n8casCT

has any non-boater used the bac rac ? I'd like to know if it was a pain to set up and if it got in the way at all and how many rigs it fits comfortably....

This upcoming season will be my second season of tourney fishing for my local club. I really enjoyed my first year; I learned a lot, skunked a few tourney's, but actually finished second in one tournament. In other words, did better than I expected and now I'm hooked! Last year I started my first tournament with 3 spinning rods - that's it. Since then I have expanded to 9. My strengths are mostly light weight finesse - soft plastics - bottom bouncing techniques (drop-shot, shakey-head, t-rigs, etc...) I just learned to throw a baitcaster last year, but would like to use baitcasters for more outfits this year. I live in CT, so we don't have the monsters you might have in the south & west. We fish SM and LM waters. I'm looking for some feedback and advice on my current set up going into this year: I currently own - 2 6'6 MediumFast spinning combos (I used for shakey-head and weightless stickbaits) 1 6'6 MHF spinning combo (with braid I used for 1/4 oz jigs and froggin'-come summertime) 1 7'0 MF spinning combo (used for topwater / spinnerbaits) 1 6'9 MLF spinning combo (drop-shot) 1 6'0 MF spinning combo (throwing to and under docks) 2 6'6 MHF casting combos (texas-rig, spinnerbaits, jigs-weakness for me) 1 7'0 MHM casting combo (cranking - big weakness for me) With that said, how many combo's/outfits/rigs or whatever you call them, should I bring with me on the back of the boat? Because I'm looking now at getting a flippin' combo for laydowns/stumps/brush/dock pylons, and come summertime I want to have an outfit for fishing heavy matted grass. What am I missing or how could I use my equipment more effectively? Lighter finesse fishing is my strongest technique, what should I really focus on improving to broaden my overall skills as a tourney angler? Thanks for the advice.

I'm just learning so I have a ton of questions... I hope I don't tick anyone off!

in the past I have run the line through a towel. Should I just spray the conditioner directly to the spool after 20 or so cranks? Then let it be for the day? half a day? hour? thanks by the way for moving my thread. sorry about that - wasn't looking closely.

Excellent. What's the best way to troll your line out? For instance, do you use a float at the end of your line ? How far is far enough? Do you run it through a towel doused in conditioner when bringing it back in? Will other boat wakes affect this technique?

I had planned on going up to Lake Champlain in early November. All my rigs were set and ready to go, but the trip was canceled due to bad weather. I respooled some of my reels for that trip. Should I respool for the first outing this spring? Some of that flourocarbon gets expensive. If I chose not to respool, what are some suggestions to make sure my line is in good shape for the spring. I would hate to have some early spring break-offs b/c of bad line.

I am also learning to flip n pitch this winter, but before I can get out there and practice, I need to get a nice rod. Would it be better to go with a shorter rod as a beginner instead of 7'4 +? I was thinking on getting my hands on a used cumara - which one? Also, everyone was a beginner at one time or another: what was something that you would have benefited from if you knew when you were just learning?

thx

Hey guys, 30 yr old here from Central CT. Just started tournament fishing last year. Just learned to throw a baitcaster last year as well. Can't wait until next season. Looking to upgrade some gear without spending too much. Always looking for an opportunity to learn. - N8casCT