issue, 131 is the best braid that I've tried.

Same deal here in OH. They've moved up only to be pushed back out by cold fronts several times. What a difference a day makes. I took a skunking today. Same conditions, totally different fish behavior. Only saw two quality fish up shallow, and not nearly as many bucks cruising. I fished from 15"-15', grass, wood, rock, clay, moving baits, bottom contact...... Couldn't buy a bite other than a couple redears. Couldn't believe it after what I saw yesterday.

I'll recommend 832 for what you mentioned using it for. It's not the smoothest/quietest 8 strand out there, but it's quiet enough, and offers great handling and abrasion resistance at a good price point. If your set on a super quiet braid, 131 is outstanding.

LOL. I will be, starting next week. Last night was a recon mission. It's about to be on, when the bass come off the beds.

Good luck tomorrow @Cbump.