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I have an 8 ft. swimbait rod built by Chris at Aubut rods. It's rated 1-5 oz and throws its range perfectly. Paired up with a shimano cardiff 301 spooled with 20 lb big game mono. I don't do much swimbait fishing anymore so it's just been collecting dust. It could also double as a light bottom fishing/kayak rod. Asking $200 for the combo picked up North shore or South shore of MA. I'll even throw in the wakebait that's tied on. Thanks guys!

I know. Comparing river fish to pond fish to lake fish is like comparing apples to oranges to carnitas burritos with guac and lots of salsa verde. Or Ali to Boom Boom Mancini to Nurmagomedov. Still, I'm curious: Pound for pound, what do anglers here consider the best (or maybe just the meanest) fighting fish in North America? Pike are downright scary. Brookies are tough. Pickerel are deranged little buggers. But what's the best pure fighter, once hooked? Go ...

Just curious anyone ever use smaller metal lips for LM/pickerel?

My fellow Rhode Islanders, Starting a thread to see your largest largies of 2021. This is purely a brag thready so brag away! I've filled in part of this pic to hide location. 5 pounder caught on a chatterbait

Over the years I've had some really good days fishing western Mass. -- on the Housatonic and some of the ponds and lakes around Lee and other towns up there. But one place I've had only so-so luck is Laurel Lake, even though I keep hearing that it's a solid place for smallies, largemouth, and perch. Just curious if any of the good people here have fished Laurel and other places near Lenox, Stockbridge, etc., and what your experience was like. (Not looking for favorite spots, obviously. Just general impressions.) Thanks.

Anybody have any spot-burn free general tips about fishing the areas around Brendan T Byrne/Bass River/Wharton state forests? Looking to go on a prespawn adventure in the northern portion of this area in the coming weeks. Haven't explored this vast expanse of largely undeveloped land in our densely populated state. Looks like there are a ton of winding creeks and small ponds etc... Mostly interested in largemouth but any insight welcomed. Bonus: Anyone ever travel a bit too far West and have a run in with the US military?

I am planning a trip in mid May and in mid June to the Belgrade lakes area in Central Maine, China Lake and Webber Pond for largemouth fishing. How bad are the Black Flies this time of the spring? are the so bad that you don't want to be outside? Are they are problem on the lakes or just the rivers? thanks!

For those of you that don't think LMB over 10 pounds are possible up here in New England, check out this bad Larry that some kid pulled out of a local lake a few weeks ago! Some of you might call BS but according to the shop owner who gave me the pic, she went 11 lbs and some change. Caught on a shiner and safely released. Let's hope he got a state pin!!

Morning Guys, Little background.... My buddy and I take an annual trip to the Quabbin each year (this will be year 4). We rent a boat and usually take off from a warm water gate. We do a full day (6am-7pm) usually. Year 1: we must have gotten lucky because we did well with smallies and largies in random areas and with random baits (we had no idea what we were doing. The Q is slightly different than the 10 foot deep mud ponds we are used to fishing). Year 2: My friend did alright with a few decent smallies. I got a good sized largie to roll me on the surface (we forgot the net and I lost him on the boat flip). Outside of that we had little action all day. I did catch an elusive perch though. Glad I got up at 2:30 am for a perch.... Year 3: We struggled hard....My buddy put 1 fish in the boat (his PB largie), and I was skunked. Year 4: ??? Now I'm not looking to spot burn someone or steal their setup or anything. I was hoping some of you that live much closer (I live in a coastal city that has had problem with magic in the past...) had tips or tricks or suggestions. I love the Q. It is gorgeous and amazing and a trip that you will always remember, good or bad. But after back to back years of getting skunked (sans 1 perch) and spending a combined 26 hours on that little metal bobber they give you, I need my spirits to rise again. We plan on going before July (maybe sometime in early or mid June). I'll be fishing plenty of drop shots, shaky heads, football head craws, swim jigs, tubes ect... I have a chirp unit this year I am going to bring (if anyone has tips on securing it to the metal bobber boat let me know!) so that will help. I also have good navionics charts on my phone and try to do as much research as I can. I usually target bass in smaller bodies of water and after the last couple years, feel totally out of my element. Again, sorry if this is too specific and I'm not looking to burn up anyone's juice they discovered themselves. I'm just looking for info from veterans of the fishery. Any help will be much appreciated. I am open to PM and I will be checking regularly. I figure if I have a month to get a game plan together....maybe I can see what they big fish of the Q look like....instead of catch the fish they eat... Thanks for any helps guys. Tights Lines!

For you fellow bass guys out there, is it too early to start night fishing? Water temps are still in the high 30s in my area, but I've heard of some people catching big fish very early in the season at night. If anybody does it and has had luck, some tips would be great!

I have seen a dramatic improvement of freshwater fishing over the last 10 days on warming Cape ponds, largemouth are very aggressive, even in bright daylight. Got these few over the last couple days at short time lunch breaks, Largest to 3# Nice 20"+ pickerels as well, but.....quickly released, no pics.

This fall and winter I'm planning on getting more into swimbait fishing. I'm at the point where I'd rather catch one 5-8 pounder than a bunch of 1-2 pound dinks. I'm talking about the big baits like they throw out in Cali Huddlestons, deps, s-wavers, etc. Was wondering who else has some experience with this type of fishing up here in NE and maybe if you can give a newbie a few tips?? To catch a double digit largie is second only to joining the 50 pounder club on my bucket list

Anyone use a six weight for largemouth, and what flys do you throw on it?