Bassfishing375

I have never kept a bass I always catch and release. But I have heard that smallmouth in the boundary waters is very good.

I keep all my soft plastics in their original bags and I store them in cheap plastic totes. I used to store them in plano 3700 boxes and it worked but as I started getting more tackle it was expensive having a Plano box for all my plastics and there was a lack of room in my backpack for my terminal tackle, soft plastics, jigs and crankbaits.

I rig the D-bomb on a 5/0 gammy flippin hook. I never used them on a shakey head but it sounds like it would be great especially with the baby d-bomb.

On Monday here in Minnesota it reached -50°F with windchill. It was so cold that boiling water would instantly turn into snow. Now I wish I could be fishing in 50°F weather.

I got a couple Rapalas, a Lew's tournament speed spool with a mojo bass pitchin pole to go with it. Then my parents surprised me with a trip to Lake Okeechobee.

I caught a 5.5lb largemouth and a 4lb smallmouth

1. Slow down 2. Fish lures/techniques that you have confidence in. 3. I agree with bartdude186 in that make sure your equipment is ready for that trophy.

Never heard of anything bad about the magnetic brakes, and most of my reels are magnetic brakes and I have never had an issue.

Yup and the Lew's Tournament MG Speed Spool is also a really good choice I own 2 and I have to say it is one of the best reels I've ever used. I got the reel last year during Gander Mountain's labor day sale for $100.

I'm not a huge fan of Shimano's reels I think you pay for the name. So thats why I would say the Lew's, but I'm biased so I went and compared the two reels so it is more fair. Both reels are very similar in weight with the Citica weighing 7.5 oz and the Lew's weighing 7.6 oz. They both have the same number of models both having 4 options. They are 3 right handed reels in very similar gear ratios and only 1 left handed in again a similar ratio. The Citica has a max drag of 11lbs while the Lew's has 10lbs. The Citica only has 4 bearing while the Lew's has 10 which will make it a lot smoother. The Citica has centrifugal brakes while the Lew's has magnetic. The Citica cost $129.99 retail price while the Lew's Speed Spool cost $99.99 retail price. The only thing that it seems that the Citica has over the Lew's that it has centrifugal brakes, but for $129.99 I think that there are better options. If you are willing to spend 130 dollars I would get something better like the revo s or one of the reels that JFrancho recommended.

It could be that there is something wrong with your rod's guides. It also could be line I have had a lot of problems with Berkley vanish breaking so I switched to Seaguar and I have never had a problem.

I only fish three different trailers for my jig fishing they are grubs, craws, and swimbaits. For the grubs I only fish the zoom fat alberts or the kalins salty lunker grub. For the craws I only use the netbait paca craw and the rage chunk. As for swimbaits I only use the Havoc grass pig. Use can use any type of trailer on any jig depending on the situation. When I am fishing swim jigs I will use a swimbait as a trailer 50% of the time, I only fish a grub on a swim jig when I am imitating smaller baitfish or if they want a different action. I fish craw when I want to imitate a craw. Remember match you trailer color with the jig color.

10# Power Pro with a fluorocarbon leader would be the best choice.

I only thumb my spool before the lure hits the water.

You can't go wrong with a Lew's Speed Spool. I don't have a Bass Pro Shops Qualifier so I can't speak for it, but I absolutely love my Lew's and I will be buying more. You should give them a try.

5" senkos is pefect for baitcasters and never had a problem, but it takes some getting used to if you are using a MH I would recommend a M. I have used 4" senkos in the past so it is fine.

For a finesse spinning application I would go with the 7' Medium. I personally have a 6'9"ML fast action rod for my finesse fishing and it works great for light texas rigs, drop shots, shaky heads, and wacky rigs. As for Carolina rigs I would stick with a MH baitcaster, unless you use the mojo rig which is basically a finesse Carolina rig. Here is a video http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/mojo-rig.html 30# Power pro may be to much for a finesse spinning reel I would stick with 15#-20#

It seems like a good setup, but do what flyfisher said. I would also recommend getting braid it has a very thin diameter which increases casting distance plus it is very sensitive so you can feel those really subtle bite. I'm just curious how far do you need to cast.

I noticed that too with the flipping hooks. I go through a lot of plastics with them. I don't know if all flipping hooks are like that only cause Trokar flipping hooks is the only flipping hook that i have used. I however never had problem with other Trokars hooks.

I have not spent much this year on fishing. The only reason is that a few years ago my local tackle shop had a huge deal when they were remodeling there store. Most of the stuff was marked down 50% or more so I decided to stock up on everything that I would need. I however do buy line and hooks ever so often and I do also pick up a few bag of plastics and the occasional rod & reel.

I would not say that one is better than the other. They are both really different and are used with different techniques. If you don't have a baitcaster it won't hurt to try them out.

My friend broke his 7'3'' Med Hvy Vendetta swinging a 4 pounder in the boat. He did admit that it was his fault but he said that he will never buy a Vendetta again. I must admit that I have swing bass in the boat in the past, but nothing over 2.5lbs. After reading this I will keep myself from swinging a fish in regardless of size.

Any day of fishing is a good day of fishing.

Since I fish in pike and muskie infested waters needle nose pliers or jaw spreaders are a must.

I've found them on sale in the clearance area at gander mountain, there are a ton of them. Nobody buys them for some reason. I haven't picked any up yet, but I will.