islandbass

Indeed. The environment is the key. Close quarters favor shorter rods. When possible I use the longest rod I can get away with and I like 7’. A longer rod will give you more line control and farther casts with less effort. This line control comes in handy when you drift things like inline spinners or a plastic. However, those same traits won’t serve you well in tight quarters. Let the environment dictate the rod length and most of us like adding new weapons to the arsenal. ?

Where did you buy the panther blades? Thanks.

It didn’t take long at all. Matter of fact, I learned it was actually my preferred option, lol. If you already cast with your right hand, you’re probably going to pop your hand on your head and say I could have had a V8, lol. As for me, less time than I thought. Here are my tips. 1) if you already cast with your right hand, don’t change that for now. Still cast with that hand. You will then experience the beauty of not having to switch hands during the cast. 2) When you’re ready to cast with your left hand, and that’s a good thing, then I highly recommend you do so with the right hand on the butt. Your right hand is “spotting” and guiding your left hand. Matter of fact, I cast with both hands whenever possible or is advantageous. IMHO, it significantly reduces arm/wrist and forearm fatigue.

They’re both good. Speaking from experience. BG is more readily available to me so I go with it.

A Medium Heavy powered rod with a fast action is the basic “just about do it all” rod for many bass angling techniques The medium powered rod can do a lot for you two, especially the light single soft plastics With that said 3 rods can function as “do it all” for the budget minded. The two I already mentioned and other other thing to factor in in your area. If you’re going to be frogging and punching then it makes sense to get a heavy powered rod to handle that. For me, it is a scenario I won’t encounter much at all so I don’t have this type of rod (yet). To the other side of the spectrum is finesse. This is where medium light powered rods come in. I have this. These 3-4 powered rods will get the job done — BUT, and this is a big but — one of the advantages of having multiple rods is that it reduces cutting a lure off to replace another. You will not have “on the fly” luxury of simply switching rods. If you have one rod for chatters, spinnerbaits, and jigs, guess what? You’re retying a lure every time you have to change. It not really a big deal but that is a given reality. Hence the beauty of having multiple rods. With that said, I do not play that game. I bring 3-4 rods with me that will cover my bases. I also fish from the shore so I refuse to carry 8-10 rods. I used to carry 5-6 but quickly realized nearly 100% of the time only 3 of the rods were used. Do what works for you and don’t play the keep up with the Jones’ games. Last piece is this (my POV). If you’re going to spend a lot of $$ on a rod, I would make sure it’s a technique for which sensitivity is paramount and imperative, since you did say budget minded. Bottom contact, etc. I wouldn’t be as willing to shell out such cash for say something like a high end crankbait rod. This does not apply if money is not an issue. Before you know it, you’ll have 10-15 rods… Easy, lol.

I agree with what’s already been said. It not only looks good but is probably pretty universal in fish appeal.

Me three. Just because you tell them what you’re using doesn’t mean they will start magically catching bass like we do, especially if it’s apparent they fishing skills are not yet developed as yours are. Kinda a like shooting a basketball ball. ? if Steph Curry handed you his magic basketball you will NOT be draining 35’ 3-point shots like him. ?

Another vote for the Cardiff. It is truly overshadowed and underrated because of its sister the Calcutta. It is tough to beat in the bang for the buck and performance department. Ive had a 301a for quite some time now and love it.

Unfortunately, I’ve been spooled — by a chum salmon. Granted he was a freight train. I was using a 200 sized curado. After giving it a lot of thought, contemplating on how it pulled off that feat, I am very inclined to believe it must have been foul hooked. Unintentionally, of course. When I was able to clearly see the spool through the remaining line, I knew I lost this fight. I tipped my hat ? to it with respect and tucked in my tail, lol. That curado was done for the day. I believe if it were hooked in the mouth, I would have been able to bring it in. One regret was he was swimming around with a lot of line. Not a good feeling.

Not really. You’ll spend more time threading it though those ported holes than it would take to put a mono backing into a spool with the arbor knot. Braid being limp won’t help either. You’d probably or at least run the risk of scratching your spool trying to cut off the braid from the spool when the time comes. put a long enough backing and it will practically be on there for life. in essence, this is a one time event, putting on the backing. just suck it up buttercup, and put on a backing, lol. If you are averse enough, then use tape. It does eliminate tying a knot. I personally don’t use tape.

Thanks. I’ll have to look at that. The reason why I asked is because I did mine by trial and error. I developed a sense by the second one I made and that is good, but I would have preferred having a formula. Mine were made out of balsa. Balsa is so darn buoyant too, lol. As for the lip, I just used lexan that you can get at Home Depot. It is not bomb proof but it did the job and it the lip broke I could easily replace it. Im looking forward to seeing you post when you finally catch fish on your crankbaits. There is no feeling like, it. Crankbaits, unlike other baits that you actually shape yourself, add the ballast, paint, seal add the hardware, etc., putting in your blood, sweat and tears, gives you the sweetest euphoric, double-fist pump action (both mental and physical) possible that is better that any man made drug. ?

Right in! That was my varsity number, lol.

You probably should but depending on the size of the lip and material, it may be negligible. in the cranks I’ve made, the lips were already attached and they were through body wire framed vs screw eyes. Hooks and split rings were not attached. How are you calculating this, btw? I used a sophisticated testing tank (its lid) like the one below, minus the packaging of course and filled with water It allowed me to observe the bait from any angle.

Congrats, TnRiver46! Definitely well deserved. ???

Wow! How much did it weigh?

That’s easy — Penn sylvania ?? Update - I jokingly said Pennsylvania as a pun (just popped in my head) and posted it before seeing JFrancho’s post. A purely coincidental pun since Philadelphia is in Pennsylvania.

Given my non-grip fingers, I am more likely than others to do this,lol. However it has not yet happened. Regardless of which reel I use,I usually cast two handed. The extra hand (the one closest to the butt) reduces the chances of dropping the rig and IMHO, practically eliminates potential fatigues to my wrist and forearm that can occur from single hand casting. I’m into fishing for life, lol. Tendinitis and fishing don’t mix. You know you’re in trouble when you can’t pick up a coffee mug without pain. Imagine fishing all day. Ouch!!!

Thanks!

How does one encrypt a credit card? Serious question and sounds like a wise thing to do. Thanks.

Of course! We can call that the A-Jay Bass Fishing Corollary. ?

Apparently, you are not familiar with bass fishing “hawg” theorem. Think back to middle school math class. You know, like the Pythagorean theorem. The Bass Fishing Theorem, discovered by yours truly, is as follows: ”Once hooked, the weight and size of a bass diminishes the closer it gets to an angler.” So you see, they probably were at least 8lb. pigs when they got hooked, but they started shrinking in size and weight the closer they get to you. I am sure this has happened to everyone here. ?? My pet peeve? Seeing people tying a palomar knot by creating the loop first and then trying to insert the loop into the hook eye — particularly irksome when the hook eye is small to begin with like with finesse and UL hooks. Don’t make me slap you. I will catch 5 fish before you ever insert 6# fc line through eye of a size 2 DS hook by way of the loop. ????? lol.

Nice list. Now, “Who’s the master?!!” (Last Dragon reference) The part where Bruce Lee comes in to train him, even when I first saw it, I thought it was both corny and ridiculous but also cool and thought I wish it was me he trained, lol. Batman Under the Red Hood is freaking awesome and so are many the animated DC movie I saw. I like many of the others too like crisis on infinite earths. They’d be on this list. Also: Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon Original Star Wars Movies Shaolin Soccer ⚽️ ? Kung Fu Hustle

@DitchPanda So true! That’s what I am learning. Man was I missing a lot!

Good for you! ? I’ve actually gone the other way. I’ve been hanging out on the finesse end (primarily drop shot) and I got hooked on it like a drug that I really couldn’t use or desire to try other techniques. My transition to start going to the heavier or power side of bass fishing started in 2018 and this season I’ve seen growth in learning and experience. This “heavier” power side is freaking incredible. Maybe we’ll see each other in passing, as you go from power to finesse and vice versa for me, lol.

I am not. I used to be. Now, all of my lures can fit in a bankers box. ALL of them. I realized certain colors and shapes are more productive for me and stuck with them. It took over a decade to whittle the stash down through use and giving away of lures. I am glad I have the mental fortitude and discipline to lay the law down on the bait monkey. Down, boy! Give my wallet back!