HLNichols

I am a big fan of Zoom baits due to their effectiveness and low price. I have recently started to use NetBaits as well. They are uber cheap and have tons of scent in them. I think I got several bags at Tackle Warehouse for $2.89. They come with 20 worms in each bag (for the finesse worms, anyway). Definitely good baits in both cases.

$15 is about my limit. I COULD buy the $30 baits, but just the thought of losing that much money in one terrible cast... I usually rely on soft plastics. My fishing style is more accommodating to soft plastics' actions. Due to this, I usually stick to $5-10 packs of finesse worms, frogs, lizards, flukes, etc. If I lose one of the 10 or 20 that come in a package, no big deal. When I lose a crank bait, especially an expensive one, I have to take a second to cry and question what I have done to deserve this horrible plight of misery and regret.

Thanks for the input, everyone. I figured it was most likely beneficial to the pond. I hope it was stocked by someone who knows their stuff, although that may not be the case; there are several teenagers, (like myself) who lack the respect for nature that I and many fisherman have, that live in the neighborhood. They have been known to put catfish and other species from a local lake about 15 minutes down the road into the pond. The fish put in there were illegally taken, in poor health, and ended up floating on the top, rather than alive. So its honestly hard to tell who put it there. Regardless, thanks for the help!

I generally go on the value of what I'm buying. Name has a lot to do with the purchase, and I do have favorite companies, but I keep an open mind (and sadly, an empty wallet). I think I gain trust in a certain company and that urges me to look at their products first, but I also compare that to other similar products to make sure I am getting the most for my money. Pros and cons are more valuable information than the logo on the product.

Thanks! That's some really helpful advice. I didn't really have a recipe to follow, so I wasn't entirely sure what to use. This is really helpful.

I live in a neighborhood with a HOA-run pond. It is stocked pretty frequently with largemouth and bluegill. There is an abundance of vegetation in this pond, although it's not an unusual amount for a stagnant pool of water, fed by drainage. The fishing here is quite good. Several lunkers hide in the cattails and there are some exceptionally large bluegill, upwards of 10-12"! I have recently noticed that someone has put a carp in the pond. It's a big one. Looks to me as if it's a sturdy 5 pounds--maybe more. While fly fishing, I have gotten bites from it, snapping my 3X tippet. Is it a threat to the pond's ecosystem? If so, what should I do to get it out of there? I have attempted to catch it before, but to no avail. Any info is appreciated.

Having attachment problems. Here's the second! This is made in the style of a perch/firetiger topwater lure.

I painted, epoxied, and tied these two bass popper flies today. I am new at it and still trying to master it. What do you guys think? Tasty fish snacks, or painted feather bundles? This one is inspired by a chartreuse topwater lure. I am going to continue making these and I am thinking about going to my pond tomorrow to try them out. I appreciate input!

I like to use flies or Zoom flukes 4". Spoons work well. I seem to remember buying a package of six spoon lures for cheap from Blue Fox, or something like that, at Walmart. I was very surprised at how well they worked. They had a treble hook with fur tied on.

Haha! I wouldn't have known the difference. I really don't fish with live bait much. Might have to give it a try sometime.

Agreed. Take something that makes noise and water vibrations (buzz bait, popper, something that rattles, etc.) and move it along the vegetation. If its a hot day, kinda jig it in slow bursts, otherwise, I'd fish it like a spinnerbait. Or at least that's my $0.02. Then again, I usually do end up hung in the weeds...

I've gotten hits on the fly with this. It's supposed to look like a crawfish, but the dumbell eyes make it fall like it's dead or dying.

This is about as colorful as they get here. Extremely red fins, shiny, blue heads. Caught this one today.

How are the warranties on Ross and Sage? I know Sage products have lifetime limited. How forgiving are they?

Thanks for the help, good sir! I'll definitely check those options. Like you said, the like basically just holds line unless you hook a big fish. I like the idea of having the availability of extra spools in case I switch tapers or go to a weighted line for any reason.