Trick Worm

Call around to lakes and ask about tournaments. I know the lakes around Alabama regularly have tournaments but Im not sure as to which ones can get you a seat in FLW or Bassmaster. I am so lucky enough to spend the next three years of my life on Auburn's bass team and through that I have the opportunity to make it to both of those.

I think more important than color or contrast is noise. Buzzbaits, poppers, jitterbugs, rat-l-traps, etc.... Also the brighter the moon the better the fish will be able to see

I was just in my first tournament and all I can say is you will learn so much and have a completely different mindset going into the second one. I was fishing with somone who knew the lake and exactly what techniques to use. Me, as a noob, of course fished exactly what he did; he was pretty much telling me what to do which didn't bother me one bit. I was made a fool with my 1 to his second place 13 bass(5 fish limit of 12lbs) finish. With the experience I have with bass fishing this completely embarrassed me. Looking back on it I realize that it was nothing like I expected and nothing I could have prepared better for since it was the first one. With that being said I have come to grips with my results and realize that being the first tournament I should not have had high expectations like I did. I think if I had of gone into it as a learning experience and not an all out BASH to keep up with my co-angler I would have honestly done better than I did. Cliff notes: Dont have high expectations and think of it as a learning experience for future tournaments. This will feel very different than leisure fishing (at least to me it did)

We were using some kind of craw black/blue texas rigged with pegs 90% of the time out

sounds like you are not tying the knot correctly b/c I have used the knot you are talking about using and lose very few fish from line break. If your drag is set properly and you line break you should get somone to double check your knots before hand.

I like the frog you picked out let me know how it works. My favorite is spro and my least favorite is scum frog. I have problems with the hooks on scum frogs getting stuck into the body preventing a hook set. Those ribbit frogs are awsome and I use them as a buzbait since their feet kick in the water and make noise.

The fish were in about 3 feet of water and seemed to be hanging in the very front portions of the grass. The grass goes all the way to the top of the water so everything has to be weedless if you want to fish there.

I just bought the code in the burner version. It is very smooth and the brake seems to work great for me. The fact that I, as a first time BC user, can pick up this reel and cast it w/o birdsnest is saying something.

well this is how the day went. Got one on a red eye shad. My partner was flipping/pitching the front of the boat and caught about 15 while I doing the same thing with same lure behind him got maybe 2 bites and didnt catch anything. He finished in second with a limit at 12 something pounds. We were fishing in very very heavy grass only 2-3 from the side of the boat. My partner was extremely proficient at this and I learned a lot from him. And I got to fish on a brand new Legend boat for a day!!!

there are some extremely smart saltwater fish that will wrap line around propellers and everyone knows tarpon shake out hooks like its their job

I just bought a team all star 7' 6" Heavy and it is very impressive

I just bought some 30 lb fireline braided. It is too stiff and leaves your fingers/cork handle black.

Just bought the Burner as my first BC. If it is screaming tighten the cast tension. I found that if it is too loose it will start making this noise. Other than that mine is extremely smooth on cast and retrieve. I am new to b/c so only having 3 settings for the brake does not bother me. I leave it on 3, I tried free to get more distance but it was causing birds nests. Does the brake need to be tightened for heavier lures and loosened for lighter ones? I have been throwing frogs, t-rigs, and jigs all on the same setting with no problem with birds nests on setting 3. 50 lb braided This is the only low profile baitcaster I have used but I wwill be trying a few more later and report back on the comparison to the others.

I just bought my first baitcaster two days ago. I have experience with open face baitcasters but have never used a low profile. I started off with pitching and flipping to get a feel for my rod and reel and minimize backlashes. I found the feel came very very fast most likely b/c of my previous experience and I can now cast with my brake on three all day long with no problems. It is a Quantum code burner 7-1 gear ratio. I really like the fast gear ratio for some reason. I'm not sure if I just bought an awesome baitcaster or I am loving it b/c it is my first time with these reels but either I enjoy casting it over my spinning reels.

For largemouth and spotted bass Im thinkin a weightless trick worm, frog, swim jig, and T-rig. If we get breaks in the cover maybe a buzzbait, rat-l-trap, or minus 1

Woot for Auburn yall are goin DOWN

I have been using braided for 1 day and WOW. But the again this is my first time with a bait-caster and that is an even bigger amazement to me.

If it is casting the same I wouldn't worry about finding a replacement spring. I am scared to take my reels apart after a bad experience with an open face penn reel

Its just such a long rod I was going to solely use it for flippin' jigs in the qualifier. I put some 15 lb fluro coated mono we will see how that does for now but I will most likely end up putting some braided on it before sunday.

I find that the jerking technique I use leaves slack in the line that results in catastrophic failure on the next cast. I was using 20 lb mono but have had it happen on 15 lb mono. What line do you guys use for this jerking technique which leaves some slack in the line before reeling

I am having trouble with twists and kinks when using a frog with a jerking then reeling technique. Would braided fix this problem?

I like either black, white, or chartreuse with a trailer hook

Agree. Certainly. Absolutely. positively! Indeed

for sale?

From my experience and what I have read.....fishing is a very mental sport similar to golf. When you start thinking bad thoughts and feeling negative emotions our chances are more likely that you dont do well. You seem to be a very optimistic person from your statement,"at least I was out on the water" Keep thinking about the positive and you're sure to start catchin some big ins