Mitch G.

Nice Bronze!!!

when I pop it of the bottom it's @ 2 feet off the bottom........most of the time I have it @ 12-16 inches.....pretty much right off bottom

Been using a swivel past 3 trips....John , you were right....pain in the a$$ to retie and only in the short times I tried a swivel, seemed like the fish may sense it as i didn't get too many as compared to last year this time, same general area...it did help w/ twist but not sure yet if the tradeoff is worth it.....gonna try 6lb fluoro this weekend.........Of course, the fish prob. moved but in areas where there WERE fish, it was few and far between compared to w/o a swivel last year....Thanks everyone for their input...always looking to improve.

I've been doing this as long as most of you, and after yrs and yrs. I have settled w/ St. Croix Rods.....These rods are definately,imo, the best rods around for the price, fishability, and great customer service in case of any problems/replacements......The versatility of the rods as well makes these an excellent choice for my needs.....And I have chosen Quantum for my reels.....I know alot of you are thinking, "Really, they suck", but I guess I'm lucky....I maintain all my reels during the off and throughout thefishing year....I fish hard, often and am not the careful w/ my stuff...in other words, I beat my stuff up pretty good, and besides replacing the bail springs once in a while and maybe a bent bail, these reels have done me good....... I have used my buddies Shimanos and also Pinnacles and these are great reels as well....his Pinnacle casting reel(not sure which one) casts a MILE!!!

Here's SOME of my stuff....All Quantum reels(PTi Energy,Tour Editions, and Smoke) and St Croix Rods(Avids,Legend Elite,Legend Tournament) and SOME(and I use that term very loosely) tackle....this does not include all the stuff packed away that is still brand new in the packages.....

Hit the sheds this morning nice and early.....No chains, no signs, no ramp closures......Got a few early on(8 total for the day) then it was lights out and fish went back to sleep..We stayed and kinda just enjoyed the water and scenery including 2 deer wading in the water and also....A FOX!!!!(serious!!)....I think my buddy/photographer was asleep as well judging from these pics....or maybe it's my new phone that can't get the hang of.....he was also camera shy also....

I appreciate the feedback from everyone....I'm gonna try the rod out some more and see if over time it feels more comfortable....thanks again

So I have alot of rods and reels and most of my stuff is matched up and I feel really confident with certain combos....but I have 2 rods that I am just not happy with the reels I have chosen for them...maybe some of you have these same rods and can offer me your experience using and suggestions... Rod #1) St. Croix Legend Elite 6'6" MF Spinning Rod....I have tried Quantum Energy PTi20 and have been pretty happy using this reel but recently sold the reel to upgrade to a lighter(weight wise) reel.....I used this rod for Med. Cranks,Senkos, and topwater but something doesn't feel "right"...I think a rod this nice is a waste to throw senkos...I usually use 10 lb mono........thinking about buying either a Smoke or an Exo to replace my Energy(I already own a Smoke 25 and it's excellent, but maybe thinking about an upgrade....Any help appreciated.... Rod #2) St Croix Legend Tournament Bass Spinning Rod 6'10" MXF Rod.....I have a Quantum Tour Edition TE20 on this rod now....spooled w/ 10 lb mono......Most likely will be throwing Poppers,BuzzJet Jr.. 3/8 oz Spinnerbaits, Med. Cranks(like a DT10)....Who has this specific rod and what are you matched with and what baits do you throw with it?...... I'm usually really good w/ stuff like this but not feeling 100%......I'm not too proud to ask for suggestions either...I want to learn and I remain open minded about everything in life......Any suggestions woiud be greatly appreciated....Thanks

Way to start it off right!!...Nice fish!!

Nice B-Day present....Enjoy!!

Will...I am open to your suggestion....I really don't get alot of line twist...my line is old and needs change that's why it looks a little kinked......I will try it though....thanks....

Hit the local regular and it was fish tank city again today....only like 5 keepers all day......No topwater,no crankbait, a few on spinnerbaits nut nothing great......circling the place a few times trying to get at least something nice , so I switch to dropshot and bam!!....1st cast.....3.2# Sammy Hagar.....Was long , but kinda thin......Met a few guys on the lake who we plan on fishing with in the future at some new spots.....Here's the best of the day!!

Having a rough year this year....Weather has done a number on the water.....fish are confused more than me I think...Me and JaydBee went out for a little Sunday service..........Second cast I nailed a nice 3 pounds even Smallmouth on a crankbait.....Got another smaller one a few casts later, then it turned off really quick.....From what our day followed, the second cast bad luck superstition was in effect.We had a bunch of fish throughout the day that could have filled a fishtank they were so small...Some were even smaller than my bait was bigger than the bass.....John redeemed himself with a big, fat Sunnie.....Until next time

Nothing great size wise but The Bass Assassins had a pretty decent day today.....We both started first thing with nice bass that got unbuttonned at the boat....Dan's was 4+ Largemouth and mine was a fat Smallmouth prob. close to 4 pounds....Not a good way to start but we made up for it in numbers throughout the day.....Action was pretty steady as we landed over 30 between both of us. Fish are definately post spawn and kinda thin but we nailed some nice ones. Most were caught on the deeper edge of weedlines....Topwater,Spinnerbaits and jigs were the baits of the day..Saw a few deer swimming by the water's edge which is always cool......Here's a few to prove it really did happen...FISH ON(ALWAYS!!)

Way to spend time w/ the family!

Ribbit, Ribbit........and big Power Team Lures 10" Ribbon Hinge Worm!!......

well with all the rain, high water levels, and general chaos the weather systems have been in my state , the fish are well aware if it and must be just as confused as we have been....started out pretty good with a few fish before sunup(too dark to take pix) and we thought it was gonna be an okay bite......Fish definately wanted a reaction bait, that being many follows and short strikes on spinnerbaits,cranks, and rattles.....but nothing steady except Mt. Snot Rocket showing up almost taking my Megabass Trick Darter jerbaits(I'm always nervous when I get a pickerel on these as the bait is $27.00 and am afraid it will snap my line and I'll lose the bait)......Anyway, should start picking up soon after a few better steady weather days....Here's a few to prove it happenned.... Bent the cr@p out of my spinnerbait! Pick on a Megabass Trick Darter jerkbait

X2!!!

NICE report and excellent pix!!...thanks for posting....Gotta love the bronze!!

I fish in Northern NJ......Newark Watersheds,Greenwood Lake,Monks(Skunks)ville,Split Rock,Pompton River occasionally...LMK if you are ever up in the area and if I'm not working, let's fish for the day....pm me when you want to go and I'll let you know if I can meet you(this goes for any NJ bass fishermen)

Headed out for what was supposed to be a "severe thunderstorm warning" of a day and lo and behold, not a drop, not even one,of rain all day....Fishing was kinda slow but we managed about 12 between us , but only a few keepers......Kinda strange day as it started off with Waldo making his first appearance of the year for me(soeey about the out of focus pic),and a few Sammy's and Larry's between us..Then out of nowhere I was chuckin one of my fav. crankbaits and I got hit, reeled it in , and it was a RAINBOW Trout!!!.....On a crankbait....that's a first for me....pretty cool actually.......Nothing huge but a great day to get sunburn and enjoy the water....Oh yeah, and also we saw a bald eagle diving for fish early this morning also.....VERY COOL....(this was a first in all the years I fished where we were today) Here's a few to show it really happenned....

Congrats on your new pb....that is some donkey!!

Got up w/ high hopes of a decent day on the water with the last few days settling of the weather and no rains....Started out pretty good with a few right from the start but then action was slow for most of the rest of the day. Nothing big again today, but should pick up next few weeks. I'm still trying to get my techniques back in the swing of things and finding my groove and trying to figure out the patterns, which is easier some days than others. Today wasn't one of those great days... Either way, a great day on the water with my friend Dan. Also, one of the highlights of the day was my lunch: Rare Roast Beef w/ Domestic Swiss and fresh spinach topped off w/ Gold's Horseradish and Montreal Pepper Seasoning served on a low carb wrap One Atkins Protein Shake Two Nature's Valley Oatmeal Raisin bars One Gatorade One small bag trail mix (Sorry no pix of the sandwich....maybe from now on pix of lunch and snacks will be part of our reports) Here's a few pics from on the water from today: NICE WAY TO START THE DAY: ELMER DINKLEY:

Thanks Dwight...I'm trying to get a Smallmouth like the one in your profile pic for years.......Have a great weekend!!!.....FISH ON!!!

Because the season is slowly coming to an end in just a few more weeks.....Hit the sheds w/ noneotherthan fellow BassNJ member JayDBee for a day of New Jersey fall fishing --North Jersey Style.....The morning hit was a little disappointing as no decent fish worth pictures for quite some time....Finally after throwing everything trying to figure these picky feeders out(the normal stuff was not working) the bite got going about 11:30 and it was pretty steady for the next few hours....Larry, Sammy,Snot Rockets and Perch all made appearances today....We both missed a few really decent fish but managed to get @ 15 in the boat between us......Traps,Jerkbaits,Drop Shot,Cranks worked but it took alot of patience today.........Not the usual for this time of year for sure.....It was a great day on the water in the end...Always a good time and great learning and conversation with John.....Oh and we saw a bear as we were on the way back to the launch....Here's a few of the fun moments.....Food on board included Roast Beef and Swiss Cheese Sandwiches on Semolina Bread, Coffee, Power Bars,hard Boiled eggs,Iced Tea, and Sugar Free Fruit Punch.....Thanks for looking.....Here's a few to prove it really happenned .....