INbassMAN

That's the first time i've heard or read this advice. I've tried alot more cranking this year with very little luck and I have lost alot of lures. Does anyone have any other tips for getting cranks through thick cover without getting hung up as often?

What do you mean by this? How do you fish a secondary point vs a main point? Are there certain techniques that are better for one vs the other.

Thats good stuff. I didn't think about the extra weight from the trailor. Thanks for the info. I'll probably put the jig back on my vendetta and maybe use the other rod for a lipless crankbait. First outing TOMORROW!!! I wont be able to sleep tonight.

How important is it to match the lure weight with the weight that is written on the rod? I just bought a 7' MH/F Vendetta that I plan on using for worm and jig fishing. I rigged it with 30lb braid. I started to put on a 1/4 oz jig and I noticed on the rod that it said it was for 1/2-3/4 oz lures. I ended up putting the jig on a med action rod rigged with 10ib Yo-Zuri. I probably wont be fishing much heavy cover with it, maybe some lay down trees. What would happen if I put a lure on that is over OR under the recommmended weight that is on the rod? 1/2-3/4 oz for that Vendetta isn't a very wide window for lures that I can use. What do you think about having a jig on a med action rod? Thanks.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1257906266/0 Nice fish. My buddy and I have a friendly competition when we go out to see who can catch the most fish. So, I'm a numbers guy, but thats probably because I have never landed anything with any size to it. Although I did have a 100+ ib tarpon on my line last May. That was a blast.

I was there last weekend and really wanted a carbonlite but didnt get there early enough. They said people were waiting outside for the doors to open and they were gone in no time. I ended up getting a 7' Vendetta paired with a Johnny Morris signature reel for $180. The guy helping me out was very helpful. He said he has 3 carbonlites and loves them. If you can make it to the store, pick you up one with a carbonlite reel. That should be in your pricerange even without the trade-in.

Very nice boat!! Congrats!! Just a year and a half ago, I bought my first boat. I'm already on my second. ;D

Thanks again for everyones input. I will check check out the book Knowing Bass. Is there any other book that anyone recommends. I already have Bass Strategies by KVD.

Thanks, that clears up alot. I never heard of lipless crankbaits being called rattle traps. I've heard of the Rat-L Trap, but didn't know that was also a generic term for lipless crankbaits. I think maybe this is why its so confusing.

I have been reading so many articles, my brain is fried, well, maybe thats not the only reason that my brain is fried... Anyway, since you mentioned reading articles, let me give you an example of why I'm confused. Go to the "Fishing Articles" tab at the top of the screen, then go down to "tips and tactics". Click on that, then click on an "Soft Jerkbaits". It will then open up an article titled: "Soft Plastic STICKBAITS" What? Are you serious? So now a senko (or stickbait) is also a jerkbait? I know, I know. My buddy has already told me that I'm reading too much into this, but hey, I've got a bad case of cabin fever. But, really, all of these different terms used for the same baits ARE kind of confusing.

Thanks alot. I'm glad you responded, because I was looking at baits on ***.com and ended up more confused than before. So, senko is another word for stickbait, which is basically a plastic worm without a curly tail or appendages, right? Jerkbaits seem clear cut but when looking at "soft jerkbaits" on ***, some of them looked like the "swimbaits" that you described. Can a crankbait be considered a swimbait or vice versa? Thanks

Could someone please explain these differents types of lures: 1. Stickbaits 2. Swimbaits 3. Jerkbaits - are these only topwater baits and if not what makes them different from crankbaits or are they totally different from crankbaits 4. Spoons - are these the same as roostertails 5. Senko - whats the difference between a senko and a regular plastic worm These may seem like some pretty basic questions, but I still haven't figured out what they are. Thanks

I come from a family full of outdoorsman. I started hunting at an early age and didn't do much fishing. During my teen and twenties it was all hunting for me. My grandpa was a big fisherman, mainly catfish. I loved going out on the boat with him. I have a great-Uncle who was a pro bass fisherman, but i never had the opportunity to fish with him. Another uncle is the one who really got me started on bass fishing and a friend from work has now got me hook. Now, this is all I think about. In fact, I have pretty much quit all my other hobbies so I can do more fishing. I didnt even go hunting last year.

I was thinking the same thing when I was reading through all of the responses. This is a great site. I think about all of my favorites have responded to this, thanks to all. I've learned rather early on from reading on this website how important it is to learn the seasonal patterns of bass and therefore being able to locate them. My goal is to try to take in as much of that information as I can when I'm not on the water so that I can consentrate more on actually fishing when I'm on the water. I've also learned how big Catt is on learning to identify structure. (BTW, I loved the thread you started about that. it was very informative) There is a certain amount of reading that one could do to help, hopefully, to speed up the learning curve on being able to do that. That may prove to be one of the bigger challenges I have in front of me. When I finally get out on the water, and think I have found a good spot to fish, what am I going to use. Again, reading articles on this site and other messages will, hopefully help speed up the learning curve. So far from what you guys have said, I think I will work more with soft plastics and try some jigs. I never really thought of jigs as being more important to learn than a spinnerbait. However, since the water will still be cold and considering the seasonal patterns, maybe that would be a good strategie. As far as reading the water and letting the fish tell me what they want, that seems a little more advanced. Maybe that will be a tougher task than being able to identify structure. I just need to keep an open mind when I'm on the water. Thanks again everyone, I would love to read more opinions. bassresource ROCKS!

This has GOT to be the longest, coldest winter ever. I couldn't fish even if i wanted to take on the below freezing temps because all of the lakes/ponds are frozen. To help out with my cabin fever I have been doing ALOT of reading. This is a good thing since I still have alot to learn. All of this reading about different baits, techniques, and styles of fishing has left me with a delima. When the big thaw comes and I start hitting the lakes hard, what should I work on first. The person I have been fishing with and learning from is big on soft plastics, so I feel most confident with those. (although i still have alot to learn). Before it got cold I started experimenting on spinnerbaits and topwater. For a guy who is still learning and trying to come up with my own style of fishing, what do you think is the most imortant techniques to work on first and why? Should I work on I thing at a time or should I try to mix in a little of everything each time out? Your input is greatly appreciated.

I found an add for these combos on craigslist. What do you think? $50 for each combo. 2 Quantum Accurist 500cx reel w/ Allstar select graphite MH rod. 1 - 7', 1 - 6'6" 1 Quantum EX600cx reel w/ Galyan IM8 performance series MH rod 6'6" 1 Shimano Corsair CS300A reel w/ Quest IM7 MH rod 6'6"

Lots of great suggestions. Thanks everyone for your input. I am relatively new to bass fishing, but I do plan on fishing some tournaments this year. In fact I'm quitting my softball league so I have more time to fish:) Hopefully, I can get alot out of these tournaments. I'm really looking forward to getting back on the water. If I decide to get a rod/reel combo, what would be your suggestion for spinning gear? Thanks

I need some advice on how to spend $300. Here's what i have: Boat with 2 cheap fish finders, but they work. I might also add that i'm still trying to figure out how to read them. I have about 3 or 4 baitcasters combos...the nicest reel cost about $50 and the same with the rod. 1 spinning rod/reel (cheap) I have some basic tackle Should i spend it all on a nicer fish finder or a couple of rod/reel combos? Or should I beef up my tackle selection? or split it up between any combonation of the 3? Thanks

I was looking through the "Best Of" Bassresource.com post (great post BTW) and I read something about Hydrilla. Since I'm fairly new to this sport I didn't know what hydrilla was so I started to do some research. During my research I came across some other vegetation like milfoil and wild rice and reeds, so i have been researching those as well. Looking at pictures of these plants it looks like reeds and wild rice are similar and hydrilla and milfoil are similar. I wanted to get everyone's take on the different types of vegetation and how you go about fishing them. What types of bait, rod/reel, line, etc. Thanks

Thanks everyone!! This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I will experiment with the different lines that you guys recommended. I think you gave me a good starting point. Thanks again.

I'm relatively new to bass fishing (about 2 yrs) and new to bass resource. I am very impressed with all of the helpful information and friendly discussions on this forum. I know I will be a regular visitor to here as I have been "hooked" on bass fishing and want to learn as much as I can. So, here goes my first question. What is everyone prefered fishing line? Whats the differnece between mono and flourocarbon. I've seen clear, red and green line. Is one better than another for different water clarities.