Shane J

Wow, how did that get by me? Good thing I ran it past you guys first. I'm going with the 6'6" Compre. Thanks.

So with my recent birthday, I got a Mojo rod from my wife to upgrade one of my baitcasting rigs, and with some extra money, I plan on upgrading one of my spinning outfits. The reel is a Pfleuger President XT, and I will be going with a 7' one piece. The rod I have in mind is the Shimano Teramar MH. Anybody else use one of these rods? In the price range ($110), is there a better choice? I will primarily be using it for plastics and possibly spinnerbaits. Thanks for any help you can offer.

What the...?

I'd try a little topwater. My personal favorite, and a bass slaying machine, is the Rage Tail Shad, in green pumpkin/chartreuse. Rig it up on a 4/0 EWG (or a 5/0 Twistlock), and hit the shallows with that. As it gets later, switch the color to a solid green pumpkin, then black neon as it gets darker. With this bait, you can work it slow and even pause around potential bass holding spots. You can keep this bait in the strike zone longer, and still have that irresistable action working for you. Bass love 'em. Good luck out there.

I got a nice fix yesterday afternoon. I took the jon boat down to the water for a couple hours, and it was slow, but I landed 2 bass, one was about a pound, but the other was a chunk, at 3lbs, 10oz, she made my day for sure. Both bass were caught on a jig and baby craw. Also caught a huge pickerel on a wacky Senko. Then the wind really kicked up, and I didn't dress for it so I called it a day, but I'm actually headin' back out in about an hour. The weather has sort of stabilized, and the sun is still warming the water quite a bit in the afternoon, so there is still some action to be had, and I will soak up as much as possible till it freezes.

I hear that, Wagn. My boat is all winterized, and all my gear is out of it. I had a great year, and now I'm ready for Spring already. I may try ice fishing a little for bass at my little local pond, see how that goes, and maybe take the edge off of the winter months.

Sweet smallies, sounds like a great trip.

That's really cool, man. You are going to love being out there on the water in that. Just remember, safety first. Boat ownership is a big responsibility, but so much fun.

Nice boat, man!

Nice fish, man. That must have been cool, shocking with Fish and Game.

Holy crap!! That thing's an animal!!! Nice job, by the way, looks sweeeet!!

Nice video, man! That is some great footage of some hawgs!

You're killin' me. I hate winter! The only good part, is fishing the Merrimack by the Bow power plant for nice smallies.

Alright, thanks, I'll stick to the mojo and avid.

I was told about these guys from a friend who ordered two rods from them. He loves them, and says they are great rods. I was wondering if anyone else had checked them out or even used one of these rods? I'm thinking of getting two of the "F" series, and if they are nice, two of the "M" series when they are available at the end of Oct. http://www.acadiasports.com/home.asp?ru=0&ss=1024

I think you would like the 10" Rage Tail Thumper.

Just a couple shots of my favorite pond and one of my little man in the boat

Um? Like this one? Shoot me a pm.

Nice boat, man. That thing is like new. I have the exact same thing, and I love it.

I have a 10' jon that works perfect for me to hit the little ponds I fish regularly. Trolling motor, battery, gear, and myself in it, and I can do somersaults all over the boat if I want.

Well now, isn't it funny that learning to use a fish finder and a jig came at the same time for me also, about 2 years ago. I used to think you use the finder to find fish, also, but the truth of the matter is, that most of the time they are more useful in just locating changes in depth, rock and brush piles, and schools of bait fish. As for the jig, you can use a jig as deep as you need to. They are very useful, and very versatile. By changing up your trailer, you can use a jig in everything from grass flats, to sloping rocky drop offs, to fallen trees. Deadly! As the water gets colder, the closer to cover you need to get to. Cast at a piece of timber just cuz it's there, let your jig glide as quietly into the water on or next to your spot, and let it drop freely, waiting for the strike in mid water. If it hits the bottom, let it sit there for a few seconds, then give it slight twitches, until you have worked it out of the hot spot. For trailers, I have had the best luck with a Rage Lobster, Craw, or Space Monkey.

Yup, jigs with big trailers, worked slow early, then wacky rigged senko type baits, and big Tx rigged creatures like a Rage Lobster or craw. You'll get back on some fish, but I'm starting to think the fish are begining to follow a LATE fall pattern, and a lot of the time, that means big and slow! Welcome to New England, now Go Red Sox!!!!

Nice job, man. What size boat are you fishing out of?

Yeah, I was hoping to get out with my bass boat, so at least a decent sized place. That Rocky Pond sounds... rocky. I am down for some smallies, however. Let's make it happen!

I have some flexibility, so whatever works for everyone else. Saturdays or Mondays would be best for me probably