Bluebasser86

I've had some kinked Zman baits but found that often just removing them from the package and letting them sit out in the open air they will fix themselves, same goes with Zman baits that are stuck together.

I prefer the original packages.

Because nobody else makes a fat body, ribbed bait like that

Stripers, wipers, white bass, crappie, catfish, walleye, drum, gar, they'll all eat a chatterbait. Great looking fish Tone!

They're both expensive already and I rarely shop at either.

I DVR MLF, Zona's Awesome Fishing Show, Bassmaster, and FLW. I haven't watched a show regularly for a few years now, unless you count the countless hours of Paw Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Umizoomie, or whatever else my son wants to watch. I could quote you some episodes of those shows line by line probably.

H2O Slush Minnow or Slush Daddy. I like bluegill colors because I feel like that's mainly what I'm trying to emulate with them.

How big of a johnboat are you looking at that it cost 1,500 new?? This is a brand new 14' 36" beam boat from Bass Pro (not known for low prices), for $709. http://olathe.trackerboatcenter.com/boats/detail.cfm?boatID=5762040 Or Academy has a 12' Alumacraft for $620. http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/alumacraft-12-flat-bottom-jon-boat?repChildCatid=161554 I'm sure you can keep an eye on Craigslist and find a used one for cheaper or one that's set up nicely for a reasonable price if you're patient.

I'm lucky that I have 2 BPS, Cabela's, 2 mom and pop/pro shops, Scheel's, and 2 Academy sports (along with a few DSG's that I never go to), all within easy driving distance. I can keep my eyes open for sales and stock up as things become available or shop online for the best price for an item I need before driving to the store.

T-the R-real D-deal As in, the real Ned Rig. Most any drop shot/finesse rod will work for Ned Rigs. It doesn't take anything fancy, as Ned himself uses rods you can get at WalMart on the cheap, but I wouldn't trade my 6' 10" ML/XF LTB for anything when it comes to Ned rigs.

I use both, doesn't matter.

Welcome!

Me personally, I'd prefer a johnboat. They're about the same price, but much lighter and easier to drag or even carry and the effects of the sun, heat, and cold are not nearly as great on a tin boat as it is plastic. It's not as much weight for the trolling motor to push either. The downside of being lighter is it's effected by the wind and waves more so if it's windy a lot in your area then that's something to consider. As far as picking it up, you can rent trucks from Uhaul or maybe ask a friend with a truck to haul it to you since you're only going to have to haul it to that lake once and then it's staying there.

I use 20-25 pound big game for my A rigs and most of my swimbaits without any issues. I wouldn't suggest braid for the reasons mentioned. It's not a matter of if you'll cast off a rig, just a matter of when.

I've been fishing the same spool of Gliss since January and after lots of use I haven't seen any issues. Biggest issue I've had was it dug into itself a little Saturday hauling in a 21 1/2 pound flathead I caught on a Ned Rig. I had 2 reels with Nanofil for 2 years and didn't have the issues everyone seems to have with it. I sold both the reels with the line on them and as far as I know they're still being used with that line on them. It's very technique specific line for me, but what it does right it does very well.

We would cast it so it fell straight through the fry and it rarely made it to the bottom. Never did have to impart any action on the bait. We tried any number of usually productive baits in that situation and they all failed, but for whatever reason they couldn't stand the Ned falling through their fry.

I've actually heard people getting tickets for their dogs catching fish. Can't remember the exact reasoning but it's a stretch for sure. Best my dog will do is sniff a fish, maybe a lick or two, unless it's a big fish, then she's as far away from it as she can get.

They liked something about your bait, but not quite enough to eat it. I'd try changing colors or profiles. I had them doing that bad once and switched from American Shad to Nishiki and it was like a light switch. I didn't have any more followers, because I never got to move it very far before one slammed into it.

Yes, as much as a I love flatheads, never put them in a ponds. I've seen as few as 4 of them all but eat every other fish in a 1 acre pond that was previously full of bass, bluegill, and crappie. They're eating machines and prey almost entirely on other fish and once they get bigger than 10 pounds they can eat almost any other pond fish and grow like crazy.

I started fishing in a bass club when I was 16. It's a matter of the club being okay with having a minor in their group.

If there are spawning carp I'm going somewhere else. I've tried fishing around them time and time again and very rarely get bit and it's never a fish worth the headache. Feeding carp on the other hand are almost always worth trying by, especially if there's smallmouth for some reason. I'm guessing the carp rooting around the bottom are stirring up craws and other prey items and the bass are picking off the easy meals.

Welcome to the big bait world! Check out the baits by Savage Gear if you want some great baits at very reasonable prices. The new 3D bluegill is an awesome little bait.

Welcome and congrats!

Youtube video editor sucks, I did the best I could with my limited skills.