K_Mac

Not knowing your friends financial condition it is impossible for me to know if it was foolishness or just enthusiasm for something new. If he can afford the boat, why does it bother you? If he can't afford the boat why does it bother you? Does his not taking your advice bother you, or are you jealous of him starting with a new rig? Does the fact that fishing is NOT rocket science bother you? To answer your question; no it does not bother me. Maybe you can help him learn some of the countless things he probably doesn't know, while fishing from a new rig. Sounds like a good deal to me. Ratherbfishing has a good point; maybe you can buy the boat cheap if the enthusiasm wears off.

Well said. I agree with the others that saving is more important than MORE high end tackle. High end tackle is a fine thing if you have the means. It is a luxury and not a necessity. Do things right at this stage and your chances of being able to have a life-style that allows you time and money for the finer things goes way up. Preach4bass put it succinctly: delayed gratification. Self discipline will put you head and shoulders above your competition. Good luck.

Grunvet you are welcome. I agree that there is art to fishing. Watch KVD pick a spot apart with a crankbait or Dean Rojas throwing a frog around cover, especially when everyone else is doing something different, and you realize you are watching an artist at work. That is not to say that understanding the science of how fish exist in different environments isn't a critical part of fishing. Roger has made a life-long study of that science. I respect his views, even when I don't agree with them, and I'm pretty careful about challenging his knowledge. As Forrest gump would say, "that's all I have to say about that." BTW welcome to the forum. The occasional cranky old guy notwithstanding, it is the best bass fishing site on the Internet IMHO.

My last trip I had dealt with blue gills all day, I had even hooked a couple pitching a wacky rigged 5" Senko knock-off. On the last stop of the day I had what I figured to be another gill swimming with my bait. I set the hook and felt a solid thump. It was the biggest fish of the day at just under 4 lbs. Hook set are free, and you never know...

I fish from a boat almost exclusively anymore, and still manage to hit something from time to time with similar results.

I have caught and seen others catch missed fish, but not many. An wacky unweighted Senko/Senko knock-off is also what I use. Slightly off topic, it seems to me that while bass may have some short-term memory, not so much long-term. We have caught the same 19" fish three of the last four trips to one of the local strip pits. She has a very distinctive lip injury, but seems to be very healthy otherwise.

Grunvet what Roger and your 4th grade science teacher also understand, and you seem to have missed is that when it comes to lakes, water temp to oxygen level is not a simple equation. I would suggest a study of the different types of lakes and how aging and nutrient levels affect oxygen levels. Eutrophic lakes (usually older lakes) with high nutrient levels and generally high levels of vegetation will stratify with little or no dissolved oxygen below the thermocline during summer months just as Roger described.

You are using proven night baits, and it sounds like you're fishing in spots that hold fish. If you have the "what and where" the other variables are "how" and "when". Most people have a tendency to fish too fast at night in my opinion. A big dark worm or jig worked slowly has caught me many fish at night, including my two biggest. Just like during the day, there will usually be periods when things are slow, but if you are there when it turns on you will be hooked. Keep the faith.

Mine is a 7'MXF Pro Qualifier rod matched with a 6.4:1 Pro Qualifier reel and 12# CXX (moss green). If I could only take one combo (heaven forbid) this would be it.

Chris, Rod socks are what I use for transportation, home storage and when rods are in the rod box. Rod sleeves probably offer better protection. Either way they save headaches.

I don't have a huge front deck either, and I have learned to take the extra second to hook the bait in the keeper and make a turn or two of the rod while holding the line about midway between reel and tip. It has become habit and makes having a bunch of rods on deck a lot easier and safer. Good luck.

I haven't had many chances to night fish lately, and I sure miss this. A jig, creature or big worm on the edge of a deep weed line is my current favorite.

Keeping pressure on the fish with your rod tip on or in the water will make a huge difference. As Bluebasser said, you may still lose an occasional fish, but keeping them in the water will improve your odds dramatically. Finding big fish is the hard part. Good luck.

There have been many advances in materials in recent years, but innovation in design is rare. This reel seems to raise the bar a bit. When they get down in the $100 range I will be able to afford them...

Yep. Treat them as you would any other plastic bait. I used to use lizards a lot more than I do now. It is still my go-to C-rig bait. On many steep rock banks there are irregularities in the face that hold fish. If you can find these at the depth fish are holding, let the good times roll. A jig, t-rigged or wacky rigged plastic (either weighted or not), would be my choice.

Two items: a black 1/4 oz arkie jig and a bottle of black #11 Uncle Josh's pork. Went night fishing on Bull Shoals and caught fish on off-shore structure. A complete game changer.

I lost a true monster night fishing on Bull Shoals Lake many years ago. Now I will admit that I did not see the fish, but based on the fight, and commotion created as she spit my jig I guessed her to be about 10 lbs. Over the years as my experience, wisdom, and clarity of thinking has increased I have re-evaluated this episode many times. I now believe this fish weighed between 15 and 22 lbs.

On public water in Illinois using a motor bigger than the limit will get you a ticket. I don't know what idling with a 150 would hurt, but that is the rule here. I have a 9.8 HP motor that I use regularly on several HP limited lakes in my area. I make far more commotion at WOT, a blazing 7.5 MPH, than you would idling with your 150, and a couple of my friends have tried to make that case. Both have paid $75 fines.

That is exactly the engine I have on my boat.

LWD, I will share my thoughts for what it's worth. First don't believe everything you hear at the ramp. As hard as it is to believe not all fishermen are as honest as you and me. I have been told some truly unbelievable stories of numbers and size. I enjoy the conversation, but take most of it lightly. Next, there are some really good fishermen out there. Most of them have spent many hours on the water putting into practice what they have learned from countless more hours of study. There is no substitute for this. Last, enjoy the process. Continue to work to improve, knowing fishing well consistently takes time and effort. This is what makes it such a great sport in my opinion. Good luck.

Well said.

When it comes to KVD I am beginning to think there may be some magic involved. As far as color, I have a 3 or 4 magic colors. The problem is I can't always predict which one is "magic" on a given day...

Watching someone choke to death on his own blood to avoid possible collateral damage does not make sense. Without oxygen to the brain the condition of the spinal column becomes moot very quickly. You were right in your assessment of the situation, and would have been right opening his airway if professional help had not arrived. Could there be legal or civil consequences? Maybe, but watching someone die to avoid getting involved is not something I would be willing to do.

Zoom Trick and Finesse worms. 5-6" Senkos/knock-offs (I use mostly BPS Stick-os). An assortment of shakyhead jigs. This time of year a couple of bags of big worms(think Rage Anacondas) are a must in my opinion. A chatterbait or two ain't a bad idea...no wonder I have so much stuff.

During the summer months there is always one constant; deep water. You may catch fish in very shallow water, but they will always be near deep water. This may not be universally true, but I do not look for the exceptions. Deep is relative to the lake; on my home lake, transitional areas into at least 15-20' depths are what I'm looking for; on another 8-10' might be considered deep. Knowing this I can eliminate a lot of water before I get to the lake by studying a topo map. I recently fished a large strip pit for the first time. I could not find a map, and it was not on my Lowrance software. Strip pits are a challenge because looking at the contours of the ground above the water doesn't necessarily tell you what is below. It will take several trips to get to know the lake well, but I can give you several spots that combine grass, rock, or both, and water dropping to 20' that will likely produce some decent fish. Once I've decided on the spots, I will plan my strategy. First thing in the morning I may move around a bit using a top water, shallow crank, and spinnerbait/chatterbait. If these don't produce well a wacky rigged Senko knock-off weighted or unweighted may be next, followed by a jig or plastic pitched tight to cover. Then I will work my way to deeper water and structure using jigs and plastics T rigged or C rigged. A shakyhead mix and a drop shot will finish my rotation. While these are my preferred methods, if my fishing partner starts hammering fish on something else, I will quickly get one in the water. That would be my approach. There are many better fishermen who would do it differently. Finding what works for you is where you will ultimately get. Enjoy the journey.