arul

I am looking to get a rod that I mainly intended to use for crankbaits and jerkbaits. What would be the action and specs I would be looking for?

I keep seeing references to "flipping switch". Does this mean these reels or only made for flippin? Or is it multi purpose, such as long casts for cranking too? example:

Thanks Rooster. You know if that sale is just online? Or is it in-store as well? I will add this combo to research more on...

I'm looking to get a baitcast combo, and would like some advice from you guys... Is it possible to find something decent for under $90 (reel and rod combo)? I don't need anything too fancy, but would want to be able to make long casts with some form of easy control of backlash, with a smooth retrieve, and a decent medium heavy rod. Or is that price range just junk, and should I go up to the mid $100's (only if it is a noticable difference). Basspro has this KVD signature series on sale right now... http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98402?cmCat=CROSSSELL&cmid=PP_P0_2 is it any good??? Or do you guys know of any other good sale deals going on? thanks!

anyone know? I want to fish a coangler event, and it seems that all the Florida tournies are very early in the year, so I want to make sure I don't miss them this time...

....says the Vampire....

Yeah, they must be throwing up some infomercials or something. Last I heard about the banjo minnow, was when they were on an infomercial back in 1996.... I bought some then, and was not impressed. The ones I got back then had the "screw in the nose" type hooks, and the plastic was so weak, that the bait would easily rip free. I tried to just use a EWG worm hook, but the way the body is shaped didn't work too well either. I recommend just using a Zoom superfluke or Senko- with the twitch, twitch pause technique. I put my money on the Superfluke or Senko outfishing the banjo- 9 times out of 10.

Thanks so far for the advice... Also, do you think bigger fish tend to go for Frogs? Would you consider it a kicker fish type bait, or do the 1-2 pounders still go for it too?

So I am fishing a lake with a good amount of lilipads inside strong strands of maidencane, with water depth of about 2-4 feet below the pads. The water temp will probably be about 83 degrees. Can someone tell me about the frog bite? When should I go with a frog? I just got a Spro Bronzeye, and wouldn't mind trying it out, but do you think with the water temp already at 83 degrees, the bigger bass have moved out to deeper water? I heard that the frog bite is really only good first thing in the morning or at night. Is this true? thanks!

I went to home depot and got a good pair of wire cutters, and was able to cut the hook shaft way down, and remove much of the hook this way on my last Gut hook, and just left the rest of the hook in there. I heard they have a chance at living this way much more so than trying to yank it out. However, I never tried this gill technique though. Hopefully I won't need to, but if I do end up Gut hooking again, I will give it a shot before going to my wire cutters.

Thanks all for the great insight. We are going with a paper tourney. Going to calibrate everyone's scales before the tourney. Everyone will keep a log of all the fish they catch, at the end count the best 5, and go with the partner/photo/honor verification system. We are thinking about also implementing a weight scale point system, which may cut down on the possibility of inaccuracies due to different scales and reader errors. Something like: 0-.99 lb= 5 points, 1-1.99 lbs = 10 pts, 2-2.99 lbs = 15 pts, etc... Unless the fish happens to be slotted right on the bracket boundary, it will take need for fine tuned calibrated weighing out of the equation.

Thanks all for the great insight. We are going with a paper tourney. Going to calibrate everyone's scales before the tourney. Everyone will keep a log of all the fish they catch, at the end count the best 5, and go with the partner/photo/honor verification system. We are thinking about also implementing a weight scale point system, which may cut down on the possibility of inaccuracies due to different scales and reader errors. Something like: 0-.99 lb= 5 points, 1-1.99 lbs = 10 pts, 2-2.99 lbs = 15 pts, etc... Unless the fish happens to be slotted right on the bracket boundary, it will take need for fine tuned calibrated weighing out of the equation.

can you link the weight calculator? thanks!

Hi all, My group of 8 friends are wanting to have a tournament among ourselves on a small lake. We all just have canoes or kayaks. Does anyone have any tips for such a scenario? I am mainly concerned about how to handle the fish... Would it be okay for everyone just to keep them on a stringer off the side of the boat? Or would this put too much stress on the fish, leading to deaths? The fishing window will be 5 hours, so the worst case scenario is a bass would get toted around the lake via stringer for that time. The last thing we want is a fish kill, but we want to have a tourney and have no boats with livewells... Any thoughts or suggestions?

Hi all, My group of 8 friends are wanting to have a tournament among ourselves on a small lake. We all just have canoes or kayaks. Does anyone have any tips for such a scenario? I am mainly concerned about how to handle the fish... Would it be okay for everyone just to keep them on a stringer off the side of the boat? Or would this put too much stress on the fish, leading to deaths? The fishing window will be 5 hours, so the worst case scenario is a bass would get toted around the lake via stringer for that time. The last thing we want is a fish kill, but we want to have a tourney and have no boats with livewells... Any thoughts or suggestions?

I have used the original senko, but am interested trying the other brands. How do they stack up to the original? I know there is the difference of cost and durability, with the Yamato not being very durable and a little pricey. However, do the other brands have the same action, sink rate, taste etc.? Also, what are you thoughts on lengths? I use a 4", but am think about upsizing to a 6" for a little bit bigger and more eye catching profile...thoughts on lengths of these stick baits?

Hi all, I have never fished using a topwater frog before, but lately I have found myself wanting to fish some thick lilipad areas, but everything I use gets snagged.... I think I may try out a frog. What is your favorite/best frog to use? I think I would be partial to the pre-rigged ones, not the soft plastic types you T-rig. Don't know though. Can you point me in the right direction for a good frog? thanks!

Thanks all. Good points. They aren't really that beat up yet... I was just thinking ahead, and looking to make the paint job last longer. I will go with the jury and leave it alone! ;D ;D

As you know these lures are pricey. I have used mine a few times, and have noticed a few chips/scratches in the paint job. Do you think it would be okay to spray the lure with a clear acrylic (model paint) coat for a little extra protective covering? Or would this change the Buoyancy, action, or reflective shine? The two color patterns I have are Metal Shad (which is pretty shiny chrome look), and Leviathan Ayu (which is non reflective light yellow). any thoughts?

How often does this stuff go on? I have been interested in entering some tournies, like a BFL, ABA American Fishing Tour, or Weekend Series, but in the back of my mind, I have always worried about cheaters in the sport. I don't want to pay $70-$150 for these lower level tournies, only to throw my hard earned money to the cheaters... My gut tells me that every tourney probably has a cheater in it, no? Or does the random draw of the angler/co-angler format cut down on the shenanigans? Do officials inspect all the livewells before the tourney starts? What keeps these scum from storing pre caught lunkers in other sections of the boat? Basically, if I enter a tourney, will I be playing on fair ground? thanks!

Too funny, I just posted this comment on the General forum, which would also apply here: I LOVE IKE'S SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is the best, most entertaining fishing show on TV. I gaurantee that his man on the street interviews are not scripted. People's assumption that the east river, chicago river, or other urban water bodies are too polluted or crime ridden to hold fish or be fished is a common belief by the general public. That is the beauty of his show, it shows a passionate angler trying to bring fishing to the inner cities. I love the episode where he is fishing in central park, and some British tourists are awestruck that he actually caught a fish. It was good sized healthy bass! I also love the episode in Philly where he fishes with a random kid on the river bank...or the episode in Tampa, or Sacramento,....i guess i like em all! I hope Mike Iaconelli keeps this show going, and even expands a few episodes where he picks a few random guys/girls from the busy city street to go fishing with him to show them the great sport it is. Keep bringing fishing to the Inner City Mike! It is a great idea, and you are just the guy to accomplish it... Some may not like his style, but there is no denying that Mike is an ambassador of the sport! I love IKE! (in a non-f$#$tty way - to quote BTLS) I hope to enter a few pro tourneys next year as a co-anlger and will be crossing my fingers to be matched up with him. Even though I live in Orlando, which is full of standard fishable waters, since seeing his show City Limits, I have taken great joy in trying my hand in some of the more "Urban" watebodies here in town and surprisingly have caught some nice fish out of waters you would never think to fish!!!

I LOVE IKE'S SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is the best, most entertaining fishing show on TV. I gaurantee that his man on the street interviews are not scripted. People's assumption that the east river, chicago river, or other urban water bodies are too polluted or crime ridden to hold fish or be fished is a common belief by the general public. That is the beauty of his show, it shows a passionate angler trying to bring fishing to the inner cities. I love the episode where he is fishing in central park, and some British tourists are awestruck that he actually caught a fish. It was good sized healthy bass! ;D I also love the episode in Philly where he fishes with a random kid on the river bank...or the episode in Tampa, or Sacramento,....i guess i like em all! I hope Mike Iaconelli keeps this show going, and even expands a few episodes where he picks a few random guys/girls from the busy city street to go fishing with him to show them the great sport it is. Keep bringing fishing to the Inner City Mike! It is a great idea, and you are just the guy to accomplish it... Some may not like his style, but there is no denying that Mike is an ambassador of the sport! I love IKE! (in a non-f$#$tty way - to quote BTLS) I hope to enter a few pro tourneys next year as a co-anlger and will be crossing my fingers to be matched up with him. Even though I live in Orlando, which is full of standard fishable waters, since seeing his show City Limits, I have taken great joy in trying my hand in some of the more "Urban" watebodies here in town and surprisingly have caught some nice fish out of waters you would never think to fish!!!

Yeah, this last outing I gut hooked 3! :'( :'( I was using a zoom super fluke, and fishing it real slow, letting it fall on slack line. The fish were just taking it so lightly, I had no idea they were on until too late. :'( Question: I have heard that if you cut as much of the hook with dikes, and leave it in there, that eventually, the fish may digest it. Or at the very least, live the rest of a good life with a hook in him. Is this right??? :-? Or is a gut hook pretty much = death? At the very least, I have learned that it is a wrong move 100% of the time to try to pull it free...

Good point... (no pun intended-haha) Actually, I just used the lure fresh out of the box assuming they were sharp-so I will check it out. The hooks they come with just seem a little undersized, and lack good barbs IMO. I guess I could hunt for a same sized treble that has more bite to it. Why in the world would they use a barbless hook on the middle one?

Hi All, I have been hooking into a lot of fish using a Megabass Vision 110 (a minnow jerkbait), but the land ratio could be a lot better. 1/2 the time they throw the mouth hook, and I am lucky enough that another hook grabs a hold of the body somewhere. And if they jump, it is inevetible they throw the bait loose. I was looking at the hooks, and the barbs seem pretty small. The hook in the middle is even barbless!!! Question: If I changed out treble hooks, maybe go up a size or so, with something that has some more pronounced barbs, would it mess up the designed action of lure? Do they engineer these things for a specific weight/size of hook? This bait has a specific tight roll that I like, so I don't want to screw it up...suggestions? thanks!