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I have a few saltwater lures that I use for bass. I have caught fish on them, but wonder if I should change the Saltwater treble hooks out? They are the gray heavy duty type trebles seen on SW lures. If I change them out, would the weight or action of the lure change much? I am thinking I could change them for Owners or Gammis and then maybe add a suspend strip to compensate for the lighter hooks? Anyone try this?

1. junebug 2. tequila sunrise 3. black grape with chartruese tip

Anyone have a certain stock tank or garbage bin that would work to run your outboard at home? I have the hose water muffs, but it does not seem to run the same and runs warmer than normal. Many bins are not big enough or deep enough to allow the intake to stay under water. I have the fins on the lower unit and don't want to remove them each time I run the engine. I have seen some people modify a plastic trash bin and it does work. Some even added a drain plug for ease of emptying. What works for you?

The new website is trash. Hey TW listen to us and bring the old website back!

I would say a 4 to a 5. I grew up in the upper midwest, where bass are rare and fall behind walleye, Northern Pike, perch, trout and most panfish. I did learn to catch them in stock ponds and on summer trips into Minnesota. Now I am in Florida, where bass are king, but catching them is not as easy as you see on TV. I had to throw away my northern bass knowledge and learn all over. I fish for fun, catch and release, and fish closer to home now. I have a small bassboat, but do not have all of the fancy electronics. I no longer get skunked much, so I am improving. Hoping to get to a 6 as I slowly move toward retirement, and hoping more time on the water will help me learn. Bass fishing is a constant learning hobby.

Do you need a dedicated BFS rod, or is it more just the BFS reel that does the trick? I want to try a setup, but currently light on funds to get a new rod and reel. I am thinking of just getting the reel and put it on one of the rods I already own, until I can get a dedicated BFS rod. Anybody tried this? Thanks.

I would get the 14" spare. If not that angle would wear the tires and put abnormal stress and possibly extra heat on that bearing. It could make steering a bit awkward and unsafe. If you were only going a few miles, maybe, but a long higher speed drive like you referred to, I would not risk it.

Obviously, I am doing something wrong. I can't get bit on the Deps cover scat, darn poop bait! I also have never caught a bass on a traditional bass jig.

I personally would stay away from saltwater if possible after seeing the inside of some engines. Even if you flush it religiously, when it comes time for taking stuff apart for maintenance there is a really good chance of breaking bolts, water covers, exhaust covers, head bolts, lower unit, etc. Don't ask me how I know this. It sounds like you are committed, so like others have said, due the extra flushing and maintenance every time and you can make it work. Let us know your progress, upgrades and how everything goes. I wish you the best, and tight lines!

I use the Lucas oil made for reels. Works great and get long casts and never had any problems. It is very thin and you only need one very small drop on each bearing.

Trying to adjust the monthly budget to try BFS gear. I do throw lighter stuff on spinning gear now, but as others say, casting is more accurate and is more consistent since most of my gear and what I throw 80% of the time is bait casting. I am hoping throwing smaller lures on BFS gear opens up something new and fun.

If you can bring a plus 1 Glenn, let me know. Always wanted to check out that show. But as just a bass angler, I cannot get in. It occurs every year very close to where I live and work. I drive by the ICAST venue every day. Have fun and share with us.

I am not familiar with that area. It sounds like Aluminum would work out fine. The only thing to add is wind conditions. If you go out despite the weather, wind will blow an aluminum boat around much more than fiberglass, and it could be a rough ride back to the ramp when the wind kicks up.

I sure hope this sale on only select items is not something they continue. I stopped shopping BPS because their sales are on very select items, mostly their own brand name stuff. I like TW, but will drop them also if all of there sales are only select items they are trying to get rid of or have overstock. I guess we will see what happens at Labor day. I had a whole wish list at TW, but only a couple items were actually on sale. I guess I could call, but hate to do that for each sale. I am glad you guys found the stuff you needed on sale. Happy 4th to all, stay safe.

Disappointed that the current sale is only on select items.

Congrats on the nice catch! Bummer she could not be released, but it happens. Reminder, with the extreme heat of the summer, it is important to get them back in the water quickly. Heat does its number on all of us. You did the right thing and had a good meal.

Anybody using BFS gear have a problem with braid to leader? Some of the BFS rods have tiny eye guides where the connection knot may get caught or hang up a bit.

I am thinking of jumping on the band wagon and trying a BFS setup. Before I go down that rabbit hole, I am wondering how many people are using this BFS equipment and tiny lures, and is it worth the investment? Thanks.

I run an old 2 stroke and use the Marine Stabil. Works very well. I also use it in all my lawn equipment and never have any problems. Sometimes my boat may sit for months, due to work, but it always fires up and runs good which is incredible for a 2 stroke.

I just started getting back into throwing spinnerbaits after moving away to other techniques. A have a rod that is specific for spinnerbaits and works very well, but I am wondering about a good spinnerbait reel. I currently am using an older round reel from Diawa called millionaire. It seems to work ok. I normally throw 1/2 oz spinnerbaits. I am just wondering if there is a better reel option for throwing these baits? Thanks.

The big problem is it makes navigation dangerous. Also with the water level so low, hydrilla grows unchecked and chokes out everything. The shallow water warms quickly. This makes the entire body of water have less dissolved oxygen. The trash fish like, Bowfin, Plecos, Carp, and Gar thrive and reproduce in this environment. None of this is good for a bass fishery especially if we do not get our normal summer rain amount.

Not sure what happened to Toho, I am not sure if they had draw it down for summer rain or what, but the entire lake was so shallow you could walk across it. The big motor got stuck several times even with it tilted up high. She sucked in a lot of sand and mud and the hydrilla was so thick it would at times stop you. You could not run up on plane much for fear of running aground. I hope she gets abundant rain or they may have just ruined a good fishery. In recent years they have been so scared of summer rains and hurricanes, they draw the water down in the summer, way too low in my opinion. I used to catch several good fish each time out. Now nothing.

I jump in and out of the water, because it is easier launching and loading my boat and many times I am alone. I wear Teva sandals. They dry fast, have great tread, and are cushioned for comfort. It never really gets too cold here so it works. I would probably try crocs, but the sandals just seem to work. I stand the whole time I am fishing and the comfort and support lasts all day.

Looking for the best froggin reel. need to have the following qualifications. 1. Handle 65lb braid easily and smoothly. 2. Cast lightweight hollow frogs a country mile. 3. Have enough power to pull fish out of heavy cover. 4. Lightweight and fast retrieve 5. Cost reasonable for quality reel. Any thoughts? Thanks

1. Idiots who take up the ramp and take their sweet time loading everything into the boat on the ramp. Kids, dog, grandma, toys, coolers, food, clothes. etc. They normally take five tries backing down the ramp before the extended loading begins. They act like they are the only people in the world. People please load your crap before you get on the ramp and practice backing your boat up in an empty parking lot, before going to the lake. 2. High winds, when none were forecast. 3. Powerboats & jet skis that have an entire lake, but prefer to be right beside me no matter where I go. 4. Deep hook or abnormal damage to a fish. I cut hooks and handle fish quickly and get them back in the water and pray they will recover. 5. People fishing on the dock at the ramp, where there is multiple signs that say "no fishing in launch area"