Dockhead

Just wondering if anyone has a favorite baitcasting rod they can suggest for weighless worms? I swim them a lot, and work them through some heavy cover. Need something that will throw the worm a good ways as well as having the backbone to get them out of there. Under $200....

Anyone know if any manufacturers are still making the "crossover" style boats with the non-skid deck and stainless trailer (besides the Ranger Intercoastal)? I don't see many used ones for sale and can't find any info. on new boats. I know Triton, Nitro, Skeeter and Champion used to all have models with those options. I was hoping to be able to get in on one of the good looking deals out right now for boats in the 18 foot class w/150 outboard, but with the non-skid as an option. (Oh, I saw that Bullet makes one also, a coastal, but not interested in that boat.) So let me know what you know. Thanks!

Go to the UF web site and search Gator Bassmasters. BTW, the presidency is vacant.

You keep sayin' that, but where are ya? Who are you gonna fish with? Bring me a couple of dem jigs to the meeting...

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. I have bought numerous jigs over the years, but rarely have used them. And of course now that I'm looking for them I can't locate the first one. Guess it's time to place an order....

Looking for some help as I begin to throw jigs more. What do the Florida guys throw? Brands, colors, trailers, etc.? Thanks for helping.

How about the Brandon area (just outside of Tampa), and get yourself a kayak. Can hit all of the lakes in central fl, orlando, etc. Several rivers to fish as well. And you can fish saltwater all over Tampa Bay with a kayak as well.

Big thank you to Bass XL. His package was the first present of my christmas season! He hooked me up (no pun intended) with a bunch of different Trokar styles. I have never been able to pull the trigger on these, looking forward to trying the finesse hooks with the keeper especially. He also set me up with some tungsten weights, hoping to finally get to use them the next two weeks while I'm off work and while the weather holds up.

Count me in please.

I'm on their mailing list, I get several emails a month, sometimes less frequent. Not bad at all.

Thanks. I actually saw them mentioned on another site after I posted this. I am going to give them a call.

8 out of 10. Would give either nugget to get my hands on that exact NRX; not a fan of the Lew's, and that rod deserves something a little bit...more refined. My combo is: 7'3" Heavy Powell Citica 200D 50 lb Power Pro Love Powell Rods, this one is Mr. Versatility for me. The reel, well, my son gave it to me, so it's special.

Looking at these two for my new lipless crankbait rod. Been using graphite, want to try the glass. Obviously the spook/trap rod was made for this technique, but I like the length of the 753. Also it says "big traps" for the spook/trap, I throw 1/2 ounce more than anything, but 3/4 a decent amount. Usually fishing hydrilla or eel grass. Do I need the heavy of the spook'trap rod or is the medium heavy likely to suffice for ripping baits through the grass? Any thoughts?

So how's this for making a short story long... Had a tournament on John's Lake in Central Florida, I've been there twice I believe and wasn't going to be able to pre-fish. Didn't do well either time I was there before. So I sent out a feeler to Fishindaddy, hoping to get some idea of what I should do. Historically, I have not done well with "other people's fish." Someone tells me a spot, exactly how they caught them, and I spend way too much time trying to basically force feed some fish. Never works out, so I avoid it. But, having said that, it's nice to have an idea of productive areas, so when Fishindaddy gave me a list of spots to try I was thinking that is just what I need, some focus. I actually went to a spot that I thought would have schoolers first thing, but the wind was howling at 15-20 right from the get-go. No action on top. So went to the nearest spot that fishindaddy mentioned, and there's a boat there. Go around the corner, another boat just got there. Went for a ride, decided to go to the other end of the lake (it's around 2500 acres) and work our way back. Saw boats on several spots fishindaddy mentioned, so we just sat down in an empty spot and started pitchin. Caught a keeper, then nothing for an hour. Rode back up a ways, same boats were on the same spots. Only place fishindaddy told me about that did not have a boat parked on it was some open water grass beds. And they look great. But there are no boats on them because the wind is now blowing even harder. We try to fish them a bit, but decide we need to get out of the wind just a tad. Went to the closest point, where we still had wind but it was partially blocked. Got a 2lb. fish right away, then two more keepers in the next 30 minutes. We work it hard, but the area is small, and the cove nearby proves to be unproductive. We need one more fish to finish our limit, as well as needing to upgrade, so we decide to try and battle the wind on the open water grass areas. We do that as long as we can stand it, but never get a bite. We run up to a somewhat protected shoreline and fish some docks, no bites. It's 12:30, weigh-in is at 3. I take a look at fishindaddy's list. He gave me one spot that said "huge flat, tons of fish." Other spots he mentioned sizes of fish he caught there (and they were BIG), so seems like when he says "tons of fish" he's most likely talking about 1-2 lb. fish, just a bunch of keepers. At this point I'm thinking, "we need a keeper." Also, looking at the map, the cove appears to be protected from the wind on one side. So we head over, starting at the point that is similar to the one where we had caught three fish earlier. We pull up, no one around. Start fishing a fantastic looking stump, sticking way out of the water, grass emergent on both sides. There has to be one there. I make 10-12 casts around this thing, nothing. So I let the boat drift a little bit, thinking about what I'm going to throw to get a 12 inch fish in the livewell so we can at least have a limit. I pitch to the edge of a grass bed, work the worm half way back, then a pretty good thump transmits its way up my line. It's pretty close to the boat, and I get a glimpse of it as soon as I set on her. Whoah, it's a big one. My dad is my partner, and he's 76. If I can land a fish myself I like to, so he doesn't have to worry about jumping up, running to the front and grabbing the net. Well, right away I said something to the effect of "Oh my, I think this may indeed be a high quality largemouth bass." Or something like that... Before I know it my dad is right next to me with the net, still can't believe how quick he got up to the front. I don't know exactly what I said to be honest, but it must have sounded much different than anything I normally say, because he knew it was urgent! The fish was almost immediately at the side of the boat, coming close, and fighting, but not violently. I think at that point I said "get ready," or "she's right there," or something like that. But as the words are coming out of my mouth I realize that this fish is green in more than just color, she ain't comin' aboard that easy. And then -I swear this is true- I feel some sort of calmness come over me. I just relaxed completely, or at least quite a bit, and held the rod, bowing to the fish as she surged under the boat, holding her just enough to keep her from getting to the trolling motor. I realized there was only so much I could do, and I did that, and just let the moment happen. She came out from under the boat, settled a bit, and I pulled up on the rod. Dad netted her as she thrashed one more time at the surface, and the fact that he was there to get her for me was the best part to be honest. She's not a giant by Florida standards, but she's my biggest to date (just couldn't get over the 8lb. barrier before for some reason). 8.9 pounds, and she had me at "thump." Oh ya, after going Ike for about 2 minutes when she was in the boat, I said to my dad "I don't even care if we win, that was awesome." However, the fact that we won the tournament (and Big Bass) was a nice touch. Thanks for reading. Matt

But if I still have checks in my check book that means I still have money, right??

They can come off. Last tourney I fished with a buddy who uses them, and one of the fish was "naked" when we were done. But it's no big deal if you have separate livewells or are fishing a buddy tournament where you are sharing the creel anyway. I used to fish a draw tournament and my boat has a livewell with a divider. Well, sometimes a fish wouldn't follow directions and would make it over the tiny space at the top of the divider (yes I have been known to house a dink or two in there). So I always used the lip piercing clips, just to be safe. But I'd much rather use the kind that just clip on. Poor fish already had a hook in his mouth, so it's nice not too have to stick something else in him.

I found it!!

I recently acquired the Veritas with those specs. Love the action and feel, but haven't caught a fish on it yet. May be able to take a look at one at Dick's or Bass Pro if you have one near by you.

I think I have your solution. Sell the three Fuegos - cheap - in the Flea Market!

Does anyone know of a handle that will fit the older stradic 4000? (The kind that comes with the wooden knob on the handle.) Thanks.

That's what I'm talkin bout. Do you know who he got the financing through?

Jig Man- Looking for a used boat from a dealer. Need to trade in my current boat, which I am very close to being upside down on. Although it seems like there are some better deals from private sellers, I need to find someone to take my boat off my hands. Thanks to all the moms and dads out there, but I think I am ok "debt-wise." Just hoping someone can steer me towards a lender with a good rate and decent term. I will keep looking on-line, honestly I thought it would be a little easier. Several banks I looked at didn't offer decent terms, and one said I had to have an account with them for a year before I could apply for a loan. My credit is good, worst case scenario is I will go with my credit union, but a better rate means a better boat to me.

Can anyone recommend an institution to handle my boat loan? Usually go thru my credit union, but the rates are not great there right now for some reason. So looking to shop around, but haven't found any great leads on-line. Thanks

The Clarion Resort (I use the word "resort" loosely) hosts' tourneys, they have boat parking with electric hookups. It is located on Irlo Bronson Memorial Parkway, about 10-15 minutes from the downtown ramp. Stayed at Red's Fish Camp last December, it is really more of an rv place. The cabins looked (and smelled) like they had not been slept in for years. It is convenient, but I would not stay there again. I'd rather drive a bit and sleep somewhere comfortable - and clean. Oh, if you want to tent camp there is an rv park at Southport (ramp down south by the lock) that will accomodate tents.

Thanks everybody. Lots of great info. as usual. Rolo, I love it when you reply to "Florida specific" posts. Your words of wisdom are becoming gospel to me. Haven't tried anything yet that you have suggested that didn't work out. I'm not catching the hawgs that you post, but everything works as advertised none the less. Still trying to get my hands on some of those Deps Deathaders, though. Matt