angler1

As I shop for x-mas gifts for my family the bait monkey is on my back about the amount of $ being spent on everyone. He thinks I need to buy some new rods and reels for myself. I don't know if I can hold him off much longer. Can anyone help me?

I'm no professional so take this for what it is, with that said, I think there is a time, place, and condition for everything. I never lock myself into any kind of retrieve speed, I will vary it until I find what works. It seems to me that every pro has his own method for every bait and they are all different, however they all swear by it in their articals. It use to frusterate me when I would read an artical for pointers then in the next months edition someone would write something completely different about the same topic. Keep you minds open and you will always increase you chances on becoming a more sucessful angler. Stick to only one single way to fish a certain lure b/c a pro said it will catch fish and you will close the door on opertunity. I read magizines all the time however I only read the articals for suggestions, not answers. Its like watching a fishing show, 10% of the show is about technique, 10% is about catching fish, and 80% is about promoting the products they are using. This is all my opinion so take it for what its worth. Sorry for the rant.

I just got the yuki bug but have not tried it. The yuki is almost exactly the same as the nories bug that kinami (gary yamamoto's sons brand of plastics) use to make that was discontinued. No need to try to see if it works because it will, no doubt about it.

I taught myself how to bass fish with the aid of books, mags, and some older fellows at Newton Lake in Southern New Jersey when I was 27. I had never fished a day in my life nor had any urge to prior to my 4 year old son saying "dad, I want to learn how to fish, can you teach me?" Of course I said, not having a clue where to start. The next day I went over to a local sports athority store and asked some old guy working the gun counter if he could pick out everything I would need to teach my son (and myself) to fish. He did, and it was on. BASS FISHIN'. I had an old boss that bass fished tournaments and on our breaks he would read his mags. He conviencied me before I ever thought that I would ever fish that the only thing worth fishing for was bass and bass only! Looking back on what equipment and tackle I started with, it must have been pure luck to have even caught a bass at all. The following weekend I was out on the lake casting lures trying to figure out the sport. When I felt confident that's when I started teaching my son. Thousands of dollars later I am not totally obsessed with bass fishing. Its always on my mind, 24/7/365. Little did my boy know that he was creating a monster. I now fish tourney's and hold my own. Someday when I get a boat I hope to fish tourney's with my son as my partner. It's funny how kids impact our lives in the ways they do, thanks Sean.

I am right there with ya.

Great pic Stasher1, that gave me a good laugh. As for the actual question at hand. For my gear I use all left hand retrieve Abu Garcia Revo-S baitcasters lined with Berkley Fireline Crystal Braid in 14 and 20 lb. All my rods are St. Croix Mojo Bass rods. The Mojo Bass series rods are technique specific. As for tackle I really don't have as much as I used to have. I just down sized to just my most productive baits. I used to think I needed everything under the sun but my mindset changed at some point this year. (Probably after my second tourney this year)and now carry a ton less tackle. I have 6 different types and sizes of plastic worms, 2 packs of mann's hardnose frogs, a dozen jigs, 6 spinner baits, 6 buzz baits, 6 crank baits, some beavers, 2 chatter baits, some paca craw trailers, and some smelly jelly scent. I try to keep it simple and I do just fine.

I agree w/ the above posts, they are in fact 2 totally different baits. There is a time, place, and pattern for both. I prefer buzz baits early in the morning and around dusk. I perfer to throw a spinner bait at night and any other time of the day when I need to fish fast to try to locate fish. I don't think either bait is seasonal and have used them all year long.

If your fishing weightless I don't see a problem useing larger worms. You can get large worms that are not heavy. I use 10" zoom curly tail worm (not sure exactly what it is called) that is pretty light. Personally I prefer a 4 to 5" worm for most situations.

Costa Del Mar. Swordfish 480's. Love em. They can be made for prescriptions too. Rather expensive though @ $200.

This is very interesting. I am glad it was brought up, I will continue to research this, as I never noticed it before. Thanks guys

Try putting it in a google search.

I think it will come from the Calif. Delta on a Huddleson 9" swim bait, but not for a while.

I like strike king but that does not mean I won't buy another brand to try. I really don't think their is a "best" brand out there b/c everyone has their own opinion. Once you get confidence with a lure, it tends to become your "best" lure weather it is a spinner bait or a crank bait. Don't become 1 demensional. I think it is great to have a go to bait but I would not get hung up on what other people think is the best. There are tons of good products out there and I am sure you will find confidence in your choice selection of spinner baits.

I use a baitcaster for everything. A revo-s with 20lb berkley crystal braid. St. Croix make a great rod in their Mojo Bass series rod specifically for spinnerbaits. I belive it is a 7' Mh., fast action rod. I just bought 1 b4 it got really cold, I like it.

Slow it down and when you think you are going slow enough, slow down some more.

I would love to talk to someone who will tell me the 100% truth on their tactics, lures, and presentations. Perhaps someone from BR.

I would like to see how he would do fishing a tourney like that, then maybe he would not make stupid videos.

I recently started fishing jigs and most always fish them with rattles, but I am also fishing stained water. After reading the posts to this question I am going to try with no rattles in clear water, and maybe in semi stained water. Great question, great responses.

I 've had several All Star baitcasting rods (and spin rods for that matter) and have liked everyone. For the price they are a good buy. I never broke 1 or had a problem w/ 1. However i'am not 100% sure that they were the exact model you are inquiring about though. All Star makes quality gear. Go on a website that sells All Star and look thru the customer reviews and comments. Good luck.

I start out with my biggest trailer which would be a sweet beaver (slightly over 4") and if that's not the ticket is down size until if find the right one. I will go as small as the mini paca chunk which is like 2".

Owner EWG ultra point. I like thembecause the hook point has a flat top. I use sizes 1/0 through 3/0.

Lake fork 4" ring worm - watermelon red flake. Lucky Craft Gerald Swindle fat CB GDS mini SSR, - aurora black. Z-Man chatterbait, 3/8oz - black and blue skirt with 4" black Mr. Twister split tail. Jig - 1/2oz - brown/black with smallie beaver in Big Texan or paca chunk to match. Sweet Beaver - black with chart. claw tips. Wow, that was a tougher question than I thought. I am now missing 2 baits that I would usually bring, a Rat'L'Trap and a spinner bait.

The second you start asking yourself if it is safe or not when your out on the water is your time to head back to the marina or ramp!

2/0 or a 3/0 ewg hook, TT 1/2oz to 3/4oz filppin style weight. If I am going to peg the weight I will switch weights all together to gambler florida rig weights, they stay where you put them because of the "gel" stuff inside them. I also like the gambler florida rig weights with the rattle in them as well.

Z-Man are the original. I love them and have caught many, many fish including my PB 4lb 14oz on the 3/8 black/blue with a 4" black mr. twister split tail grub. I like the 1/2 size the best however they are hard to find.