SausageFingers23

Congrats on your purchase. Baitcaster's are addicting. I just started with a Revo SX. Its all I want to throw but I still break out the spinning gear when the time calls for it.

I do alot of fishing from a Intex Mariner. Its just over $300. It gets around very well with a small trolling motor and fits in the trunk when I pull it off the water. Its incredibly convenient and easy to fish from.

I think you're options are pretty limited from shore. I have only driven down to the launch briefly though. There are others on here who can probably provide a better answer.

I'll throw a jig or t-rigged bait if the timber is pretty thick. If it is a bit more dispersed I like to use a spinnerbait or shallow running, square billed crank.

Nice fish Fmoore! Though I am a bit dissapointed there are no pics of an 11+ lb northern this time....

Nice! The floodgates are about to open...

Went to Dublin early this morning for "opening day" on designated trout ponds and landed 7 brookies. Went to Calef this afternoon for a little over an hour and landed 5. Largest went 2-1. Bass were up shallow, holding tight to cover.

I like to throw a spinnerbait or shallow running crank in timber when there is a little chop on the water. When the surface is relatively flat, I'll go with a jig, texas rigged brush hawg or texas rigged worm.

Red Shad Watermelon w/ red flake Some variation of a rainbow trout color pattern

I picked up a Revo SX a week or two ago. I have absolutely zero buyer's remorse. I caved into the monkey without much of a fight.

I only have experience with my two Abu's so I can't speak on the other brands. I have a Revo SX that I love. A friend of mine has Shimano's and he swears by them. I dont think you can go wrong with the Abu or Shimano.

6 tonight at Calef. All on spinnerbait up shallow on wood. Vegetation is starting to grow in a little now.

I used spinning gear for the longest time. I still do when the conditions dictate. That said, both of my baitcast reels are left handed. Im just more comfortable reeling with my left. Use whatever feels most natural.

Went to Calef today with some friends. It was windy as hell. Boated 7 total. I pooched two at the boat. Not sure why, but Im on a little streak losing fish at the boat just as I reach down to land them. I have to shake that and quick. I didnt have trouble landing them last year from the inflatable. All were caught on spinner baits, up against timber, on the deeper pockets.

x2

No sweat. I stole a thing or two from you last season. Im just paying it back. Im sure Ill be on here soon enough asking for help.

Great fish! I kayak fish all the time. I use an inflatable because I need to carry it in to some harder to reach places and I can fit it in my trunk. I love it. It can make landing fish a little tricky but I've gotten used to it. It also makes me fish more thorough because it takes a little while to paddle back and forth. I'd rather be fishing than spot hopping.

Haha. Dont get frustrated. You destroyed them last season. I see no reason why that wont continue again this season. We all hit tough spots every now and again. The most important thing, for me anyway, is maintaining confidence in my approach. Its amazing what you can do with just a little confidence. Thats my self help speech for the evening....

Dont sweat it UNH, you'll get on them soon enough. For what its worth, I've found them hanging out close to cover (mostly timber) but on the deep edges. Where I fish they are still transitioning and the water hasn't breached 50* yet. I've had good luck this season on jigs and spinnerbaits worked slowly. I usually let the spinnerbait hit the bottom before I start my retrieve. Sometimes I'll yo-yo it back. I've had a couple on the Reaction Sweet Beaver and the Brush Hawg c-rigged also. If its relatively calm I throw a jig or plastic. If there is a little chop I toss a spinnerbait with small willow blades in natural colors like white, etc. If its windy and the surface is rough I upsize the blades for a little more vibration and use brighter colors like fire tiger. That's what has been working for me. Once the water warms a little more I'll have to make some adjustments but so far so good.

*Edit* I just noticed the BPS part. Sorry. Its just over $100 but the Revo SX is on sale at SportsAuthority.com for $129

I fish out of a light, inflatable kayak quite frequently. I need to carry it some pretty decent distances to get where I fish so I wanted something light. I prefer a shorter rod when Im in the kayak, only because of the space and casting limitations. The largest one I carry is 6'3", medium. Thats just my presonal preference. I also have a black max. It was my first introduction into the baitcast world. Its ok but is definitely a classic case of getting what you pay for. If you are just purchasing one to see if you like the baitcast feel and function - go for it. Its relatively short money if you dont like it. I just purchased an Abu Garcia Revo SX as an upgrade over the black max. They are not even comparable.

Great fish! That's a fish of a lifetime for me in the northeast.

In my experience, they inhabit the same general areas. Last week I fired a jig into some timber and reeled in a pickerel. Two casts later and I picked up a decent largemouth. Pickerel are annoying though. They tend to be very aggressive. If I end up with more than a couple at a specific location I'll move. I dont want them competing with the bass when Im targeting bass.

Is the worm gear functioning properly?

Went out to Calef with a buddy for a little over an hour today (from shore) and caught four combined. Not all that bad. Fish were deeper. A slow rolled spinnerbait induced the strikes. The best part was using my new Revo SX. That thing is delicious.