AirbusAngler

So in my path to becoming a better angler (specifically from a boat now) I am learning new things every day. My most forefront hurdle is mastering electronics. Specifically my Hook4x Lowrance, Ive told myself I will not upgrade to a bigger/better unit until I thoroughly understand and use this one to its max potential. I am comfortable with all the pages and settings etc although memorizing which each setting does is still hit or miss. Im currently watching several videos on youtube that talk about these units etc and reading several articles from around the web. My question to you more experienced fishermen/women is what do you see in this image below? I will write what I think below the image and I would like to compare to what the majority of you see. Any other really good articles or videos you recommend don't be afraid to post, I'm basically still in my "sponge" phase trying to soak up everything I can. This image is taken from my Hook 4x lowrance chirp with downscan (blue) on Lewisville lake Texas. At first I thought I was looking at a lot of fish, maybe bait fish. I was noticing lots of surface action with some kind of small forage type fish, not shad boils, perhaps some breed of shad that were plopping the top eating insects or what have you. But then I realized that the Downscan image would not show fish as arches, so what look like huge fish arches in the downscan (blue) image must be some sort of structure. I thought maybe something hard, but the lack of solid yellow told me that its something softer and probably organic? I would have to guess some sort of crushed tree with branches laying down. (i don't really believe that myself as i dropped a jig down there to try and "feel" it, but I actually could not come up with anything) So I leave it to the pros! comment away! Thank you in advance. P.s. do you see any "game fish" at all?

Great thanks guys this was the kind of info I was looking for. Definitely staying on the more conservative/safe side of things especially being new. And yeah life jackets and kill switch are a must for me.

Ok probably a really noob question, and a commons sense type thing, but as you all know boats are expensive and this being my first boat I am extra careful while learning handling and operation of a vessel. So if you have any other helpful informational tips please share below! (like which hole to plug with the drain plug don't worry i figured that one out, but to my surprise its no where in the manual or anywhere else lol. And the drain plug fits perfect into the other 3 holes in the transom) My question is regarding wind. I have a 2018 Bass Tracker 175txw, 17'7" in length with a 60hp merc and a 80b thrust MKFortrex. Being new to this whole boat thing what are some of your personal safety levels with regards to wind? On my home lake lewisville, winds can whip up into the 30s and get some legit white caps forming on the main body. But this is more of a broad question for all you experienced boaters, what are some techniques you use for boating during the wind? What are "no go" wind conditions for you? What would be a good recommendation for a new boater still learning the handling characteristics of his vessel? Bear in mind not "trolling motor control," I actually do have experience with that and I feel my fortrex can really manhandle the aluminum hull around quite nicely and hold a spot when I want to, but I'm talking more about when i have to access the main lake body to get back to the ramp or move spots etc..or even worse get caught in an east Texas storm. like always, thanks again for your input!

Awesome thanks for the info, good mention on the extra battery I forgot about that added weight in the rear as well. @A-Jay you are right, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that they had too much power , congratulations, ill be looking at motor upgrades a lot sooner than I expected now I guess lol. As for the Fortrex, I know there are some "better" options but I had a really good cut rate deal on the fortrex at time of purchase so I couldn't pass it up. It was around 35-40% off normal retail for the fortrex if i recall. Really appreciate the information guys! Its been a long time coming to get a real Bass boat.

So after many many years of wanting a real bass boat, and being stranded on the bank, or fishing kayak tournaments (really fun) the time has come where I will finally fufill my dream of taking a new boat off the showroom floor. This is however my first ever bass boat so I didn't want to go ALL out..(just yet). After much research and what I decided will fit me the best I've decided on the 2018 proteam 175txw bass tracker. I have 1 question right off the bat, when purchasing I decided to upgrade the trolling motor immediately from the edge 45b thrust to a Fortrex 80lb thrust. (I fish in the wind frequently especially on my home lake Lewisville which can be known to get pretty windy.) My boat is powered by a 60 HP merc. I am asking to see if anyone around here as has a similar setup because I want to know if the fortrex trolling motor will impact the boats ability to plane. Some have said hat the 60hp merc may slightly underpower the boat, some say its great for its intended use, being my first ever bass boat I decided slower may be safer for the first couple years while I learn boat control and handling. Besides I spend most of my life near mach 1 in my day job. From what I could gather the edge 45 is around 40lbs and the Fortrex is around 60lbs (if you have better information on this please let me know, these numbers were surprisingly hard to find and only mentioned briefly) Thats an added 20lbs right on the bow. Could this impact my boats performance significantly? I usually just fish solo or with only 1 other person in the boat. Thank you for information!

Well my second and last shimano cumara gen 1 7'2" MH XF rod was snapped in 2 by my beloved beagle...now I'm on a mission to find the next best jig rod. I will be pairing it with a quantum smoke high speed reel and 20-30 lb braid. I've heard negative reviews on the gen 2 cumaras so I guess it's time to move away from that series. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated! Price range 250-300$

So being stranded on the shore as an angler I target small ponds, creeks, small coves of larger lakes etc. I carry 2 rods normally, one with a crank or some type of fast moving bait and the other (my new absolute favorite method) a split shot on a spinning rod. My question to you guys is this: When I come upon a new stretch of water I'm never sure if I should start combing the area with a crank or fast moving bait first and then switch to a slow finesse tactic or the other way around? I've heard both sides of the story such as if you come in with a fast moving bait first you may spook some fish as opposed as to going in slow then hitting them with a faster presentation. The other question I had is I can't seem to find any rage tail eeliminators anywhere? My favorite soft bait I had bought about 10 packs and now that I'm out I wonder if I missed a discontinuation or something? Thanks in advance!

So after being transferred to Texas for work, I'm currently in the hunt for some good fishing holes. I know there are many options so that's why I'm asking for some help to narrow down the options. I live in Grapevine, right next to DFW airport to give you an idea. I also unfortunately do not have a boat so most of my fishing will be done from shore. I do however have a small inflatable that I could use in the smaller ponds. Thanks in advance for any help!

So after being transferred to Texas for work, I'm currently in the hunt for some good fishing holes. I know there are many options so that's why I'm asking for some help to narrow down the options. I live in Grapevine, right next to DFW airport to give you an idea. I also unfortunately do not have a boat so most of my fishing will be done from shore. I do however have a small inflatable that I could use in the smaller ponds. Thanks in advance for any help!

So I have been on a journey to catch my first frog bass. But I have run into 2 concerns. 1. I was using a live target hollow body frog yesterday and it seemed to be filling with water and practically bobbing straight up and down which made it quite tricky to "walk." Is this normal? I would squeeze it after each cast and a good amount of water would squirt out making it float momentarily but then eventually start sinking again. 2. If I have never seen a bass jump or break the sfc of the water at my local pond but I know there are frogs there would you still consider this top water bait practical? I have caught a handful of bass at this pond they seem to be few and far between but they have all been 4.5lbs and up to 6. All caught on jerk baits and havoc PitBoss up in the shallows. I'm using a 7'2" Cumara and 30lb braid. If you have a favorite frog lure please mention it as I might go shopping this evening ;-)

So before I can start looking into spinning rods I guess I'm just curious as to what you all use a spinning rod for? I got so caught up in the baitcaster world I've neglected spinning rods all together. Is it really just meant for super-light tackle only? Or are there certain conditions/instances where you would pick up the spinning rod over the baitcaster? I have limited rods as I prefer to invest in lures and baits lol but I feel ready to expand again. Any advice is very appreciated! Thanks in advance! My current Bass aresenal: 6'6" Medium action Carbonlite (used for a variety of everything that's medium-small in size/weight mostly crank baits) 7'2" Shimano Cumara MH Xfast tip (Heavy jigs, T-Rig, Top water)

Been fishing a little pond behind my apartment in Hayward CA and didn't have any luck for the first few days then the day after I purchased my fishing license I was able to finally dial in on some buckets! Just wanted to send a few "thank yous" out to Basseesource and those who helped me specifically with some tips and tricks!

Interesting, ill try both! Great thanks for the tips guys! I think the number of bass I've caught top water I could probably count with 1 hand, just never was a top water guy. But I'm excited to try something new again.

So I've never used a top water frog but I do own a live target hollow body frog. I just recently moved to northern CA and at my local (really small lake, call it a pond almost) I noticed some massive frogs. I've never seen these big brown frogs before. The few bass I have caught out of here have all been 4 and 5+ lbs on jigs and jerk baits. So my burning question is,- Is it wise to use a frog lure when you know there are frogs but the bass do not seem to be jumping? I rarely see any top water action happening..granted I've only fished this pond for a week now and never at day break or last light. I just have a mentally hard time stringing up a top water bait when I don't see much top water action.

Fin-tech title shot jig

I'm curious as to what the advantage would be if utilizing a flipping hook or if flipping and pitching with say a gamagaktsu 4/0 super line hook would be? Does it really make a difference? I only ask because today I lost a nice bass flipping into some pretty thick cover while not using a flipping hook. I looked at the bait after it came free and it appeared the hook didn't really travel that far... Thanks in advance!

Going to be taking up a new job (hopefully) and the location will be in Hayward CA. Just curoius if there are any good bass fishing lakes around that area. I have never been up there for an extended period of time.

got one! nope...just kidding (Rod bends firmly with snagged lure)

So it all started out this morning when the direct TV guy said he would be at my place between 11-4....ok I waited until 330 then he called. Then I find out he cant even install the dish because of a tree in the way......ok great. Very dissappointed I wont have my NFL sunday ticket so I decide to scramble my items and go to the lake. Major traffic jam on highway, get to lake late. Once I finally start fishing my GoPro camera battery dies...I picked up the un-charged battery instead of the charged one. Fished, and fished, with no luck. Got hung up, attempted to rip free the bait SNAP my very expensive Shimano Cumara snaps at the tip. Very angry and depressed I continue to fish throwing everything in my tackle box with absolutely ZERO luck. Not even a HIT! Ok, still not done. Leave the lake early to go to BPS for my Cumara which im very worried about. Turns out the rod is DISCONTINUED!!!! My favorite rod of all is now broken and the model is doscontinued. Ill probably call shimano tomorrow to see what I can do about it. Angry, sad, dont know what to do next. Oh and by the way I just moved so I have been spending a lot of money on everything else which just adds to the strain. :cry4: :cry4: :cry4: :cry4:

Best jig? depends what your doing with it. Perosnally I like heavy heads for pitchin and flippin heavy cover(rightous pitching jig by gary klein) Best color? my own that I make Best trailer? Rage Tail has everything you could ask for in a trailer. Its all I use Best technique? The way you personalize any of the standard styles(flippin,pitchin,swimmin,hopping,dragging etc) jigs are very versatile Good luck!

Oh and by the way bring a little extra patience to the lake with you too lol braid has a tendency to tie itself into some crazy nests if your not careful

Here in AZ i fish a lot of rocks, never use a leader on my 30lb power pro. Just make sure you check it every now and then as you should with all lines. But especially after catching a fish I almost always retie just because when I do catch one the only thing they have around here is rocks to drag it on.

Jaws

I never thought there were "bigger" bass in my local city lake and just had fun dinking with little inline spinners and cranks. Then I got into jig fishing...fished a jig for 3 hours not a single hit, then in my last hour of fishing I landed my first ever jig bass, just under 5 lbs. Then shortly after a 5lber. If you use a jig highly recomend any Rage craw or Rage chunk as a trailer. Havent used any other product for trailers and I dont plan on it. Same lake my buddy and I were fishing from a boat this time, we both had jigs and they were practically the same color however he had a paca chuck trailer and I had a rage trailer. I landed 9 he landed 2