Ballpark Frank

LMB and Catfish are the only ones I have ever kept up with. LMB: 12#8oz.(when I was 14) Channel Cat: 28#5oz. Blue Cat:76#3oz. Flathead:42# even The Flathead was the most fun out of the lot. I was kayak fishing on Wheeler Lake when it hit. It hauled me around for over 30 minutes and around 1/4 mile. I can't imagine what it would be like to hook into a small shark while kayaking saltwater, but will hopefully give it a try this summer.

To me learning to swimbait takes more time and effort than any other bait, but the payoff is much better. You have to have the right gear and spend the money on quality baits. My first foray into swimbaits was with the Storm WildEye series; shad and sunfish. I only caught maybe 4 fish total on these things. Their action was essentially nonexisent. I almost gave up, but decided to spend the money on some quality baits. I now use Matt's Bluegill, Ultimate Bluegill, and Baby Bass. I know it is diffucult to spend $20+ on one lure, but they are worth every penny. Although I haven't landed that +10# yet, I have caught several in the 4-6# range, which is better than any other bait I normally use. Other than Matt's stuff, I only have 2 other swimbaits in my bag and they are hard swimbaits; Jackall Giron. These guys have put some quality fish in the boat as well. Don't give up, this is one technique that pays off. A little aside: I find it odd that some of us are willing to spend $200-$500 on a rod and/or reel, but tend to spend less than $5 on our lures. The lure is what is getting the fish's attention, not our rod and reel. Maybe we should spend a little less on rod/reel and get some quality lures. :

Reaction Innovations Swamp Donkey for hollow body frog. Zoom Horny Toad for soft plastic frog.

Stick with the Big Game.

Congratulations on joining the best BASS RESOURCE in the world!!!!

Booyah's HD is my favorite spinnerbait, with Mann's Classic running a close second. I did have 2 that had problems, the swivel came apart and lost the large blade. I do not know if Booyah has an official warranty policy. When I used the form below to inquire about the problems, I received 2 new spinnerbaits. http://www.lurenet.com/ContactUs/default

Been There, Done That!!

My girls and I trying to be fish.

This is the only manufacturer that I know that installs a trolling motor with foot controls. http://www.bassyaks.com/

Glad you are OK. Here in North Alabama, we have several venomous snakes. I had a Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin get me when I was 12, that was an experience that I wish I could forget. I usually leave the rattlers and copperheads alone, they are usually not aggressive. If I see them, I slowly walk away. Cottonmouths on the other hand, are very aggressive and should consider themselves as "JUST WAITING TO DIE". My S&W 638 is always in my pocket just waiting for them.

Thanks for the advice, guys. I stopped by Gander this morning and compared the 2 sizes. I like the 200 better. The 100 being alot smaller was my concern, I like a larger reel than most, due to some physical issues and big hands. Ended up going to my local shop and got another 200D Citica and a Cruxis. That makes five Shimanos, and they are on my main rods. The Possee has won me over to their side.

That was a great deal anywhere in this country, not everyone gets that once in a lifetime boat deal(boat, motor, trailer, etc. for $400). :

I have used the 3/8oz with decent success. When my usual arsenal is not catching anything, that is when I go to the Blade Dancers and Chatterbaits. I have thought about going out and using them exclusively for a couple of days to see how successful they could be.

x3

I always have a cooler with ice for lunch and drinks. The fillet knife is always in my tackle bag, since I catfish alot also.

The first one I have ever killed was last weekend. I had stopped at my favorite bank spot after work. This little guy had already swallowed my lizard when I felt him. When I did notice, I set the hook pretty hard. The angle of the hook came completely through his right side gills, they were all bleeding. He bled out and died while I was getting the hook out. I didn't waste the meat, but felt aweful for several days(heck still do).

Samuel Adam's Boston Lager Samuel Adam's Summer Ale Samuel Adam's Cream Stout Guiness Extra Stout Murphy's Stout Beamish Stout Samuel Smith's Irish Stout Marston's Oyster Stout That is what is in the beer fridge inventory right now. The kegerator currently has a 1/2 barrel of Boston Lager.

Now that I have fallen in love with my Shimanos, I am thinking about another Citica. I am considering the 100 size for my G.Loomis CR723 and was wondering about the size difference between the 100 and 200. Any picture of the Citica 100 side by side the 200 would be appreciated(or Curados). Thanks Oh yeah, any Quantum fans, keep an eye on the Classifieds. Several of my Quantums will appear.

I use mine on my old 14' Alumacraft V-hull and the new(actually older than dirt, but was returned to me) 14' fiberglass Gamefisher semi-V. The Alumacraft is an "ancient" model(circa 1960) and very heavy, I can barely move it on and off the trailer by myself (I am 6'1"/230# and in pretty good shape). My handle says basspaddler because I primarily fish from a kayak, but still use a normal boat a couple of times a month.

I want the Shimano Speedmaster, and I want it now!!!!!

Although I have a couple of Lightning Rods that I still use occasionally from the bank, the cheap stuff is for guests and their kids. Even my 8 year old daughter uses good gear; G.Loomis GL3 and Revo S.

Give this a look, I have one on my 46# Endura. This prop moves alot more water than a normal prop, I am very pleased with mine. If you are using a trolling motor as primary mover, it does a great job. www.kipawapropellers.com

I am partial to the Rapala Shallow Shad Rap and the Mann's -1.

I now have to admit that I should have listened to some of you guys, and got a Shimano BC sooner. I love this Citica. I mounted in on my BCR803 Mossy and spooled it with Big Game 15#. This afternoon on my way home I took it out for a little bank fishing and had a sure fire ***. I was not planning on really serious fishing, just familiarizing myself with the reel. I tied on a Zoom Super Fluke and set the brakes and cast knob my normal way. In my first four casts, I caught and landed three decent Largemouths(around 2 to 3 #s). If that ain't a good sign for new gear, I don't know what is.

Thanks guys, I do have a great wife. She does not mind my hobby being fishing not the investment that comes with the tackle and such. When we first met, I was a full time musician(a hobby that turned into a job) and could not makes ends meet.