[reason162]

2019 was the year I finally committed to staying in freshwater from prespawn to winter, and stuck with just a few lakes to trace the patterns and only a handful of techniques, really honing them until I understood the details inside and out. My singular focus was to land as many big smallies as possible, and to that end I cannot be more satisfied: over a dozen bronzebacks past the 20" mark, a couple that pushed 22", and countless 3lbers throughout the year.

Prior to 2019 my biggest smallie was maybe 15"? My first 18" fish back in April almost tipped me from the kayak I got so excited.

One lesson I took away from all the finesse fishing this year: 5lb/6lb floro is a different animal from anything I've used in saltwater. If you land a 4lber you better retie that knot. And your gear better be in tiptop shape...when a big smallie sounds one second then torpedoes out of the water the next...that's why people spend $$$ on spinning reels with good drag systems.

Did sneak away for a few fluke trips, but fluking has steadily declined inshore. The patterns from just 3 years ago are no longer holding, but I don't mind bc I've spent enough of my fishing life chasing flatfish lol. The Fall freshwater bite kept me from going togging, and that was a much more difficult decision. Ultimately the bronze won over the black, and I have no regrets!

For 2020 I want to capitalize on more moving/reaction bait bites during prespawn. I had a few good jerkbait days this year but crankbait/spinnerbait/power fishing in general is not very easy to do well from a kayak, esp in the wind (which is when I would be throwing them!)