Bass Fishing Forums - How to spend $300?

INbassMAN

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Indiana
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How to spend $300?
Jan 19^th, 2010 at 4:50pm

I need some advice on how to spend $300. Here's what i have:
Boat with 2 cheap fish finders, but they work. I might also add that i'm still trying to figure out how to read them.

I have about 3 or 4 baitcasters combos...the nicest reel cost about $50 and the same with the rod.

1 spinning rod/reel (cheap)

I have some basic tackle

Should i spend it all on a nicer fish finder or a couple of rod/reel combos? Or should I beef up my tackle selection? or split it up between any combonation of the 3?

Thanks

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Lucky Craft Man

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Pittsburgh, PA
Gender: male

Re: How to spend $300?
Reply #1 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 4:59pm

hmmm...if you could swing it, I would add $50 and get this:

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There is nothing more important than electronics. If you can't find the structure, then you can't find the fish.

PS The reviews on this one are low, but the FishElite I have I can't be happier with (I have the black and white screen version).

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Pittsburgh, PA

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kikstand454

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someone take me fishing!!!

tallahassee, florida
Gender: male

Re: How to spend $300?
Reply #2 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 5:05pm

thats a tough one. lots of stuff to get and alot... or not enough...money to get it.
you can get some good rods and reels for 300 bucks, esp if youre willing to wait for sales or buy slightly used. 300 dollars will buy you much more tackle than you ever need all at once. it wont go far buying sonars though. have you thought maybe of a gps? if i was in your situation... i think id be looking to get a gps/fishfinder combo to have at the helm so i could benifit from all the wonders of gps. you can get some cool units for that much... or preferably... keep saving and get a nice one that you can eventually take with you to a boat upgrade.
thats mho, but then... i have 27 rods and reels and more tackle than bps. lol....

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hahaha yeah , thats right.

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stratos 375

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Chester Cty. PA/ Levy Cty. FL

Re: How to spend $300?
Reply #3 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 5:35pm

Here's how to jump start yourself in the spring. Don't worry about the depthfinders. Just turn them off, unless you have a water temp. display. (much more important to me.) If your rods & reels are in good shape, spend the 300 on some quality line & a new selection of lures, or perhaps some lures that you've always wanted to try. Like I said, you don't even have to look at the depth or structure, just work the banks, & pay attention to the water temp. that's where most of the catchable fish will be anyway. Train your eyes to see what's on the shore, & eventually you can pretty well guess what's going on underneath you. Only fish deep when you have to. You'll have plenty of time to figure out how to interpret your depth finder. In my opinion, the're way overrated. I've got a decent one on my boat, and know how to read it, but most of the time, it's a 500.00 temperature gauge. Not sure from your post of your experience or level of skill, but if you're not sure about the tackle , keep it simple. Jerkbaits, traps & jigs

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Sfritr Senior Member Offline Go BEARCATS Cincinnati, OH Gender:	Re: How to spend $300? Reply #4 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 5:43pm Two words: 1.Tackle 2.Warehouse dont pass go don't collect $200
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brushhoggin

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jxn, miss

Re: How to spend $300?
Reply #5 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 5:46pm

stratos 375 wrote on Jan 19^th, 2010 at 5:35pm:

Here's how to jump start yourself in the spring. Don't worry about the depthfinders. Just turn them off, unless you have a water temp. display. (much more important to me.) If your rods & reels are in good shape, spend the 300 on some quality line & a new selection of lures, or perhaps some lures that you've always wanted to try. Like I said, you don't even have to look at the depth or structure, just work the banks, & pay attention to the water temp. that's where most of the catchable fish will be anyway. Train your eyes to see what's on the shore, & eventually you can pretty well guess what's going on underneath you. Only fish deep when you have to. You'll have plenty of time to figure out how to interpret your depth finder. In my opinion, the're way overrated. I've got a decent one on my boat, and know how to read it, but most of the time, it's a 500.00 temperature gauge. Not sure from your post of your experience or level of skill, but if you're not sure about the tackle , keep it simple. Jerkbaits, traps & jigs

uhh, i highly disagree. without a proper unit, you are unable to find the suddle changes in contour that are key in locating bass.good quality structure like brushpiles and trees go un noticed

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"When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the Republic."

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stratos 375

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Chester Cty. PA/ Levy Cty. FL

Re: How to spend $300?
Reply #6 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 6:19pm

hello mr brushoggin, disagreement noted. From reading between the lines on this gentlemens post, I see he has depthfinders he doesn't know how to use, a boat and some basic tackle. This would lead me to believe that maybe he's not quite at the pro level just yet. From the sounds of it, it doesn't seem like he's ready for hard core structure & submerged brushpile tactics just yet either. And if that's not enough, locating subtle contours and other structure doesn't always mean there will be fish on them, and even if there are fish clearly on the structure, they ain't always gonna bite. I'm sure as his fishing hobby develops, he can master depthfinder interpretation & the science of deep structure fishing. But I say, ditch the depthfinders, tie on a spinnerbait, fish where there will be active fish & have fun.
If you want to spend quality time & learn your depthfinder, pick a nice post frontal day when there ain't nothin bitin & distractin ya. Just my most humble opinion.

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VABassFisher Junior Member Online Senior Season. All in!!! Staunton, VA Gender:	Re: How to spend $300? Reply #7 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 6:32pm I would go with tackle. If you already have the electronics and enough rods and reels, spend the majority of it on new lures. Tackle Warehouse is where I would start.
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Matt Kremers

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Rochester, NY

Re: How to spend $300?
Reply #8 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 6:38pm

Have you done any tournaments before? I suggest spending some $$ on tackle (lures, plastics, etc). But definitely try and get in some local tournaments. Local tournaments can go from $25 to $100 to get into, and you can learn more than you could ever imagine. Not to mention the are a TON of fun. Fish as a non-boater and study what your boater does. You can shot the breeze all day and learn some new techniques. In general, the more you pay for an entry fee the better chance you have of getting paired with a knowledgeable angler. Look into FLW BFL and Bassmaster Weekend Series for nationwide tournaments.

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Elite Image Fishing

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Dothan, Alabama
Gender: male

Re: How to spend $300?
Reply #9 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 6:39pm

It's your money, buy what you want and feel comfortable with. I have went off advice before and the best way to buy gear is to sit down, look at what you have... and don't have and go from there. But no one knows you like you know yourself... go with your instincts, or else you will end up with a boat full of someone else's gear... just my .03 cents.

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Lucky Craft Man

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Re: How to spend $300?
Reply #10 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 6:40pm

stratos 375 wrote on Jan 19^th, 2010 at 6:19pm:

hello mr brushoggin, disagreement noted. From reading between the lines on this gentlemens post, I see he has depthfinders he doesn't know how to use, a boat and some basic tackle. This would lead me to believe that maybe he's not quite at the pro level just yet. From the sounds of it, it doesn't seem like he's ready for hard core structure & submerged brushpile tactics just yet either. And if that's not enough, locating subtle contours and other structure doesn't always mean there will be fish on them, and even if there are fish clearly on the structure, they ain't always gonna bite. I'm sure as his fishing hobby develops, he can master depthfinder interpretation & the science of deep structure fishing. But I say, ditch the depthfinders, tie on a spinnerbait, fish where there will be active fish & have fun.
If you want to spend quality time & learn your depthfinder, pick a nice post frontal day when there ain't nothin bitin & distractin ya. Just my most humble opinion.

After hearing Stratos argument, I agree with him. I spend a lot of time on Lake Erie where my depth finder and GPS are king and without them I would be screwed, but I did spend most of my early fishing days in the shallows, without a depth finder, fishing visible cover, which is a great way to fish. Therefore, my suggestion would be on lures and equipment.

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Pittsburgh, PA

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stratos 375 Junior Member Offline I Love Bass Fishing! Chester Cty. PA/ Levy Cty. FL	Re: How to spend $300? Reply #11 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 7:05pm i didn't want it to come off as an "argument" but rather a friendly point of view. We are however in agreement. The shallows are an immeadiate & usually productive fix for most. Did I mention Line???? Invest in some decent line on all your gear.
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Dock Master Been Posting A Long Time Offline I LOVE fishing DOCKS!!!!!!! Sanford, North Carolina Gender:	Re: How to spend $300? Reply #12 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 7:17pm Split your money between getting combos and beefing up your tackle. As long as your fishfinders still work they are good enough.
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turret_plug Message Board Newbie Offline FISH ON!!! Fort Knox, KY Gender:	Re: How to spend $300? Reply #13 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 7:46pm seeing as you're from Indiana and the lakes are frozen...... spend it on gas money and go to Alabama to go fishing!!!!!!!!!!
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Casca Message Board Newbie Online I Love Bass Fishing! nevada Gender:	Re: How to spend $300? Reply #14 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 7:51pm 1. shimano curado 200,$180. 2. powell max casting rod,$140. 3. find that extra $20 somewhere. 4. don't look back. regards, Casca
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