Mike 12345

Ok, great. So, If I have an 18ft fiberglass bass boat, fishing reservoirs (not heavy current), would a 24V provide better performance? The batteries are in parrallel, so all other things being equal, is 24 better than 12? Faster, more thrust? Thanks

My boat currently has a hand - operated trolling motor on the bow, which is making boat positioning and casting while trolling frustrating. I am in the market for a used foot controlled unit. My current trolling motor is a 12/24 V unit. Do I understand correctly that while in 12V mode, it will draw from 1 battery, whereas in 24V mode, it will draw from 2 ? Is that the case? I would assume then, that I should replace it with a 12/24V model, correct? If my logic is sound, going with only a 12V motor would eliminate the need for the second battery- Any input is appreciated- Thanks!

Well, I recently bought some Spiderwire mono to try out, and it is a flouro blue color. Didn't know that at the time- But, It does not seem to be a deterrent so far. I think I read somewhere that it was more easily visible in situations like working soft plastics, to help detect a subtle hit. I did not think about night fishing and black lights....thanks

Hi folks- I did a search on flourescent, but nothing came back- Can someone please outline for me advantages / disadvantages of flourescent line? Thanks

I have had great success using these chartreuse shallow cranks this fall. Also the BPS XPS shallow runners as well. Both are productive for me and right around $3-$4.

In the world of soft plastics, does the choice of what specific type of lure to use often come down to angler preference/confidence, or are these lures always specifically designed for specific applications? For example, is there a specific reason that an angler would choose something like a Brush Hawg instead of a worm? Or, does it matter that I toss a brush hawg into a pocket of milfoil as opposed to a tube or worm? If presented properly, and with a fish present, would one not often perform (catch a fish) just as likely as another? I can see very clear examples of plastics made for specific situations (for jig trailers, C rigs, etc) but some of these choices seem a bit vague to me. Any input is appreciated-

Is there a 'standard' size utility tackle box that is most commonly used, and that modern bass boat storage areas are built to accept? Do most folks use 1 basic size of the Plano boxes, for example? I ask because this winter, I am going to transition the contents of my 'traditional' tacle boxes over to the utility boxes. I'll also be trading up to a newer boat in the next year or so, so I'd like the boxes that I buy to fit the storage area systems that are built into many of the more modern boats. Thanks!

Good tips, Catt-- thank you!

I read the same articles and magazines and, at least in my little section of my local lake, it holds up. As FBL said, if you get a map of the reservoir you are fishing, you'll probably identify named creeks as part of the lake. For example, on my lake, there is Drake's Creek, Cedar Creek, etc. Marinas in these areas are often named for the creek they are in (don't know if this is true in your neck of the woods). In the fall, the bass follow the baitfish back into the shallows and feed. Here, you can see huge balls of minnows and/or shad in the water, and you'll also notice bass hammering them in the area (on the surface). Last week, while retying a shallow crankbait on my boat and fishing the shallows ( < 4ft water at the back of a cove/inlet) I saw a LMB swim quickly right by my boat, maybe 1 in under the surface, mouth wide open, scooping up the baitfish. Pretty cool. As one direct answer to a part of your question, the 'inlet' that I fish this year is not a true creek- its an inlet, or branch, but it supports the same activity in fall and spring as the creeks have - by that I mean shallow flats where the bass spawn, and can also feed. My lake is pretty dingy though- its no clearer in the back of the inlets/creeks than the main water- but the bass are still making the move, and have been for several weeks. As I and others have posted in a few different threads I've read here, the pattern that's held up for me this fall is following the action you see on top, then break out your shallow water crankbaits and get 'em. Just as an interesting side note to my post, when the Bassmaster Elite Series event was moved from the "River Rumble' on the Mississippi to my lake (Old Hickory Lake, Nashville, TN) this past summer due to flooding, the Army Corps of Engineers was not generating through the dam (because of the flooding). This threw many of the anglers off, because they expected the fish to be in traditional summer patterns- deep ledges, etc. The fact there was no generation dispersed the fish, and in part, 'caused', or helped solidify, a shallow water pattern. Plenty of fish with lots of food, despite the hot water. The successful top of the standings followed this pattern into the shallows and capitalized. The fishing has been shallow here all year. FWIW. Hope this helps a little. Good luck!

Very interesting, thanks all!

Are worms that are pink, cotton candy, etc best used for certain conditions or techniques? Pressured areas where you want to show something different? Just wondering if there were specific reasons when these colors would be more desirable. Thanks!

OK guys, I really appreciate everyones input. I did not intend for this post to turn into an argument, I really just wanted some input on a potential flippin/pitchin' rod purchase. I'm just trying to figure out, before I pull the trigger, If I should go with the 7'11 mama or if I should cool it and go with something shorter. I value all of the input I receive here-- just trying to make the best decision. My main focus next year is jigs and soft plastics, and i'm trying to see if anyone is gonna try to talk me out of a longer rod- Best regards- Mike

I've been shopping around, looking at different brands, lengths etc for an upcoming flipping/pitching rod. I notice that, in flipping rods, they seem to be in lengths from around, 7' then maybe 7'6, and then even longer. The longer ones, even with the same 'MH , XF' (generally) rating as the shorter ones, tend to be intended for lighter lures/plastics/jigs. Is there a benefit to getting one that is, say 7'11 in length over a 7 foot rod? I know that you could theoretically flip further with a longer rod, I'm just asking whether getting the longer one would be a regret down the road. Holding them each at the same time, my initial thought is that it might be easier to flip/pitch using the longer one. (Note: I don't really envision trying to work a jig much over 1 oz, at least not in the near future- probably the laydowns, overhanging cover and docks I'd generally work would be 0 -10 ft) Any input would be appreciated- Mike

Can you elaborate? I'm in the market too, and interested in your response.

Good info guys, thanks. Don't those Extreme models typically have the Evinrude FICHT, straddling the transition period between when OMC had all the problems and then when they were more reliable, like 2000 and up? I'm only asking because I don't know, and this is what I've been told about these years of Evinrudes. There is one for sale in my area, and I am sort of pre- searching for that future boat! Thanks

From what I've realized so far, water temp has been most important. I won't pretend to know anything about moon phase or its effects...but the moon gives the oceans tides, so I imagine it affects fish too. I have seen KVD mention that its something he pays attention to more than barometric pressure, etc. The online logs build that into your reports. Good thing, because I would not know a waxing from a waning moon.

Here's another thing I was wondering about. Do you guys log every single fish? I was thinking I would limit detailed logging to only fish that would meet the livewell size requirements if it were a tournament situation. That way my numbers don't get skewed causing me to have records leading me to small fish that I'm not concerned about. Also if it seems like I might end up wasting a lot of time writing if I log every little fish I catch. Is this the right train of thought or do you guys disagree? I have been logging them all...... however, I'm still not sure what the value of logging the yellow bass that I catch really is. Over the course of this year while fishing for LMB, I have also caught crappie, yellow bass, and bluegill. My primary interest is LMB, so I don't really know why the yellow bass I catch should be recorded, but I've been doing it. On the other hand, I would definitely log all LMB/SMB you catch, regardless of size. You might get insight on likely locations/lures/presentations for larger fish.

Just as an FYI, there are a couple online fishing logs (free) that you can use to post this info, pics, etc. One is called Fish Swami, another is Online fishermans log, or something - if you googl eit, you'll find it. Pretty cool tools.

Does anyone have any experience on the Stratos "SS Extreme" line of bass boats? From those I've seen for sale online, it looks like they were built from the late 90's into the early 2000's (I could be wrong on that) and range from 19 - 21 feet. I'm wondering about how those boats handle, deal with choppy water, how they ride at speed, etc. I suppose mainly, I'm wondering if the "Extreme" moniker would be suggestive that the hull was designed for speed at the expense of ride quality, or if it is just a marketing thing. I've been looking at several used ones online, and might be interested in upgrading by older ProCraft in the future, but I don't want a boat that is going to beat me up all day. Thanks for any input-

Here is a related question to show how uneducated I am- If I have a 7:1 reel as I mentioned, and it is best used for jigs/worms/spinnerbaits, and a 5:1 is better for cranks, where do the 6:2 or 6:3 reels fit in with rod selection?

Tell you what, I have learned more about rods, and what I need *and don't need* for different applications, from this thread and the stickies at the top of the forum over the past few days that I have ever known before. I appreciate everyone giving me such insight on what I really need to be looking at. Thanks again, and keep 'em coming!

Great tip! Thanks!

This is the same scale I have, and the same method I use. Works great.

I've caught lots of fish with them- And thrown expensive lures right afterwards, and gotten nothing. Its worth the $3 you'll spend, IMHO

Great information, I really appreciate the help! Thanks all!