MSPbass

Swim Senko. It's all I use. 4" pinched off a bit.

Decided to test them out. Got a few Para Bugs and Ribbontails. They seem solid, the Para Bugs especially, but I have to wait to get them wet.

In what situation would you prefer to do this? Usually in more open water, like down a weed line or a flat. Above submerged vegetation too. I'll cast out and let is sink instead of starting the retrieve right away. Sometimes I'll even jig it in that spot for a while. If there's no taker, I'll start swimming it like a swim bait. You can't really do it the whole way back though, but I've gotten a good number of hits right after the toad re-surfaces and begins to buzz again. Sometimes I'll let it sink, reel it fast to the surface, buzz it for a bit, let it sink again, swim it and buzz it again. I get a lot of hits this way too.

Northland makes a brass "worm rattle" that's pointed and easy to get into a frog via the hole where the hook comes out of the belly. Most of my frogs have one inside. http://www.northlandtackle.com/Category/main.taf?cat=259

Whatever you decide _AW_, have fun with your purchase. It's important to go with components that you feel comfortable with.

I agree with MattinOK 100%! You rod is what gets your bait to the fish and what you use to work it once it's there. IMHO, it's more important that the reel. That Trion would work great on a HMG too. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0071650124744a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=fenwick+hmg&Ntk=Products&sort=all&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1

Fish a Ribbit under the water.

"Senko", "Senko", "Senko". Me? I'd say...Senko.

Huh. Keep it moving? It's not fished like a worm or jig then. Interesting.

This is kind of different, but I acquired a few Storm Thundercore Pilchers over the winter. They run 1-2'. I had never heard of them before. I'm not sure what to expect, but I plan on giving it a shot this year.

Thanks. I saw that Outcast Naughty Bug too. And the frog seems to be the Mann's Hard Nose.

Anyone using the Outlet (formerly Overstock) Bait & Tackle house brand of plastics, O-Bait? The prices are dirt cheap to begin with; but they're 20% off right now.

I like the Mann's Baby 1-Minus better than the Waker, it's smaller, but both are great baits. http://www.cabelas.com/p-0044158122040a.shtml

I'm in thanks man!

There are no Oops'. It's all done by computer and incredibly precise. No one is actually holding a ray gun or anything. It's a modern marvel I tell 'ya! Freedom from glasses is so worth the cost. DO IT.

You have to check with your state. Look up "boating" on your state's DNR web site to start. But, I don't think, one title would ever cover both. In MN, only boats over 16' require a title. 16' and under are only registered with the DNR. But all trailers are titled and registered.

Yes. Do it. DO IT. I did about 4 years ago and still can't believe the results. To boil it down: it made my life better. As far as glasses, anything $200 is going to be high quality. Costa, Maui Jim, Oakley, Smith, whatever. Just find a pair that fits your head well and looks good. I went for a cheaper brand though. Native Eyewear. About $100 a pair and I love them. Great warranty too (I've used it). Have since gotten another pair; so now I have black and amber.

Buying pre-owned gear is a good way to get the most bang for your buck. Rods I get new, but 5 out of my 7 reels were bough used. I prefer eBay, but I've never had to get anything in a hurry. Just got another Pfluege Trion last week in fact. $32! I had been looking a few times a week for 4/5 months though. It took a little bit of work and a lot of patience; but worth it to me in the end. This happened to be a BPS sold Pflueger "Supreme"; which is really a Trion with higher-end components. But I can't say enough good things about Pfluger reels with aluminum frames. (Don't go with the graphite reels.) The Trion is fantastic though. I actually got one after a few Patriarchs and couldn't believe how much I liked it. So much so, that when I needed a new reel, I purposely started looking for another Trion. It's a no frills reel, don't get me wrong. It just so happens to be one of the best no-frills reels out there. IMHO, of course. Cabela's has a Trion/Fish Eagle II combo for $150. But if you can swing that $200 price tag, I'd go with a better $100 from Fenwick, St. Croix or Falcon.

I just looked this up: "Each year, anglers in Minnesota keep roughly 3.5 million walleyes totaling 4 million pounds." That's why they have to manage the population. Bass, on the other hand, are (usually) not pulled from the lake and cooked for dinner that night. They're put right back in the water!

I go back and forth between a 7' M/Mod and a 6'6 MH/F (HMGs) I like the MH when it's weedy and I might have to really pull them from a snag every once in a while.

People are going to tell you to get what they like; and around here they like Shimanoa lot. While Shimano certainly does make good stuff, you said you're not a new angler so if you're happy with the rods & reels you currently use, I'd start there. For the reel, look for a solid aluminum frame, no graphite. A 6'6 Medium Heavy graphite rod is a great all around rod and it's where most folks start. Some may argue that 7' is better and some yet will say 7' Medium power; but I suggest a 6'6 MH. Myself, I'm a fan of Fenwick rods and Pflueger reels. A Trion baitcaster on a Fenwick HMG is a dependable rig that you'll probably use for the rest of your bass fishing career. $99 each. I'd also check out the combo deals at Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas. The Cabela's Prodigy reel is a Daiwa TD Advantage and you can get the combo for $160. The Bass Pro Extreme combo, like Rebbasser mentioned, is also $160; but folks seem to really like the BPS Pro Qualifier reel. It's got the dual breaks, like the upper-end Pfluegers, and the compact President/Revo body. That combo is $190 right now.

I switched to a 7' M rod last year, specifically for launching Ribbits from docks & shore, and cast them so much better. Brakes are at 2. 20lb PowerPro. I also use a big 5/0 hook for a little weight. I love Ribbits. fish them all year long.

A Fenwick Techna AV can be had in that range right now. Even saw a few for $99 this week. Check Google.

That is a great point.

I don't know what it's like in NE, but in MN, the "Fishing Opener", is the Walleye Opener. That's the tourist catcher. That's the day the Governor goes out and all the news crews follow to see if he lands one. I venture to guess that most of the State has no idea the Bass & Muskie openers are weeks later.