spotaholic

What are you going to be fishing on them? Every type of line has a purpose. If they are going to be multi purpose rods and reels get you some good 12-15 mono. I like Izorline XXX but Trilene makes some good stuff. If one is for dragging and jigging put Flor on that and mono on the other. IMO

White Ice and Pearl are the only 2 colors I fish. Fish them 12 months out of the year.

I wish we would get a cold front. So I can put up the Gold Bond for the year.

I know this is Rage Tail country but my favorite baits are a Zoom Finesse Worms, Zoom Speed Craw, Baby Brush Hog, New Mag Finesse worm. Earlier this year I had been throwing a GY Hula Grub and it was awesome of the pre spawn bass. No wrong way to fish.

4 seasons out of the year and all of them have there high points. Winter ...bigger fish stacked in one area and on the lake I fish simply the best time to throw a jig. Spring...eating up after winter, spawn and then herring spawn and the best topwater action of the year. Summer... schooling on humps and everyone else seems to be beating banks. Love throwing a fluke in 25-30 feet of water. Numbers and quality can be really good at times. Plus in this one the stripers school on the same areas and if the bass are slow you can always find the stripers. Fall.... best buzzbait,crankbait and spinnerbait time of the year. Fish are feeding like crazy and 15-20 quality fish a day become very normal. By the way winter is coming and the jig bite will be on again.

I have 3 girls and all of the love 2 fish. They are 15 and twin 13 year olds. They have fished since they were able to walk. I always have a rooster tail or a beetle spin tied on their rods. They started out with Zebco 33's but have recently started fishing with spinning gear. I have been out fished several times maybe not with size but #'s because of those baits. The main thing is keep it fun...bring some food....teach them don't preach to them and make the trips short. Don't expect them to last for 4 hours.I have fishing partners that are much older that struggle with 4 hours. I have a boat and fish in a large lake and many times during the coarse of the trip we go for a swim and cool down...that seems to be a winner also. The key is FUN and NO PRESSURE. You may be amazed at what you learn and more than likely have a fishing partner or partners for life.

Try rigging that joker on a Buckeye Lures Jay Will Swimbait Jig Head. It's nasty.

I like the the Netbait finesse worm, zoom finesse and have been catching some really quality fish on zoom mag finesse worm. I use a custom made Spot Remover by Buckeye with all 3.

There is no such thing as splitting the cost unless you are making half the boat payment and everything else involved in it. Last week we had a big tournament with 250 plus boats. I fished 3 practice days and went through 250 dollars of gas practicing. Non boater Joe gets in the back of the boat....pays 35 dollars to fish gives me 20 for gas. Hows that splitting the cost.

Just so everyone knows I was not trying to start a argument with anyone, just did not understand the comment. Bassnajr you have a open invitation if your ever down here to get in the back of my boat. I promise you'll have a blast. I think I can even speak some yankee still, from being up there for 25 years LOL.

Skunked you bring up a great point about the wind. I have had several days on the lake just like that. Offshore fishing especially can be a advantage in the back of the boat. It takes a lot of work to keep a boat in position. My perspective may be off some because I don't pound banks unless I have to anymore.

bassnajr...Just for the record I have fished with several guys on this website and have had a blast. To the main point last year people could fish with Elite series anglers...could you imagine one of the NON-BOATERS telling KVD his 4 hours are up. I don't think so. When I fish in a tournament which is every weekend I pay more as the boater(fees) than you would as a non boater not counting the cost of the boat and everything else. I have never intentionally front ended a partner because they are in the back. Certain times of the year you have to position the boat very specifically and makes it hard for the back boater. I fished with one of the pro's several years ago that actually asked me not to cast until he caught his 5. When he did I threw in and caught my 3 that I was allowed. Just part of the game.Now to a team tournament. Rarely is everything split down the middle. That being said, I can't remember a time that being in the front makes much difference. I will say this, I have learned to be a better fisherman out of the back of the boat. Better casts, different baits ect. Fun fishing who really cares, I am out there to have fun and hopefully the person in the back of the boat is also. My point was not to start a argument just to say I have never heard a written or unwritten rule about the 4 hour deal.

I am not sure what you are talking about 4 hours on and switch. That may be local club rule but far from the status quo and personally never heard such a thing. Many times I have a selected co angler that is the back boater. I would try to give him some water to fish but many times it just can't work that way. After I have my limit I would OFFER him to get up front with me but far from mandatory. Remember this the boat owner pays a higher fee.... pays for the boat....insurance....matience and many other things. I know this sounds wrong but i paid for the right to fish up front. Team tournaments are somewhat different we are working together but I have never asked to get in the front. Fun fishing the same way...I have never had the need to get in the front.

Another option is to buy a boat and take yours one trip and his the other. I fish lots of team tournaments, half of which are in the back of the boat. I usually throw a shaky head or a c rig behind my partner and generally have no problem picking up fish that were missed. The only exception is when we are fishing schooling fish or off shore humps when we will both throw the same baits.

I have tried it both ways and it depends on who you talk to at Loomis. It also depends if they have the rod in stock. I am still waiting on a rod that was shipped back broken in Feb. All that said Loomis has great service.

I am not sure what power rod your using but that may be part of the problem with the topwaters and braid. I use braid with bigger topwaters for a good solid hookset when the bait is way out there.I use a med crankbait rod. You may want to use more of a med/med lite rod that has some more give and wait till you feel this fish. The problem with braid and topwaters is there is give and rips hooks out if the rod is too stiff. IMO

Weightless Flukes T Rig Ol Monster C Rig 5" Zoom Lizard Buckeye Mop Jig Custom made Shakey Head with Zoom Finesse Worm

Rapala Shad Raps #5 & #7 (Winter) Rapala Fat Rap #5 Down Deep Model (Summer) Buckeye Circut Breaker ( Fall , Winter ,Early Sping) Suddeth Little Earl Flat Bait ( All Seasons) Mimic Custom Flat Bait (All Seasons)

Everyday....all the time....any water temperature or color...every lake. I LIKE A JIG.

Echo the same. I throw a jig 12 months out of the year. Day in and day out catch more fish and win more cash with a jig than anything else. You need a stiffer rod 7' MH is the minimum. I use a7' Heavy for most of my jig fishing. 14 Fluorocarbon is as low as I go and 16 gama is my favorite. I trim every weed guard so it's just a little longer than the hook and then trim the front at a angle away from the hook. I also open the hook up with my needle nose. When the fish bites drop the rod and hammer. I like a short jerk straight up. I miss very few fish with a jig and think you biggest issue is rod and line.

Zoom 5" or 6" Lizard. 2nd choice would be the Yum Zellamander

Can't beat a Tiny Torpedo or a Crazy Shad.

Super Fluke Sebille Gunfish/Sammy Double Rig... Fluke Jr.

I Love how people say a bait sucks just because they don't catch anything on it. Ask KVD if they suck. LBH great post.

Thanks I have been there and have talked with most of the guides. Seem like good people and narrowing down my choices.