MSPbass

I like 'em. I got a bunch at the end of the season to use Texas rigged with these skirted bullet weights I have. The extra length works well for this set up and the claws do flutter nicely. I bet it would work well on a shaky head head too.

HA! Pardon me. It is nothing like the new Hummingbird Side Imaging sonar. That's for sure! The Fishin' Buddy is the plastic flashlight you might find in the checkout isle at auto parts store. The Side Imaging units would be the stainless steel high-intensity discharge Xenon lamp that lights up a squirrel a mile away. But hey, either one will get you to the bathroom in the middle of the night, right? Check eBay prices against your dealer prices too. There's always a bunch to find there.

I have an old, Bottom Line Fishin' Buddy as well. FB II, maybe? It takes 3 or 4 big D batteries but they last pretty long. Had it on my float boat and took it on a little aluminum a few times. It's all I've ever had, so I can't compare, but I can't complain either. It gives accurate depth and temp stats. Mine has the Side Imaging too. I don't think it's ever helped me catch a fish, but it's kind of cool to shoot it under a dock and see what it tells you. Although it clamps on very tight, I've never used it while motoring. But I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for a small boat, especially if you want something moveable. However, I wouldn't count landing more fish because of it. It's not so much a fish finder as a temp and bottom contour finder.

This is a topwater spoon, not a jigging spoon. But whatever, give it a try. I'd probably use a swivel though. I'd expect it to spin in circles all the way back to you.

Funny. I understand the scepticism though. I have some myself. That's exactly why I'm hoping to get some feedback from someone who's used them. I can tell you that they are not stiff at all. The ends are quite bouncy, in fact. I expect them to look pretty decent in the water. Unfortunately, we're getting into our long cold MN winter and I'm not going to be on the water any time soon. Maybe I'll try one in the bathtub. It looks like a little rod tip shake should impart a nice quiver. I can tell you all they did win "Best In Show" at the Chicagoland Outdoor Show in '08. I've been interested in them ever since. This is why they won: Product novelty cutting edge, patent pending technology Product design and effectiveness - contemporary design and bullet proof soft plastic lures anglers can use again and again Conservation 'Green Philosophy - IronClads soft baits do not rip or tear off from fish strikes or under normal fishing conditions. It has been estimated that over 12,000 tons of soft plastic lures are lost as waste in the US alone annually. IronClads soft baits stay on the hook, almost permanently. They also won a 2009 "Invention Award" from Popular Science. http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2009-05/popsci-2009-invention-awards This would be for the science behind the bait, not necessarily it's fish catching ability, of course. I'll be sure to post a review at the end of May :'(; when my State allows us to target Bass again.

I used to throw a Moss Boss, with the built in trailer, through Lilly pads; but that stopped after I found more realistic frog baits. I probably still have a couple in an old tackle box, but I can't think of a reason to use it over a toad or frog now. http://www.cabelas.com/p-0030998113578a.shtml

I did a search but nothing came up for IronClads plastics. Anyone use them this year? I picked up a few bags from a bargain bin yesterday and it seems like a great idea. It's got this surgical mesh, surrounding a dense core, that supposedly "locks" your hook in place. They even tell you not to back your hook out if you need to re-rig. Instead, you should cut your line and pull it out by the business end. The action, out of the water, seemed OK too. I'm looking forward to rigging them up wacky style next season. They say you can't throw it off the hook and it will not tare. Sounds promising. http://www.lakeresourcesgroup.com/LRG.aspx

I just got my first bass boat this Fall and the carpets were pretty dingy, but not really stained. Simple Green, a nylon bristled scrub brush and my garden hose worked wonders. I started at the bow and did the exact same thing Hot Rod says to do, except I sprayed it on directly and used the scrubber on all of it.

I stay with one brand and I'm just a weekend warrior; not a tourney guy. Maybe it's just a confidence thing, probably some OCD here too, but I also think having a consistent feel is a benefit to me. I don't think the difference is necessarily huge; but I've tried out buddies' combos and it always takes a while to get used to the feel and different action. Why would I want to do that with my own gear? Staying with one brand reduces that issue significantly.

I would grab one of those Fenwick HMG's on sale at Cabela's for $60 right now. I use 7' M for toads and and a 6'6' MH for hard topwaters like spooks and buzzbaits. Both are mod-fast action HMGs. Then put the money you save on the rod into a nicer reel! The HMG is sweet. You wouldn't be "settling" in any way. It's a great topwater rod actually.

Almost all the Techna AV's are sold out already. I can't believe there are still HMG's for $60 either. That's the best deal I've ever seen. The new HMG is nice, but I wouldn't pass this up if I was in the market right now.

I use a Plano box as well. No separators though, just 4 rows of 4 (about) different colors. Heaviest jigs on the left & they get lighter to the right. One row does have a separator actually. That's where I keep a few spare trailers from my plastics bag. I do the same thing in small box when I'm throwing things into a backpack for a quick outing.

I have a couple pair from Native Eyewear that I really like. They run about $120 and you can get them on-line or at REI. They have an interchangeable lens system. I don't really bother, but it's easy to pop them out and swap for a new color. My first pair got a little crack in the top. Sent them back, paid $10-15 for shipping and they sent me a new pair. That's a nice warranty. http://www.nativeyewear.com/eyewear/sunglasses/list P.S. In case you're worried about that crack and durability...I'll admit that I smashed myself in the face with my car door and I'm pretty sure that's how it happened. I just didn't notice it for a month or so.

Don't be afraid to look at used either. You can find great deals form folks looking to upgrade/downsize their own gear and it's often very, very, well taken care of. A little boat rash doesn't really mean a thing. You'll scuff up your new reel before you know it anyhow. Be sure to read a seller's feedback if you go the eBay route though. The sellers there are sometimes less than honest. Just sometimes. Seen lots of good deals from this site's Flea Market forum too. Otherwise, I agree with the above; the combo deals from Cabela's and BPS are a good way to go.

Interesting. I actually ended my season with a spinnerbait tied on my cranking rod. Liked it too. I'm just surprised because "burning" spinnerbaits seems so popular. I see how it might make soft swimbaits swim better too. This is good. Thanks!

I know there's a current discussion on slower reels going on, but I though this was a different enough question to ask from the beginning: Does anyone use a reel with a lower gear ratio (e.g. 5.2:1) for any other application besides crankbaits? Why or why not? - Thanks

It sounds like you want a different rod even though you seem to be more than happy with what you've got. Get the same rod in 7' and make it your worm rod. That way, you get new but still the same.

This frog intrigues me. I sent that Capn' Ken an email after the original thread. He said the "Clone" series was in production and he expected to have them for sale in a few weeks. I think the bodies are the same as the $35 baits, it's just the legs you need to Sharpie. Somewhere on that web site it says he invented the Banjo Minnow; hence the similar nose hook.

Fenwick's HMG is on sale at Cabela's right now for $79. [ftp]http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=YJZWHDB4LNUXTLAQBBKSCONMCAEFAIWE?id=0017292117019a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=0800301&cm_ite=0017292117019a&_requestid=49171[/ftp]

Senkos are not a passing fad; they're proven bass catchers. But, if you're not a fan, you're not a fan. It's not like there aren't a thousand and one other baits you can throw. As far as fishing slow, here's a tip that helped me. This works great for hollow body frogs too. Throw your Senko out and let it drop. Don't move it an inch until the ripples from the splashdown are gone. This can be excruciating, you won't believe how long it takes those waves to go away, but it's a great way to slow yourself down. Then, once the water on top is flat, Don't start cranking. Move your bait in the same spot for as long as you can, imparting action with only your rod tip. I swear, if a Senko isn't snagged on the initial drop, it's often bit on the first little twitch after a bass has been watching it on the bottom, waiting to see what it's going to do next.

Holy cow Dan. That picture is messed up.

That looks like a luggage scale. You can always pick up a Zebco De-Liar for just a couple bucks. http://www.all-americanoutdoors.com/inc/sdetail/11334

Hey Harpoon. I grew up in Mass! I also just winterized my first engine this weekend, a 40hp Johnson, and here is what I learned: Start fogging the carbs in short blasts, increasing the amount a little each time. Get the motor smoking. Then stall it with a big blast. @ 1/4 can for a 40hp. As far as the stabilizer goes, I was told to run the engine 15 minutes to make sure the stabilized fuel gets through your lines, fills the bulb and then, of course, into your engine. I was also told not to disconnect the line.

Wow! I just got my first engine and ran into this problem when I started winterizing last night! I have a Johnson 40 VRO and what's left in tank is red. I, however, got some marine 2-stroke oil and it's blue. I had no idea until I opened the caps for both and then I panicked a little. After researching on the Internet, texting a couple buddies and calling a parts shop, I decided it was OK to mix; but I know not everyone agrees with that. I came away with: if it's "TCW-3" it should be OK to mix. Maybe not the way to go with big new engines, but for smaller, older, outboards the consensus was that it's OK. I will stay with this same brand from here on out though.

Just last week I was psyched to find a warranty replacement Fenwick at my door. As I approached, however, I knew there was a problem. There was a crease in the middle of the triangular box and then one about a foot from the top. It was leaning against the wall and when I picked it up, the top part almost fell off. I instantly knew the rod inside was snapped. I went straight to the local FedEx site and they were so lame I couldn't believe it. They said they only ship out and couldn't handle claims. I was told to call the 800 number and they wouldn't even let me use their phone. So I stood at the counter and called on my cell. They looked at me like I was the one being a jerk. Fenwick, on the other hand, was awesome and I expect a replacement rod any day. I still can't believe FedEx left this package at my door in such an obviously damaged state though. And then I get static from staff at the store? We understand is their current motto. BS.