RichF

I'm a big fan of glass. Most of them aren't like the glass rods of old. My powell glass rods are pretty darn light. I also have a Lamiglas Excel II glass rod that's even lighter.

That's not what has happened here. Anglers with experience on both sides are just sharing their opinions on the subject. There will always be a debate here. The only thing we can do is try and be as considerate and respectful towards each other as we can.

Welcome! I like to film a little. I enjoy watching my footage over the winter when I can't fish. I'm only doing pretty basic editing with GoPro Studio. Can't do a ton with it, but it's fine for now. I think a lot of guys are starting to get turned off by all the content available now. A lot of it is kinda goofy, kids being kids kinda stuff. I'm not super into that but I also don't knock it. It's pretty easy to just not hit the play button.

When it comes down to it, you just gotta suck it up and deal with it if you want to fish tournaments. @Logan S said it best, the boater/co-angler format isn't perfect and there just isn't any way to make it so. Some boaters will go out of their way to make sure you have good water to fish, some won't give you much of anything, and some will just fish like you're not there. You're going to run into all those scenarios eventually. You could also find a different club. One where you can use your own boat or one with separate boater/co-angler divisions. Nothing that has been said here from the boater perspective could be construed as inconsiderate towards a co-angler.

I'd just blame it on the year. I've had a lot of success with them since I started using them a few seasons ago. Last year was different for some reason. I seriously had such a hard time getting bit on. Not sure why. 99% of the time (for me) it's a reaction bite when I snap it outta the grass. Very rarely do I get bit on a straight retrieve. Keep at it. You'll start getting them.

I've done it with a 6xd on my Curado E5. Takes too much concentration haha.

I have a TBS68MXF and a LXC70MHF. Now I know they're not the same (spinning vs casting, different size/actions, etc) but as far as the blanks go, I really think the Xtreme is quite a bit more sensitive. Do I think the price difference is warranted? Eh. They're both really nice. The Legend Tourney series is plenty sensitive. Until I start really makin bank, I'm going to refrain from buying anymore rods and reels over the $250 mark. Believe me, I would love to have a full set of Xtremes but I just don't think it's necessary.

Never used the Inferno but I have 3 of the older Powell Max rods. They're all crank models. Pretty plane Jane rods but they're nice.

Kinda lame. I'd rather see it somewhere else. B.A.S.S needs a little more variety. Nobody wants to watch a Classic get won with an underspin again. Maybe they'll spice things ups and mix in the Damiki Rig this time:)

Let's not forget that there is usually a hefty, monthly payment to own that boat on top of those other expenses. Splitting the boat fuel bill and picking up coffee and doughnuts are nice gestures, ones most boaters really appreciate, however, they really don't help all that much with the overall expense of a tournament day. When it comes down to it, the boater doesn't owe the co-angler anything. That obviously doesn't mean he can treat him like crap, it just means...he doesn't owe him anything extra on top of providing a platform (physical and metaphorical) on which to compete. If your club has rules that state, boater and co-angler both get a certain amount of time fishing the water they want, then the boater must abide by them, no ifs, ands, or buts. If not, you just have to adjust. Communication goes a long way but stating up front that you don't want to be front ended will likely offend your boater and lead to a miserable, awkward day on the water. Like @BrianinMD, I started as a co-angler and have since moved up front. I know how tough it can be to fish from the back and fish used water. You gotta realize though, there are definitely more places to throw to than just the bank, behind your boater. I don't know how many times I've thrown into deeper water on the opposite side of the boat and caught really nice fish. I've also outfished my boaters on several occasions (same exact cover) just by throwing different baits. My point is, there are ways you can do well when you're a co-angler (fishing used water), you just have to adjust and think outside the box.

Not exactly true to the OP but...I had a mishap with a telescoping, plano bazooka rod tube last year and now I have to replace the following (makes me sick to even type this).... A 7ft mh St Croix Legend Xtreme A 6'8 m spinning St Croix Legend Tourney A 6'10 m spinning St Croix Rage A 7'0 mh Shimano Crucial Thank God for reduced replacement costs.... If this didn't happen, I would've went after a new bladed jig rod. Maybe something in the 7'3 to 7'6 range, mh - h, preferably glass.

Welcome! I don't do the pork thing but I fish jigs A LOT. I try to keep it super simple. I have 3 basic trailers I use. When it's cold, I like to use a zoom big salty chunk. It has a more subtle action and makes your jig fall a bit slower, while maintaining a larger profile (which I like). When it's warm, I use a 4 inch chigger craw or a rage craw. I keep color to the bare minimum: green pumpkin and black/blue (or junebug). Basically a dark and a light. Most of the time I just use green pumpkin and I don't worry about matching jig color to jig trailer color.

A buzzbait wouldn't bother me one bit. I'd be more annoyed if you were trying to soak a weightless senko in the same spot for 5 mins at a time lol. In all honesty, I don't think any boater would be upset with you throwing a buzzbait. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask but I think you'd be in the clear.

Seems like they're all roughly the same price now, unfortunately. I tried a few new fluoros last year though. 1.) Sunline Assassin in 12lb. I used it for deep cranks and liked it. Very manageable, casted well, decent abrasion resistance. It's a bit cheaper (around $22 for 225 yds). 2.) Cabelas No Vis in 20lb. I used it for bladed jigs and didn't have any issues. Didn't really test its abrasion resistance though. I think it was worth the $9.99. 3.) Sunline Super Fluoro in 14lb and 16lb. I found a couple 600yd spools on sale for $20ea so I gave them a try. The 16lb was great. I used it for football jigs, texas rigged plastics, light jigs, and swing heads. Manageable, no break offs, just a solid line. However, I didn't care for the 14lb. I new it wasn't going to be quite as abrasion resistant simply because it was a lighter line, but I found it to be weaker than expected. It's fine for open water techniques. I still think Trilene 100% is the strongest fluoro I've used. I really liked Seaguar Red Label for a cheap fluoro, but only in the 17lb and that has been discontinued.

I'm not a fan of all the newer "rigs" that have come out recently. I just can't get behind the ned rig and niko rig. I can't stand to finesse fish in the first place so it would take a catastrophic event for me to turn to these. Senkos too. I'm trying not to be so stubborn with them because I know they flat out catch fish but man it's tough. The waters in upstate NY are just so good, I almost never have an issue getting bit power fishing my big, aggressive baits. Now that I'm south of the the Mason Dixon, I may have to change up my game a little.

Very cool post! BR is pretty BA!

Martens def found the school to end all schools. It was awesome to see a bunch of nice fish caught off shore. That lake looks pretty awesome btw.

Thank heavens for the Ulterra and those giant graphs. If it weren't for those, the guys would've had to actually try and fish!

I REFUSE to use a senko.

I hope Gander doesn't close...it's the only place I can find my Jim Beam Jalapeño sunflower seeds. lol

Yet another reason the "Elites" drive me kinda nuts. The "best" bass fisherman in the world needing locals to show them what to use and how to fish a new lake.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/655387/plano-deluxe-a-series-3600-tackle-bag http://www.midwayusa.com/product/718919/plano-guide-series-3700-tackle-bag These are insane deals on REALLY nice bags. Totally don't need it but I might get the 3700 one.

Another vote for the Chronarch!

I throw jigs that size on my Kistlers and they both have moderate fast tapers. They're both heavies though. If you want a rod specifically for jigs then the mhf is the better bet (between the two). It's definitely not a crank bait rod though.

I use a Powell Max 755CB for DT10 cranks to SK 6XDs. It work just fine. I wouldn't mind something closer to 8ft for 6XDs but I don't crank enough to justify it.