elhoward622

You are really making me want to try some night fishing.

Finally, I was able to shake off the last couple of stinker trips and get in a decent swimbait session after work. I landed a couple of dinks, lost a really nice 3 pounder at the boat, and smoked two pretty nice stripers. Not to break my streak of god-awful luck, I rolled my kayak on some big rapids and lost my favorite bait and mangled my new Dobyns. Hoping I can get two new guide inserts so I am not out of the game for too long. Now to see if I can go a trip without losing a bait!

So, I suppose it was time. I have been on a pretty good roll during my last few trips, so I guess you have to expect a stinker every once in a while. My last swimbait session was such a failure of epic proportions that it really needs to be shared. Work has been god-awful lately, so I decided to bring my kayak and my gear to work for an afternoon session for some much needed R&R. A buddy planned to meet me at the ramp and he convinced me to take the highway instead of the back streets; did I mention how much I hate Atlanta traffic? So, two miles from my exit ramp a fatal car accident proceeds to shut the highway down until 9 pm. It takes me 1.5 hours to move from exit 19 to exit 20. My buddy texts me that he left his paddle at the boat ramp on his last trip and someone snatched it up; so he is out. I re-route and hit the side streets, but it takes me into more downtown Atlanta traffic, taking another hour to get to the ramp. 2.5 hours for a 30 minute drive. With little time remaining I hit the water, snag two runts on a 6" bait and take that as an omen to tie on a bigger bait. I just got a 9" bait, so I decided it is time to focus on throwing the big boy baits. I hook and eventually lose not only me first fish on a bait over 8", but also my PB striped bass. Then, on my "last cast" of the day, a low flying goose decides to hit the brakes and ski-land into my line during the retrieve. He thoroughly tangles himself, takes off, my shiny new bait dangling from a leg on 10 feet of 25lb test, then snaps my line; bait goes to Davy Jones' locker. Epic Fail. I am hoping that this is just paying the dues or some garbage saying like that. Anyone care to share a similar story? BTW, we need a Got Heeem section, because this would go there.

I am still waiting on mine from the second offering. Every time I come home from work I am like a little kid running to the mail box, then running to the front door to see if anything is waiting for me

That is the only way an ugly dude can get two at a time

I used PP 65lb for a long time and never had any major issues. The dye will eventually begin to come off and get on your reel, but it really isn't an issue.

Yeah, I agree with you guys. I cringe when I see a bait I want, but the OP has 3 total posts all of which are in the Black Market. It is just too much risk to paypal gift a substantial amount of money to someone who has no reputation at stake. I think it is very level headed to allow newbies to buy, because you really can't get burned taking money.

That takes some serious confidence in your skills and yourself to release back a possible state record. Marbles, you have earned my utmost respect!! That is how it should be done folks!

That is a pig! Sounds like you have some seriously sweet gear bro!

Both are some nice fish, but I say the top one is your PB. I seem to always forget my measuring board or my scale when I stick a nice fish, so I feel your pain!

Great advice here. I fish a lot of tournaments, so when I tournament fish or pre-fish I pretty much focus only on traditional tackle, but when I am not tournament fishing or pre-fishing I carry only my swimbait stuff. The only way I am learning about swimbait fishing is to simply leave everything else at home and focus 100% on the big baits.

Yeah, I saw that pic posted on a local Hmong fisherman's forum a while ago and I remember something like "over 15lbs" touted. I think this is one of those stories where someone copies, pastes, and makes up a sensational story.....

Speed, sit on it!!! Get a sit on top no matter what! I suggest either look for a used boat; Wilderness Systems makes great general purpose boats like the Tarpons, Rides, Commanders. Big Box sports stores like Academy, Dicks, Basspro carries some rebranded boats like a Heritage Redfish or Ascend. Don't get a sit in!

Bravo Speed! Way to help a new guy get his ship steered in the right direction!

Nice fish man.

Nice! That glide bait looks really cool.

Awesome, Thanks Don!

Sucks, but it means your doing it right if your getting bit! I lost my PB smallmouth last month when it got boatside with only one hook in.

Haha! I throw like 100 one lasts casts and daydream the whole time that it will be the one a hawg hits!

Kayak would be killer in there!

I actually planned to do the float last month, but could not go. I absolutely want to go with you guys next time!

Bro, you need to heed the advice of the guys on this board. If all you ever want to do is pin on a paddle tail, then use your regular bass gear and forget about it. If you think you want to be a swimbaiter, then this mindset is about to take you down an expensive and frustrating path. Proven baits, proper equipment, unrelenting persistence. That is all that works in swimbaiting. I didnt listen up at first, now I am and I am catching fish. Buy a handful of only proven baits, get a swimbait stick, force yourself to fish only that. Do that for a while and your mind will be blown and you will learn so much, break through so many barriers.

Yeah, thats my handle everywhere man. Where is Bama are you? I used to live around Gadsden and still fish all up and down the Coosa system and Lake Weiss and G'ville some.