Smiths.R

You might get better luck with a response if you put this in the small mouth section...

I'm learning this fishing thing by myself kind of, so some of the seemingly obvious things, I am ignorant too. How do I know how much line to put on my reels? I have a spinning and a BC. The Spinning real, I usually fill right up, and the same with my BC, but maybe that's to much? With the Spinning, I obviously know if I've put to much on the spool, but not with the BC, unless I just hav'nt done that yet. Also, I just read a post about backing. How can you tell how many yards you have on your reel? My BC says it holds 120 yards at 12 lbs, but how on earth do I know if I have 120 yards on there? Thanks for the help guys...The only stupid question is the one you don't ask!

Sorry to hear that Basser. I got out yesterday and today, but no luck. As for weather or not you can get bass at Loch Raven...If you can't get bass at Loch Raven, you need to find another hobbie. That reservoir is LOADED with bass. It's impossible to fish there and not get bass.

I've been told my whole life to touch a bass as little as possible. As the previous poster stated, they have a protective "slime" and is removed when they are touched. I would think so long as you don't try to hold them horizontally by the jaw, you're not doing that much damage. Perhaps I'm wrong though. It's happened before!!

Without a doubt it's spring time. When duck/goose hunting season is up, I am literally counting the days till the bass wake up.

I'm not offended by what you just said, but what do you base such a far reaching statement as "It's morally wrong" on? Do you think all hunting is wrong? You can't buy LMB at the grocery. If he likes to eat it, good for him. I love to eat geese, ducks, and deer. Am I wrong for doing that? Who made you the judge of these moral issues? I think you're way out of line making a statement like that... And FYI, I don't even like fish. They all go back when I catch them.

This nice weather was to much to bear. Went out for the first time yesterday to Loch Raven. Saw one fish (big pickerel) but no bites. I don't even care. It was just nice to let the lures swim a bit. The coming spring rains will warm up that water soon. I can't wait!!

Logging onto the website to find out. That is amazingly sage advice.

Just looking for some advice on what kind of battery I should be getting. I have a HB Piranha 170. I don't know anything about marine batteries, so any help would be amazing!

I love the strike, I even love them just tugging. But there is nothing better than setting that hook, and feeling the weight and force of that fish on the other end. I can't help but curse at the fish every single time I set the hook. I love winning!!

Someone on here said they'd rather go to a Dicks than to their BPS. I can't say anything about the BPS near you, but the one near me is wonderful (Baltimore MD). The Dicks near me doesn't even come close to having the amount of stuff that Bass Pro does. The people are nice, and very helpful, and usually quite knowledgeable, as opposed to the guys at Dicks, who are usually just that. As far as purposely being out of stock...I doubt it. It's in high demand. Things run out.

Tubes for sure. 4'' Senko's work really well too.

I've been in the water plenty of times where I fish on the river, and never tasted any salt. It is salty down near D.C, but I'm way up near Harpers Ferry. I'm not worried about salt busting the reel up, just rust in general maybe. To be honest, I was'nt sure at all. Hence the question.

I have a Daiwa Regal XiA. It's only $50 bucks, and I think it's awesome. Super smooth, comes with an extra spool. The Daiwa people are great, I've never had a problem with them. For $50 bucks, I don't think you can beat it.

Sounds like spawning bass. If they saw you, it's all over. Also, unless you hit the bulls eye on the nest, they probably won't hit it. I always use weightless T-rigged worms. Just jiggle it on the X.

I've got a question for you Francho. What would you suggest for a kayak user who wants to take up as little space as possible. I will use my boat for duck hunting in the fall, so I don't want to permanently attach a battery to the boat, as it will take up room for decoys, gun etc. What do you think? I really dont' think I want to get one of those side mounted units...Need your help!

5'' Senko for sure. I usually use baby bass, or pumpking seed.

I fish the Potomac river a lot, and for various reasons, I end up under the water a lot (I wade). My reel obviously goes down with me. How big a deal is this? Also, what should I do when I'm done fishing if I have gone under with the reel?

Both of these are in the flier, and on sale at BPS this coming Friday. I want to get a better baitcaster. Can anyone let me know what they think of these two? Just wondering if the Carbonlite is markedly better. Thanks!

I am going berzerk...I bought a Kayak this winter and every day it screams from my garage to put it in some water. Also, the BPS spring sale is coming. I think I might get a little silly down there on Friday. New rod/reel, and whatever else looks good. Thank God for tax time!!

I'm kind of new to baitcasting, and I want to get a decent reel w/o breaking my bank. I was planning on getting the BPS PQ. Is the Carbonlite a much better reel? I would love to hear some of you wax rhapsodic about why one is better than the other. Thanks guys!

Thanks BigFruits. By the way, your picture is absolutely hilarious.

When you say hook it in the skirt end, you mean backwards right? I'm excited now...I do fish a river with current for SM's all the time (Potomac). Thanks so much for the help Crestliner!

You could have put anything in your description, and I would reply the same thing. Senko worms. Jigs

Crestliner, thank you!! That's exactly what I needed. The first fish I catch this year on a Fat Ika, I'll hold it up for you.