Rouge River

Checked out Pro J after work to look at possible new ML rod to take the place of my ridiculously fast TDEye rod. They had the zillion on clearance and the bend profile felt close to the CDN custom I love so much, so I pulled the trigger on it. Paired with a Piscifun carbon X2 and the whole setup is wicked light. Feels like an ultralight setup. Went to bass pond early Sunday with Feng Li and I got to take the plastic off. The cold didn't turn off the fish at all and I ended up with 13 or 14 in a couple of hours.

Who knew dropshot could be so effective 😆 they kept coming in one after another Came here with low expectations and to blow off some steam after work, ended up with a bass thumb lol

I no longer fish for leisure. When I first started fishing, I believed it was a relaxing activity. I thought I could enjoy the pleasant weather, take a nice walk, or admire a beautiful scenic view—even if I didn’t catch any fish. However, looking back, those were just comforting lies. Every time I return home empty-handed, my heart sinks. It feels as though the world around me has muted, with all its colors fading into shades of gray. The stunning views and crisp air throughout the day suddenly lose their significance. In the end, the only thing that truly matters during a fishing outing is catching a fish—nothing else holds weight. The idea of "also enjoying the setting" is merely a low-quality excuse. I approach each fishing trip as a mission. I set clear goals and expect results. To achieve these objectives, I engage in thorough planning: defining the scope and expectations, and executing my plan meticulously while making adjustments to adapt to unforeseen challenges. While being skunked is inevitable, I view it as an opportunity for growth. Each experience allows me to accumulate knowledge and correct my mistakes. Retrieve, rinse, and repeat—every failure makes me a better fisherman for the next outing.

A fantastic start to the weekend! Nothing like fishing with friends. Today, Beika Zhan and I caught a total of 15 bass. Once you figure out the lure and pattern they want for the day, it’s all good!

Caught this guy last month. Missing those warm mornings already!