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Stuck my first fish of the year over the weekend and it was a good one. This 8lb 1oz chunk smashed my shellback customs bluegill in this cold, muddy NC water...

It was a ridiculously brutal low 60’s with a 5-7kt wind, overcast with an occasional sprinkle. Brrrrrrrrr...... These fish slurped the mink, slow crank with the occasional stop and twitch when moving away from cover. These may have been the most subtle top water takedowns I’ve seen, not even the toilet bowl swirl, just a bit of commotion and the bait disappearing. Something about the mink, always looks like it’s smiling.

Also shipping from japan cost a lot at the moment and they're catering to a few different countries not just USA and Japan so supplies are low

Too much time spent on matching this and that. Also don't worry about if your shirt matches your shorts, fish do not care about this stuff at all. Always good to have a couple of rods and seeing you got one for free it would make sense to keep it. Your reels should match how you fish. You can control the speed of the bait no matter what the gear ratio is, within reason.

They shipped you the wrong rod, corrected it and sent the right rod and let you keep the wrong one too? So you got a free swimbait rod - fish the helloutta it! I'm old school on the reels, mine are either 5.4:1 or 6.3:1 and I've never felt like I couldn't fish a swimbait fast enough so use what you're comfortable with.

Lots of good advice on this page. Many of the folks commenting have sold me baits for fair prices or helped me find baits. I think one of the things that I learned starting out with no knowledge of swimbaits is don't be afraid to make an offer - if it's low all they can say is no or not respond. Don't argue just politely ask the going rate for the bait (now you know). Secondly, find a bait maker that is up and coming and buy direct. There are so many great baits out there. Many of these become hype and then you can either trade for one of those outrageously priced baits without taking too much of a hit. I used to get one off toxics direct before they took off. There was a time wade hogs were going for close to the current pizz prices. Same with pizz, I used to get pizz baits for retail all day long. I've walked away from pizz baits over the last year because they just blew up with hype. Sure they are cool but I am not paying 250-350 for one. 316 has gone up and down over the years. Sly guy makes sweet baits and you can find those pretty easily now. The Illude dude is great - if you are patient you will eventually hear from him when he has some available. Lots of guys making cool rats that are available if you contact the maker (sneaky peat, Woodrow, pb, etc). Lots of Hiroshima baits on the market lately for close to retail which used to be pretty hard to get. If you need more info on specific baits - I have a spreadsheet with a lot of bait details (weight, length, price, resell value etc). DM me and I can send it your way.

Forget about all the hype baits that don't get fished, save your money. Start with available baits and try to get a few that work with your style of fishing and that catch the fish in your waters. Stay off of the internet reading what others are using and get on the water and figure it out.

No way am I answering this, “judge judy” members are gonna laugh at me haha.

How dare you... might as well wear Nike hats with adidas clothing.

You’d be surprised. Up here in MA. I night fish from April to November, water in the 40s and 50s. Even have 2 February topwater fish as well. One on a 9 inch slammer the other on a Matt’s shad. that sun beating down on a muddy bottom will increase the water temp and get them active. They won’t pass up on a slow easy meal that’s right over their heads

Hard work pays off... Grind and Repeat is what I’ve been telling myself. Payed off 2 hours ago

Thought just came to me we spend a lot of money on these baits but who has spent to most money on one bait? What is the Most expensive bait ever sold on the black market?

Crazy moment I had last month. Beware of the risk of fight or flight moments. Be safe out there. ✌

Been putting in the time with the hudd over the past two years. Not sure how many 8 inch and 68 specials I lost before getting my first real bite, but glad it stuck. 7lbs 22.5 inches

Too late the fashion fishing police are on the way……………

IMG_0872.MP4

Lots of great advice already but Absolutely ice out and anytime there is open water. Don't get too much ice in Southern IL/IN or for real long but they def bite with any warming trend, even cold days as long as the sun is out full force. Used to use LC RC Wake 3.5s for years and now also larger SWB wakes. Use a super slow creep/wake n stop by any cover (vertical or horizontal/overhead) and they'll slurp it under. Long pauses with tiny twitch. Can have some real good days before others even think about fishing. Every body goes to rocks or rip rap but I focus on docks, wood, and love floating patches of dead grass or laid over cattails/tulles are always producers. Good Luck Man!

Keep supply low and demand high

Going to be honest, didn't read all of that. 2-5oz rod dobyns fury or champ 806 Heavier, the 867

And after that last two Swimbait vids don't forget about the Sneaky Pete! Fish come ABSOLUTELY UN. GLUED. over this bait *in my Matt Allen voice

the lite trout s-wavers are gonna be out of stock again...

I've caught fish on top water with ice still on the pond. They'll go up super shallow tight to cover once the ice disappears. Short window but they'll be there if you hit it a day or 2 after ice out

ceazer from toxic says he starts throwing his wakes once the water hits 53 degrees

Swimbaits_Catalog_Distribute.pdf Here is the sheet I have been updating over the years for fun as I notice interesting baits come through the universe. Obviously take it with a grain of salt. Bait makers change their prices. I hope things are close to accurate but weights change due to sink rates, model, etc. Lots of missing info still but hope this is useful to folks.

Mattlure Trout Glide slow sink for 200.00 from matt. Most I evever spent, I don't by hype baits at flipper prices there are other baits that works just as well.

Definitely love a good rat bite - nice fish. regarding the “ Brutal 60 degree temps “ you’re preaching to the choir - I’m looking at 9 tomorrow AM with out the wind. OUCH

I’ve had the 73 remix it’s good for baits around the size of tiny klash and soft plastic swimbaits id thrown on it as well not much more then that I use a 711 monstrou as my do it all rod I think it’s rated up to 7oz

Congrats, I’m trying to get a PB on a Hudd this year

The one that catches the most fish

Really good advice here.

Curious as well if anyone can clarify.

that's a good'un! I'd like to see her with that frame filled out!

Yes! Agreed northern fish are more accustomed and also river fish are less affected bc less extreme fluctuations. And also agree with that even on big bodies of water, fishing the shallowest bays that have a ditch or channel, deeper water near by tho.

Thats a pig and great first fish of 2021

Yeah, we don't have a body of water deeper than 6 feet around here except the canals and ocean. I wonder if the fish get moving later because they are used to the heat.

It isn’t the Riot Mako 10, I am not happy with their customer support at all! Hung me out to dry after the steering broke within 5 trips. I would rate the kayak layout 5/10 but it’s the cheapest pedal drive out there. You get what you pay for, I’m ok with that as this is just for fun. If I really want to fish, I fish out of a boat!

So Cal here.....sorry guys. 2 already on the ufo gill wake

Way to late imo. Bass will commit with water temps in the forties.

For those curious about the Tatula 300

Simple stuff... Pizz-empty your bank account, or give up 1st born child. The bait will still be new! UFO-$160+-empty your bank account Tiny klash-$120-180 depending who is selling and conditions. K9-$160+ BGC-Empty your bank account Illude-empty bank account or give up first born child. That's a starter list...please add to list for other baits! Forgot to add, new members don't get better prices. It's typically the new members that low-ball, and don't read the rules, and thread jack and make ridiculous comments in everyone's for sale ads. Spend some time, meet some peeps, then get hookups.