FishTax

I just picked up some horny toads but haven’t thrown them yet.

I’ve experienced this. No great solution but am experimenting with different brands and following this thread. I think it’s the strike king toads I’ve had this problem with on a 4/0 ewg heavy hook.

@WRB thanks Tom I'll try to find that tonight!

This seemed to be the case for me yesterday. I couldn't catch them, but was still a good day because I learned several things. First time I've clearly identified thermocline, and you are correct they were sitting right above it, clear as day even on my old depth finder. Now I can locate the fish quickly in the summer, I just have to find a presentation they like and I'm in the money. I guess I need to consult the bait monkey and then head back out soon to test my theory!

I've been on those lakes in a 17' xpress my buddy runs. On Norman, it can get a little rough in the middle with traffic or wind. On the smaller lakes I feel like it's totally fine. I won't fish with tons of ski boats no matter the type of boat I'm in so that wouldn't be a factor for me personally. I'd definitely choose aluminum if I were in your shoes! Put that extra money into electronics!

@Pat Brown great story and really awesome fish! Sounds like you got the frog figured out, hopefully you keep getting then on it and I look forward to reading more stories like this one.

Thanks! Never too late, I'll be back at then again soon and will try both of these.

That happened to me at least 3x today. Not sure if I'm more frustrated with myself or the fish lol

Well I got skunked. Found the fish easily, but they didn't like what I was showing them. They were just above the thermocline at about 20', and suspended at about 15' everywhere else. They were hitting surface shad this morning but didn't want a buzz bait or spinnerbait. I'm stubborn so I'll keep trying until I figure out, which is why I was out 5 hours getting cooked until a storm popped up and I had to get off the water. Any other suggestions on presentations would be greatly appreciated!

@Nathan Garlinghouse my lakes are mostly veggie free, so no issue there. I'll check them out for sure!

Do you guys throw the Spinnerbait this time of year even if there is minimal wind? Not sure if the wind stuff applies when slow rolling the bottom or not?

I’ve never tried one. What areas and condition do you like to throw it in? The bait monkey has been whispering in my ear this week, I may be adding to my stash again soon…

Anywhere northeast of Badin in the state and I'm in. I like winter fishing in NC, usually enough warm days to be comfortable and I seem to catch my biggest fish in winter.

I've always heard cranks should be grinding on the bottom. If it's 30 fow that's not gonna happen for me, does it make sense to throw like a dt12 to be at bait level or would a keitec on a jig head or chatterbait or something be better? Hitting middle of the column is like a foreign language to me.

A little over an hour drive. If you ever come down and want to go hit me up, I'll meet you there!

Last time out, it seemed the bait was suspended about 15' deep in the channels (25-35' water depth) from what I could see on my old depth finder. If that's the case again tomorrow, how would you approach that? I've always thought suspended fish are the hardest to catch, probably a mental block for me. Seems a jig or my other slow confidence baits probably aren't a good fit for that setup. Also, water clarity is about 2', stained water most of the time out there. Meant to put that in the original post.

This is Lake Mackintosh in Burlington, NC, my home lake. I fish a pdl kayak, have an old depth finder, and prefer this stretch because it's electric only so I'm not getting rocked by gas motors all day and can fish more and hang on for my life less... What stands out to you on the attached depth chart? I feel like this lake is relatively featureless. All wooded, no docks or anything. I've been able to catch them on points and laydowns some, but am looking to expand my skills and approaches. Water temps are in low 80s right now, I'm hoping to get out tomorrow morning, conditions are 5mph wind, sporadic cloud cover, will be in mid-80s by lunch. I like slow fishing, jigs, shaky heads, etc., but have a pretty full tackle box and am open to trying anything. I need some coaching on anything that involves water depth beyond 12', although that may be a different thread topic. Looking forward to learning from you all. The collective knowledge on this forum blows my mind and I learn so much even though I don't post so much, so thanks to each of you for your contributions!

Shaky Head is my #1 confidence lure, and I'd say over half my time on the water is tossing that around. I rarely 'power fish', when I have in the past I haven't had good luck.

I tried the Kastking stuff from Amazon. It runs very small, the one size fits all hat won't fit my head so I don't recommend that. I think the gloves/gaiter are fine but don't have anything to compare to.

Caught this one yesterday, a little over 20". Didn't put it on the scale bc I wanted to get it back in the water fast. Was very hot out, high 80s. Tons of fishing pressure, second day of tournaments on our lake (1100 acre). This was my only catch, caught her on a point in about 6' near deep water on a shaky head. I came to the point in my kayak right as some tournament guys were leaving it in a bass boat, cussing because they couldn't catch anything. I never catch numbers here but usually get decent size, and usually on shaky head or something finesse on this lake and always being sneaky and quiet in my yak.

I'll jump on the chatter bait and whopper plopper list, although I probably haven't given them enough throws to write them off yet. Sounds like my NC brothers like Seibert bladed jig,, so the bait monkey requires me to order that on my next order. ?

I just started using it this year. I like getting bit, so it’s fine. Caught a crappie off a beaver dam on one last outing. I’m an accountant so I’m cheap, so part of why I like Ned is I recycle busted senkos and cut them down for Ned. shaky head is still my favorite over Ned for LMB. Bigger fish and still good amount of bites.

I’ve also experienced this a lot. Great tips here, I’ll be trying the jig next time out instead of SH. Thanks to everyone who chimed in, I learn so much on this forum!

I use them to prevent tangles. Drives me nuts when they get into a mess.

Sounds like a line or knot issue. I use mono or copolymer on mine. I always hear that floro can have knot issues, but someone more experienced then me would have to explain that. Shaky head will catch them, stick with it and keep trying things, I'm sure you'll figure it out. Good luck!