K_Mac

I am better at enjoying the moment than most. I am not driven by numbers or size so much anymore. It is interesting that not being driven to perform has allowed me to relax, and I often catch more and better fish. I am happy to fish with guys that are better than me at different techniques and if you catch more or better fish than me, especially from my boat, I am genuinely happy about it. It is easy to get caught up in the competition to be the best. With few exceptions, I am really not interested. I have friends that I rarely fish with anymore because having a good time is dependent on the fish biting. Life is too short...

I am a big fan of P-Line CXX. While it does have some memory, it is no worse than YoZuri Hybrid in my opinion. Either line benefits from the use of KVD Line and Lure. Both lines are great values and are worth trying.

Glenn has spent much time and money to make this forum a place where bass fishing questions are answered, and there are many here that are interested in answering questions and learning new things. Asking what inexpensive baitcasting combo to buy is much like asking how high is up. There are countless answers and none of them are right or wrong. It is a question that can't be answered without more information.

FloridaFishinFool you are not the only one here that wants to maximize catching and not retrieving lures. There are times when a crankbait will out produce other techniques. Throw one enough and you will hang it up where it will not come loose without a retriever. In less time than you will likely spend trying to pull it loose, I can free it using a knocker/chain retriever. I have been fishing a long time too, and can say with confidence that anyone who throws a crankbait often, especially in wood, will lose more without a retriever than with one. I have fished with guys who will not spend any time retrieving lures, and guys who will spend 10 minutes or more trying to retrieve a cheap bait. A retriever is a fast, easy way to save both time and money.

I agree with RW. It will pay for itself quickly if you throw cranks. I think fishing time is too valuable to spend a great deal of time trying to retrieve lures, but it usually only takes a minute or two to retrieve a bait. That is a good use of time/money.

That sounds about right, although $1200 for a catalytic converter is crazy. Still cheaper than a new truck!

I will add my vote for KVD Line and Lure. I was sceptical when I started using it, but quickly became a believer. I have been using it for a couple of years and it is always in my fishing gear.

Berkley XT is my go-to mono. I like it far better than Big Game. I use it for treble hook baits. I use P-Line CXX copolymer for most other single hook "moving" baits like swimbaits, swim jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, etc. For all "contact" baits like jigs, t-rigs, etc. I use fluorocarbon. CXX would be my choice for everything if fluorocarbon wasn't an option. It is far better than Big Game as an inexpensive general purpose line IMO. FWIW I do not like braid and only use it when I have to.

Thanks for the info. I will get a copy. I think it is an interesting subject, and it's too nasty to fish right now.

The last time I said here that I didn't care for BG, I took a beating from the BG community. While it is cheap, there are many better options IMO.

The quotation marks indicate this is a quote. Who said this, and who did the research? I would like to examine the data. It sounds good, but an anonymous internet quote isn't enough to persuade me. I have found that contrary to popular belief, not everything you read on the internet is true.

Real men know their limits. When you reach a certain age you realize that crazy is for youngsters. We've had over 6" (some areas locally are well over 9) of rain here in the last 36 hour, with much more to come overnight and in the morning. It's 38° F and the wind is blowing 20-30 mph. I ain't fishing anytime soon...

We are receiving record rainfall here in the Midwest and many other regions are getting the same and worse. I hope none here are in harms way. Be careful out there folks.

Thanks Sam and same to you and all the BR family.

You and your wife will be in my prayers. We all wish you the best Mike.

I think this just about sums it up.

Many of us have had bad spools of normally great line that don't measure up. I lost a couple of good fish on a bad batch 15# copoly that I had never before, or since, had any problems with. Stuff happens.

I do not want to argue about how bass see, or don't see color. What I do know is that based on empirical evidence sometimes color makes a difference. I also know that based on empirical evidence sometimes it doesn't. With that said, I am not one that carries a dozen colors of every bait. A few variations of shad, bluegill, and crawfish are what I carry in crankbaits. Works for me.

Thank you Mike. I will miss your piquant moderating style. Welcome to the mod squad .ghoti.

Nice job Glenn. As an old guy, it will take me a while to figure out all the new features and get used to the changes. I have just about figured out how a smart phone works so I should be good to go.

Chris they aren't bad for the money. I do like RI Beavers a little better, and if money is on the line I choose them. I would try a couple of bags and see for yourself. Good luck.

I think it is a good value in the "beaver" market. I use both sizes regularly.

Exactly. The idea that we can get something for nothing is compelling, but never real or sustainable.

After doing the research I would not use standard radials on my trailer, and it hauls an aluminum boat. A standard tire is simply not made to stand the stress put on a trailer. Bass Turd makes a good point. Weight and speed must be considered when choosing. Having had tire and bearing failures over the years, I can say with confidence trailer tires are not a place to cut corners.

Basswhippa I own Dodge/Chrysler vehicles and have a collection of BPS rods and reels. My 95 pickup and 2000 Durango have a combined 370,000 miies and are in great shape for the shape they're in. My reels have countless hours of trouble free service. I may not be a "superior consumer" based on your definition, but I understand value. Categorizing people by what they drive or fish is myopic and foolish in my opinion. I think Shimano, Ford, and Toyota make fine products, but my self-esteem is not determined by the things I own.