BasskingKeith

Just google image both of them if you want more proof. Note the dorsal fins between the two and also their mouths. The buffalo carp's head and mouth is pointed downward and has a sort of elongated dorsal fin.

It's a triploid grass carp, and those things are crazy as heck. Put up great fights at that size

Well, I do similar things when it comes to getting new fishing gear. However, I get the cheaper reel so I can spend the rest on tackle. One thing you might find helpful from my experience is that I always wished I would have gotten that (a tad more) expensive reel, -just to ease my mind & curiosity of quality- and forgot the tackle. So get the Revo! On another note.. I'm assuming it's a Revo S, right? if it is or not, I have a Revo S. It's a good reel, it's lasted a good while without cleaning it for a year or two. -not a fan of the centrifugal braking system though.

My suggestion would be to get both.

Take all the info that your brain can handle. Read a LOT and then apply it to your lakes/ponds/etc. That's what I do.

Bill Dance and Preston Clark so far

Yeah, baby brush hog here. Also Yum wooley hawgtails.

Yeah, my preference is usually EWG for all those baits %90 of the time. I'm always fishing around a lot of grass so the wide gap provides more room in case you gather up a little grass along with a fish. Hopefully people chime in if they have other opinions on hooks to baits.

I read a Bassmaster article in the magazine a couple years ago where this dude was fishing in Florida from Jan.- March. He was fishing 3 days leading up to the full moon, and 3 days coming off one. Said it increases your odds at a big one. Does anyone have any increased luck around the full moon phases? The guy did catch a 14 pounder, but I want more.

That one is sort of personal preference, with some basics. Also to depends on the bait's thickness or width and cover, especially thick grasses. Surprised no one posted some general rules. Some people use different size hooks for the same baits too. For something like a 10inch ribbontail, go with a 5/0 hook --heavier gauge hook for heavier line/cover. A senko gets a 3- 4/0 hook in my book, most toads get a 5/0 heavier gauged hook.

What types of lures, like plastic worms? Or hardbaits?

If a storm comes through and floods it, then it might be better. More depth at least. Just because it's small doesn't mean it can't house the big one (bass), is what I'm trying to say. I've caught a 10lber out of a canal similar that size, but it was flooded and flowing. No more than 4-5 ft deep either. So, I wouldn't say overlook it, just check it here and there, and even more if it gets flooded.

Sounds like an awesome book.

LOL now I remember using Stren mono

Sweet, that sounds awesome and fun finding things with that sonar. More simple than I previously thought, too.

Yeah, the title says it all. But let me be clear, since there's quite a few different finders out there. I'd like to know how the newest ones work, the ones you see on Bassmasters and TV shows. The thing is, how do you correlate what you see on the graph to the position of the boat? Is what you see directly under you, in front of you, behind,etc. how far away? I don't have a boat, but I always wanted to know.

Don't know what a Meijer is, but I'm jealous.

All great fish, nonetheless.

Probably around 6 pounds, a common sight in FLA.

Probably what they were thinking when they got your email -- lol. Not sure if the emoticon shows up, but it's pretty funny.

Everyone here is so knowledgeable, and always seems to have my answers and ideas lol. Cast again, or throw a senko- is what I do.

Team Daiwa TD pro is on sale at BPS now. I've had mine for 3 years, fish nearly everyday down here in Florida.

Thanks, I might go to that one instead....depending on who will be weighing in. Plus it's closer, about half the distance.

Much thanks. I think I'll make a 50 mile round trip bicycle ride down there then. Probably the final day weigh in, so if you go there and see someone on a blue bike, that'll be me.

Thank you, I was hoping it was there since it's closer. I have another question then. Would it be free to just spectate as if I were walking around that park area and what not?