flechero

Make yourself learn a T-rig. Take terminal tackle, soft plastics and appropriate rod(s) only... if you can't find someone to show you the basics. It's a technique that works in any body of water, year round. It works in cover, on structure, in and over slop or even a do nothing bottom. You can cast it, pitch it, flip it, punch it... heck, you even catch fish on it while peeling out a backlash. It's probably the most versatile option in the box.

After a few years of not changing the layout of my term tackle box, I finally wrote in black sharpie and in metallic silver sharpie on the lid over the compartment - hook sizes and weight sizes, etc. That way it's easily visible day or night.

Ha, too funny! There is a blast from the past! I remember that pic- taken by my youngest brother at Fayette Co Res. on a cold Jan day! (powerplant lake) That fish was 7 lb / ? oz (7lb 8oz or 12oz i think) on a buzzbait. Thanks for the welcome back, guys!

Greetings, all! I figured I should start over in this forum since I have been gone a few years... Life and career kept me off the forums and reduced my time on the water, but things are swinging back the right way! It helps that my son has caught the fever and is a little bass junkie! This place has really grown over the past couple of years. For those that don't know me, I'm a mid 40's father of an 8yo boy, living in central Texas, just outside of Belton. We fish Stillhouse and Belton lakes most of the time. Been bass fishing for 35(?) years or so. (grew up on a chain of 2-5 ac. ponds) Boater for the past 25. (willing to chase any species!) I used to be a fresh and saltwater flyfisherman as well, but due to some shoulder surgeries I rarely flycast anymore. These days, I enjoy family, friends, men's ministry, fishing, shooting, rodbuilding, reloading, Hunting.... Look forward to spending some time here again. Best, Keith

Wow, pic is really worth a thousand words. That's a big difference! It's also the way I'm leaning right now.

Personal preference, but unless you fish a lot of crankbaits, I wouldn't buy a mod. (I fish all my soft plastics on a fast or xfast. I also use xfast for buzzbaits, which is my most common topwater. When I fish treble hooked lures on a fast rod, I just back the drag off slightly. You can absorb plenty of energy with your arms. (I do own a mod but rarely use it.) If I were in your shoes, I'd buy 1 rod right now- either a Med or MedHvy whichever fits your water and conditions better and you think you'd use the most- then in a few weeks or whenever it becomes obvious, buy another rod to fill the gap(s) you have identified by actually fishing.

2 things I wouldn't do: 1. buy a boat based on the weight. 2. borrow a vehicle to tow my boat. Research the boats you might be interested in and don't forget to add about 1000 lbs for fuel, rigging, tackle, full coolers, safety margin, etc. If they fall into the rating of your vehicle, great! If not, see below. If you really think this is something you will do long term (either as a tourney guy or just rec angler), you might consider trading the highlander in on something more suited to towing. Your parents will get tired of you using their vehicle every weekend, (getting the interior wet, stinky, etc.) trust me... and then what happens when you burn up a tranny or something?? I wouldn't do it.

It will slow down but may take a while if YOU are a GOOD HOST! You get to control it or control who likely wants to go... Two ways I used to curb the crowds... split expenses, including the gas in the truck as you head out. That trick separates the people who want to fish (and understand the cost and effort in maintaining a boat) from the ones who just want you to take them out. Second, fish hard all day from O'dark 30 to evening dark. Using these 2 things, a fair weather fisherman rarely ask to go a second time. My best fishing partners over the years used to show up with cash for truck/boat gas and buy breakfast on the way out... coincidentally they were also the best friends and fisherman over the years. As a boater, I have always shown up ready to split expenses on someone else's boat and buying breakfast or lunch is just to say thanks for letting me go with.

I just wish my deck was big enough for 20 rods... it has nothing to do with TV, being organized is a lot of time and effort. If my deck held all my rods, I'd probably leave them out as well. ...lol As it stands, I try not to keep more than 2-3 out at once.

I do need a plug and receptacle for it... the old one has broken apart from uv dry rot!

You guys are great! That's another $50 (savings) I can spend on a reel! I'll wait until Monday to order just in case- and they are closed until then, anyway. Thanks!!

Well my T-motor bit the dust yesterday. This one has been rebuilt twice already so I'm not going to get it fixed again, as it never ran the same after being rebuilt. Looking at a minn kota 70lb hand control. Best I can find anywhere is $682 at iMarineUSA.com (with free freight)... but never heard of them. Is this a reputable outfit? I prefer hand control for a variety of reasons. (replacing a 65lb minn kota which replaced a 65 motorguide of yesteryear) Or anyone have a suggestion for another retailer? THanks!

Are the Curado 50 and the Core 50 the same size? They look different but I can't find similar pics to compare with anything for reference. And are they appreciably smaller than the Curado 70? I found several nice Daiwa options, but truthfully, I like all my shimano reels better than my Daiwa counterparts. Thanks again!

Yes, it's been quite a while. Doing fine, thanks for asking. I haven't fished much in the past few years- just got busy with life. I'm getting back on the water more frequently now that Jack is into it. We actually snuck out this afternoon and got into some LM and spots at Belton! JustJames- I haven't ever seen a curado 50! I've been out of this just long enough to lose touch with the equipment! (which is really frustrating for a tackle junkie!) Saw one on ebay- looks like a possibility as well. Been looking on ebay- lots of pixy's... is the newer (PX68?) model worth the jump in price? Also found a core 50 on ebay...

Lots of options in varied prices! Anyone have a size comparison on the curado 70? I've also been looking at the JDM models... they seem to have a bunch of smaller reels. No doubt he benefits from my taste in equipment... but the reality is that I get it as a nice finesse reel when he's not in the boat! Catt- does the mr. crappie have a consistent cast control? He likes throwing smaller lighter crankbaits so a reel designed for casting light stuff is essential. And he doesn't feather with his thumb much because he can't easily reach the spool.

Looking for a new reel for my son... he's only 8 so physical size is an issue. He's currently using 50 MG's and an old curado but can't hold them comfortably. Was thinking about a Pixy- IIRC they are smaller in hand. I haven't looked at new reels in 4-5 years so not familiar with any of the new crop available. Without a trip to the "big city" i don't have access to a decent retail selection.... Help! As for budget... not sure but could stretch it to $300 ish, if needed. What reels should I be researching? Thanks!!

A lot. (but there is a slight learning curve) It all depends on where you attach it. You have (usually) 5-6 points to choose from and each will give you a different speed and direction of drift... and then you have to TM to make directional adjustments while in drift or even to slow you further. Your options include bow eye, 2 sides of stern and most boats have 2 cleats on each side. You can actually drift up to about 25-30 degrees cross wind with a side cleat and using the outboard motor as a rudder. But you can go even further cross if you supplement with the TM.

I don't run a true cranking battery, since I have so much stuff running off of it. (everything in the boat, except the TM runs off the starting battery.) I've had a true starting battery fail to last the day before and never had a dual purpose batt. fail to last. Normally that wouldn't be an issue but when you start running multiple recirculating and livewell pumps, in addition to all the electronics, lights, etc.- well you really need another deep cycle that also has plenty of cranking amps. I use a dual purpose group 29 as my starting battery. ***Always run the largest batts you can fit in the boat's compartment. Pick your brand but there are many deep cycle batts that will serve dual purpose. I second the charger for the starting batt... even an inexpensive dedicated 2a trickle/tender charger is great. Oh- GPS pucks often draw even when unit is off. I have a separate power cut off to the GPS and flip that switch when I pull the plug each trip.

Wh could get a certified scale to Afghanistan in less time... why the needless delay?

I don't own a single rod with guides up.

I was thinking to erradicate them from the lake... cleaning the boat is the easy part- although few people seem to do it around here.

Well sadly enough, the news is that zebra mussels were found on Belton lake here in Central Texas. Jumping 150 miles from the DFW lakes down here and so far missing the lakes in between. (i'm sure those reports are coming, though) In my panic to learn more about this, I came across a few articles referring to Zequanox, ( Anyone have info on it besides the few articles on page 1 of the google search? Any first hand discussions with DNR staff that have tried it? Not really sure where this one goes, since it may fit in a few sections... if it needs to be moved, hit the button! Thanks! I guess all links are pulled out these days? Anyone wanting to read on it just google Zequanox and the first few hits are on Marrobone Bio Innovations web site- they are the maker of it.

My brother and a few buddies all have Yeti coolers... and all say they are well worth the money. I never had a cooler big enough that my beer would get warm before it ran out! So I guess if you are a slow drinker- get a Yeti!

This is also what I have done. Only takes a few seconds if you hold steady, on high speed.

At first you'll probably be more comfortable fishing the same stuff, just in the opposite direction. As you get time and practice on the water, you'll be able to find and fish other things like humps, deeper points, brush/rockpiles, etc. that are't reachable/accessable from short. Make a commitment to yourself to explore something (either an area or feature) new each day out in the boat... at least for the first few months. It will help keep you from becoming dependent on the familiarity of the bank.