KenLattimore

Thanks Hot. Unfortunately money is somewhat of an issue meaning my wife would kill me if I spent that much on a rod and reel! I've budgeted around $300 or so for a setup.

I've read the St. Croix are rated high. I may consider chucking a couple of frogs this year so I'll be checking it out. Why down on the 8lbs Yo-Zuri Hybrid?

I got into bass fishing last summer and used a 6'6" Berkely Shock spinning rod with a Shakespeare reel spooled with Suifx Elite 8lbs. The rod was donated to me by my sister-in-law and I purchased the reel. I know my setup isnt exactly topshelf, but I wanted to make sure I enjoyed bass fishing before stepping my equipment game up. Well, the rest is history. I love bass fishing and try to get out every chance I get! I'm not exactly a novice fisherman since my dad started taking me out on saltwater since I was 10, but totally new to freshwater. I primarily throw plastics- Senkos (weightless), Fat Ikas, Rage Craws (weightless and Rage Rig), Baby Brush Hogs, Trick worms, Finesse worms, etc. I have thrown jigs up to a 1/2 ounce and used spinnerbaits this spring for the first time (landed my PB of 5 lbs on a spinner!). I plan on throwing jigs a little more often this summer though. And before I forget a little topwater is thrown in there too, mainly Pop-Rs. I'm looking for an all-purpose spinning set-up. I'll probably go to a baitcasting set-up next year but, I'm most comfortable with spinning setup and pretty accurate with my casts. I'm looking at going with a St. Croix Premier 6'6' MH fast tip with a Shimano Saros, and will more than likely spool it with Yo-Zuri Hybrid 8lbs given all the positive reviews the line has received on this site. I'm looking at a 6'6' rod because I fish some areas with a lot of overhanging trees and more importantly it feels better to me (maybe beacuse I'm only 5'6"). I plan on going to Bass Pro this week, and realize after handling the rod (and others) that I could very well change my mind depending on how it feels. I wanted to get other opinions on different options I could consider before going there. So many different options it makes my head spin, but at least wanted to have other options in mind before going in there. I've learned tons by reading the articles and forums on this site. I appreciate all of your opinions in advance, thanks!

So I managed to get out today for a little over an hour. I didn't catch anything, but did see a big commotion near the shore. Looked like a bass chasing something right up to the bank. I did catch a bluegill a little smaller than my hand on a spinnerbait and had the bright idea to liveline it. I threw it over by the beaver lodge and all of a sudden it started to run for its life and jumping out the water. It was eventually eaten but I was unable to set the hook. It felt like a good amount of weight. Pretty exciting. It reminded me of live lining bunker for bluefish and stripers.

Man that sounds awesome! I can't get out this weekend since the wife will be working but almost defintely next weekend. I'm going to try to get out of work today though at 5:00 though to get to the lake by 6:00 and get an hour or so of fishing in. From what you described maybe throwing a spinnerbait or fluke would be effective...

Hey guys, I wanted to see if anyone has gone down to the C&O Canal at Dickerson this season yet. I gave some thought to going there on Saturday, but given my limited time to go fishing I'm a little reluctant. If anyone has been there yet or heard anything please let me know. Thanks! Ken

I'm probably heading out to BH on Saturday morning, since Mother's Day is ruled out. I'm planning on getting out a little before sunrise and fish until noon or so. Headed down to the stick ups and may try some topwater until the sun rises.

Hey dcfd, Loved the pictures of you and daughter out fishing! My oldest is 12, and definitely never going fishing. My youngest is two, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll be coming out with me. I arealdy have her watching fishing shows and she gets excited when they land a fish so there's hope for me!

Hey Bill. That was me! I didn't even think about you being someone from the boards. Great to see you and your little girl out enjoying the day fishing. I tried to entice that bass with the craw but all he did was look at it.

Made it out for a couple of hours (12:30-2:30) at Black Hills. Started for the first hour by the tubes for nothing and went over by the stick ups for the last hour. Managed three fish, one at about 16-17" and two other small ones. All on a Rage Craw.

Made it out to BH today for a couple of hours from 3:30-5:30. Ran into Sean (Basser69). Hooked a bass in my first several casts. He wrapped himself around a pole but I was able to get him out and Sean snapped a quick pic. He was about 14 inches or so. That was the only fish of the day. Also ran into Kevin (KingFisher) an his son at the end. Plenty of surface activity today. Kevin's son caught several small crappie while I was there. There were plenty of sunfish up on the banks. I probably won't get out this weekend but most likely next weekend. Thinking of going at sunrise and trying my luck with some topwater, maybe a popper or frog.

Welcome to the board DewWhat! I believe I know one of the ponds you're referring to on 28 and Gude. If it's the same one I was wondering if it was public too. I've actually pulled over to get a better look lasr summer and couldn't figure out how to gain access to it though. It definitely looks VERY interesting. I'm sure we'll run into each other at Black Hills over the summer. Good luck!

Made it out this morning to BH before the rain from about 7:30-12:00 and met Kevin I and a friend. I managed three, one dink and two 13-15 inches all on plastic.

Kevin, sorry about your loss (the fish that is)...lol! It beats being skunked though. I've seen one bald eagle at the stick ups last fall. It was diving for a fish and pulled up at the last second and flew off...very cool. I'm going out Sunday morning, weather permitting since they're calling for rain. If anyone wants to join me let me know. I plan on being there from 7-12.

I made it out today for a day of fishing. First I went to BH from 10-12:30 today by the stick ups and managed one about 13". Started out throwing a lipless switched to a finesse worm after no hits on the lipless. Decided to take launch break then headed over to Clopper Lake to see what was going on. Managed three dinks really quick over by the boathouse and saw a ton of little sunfish. Went back to BH around 3:00 and fished until 5:30. I started throwing finesse worms and switched to a weightless senko after an hour of no hits. Then it started...caught one on a watermelon with black flake. Unfortunately I waited too long to set the hook and gut hooked it. I finally managed to get the hook out but it was too late she swam around in circles and died floating by the shore. I felt terrible and made a mental note to set the hook sooner. That was my last senko of that color though and they didn't seem to want any other color. I resorted to a Fat Ika in the same color and bingo. Caught three more in the last 40 minutes with nothing over 15". I figured out the bass were way out deep and since the Ika really casts far I could get to where they seemed to be staging. All hits were out deep on the fall, or after a few cranks . I going to try to get out Sunday morning. If not then definitely next weekend.

I fared no better. The weather definitely has things all mixed up. I'm going to try to get out this Sunday, especially since the temps looks like they'll be high for the weekend. If not this Sunday then definitely next weekend.

Hey Brian, I may pop over after work just to see how the fishing is going. I'm coming straight from work so if it's not dry enough I'll probably pass. I went out Saturday and didn't catch anything until I resorted to a Senko right before the sun was down. I'll send 301 a text and let him know to check the boards to let you know if he's going to make it out today.

When to Black Hills today at 3:30 and donated a few spinnerbaits today to the stick ups. Finally resorted to a senko and got two small ones about 10 an 13 inches as the sun was going down.

Hey Brian. Congrats on your catch...way to go!

Here's the pic from this morning.

Finally got out to BH this morning with 301-fisherman by the stick ups and boy was it worth it! Started throwing a lipless crank but lost two and switched to plastics...an nothing. Switched to a spinnerbait and started off with a 3lber and then caught my personal best which had to be pushing 5 lbs if not more. Great morning! I'll post a pic later today

Thanks Nick! I survived today. Now to see if I can get enough done around the house to make it out on Saturday or Sunday!

Thanks Kevin for the well wishes! Definitely doesn't help to read your great posts...lol. I tried to convince my wife that I felt fine and would drive VERY carefully, after all it's only an eight mile drive or so. That didn't quite work...

I'm really jealous sitting reading all these great posts! I REALLY wanted to get out since I have the day off but after my eye procedure today no driving for me, doctors orders. Oh well, I spooled my reel with some suffix elite (8lbs), tied on a lipless crank and thought about the fish that I'm not catching. Then took some inventory to see what I need more of...anyone see those new small koppers frogs (1/4 oz)? I think I'm gonna try it out. Yeah I'm a rambling fishing fool. Maybe I'll get out on Saturday morning if I get lucky. Oh well...

Well Sean. I feel better knowing it wasn't just me the day I saw you because I threw everything except a lipless crank for nothing. And guess what I picked up yesterday...LOL!