Boogey Man

Split ring pliers for changing hooks on crankbaits or spinnerbait blades, hook sharpener, black Sharpie for a quick touch-up for the paint on jigs.

Congratulations!! Hopefully things are on the way back up for a lot of folks.

Been there, done that. Especially with rods.

Mann's Chug 'N Spit. I've caught quite a few good fish on these. Even had a big catfish hit it once, scared the crap outta me when it hit .

Early morning/late evening, but I'll throw one anytime I think the fish are shallow or relating closely to cover. I've caught them in open water on a buzzbait, but I've done better running them by some type of cover like a stump or laydown. Also, try them around any type of vegetation. As far as weight, usually 1/4 or 3/8 oz. I fish a lot of clear water and have better luck on smaller ones. Even a 1/4 oz buzzbait is still a pretty good size lure. I use Booyah Counterstrike buzzbaits, the counter rotating blades keep them from rolling on their sides.

If someone is at the ramp, I'll usually ask how they did, mostly just as a way to shoot the breeze. But I don't give it much thought either way. If I did better, I figure I did something right. If they did better, it just wasn't my day.

I've read articles about drilling a small hole, then putting super glue into the lure, then using epoxy to seal the hole back up to make a "silent" lipless crank. If memory serves, they held the lure nose down to glue the rattles into the front of the lure.

I know Abu Garcia had made 3600 size reels before (Silver Max, Black Max, Tournament Pro, etc.), but I always thought it would be cool if they downsized a C3 or C4 for a 3600 size. At the price of the C3's, I think it would sell. I've had several 4600 C3's, they're great reels, just a little big for my tastes.

To me, it's one of the "niche" colors that fits a certain water clarity. In dirty water, you've got chartreuse, dark colors etc, in clear water you've got shad/lighter colors. Sexy shad is a color I've found to work good in those "in between" water clarities. It could also be that it's a pattern fish hadn't seen before. Regardless of any color or lure, you still have to be throwing it at the right time and under the right conditions.

If it's shallow, try a chartreuse Manns Baby 1 Minus. I've caught a bunch of fish on these in skinny, muddy water

A lot of variables for me. I'll usually start out fishing bigger, more aggressive lures, like say a bigger buzzbait if it's early morning. If no takers, maybe change to a popper-style bait and fish a little slower, but still a bigger bait. Still no takers, down size to a smaller topwater. As the day progresses, I'll change to other lures like spinnerbaits or crankbaits but again starting out with bigger lures and downsizing if no luck. Same thing with plastics, I'll start out with larger baits and down size to a shakey head or a split shot rig. Then some days I'll stick with larger baits thinking what the heck, I just want to try to catch a big 'un. Then there are days when I'll stick with smaller lures if I'm just looking for numbers. In 2007 I used in-line spinners a bunch. A lot of the fish were smaller but still a fair number of "keeper" size bass, with a ton of bluegill and crappie mixed in. It was one of the most enjoyable years I've had, but after that one year it was back to "regular" baits. The thing is, around here, big fish are a rarity, so it really just depends on what I feel like fishing.

Are you using a stiff rod? Maybe a light action rod would help.

Trying to out smart a creature with a brain the size of a pea...and finding it still wins way too often.

If you've only had it a month, could you exchange/return it? Like J Francho said, $30 is $30 dollars.

What brand bait are you using and are the hooks the original hooks or did you upsize them? And welcome to a great site.

That was not my intent. Bargains can be found in better quality gear. Buy them one at a time. As I have often stated, all your fishing can be done with one rig, three are all you really need. This thread is about poor quality Quantum products. They have that reputation and it is well deserved. This thread simply serves as a warning. On a lighter note, I admit, I am a Tackle Snob... I'm the Sheriff of the Shimano Posse, fish Shimano reels. 8-) Just curious, but what Quantum products did you have and what were your experiences with them?

I have 2 Citica 200E's and you can't go wrong with them, but I just bought and Catalyst and it's sweet. Hate to admit it, but I like it a little better than the Citicas. Alright, RW, let me have it!! ;D

I have an old Big O crankbait that my grandmother gave me, it belonged to my grandfather, who died when I was 6. The first time I used it I was in the back of the 2nd boat going up this little creek, so I was the 4th guy back, so to speak. I was catching fish on this crankbait one after the other and the guys in front of me weren't catching anything. The same thing happened a couple of other trips. I don't use it anymore because I fish where there are a lot of muskies. It's now in a display case.

The Catalyst (baitcaster) I bought was NIB for $100 so I thougth what the heck. I've used it twice so far and wouldn't mind having more. With any new product, durability remains to be seen, but it casts great, it's light weight, and palms well. I've got it on a 6' 4" Team All Star spinnerbait rod and have mostly used it for 3/16 to 3/8 oz. spinnerbaits. Casting into 5-10 mph wind I had no backlashes with the ACS set on the first setting (two brakes).

I just bought a Catalyst, so far I've used it twice and the paint's still on it and it hasn't exploded or anything yet. ;D

x2 I have a Citica200E and love it.Great for cranking X3. That's what I'm using.

I'll be calling it quits soon, probably in 3 to 4 weeks. I find that a few months downtime in the winter keeps me from getting burnt out.

The XPS Rattle Shads are good. One bait I really like is the XPS Tri-Vibe. It's the lipless crankbait with three different line ties like the old Heddon Sonar. The three different line ties do make a difference in the vibration of the lure. I've caught a bunch of fish on these. I also use their Nitro cranks, caught as many of those as any other brand. I've got one XPS Z-Pop that the fish have worn the paint off of and most of the feather is gone from the rear hook. As far as soft plastics, I use their Squirmin' Worms and Stick-O's. Remember, the fish don't care what you paid, just get out and have fun

Here's a tip from Guy Eaker. http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/columns/story?page=b_col_bt_inside_pro_fishing_0412