drew4779

Fish big and slow. In other words, larger baits with a very slow retrieve. Large bass get big by not expending too much energy (why you slow down) and when they use their energy, make sure the meal is worth it. You won't put as many in the livewell but your average size should increase.

Some of the best fishing I've ever done has been on a golf course. The pond was owned by an ex-tournament fisherman who allowed the golf course to use it as a hazard. He stocked it himself and allowed me even put a jon boat on it with a trolling motor. He decided Ohio winters were no longer for him and sold it to a developer and headed south. The developer was not as kind. I was no longer allowed to fish on his side of the pond. The golf course, being accustomed to me fishing, would let me fish on they're side as long as I would yield to the golfers (no problem). Eventually they cut me off when the economy tanked stating that their new insurance policy raised questions to me fishing. Needless to say I lost my favorite fish'n hole. Caught my PB there.

With my girls in school now, I haven't been able to get away like I could years past. We would go to St.Clair, Cumberland, dale hollow, Erie, even the boundary waters. I would love to get back to the boundary waters some day but I may be able to find my way back to St.Clair this year. I love St.Clair smallies.

2x fish's in trees

I'd use lighter line (6-10lbs). As, said above...you don't need to deflect the lure off anything. It can help but its not a necessity. Just fish close to cover and try to give it some twitches with your rod tip on occasion to trigger some reaction strikes. If your dead set on getting those particular lures deeper, you can get some tungsten putty to stick to the bottom of bait.

Around here (southwestern Ohio) they aren't about numbers but size. If I'm fishing swimbaits I'm expecting a few quality bass rather than a bunch of smaller fish. If your looking for a trophy type fish, a swim bait could be a winner. If you want just catch fish, you may want to tie on something else. That being said fish can react differently in different areas and different bodies of water. Years ago I use to fish a lake that a 6" optimum swim bait would put 20 in the boat no problem.

I'm not familiar with that particular reel but in some cases you can add bearings. A lot of companies will use plastic bushings in lieu of bearings that you can switch out. Also,upgrading drag discs/washers and bearings can add smoothness. However, odds are that by the time you add all these parts you would have better off just buying a higher end reel from the start.

My first baitcaster was an old quantum with a plastic spool and no breaking system. I couldn't cast it more than 20 ft and it soured me on casting reels for years. In other words...with baitcasters,often you get what you pay for. However,you can find a shimano caenan ($45-80)and daiwa strikeforce ($35-50)dirt cheap used and they aren't bad to learn on (just may not last a long time). A PQ is nice for $65. Pair it with a Berkeley lightning rod and you still have money left for a couple jigs.

I bought 3. Two for me and one for my brother.

Wow!

I definitely went into it thinking I'm wasting money just to get to a deep pool but its year 3 now so I feel like I got my moneys worth. If your main body of water is a lake or pond and not a shallow creek with broken bed rock and sharp shale everywhere, I'd go for it.

I have a seahawk 4 with a plywood floor and trolling motor. We deflate it each time and assemble at the creek. It takes about 30 minutes with me and my brother both working on it. If your looking to stand, this isn't the way to go. Not that you can't stand but its no more stable than a jon boat. That being said, definitely worth it if you get a good price and almost always more affordable than a jon boat. I'm surprised at the beating these boats take. The creek we fish is typically anywhere from 18" to 12'. We each take 2 rods, each have a backpack of tackle, cooler (which doubles as a seat), a milk crate w/cushion for seat number 2, anchor, radio, and trolling motor battery.

I didn't mean to come off as a jerk. I just liked the way you used "vacation". Good luck to your buddy and I know that one of the best ways to gain perspective is by putting some bass in the boat. Hopefully you guys can be doing that sooner than later.

I love St. Croix premiers and have never had a problem using them for frogs. That being said, I'm sure there's something out there better suited. I think you try it and see how it does. I remember 20 years ago when all I would use was an ultra lite ugly stick spinning reel for everything and would still catch fish. Side note..."vacation" makes it sound like he could be home sooner with "good behavior"...lol.

Awesome! Did you brush,use an air brush...details?

2x ww2farmer. I typically use a 7'.

Around here, you can find some real good deals at some of the local mom and pop bait shops. The one I frequent has St.Croix premiers and fenwick HMX for $79. Also, its nice to support the small businesses.

Bps will definitely give you store credit for it if it has the tags on it. I've done it on accident with a St. Croix I got as a gift. I wanted a longer rod so I took it back to bps and exchanged it only to find out later that my dad bought it online from a different company.

Steel wool.

The largest thing I ever hooked was my Aunt Diane, about a 110lbs. Number two on the list was a 5' shark. The captain of the vessel hit it with an oar and pushed it overboard. He told me it was bad luck to have it on board. This was 20 years ago and I was one unhappy 12 year old, especially unhappy once I realized I would have won $100 something dollar big fish prize.

I love the gold carbon lite. Not a big fan of the PQ though. I returned two that were noisy, but they could have been duds cause I'm definitely in the minority. Can't say enough good things about the customer service.

I fish small creeks too using light lines and lures. I use shimano 200e's with Boca orange seals with no problems. Try to find something with a light spool and upgrading spool bearings can make finesse applications much easier.

Bps rods. Broke one on a hookset and one snagging a piece of drift wood (about as big as wrist to elbow). Not a fan. The drift wood incident was 15 years ago and it still gets to me when I think of it. I also put a bid a browning M something or other on eBay that I unexpectedly won that was used once and will be never again.

I understand that. I sort of baby the chronarch. I wouldn't subject it to the rigors of fighting a 40lbs musky (right or wrong). I guess I'm looking for more of work horse I wouldn't mind abusing a little. Casting distance is important to me. How's the C4 cast? Maybe I should just save the gift card for June when all my jigs are wedged under rocks on the bottom of the creek.

So I've got about $100 left on a bps gift card my daughters got me for xmas and am looking for an opinion on what to get. I've long ago surpassed the want vs need threshold and have already re-stocked my tackle box for spring. As many of the regulars on this site, I too have an acute addition for casting reels and have been eye-balling an Abu Garcia C4. I would like a reel that versatile enough for hooking into musky or striper but isn't too much for bass that I will be targeting 95% of time. I like that the C4 has many upgrades available (give me something to do while I await spring) and my current round reel has seen better days. Am I asking too much for a reel to cover a wide range of fish? Full disclosure: my main reel is a chronarch E7. I know this isn't an apples to apples comparison but will I be greatly disappointed with the C4? Any other suggestions?