A-Jay

Your credit score although important these days is not nearly as important as keeping your card balance at ZERO for as long as Humanly Possible. "Paying the minimum" is how Banks keep the light on. At this stage in your life, use the card as a tool to establish good credit. Not a way to purchase unnecessary items you can't afford. Perhaps use the card to purchase what you would normally buy (and can afford) and then pay the balance monthly. Whoever gave you the card is betting that you will not be able to resist the urge to build up that balance and make them money. Good Luck A-Jay

Nice Bass and an even better smile. Had to be a real thrill. A-Jay

A-Jay

I was looking for something different. Something other than a sandal - which I've been wearing for a few summers and have been generally happy with. Something I could step into the water with if need be and would dry quickly. Something that was supportive but cool. Went with the Merrell Men's All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoe. Been about a month - they are very good. http://www.merrell.com/US/en/all-out-blaze-aero-sport/17524M.html https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RAPHCB8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

The Rage Magnum Bug & Rage Swimmer "Sampler" just arrived. Thank You Siebert Outdoors A-Jay

I have never owned any Tracker Boat products so I can not & will not attempt to compare the two. Tracker Boats have been around since 1978. The Lund Heritage started 30 Years before that. Being The Best Selling may not be the same as being The Best. If you believe that there could be a Quantity vs a Quality situation existing between any two brands, you'll need to decide what's more important to you. That choice is always very easy for me. Good Luck A-Jay

As a Lund Boat owner - I Could Not Possibly Disagree more. A-Jay

Have not fished in Muskegon, at least not yet. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resources ~ In places where Big Bass live, they can and are caught. Sounds like you're experiencing some of that. And Now, It's Picture time. A-Jay

I have some thoughts but this man really knows what he's talking about. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Does it really matter why ? Sounds like a vertical presentation mattered on Saturday and that's what matters. If the baits (type, size & color), line type & test, distance of the dropped & perhaps even the hook of both your rigs were the same, close or even remotely similar, then the way it was presented may have been the trigger. But if it were me, and it often is, I would say thank you for the schooling, because though it was painful at the time and it is always painful, I learned something. I'd be ready next time. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ The Bass Resource Articles section has a ton of great info - check it out http://www.bassresource.com/how-to-fish/ Also, since you got all of your gear with some friends advice, perhaps he, she or they(as the case may be) could help you out with locations & tips. A-Jay

LOL ~ Perfect ! A-Jay

As much as I like & have success with LC baits - the newer SK KVD Jerkbait has been Very Impressive all season. Both the Standard (3 hook) and the Deep models are making me into a believer. Price is fairly reasonable as well. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Interesting first post. Some days we get them & some day we don't. Keep at it. They'll bite eventually. They always do. A-Jay

I do not have the knowledge or experience of members who have responded here already with solid experienced based info. However, that prop pitch of 26 really jumped out at me - might be too much prop for your application and would certainly explain the loss of rpms; especially if there aren't any other signs of engine trouble. Before I started any serious engine / compression tests, I'd do the do diligence to ensure I had the right prop. That certainly the path of least resistance and wouldn't it be nice if the engine was fine and you just needed a different size screw ? Good Luck A-Jay

Let's evaluate the situation rationally shall we ? You're fishing in the AUGUST HEAT - in the Middle of the DAY, it's too Hot for you to visit the water for too long without escaping to your vehicle - How do you think the Bass feel - they live in it with out much escape ! Seriously though, I realize that we get on the water when we can, but there aren't too many "How to Catch Bass" articles that advise fishing in The Loopy Heat as a way to put a beat down on schools of Mutant Bass. Go Home - come back later. A-Jay

So it started out as a Spinnerbait rod ~ 7'MH Mod. Fast for 12 - 20 lb test 3/8 - 3/4 lures it WAS a perfect rod for searching open water with big spinnerbaits for active fish. Now you have a 6' 10" MH Slightly less Moderate Fast stick with probably the same stats as above. Maybe now it's a TARGET CRANKER: Ideally suited for making shorter, precise casts with Squarebill Crank Baits. Of course it may still be completely useful as a spinnerbait rod as well. A-Jay

Bummer about the rod But Congrats on the Nice Bass A-Jay

Way To Go ~ ! Really, Really Good. Congratulations on your Championship Performance and Super write up about it. Looking forward to reading your Blog post. Question: Has your experience this week changed your perspective regarding "the fishing industry" and B.A.S.S. ? And if so How ? Congrats Again A-Jay

I do not. I could say I do, and make up some "reason". Something about the size of the bait, or the difference in vibration or maybe even where the bait rides in the water column. And all of that sounds plausible and might make me feel like I know what's going on, but the reality is we'll never really know why bass do anything they do. It's all guessing. But that's the part I like. Either way, when I find something that works, I don't necessarily need to know why, no need to fight it. Chances are, it may not last so just ride it out for as long as it does. A-Jay

If it ain't broke - don't fix it. Elephants eat peanuts. A-Jay

Chris, I have found the same thing - been that way since braid's introduction. It was a little concerning & frustrating at first, but I have since adopted the "subtract 20-25%" attitude when loading reels up with braid. On a positive note (and I'm betting you're already on top of this) but for anglers who may not be; some on the newer braids recently / currently being introduced, have a much thinner diameter per test size, than many of the older products. Diawa Samuri, Seagar Smackdown, & Maxima Ultragreen Braided Lines can be included on the "thinner" list. However, it pays to remember that with thinner braided line diameter, comes a reduction in abrasion resistance, regardless of rated pound test. Either way, I still enjoy the properties the braid possesses, even if I can't get 500 yds on a 1000 reel. A-Jay