B@ssCrzy

I am sure you could fish it and it would be fine, but for working plastics along the bottom I prefer a fast or extra fast action. Moderate fast is to "wippy" for me for those applications. I don't like how when you are pulling it through cover it loads and springs back on you more than a fast/xtrafast would. If Fenwick does not offer what you want I would look at some other brands out there. I am not very familiar with Fenwick, but in the price range your are looking at there are a lot of really good rods out there that may be a better fit for your style of fishing. I have heard a lot of great things about the *** *** Black rods that are right in your price range which will probably be my next purchase. That's just my two cents anyway. Welcome to the forum by the way!!

Top water....pop-r, stanley ribbit, buzzbait, etc.

Welcome to the site!! I am from Indiana as well. Are you fishing from shore or on a boat? If I am fishing from shore my favorite pond fishing technique is buzzing a stanley ribbit parallel to the shore. Depending on the day will depend on how close to shore you cast. Sometimes it is only 1 foot off the bank. But those bass just annihilate it. Probably because they don't see a lot of them so it is something new. I have caught some big bass in ponds with this lure. It's worth a try.

Anymore I buy the majority of my stuff on-line. Much better selection and no tax. Mostly wait till I have an order of $50 or more so I can get free shipping. Tackle Warehouse is my favorite.

Went with my son on Saturday. I did not get a darn thing, but I have just now started to teach him how to work a texas rig. Which he was doing really well. He is 4 mind you....put on a berkley power worm texas rigged. He cast, hooked, and caught this behemoth. Measured out 27-28 inches. I know it is not a bass, but man what a lot of fun. I think I have a fishing buddy for life.

x2

If I were you I would stick with the spinning gear while you are learning, but there is one thing that you can do to make your spinning gear work better for you. I would buy some 15# Power Pro braid and learn to tie a leader to it. This will help give you more sensitivity to your rod and also you will not have to worry about "birds nests" and line twist that can be soooo aggravating when you are using spinning gear. I fished spinning rods for years with mono and hated them, but the switch to braid has changed my perspective on spinning reels. Once you do that if you are still wanting to upgrade your gear I would invest in a Medium/Fast spinning rod that is under $100. A medium/fast rod is a great rod that can be used for many different applications and would be a good starting place for you. The rod will be the more determining factor in what lures you will be effective with vs. the reel. Most entry level spinning rods will be really "whippy" which may hinder you in working certain baits the proper way. (i.e. jerkbaits, frogs, etc.) Just my two cents. Hope this helps.

Curado E series.....own three of them now. Two E7's and one 50E. Awesome reels and smooth as silk.

Wow!! That would be awesome. Sounds like I need to fish with you!!

Northside of Indy. Will be fishing the ponds and Morse the most this summer. I have been practicing my pitching this winter, and am hoping to catch my first fish pitching to tree lay downs and under docks. Went out last Saturday to a pond and zeroed out. Water is still pretty cold though so hoping it warms up soon. Where are you from. Looks like you may be from up north guessing by your avatar pic. I am supposed to be coming up to Lake Webster area in May. You ever fished Lake Webster area? Sounds like you are pretty close to me. I am in the Westfield area. I will be hoping to get out on the White as well. What tourney's do you fish around here. I have never fished a tournament, but have thought about doing it for the fun of it. Problem is I can't do it every week so hope to maybe find an open that I can enter.

Bought my first boat 4 years ago, deep V aluminum boat, set up with bass platforms on the front and back. Only thing I would change about it is I would probably get an aluminum with a lower profile due to the wind blowing you around. However, that being said I am really happy I got an aluminum. There is somewhat of a learning curve to having your first boat, things happen on the water you are not experienced/prepared for and the durability of aluminum can save you from some serious issues. (i.e. wind blowing you into things when trolling motor acts up, stumps/rocks you don't see, etc.)There have been times when the aluminum saved my skin. Also, in buying an older boat you are going to want to be doing some updating to the electronics, trolling motor, etc. For me working on an aluminum boat seems easier than working on a fiberglass boat where you can crack the fiberglass, etc. If you are really set on buying fiberglass go for it, but you could probably get a newer model aluminum boat for the money that you have to spend. Which a newer boat means a newer engine which can really save you money in the long run. Just my .02.

As previously stated....Lizard!! Pretty much all I use.

I have had a single Maxx 29 for 4 years now with no problems powering my motoguide. Thinking about upgrading to two of the Maxx run parallel, and I won't hesitate in going back to them. I do keep them hooked up to a battery charger year round.

Carolina Rig. If you don't fish a Carolina Rig you should read up on it and start. Great rod for it.

Zoom with some JJ's magic!! Deadly!!

Jig....I feel to be a good bass fisherman I have to learn how to fish this lure and I am going to give it my best shot this year.

Great info DS40. Although I hope your wrong!! I just bought one of the Titanium spinning reels this past Thanksgiving. I have a tradition that every year during Gander's black Friday sale I go and buy one of their spinning reels that they sell for $30. Which those reels have been great for me. I figure if they fall apart $30-$35 in no big deal. No problems to report. 2010 and 2011 I went with the GSX Tournament series. However, this year went the Titanium. I have fished it a few times and have been happy with it, but I guess we will have to see if it holds up. I guess I will have to look at doing something different this year.

Dual Pro Sportsman Series is the one that I have used. Been very pleased with it. Had it for 4 years now and no problems to report. Works very well.

x2....I have used the same braid for several years in a row and no where near needing to be replaced.

Thanks for the heads up!! I was looking for a rod for my dad and looked at the Powell Endurance on Tackle Warehouse, but did not feel comfortable recommending the 7'2" MXF b/c of the tendency for Powells to be a little underpowered. Got him the 723 which will be perfect!! Thanks man!!

Another vote for the Modified Albright!! Great knot!!

Either way if he starts catching fish he will be happy, but he may be less frustrated with a 2 piece b/c he can break it down and stow it away relatively easy. On the other hand like previously said it can be frustrating when the end goes flying off into the water or a tree. As far as size I can't stand a 6' rod. The only way I would want a 6' rod is if I was having to make casts in tight areas all the time (i.e. creek or river). I would say go with the 6'6" or 7.

Got a couple on pre-order at Tackle W***. I fish a lot of lakes that don't have a lot of cover to bounce stuff off of. So the erratic action is very interesting to me. We will see what they do. I am also going to be interested to see what the toothy critters think of them.

For me it all came down to getting tired of the line on my spinning reel constantly coiling and twisting after making cast after cast. Now I have since put braid on my spinning reels and they now see some use again, but I still prefer my casting reels. I like the fact that you can cast and cast and not get any line twist. Also, I like the speeds available on casting reels. You will have a hard time using buzz baits, frogs, etc on a spinning reel b/c you have to reel so fast, or at least you will get tired a lot quicker. At least that's my .02 cents.

Way to go!! Beautiful boat. Hope it is a great one for you!!