AndyTN

I suspect that's because we are still basically guessing on what makes a fish strike based on the available research, and that most likely changes due to the innumerable variables on the day in question. Very old designs of one solid color remain extremely effective and there was no CAD or celebrity input into their designs. It seems logical that matching available forage can't be going in the wrong direction.

The evolution of reel design has been towards the highly advertised form factor, features and weight reduction. Longevity is subject to so many variables. Design, materials, and production tolerances play an important role in the longevity of any item, but they are not the whole story. The spirit of the thread was about an initial cost outlay. For me, I would spend a reasonable (subjective) amount of money and get good with that before I made a real investment towards high end features. And for the record I'm still fishing a low end 30+ year old Olympic Spark spinning reel that has all metal gears and drag and probably cost less then $15.00 new. It was all I could afford at the time. By today's standards, it's both heavy, and clunky, and has become one of my catfish reels.

The hole for the oar lock make a great quick release mounting point for a home made rig. Just find the right sized bolt. Negates the need for the C-clamp.

Not so much anymore, they are fleeing N also. Think more along the lines of a South American paradise lost.

I am always one to recite the "buy once, cry once" mantra when it comes to quality gear, but $800.00 for a combo to start? I realize that's an accurate price range for an avid fisherman with that kind of budget, but not for a beginner. I have been at this for forty plus years and yes have rod/reels at that price point and they can be an advantage. I also have a friend who can only be described as a true hillbilly. He 340lbs hands with catchers mitts for hands. He's never bought a rod/reel combo that went for much over $100.00 because he could just not afford to. With that, I've never seen someone who can cast so consistently accurate as him with a baitcaster. He can just drop a lure anywhere he's aiming with minimal splash when it gets there. Over and over and over again. He has brought in more large bass then anyone I know including two >10lb's. I've never managed even one. The point being local knowledge and skill are a better initial investment than top of the line gear. $100 for a Rod, and $150 for a reel for starters will put a lot of fish in the boat.

You can get a lot of quality information by actually contacting a battery manufacturer. Just a few of them produce most of the batteries out there under different brand name and configurations. They won't tell you that there brand X is better then their brand Y but they will tell everything you ever wanted to know about battery chargers and maintenance. In the words of one engineer I spoke to " most of the so called smart chargers are pretty dumb". His list included one that I had been using. It pays to invest in a quality charger designed for charging and maintaining deep cycle batteries.

I used to use trailer hooks a lot more often. I also use a trailer on my spinner baits to give them more action. Recently I've gone to shortening the trailer and loosing the extra hook entirely. I now keep them in my box in case I start experiencing short strikes. It always seemed that when I would get hung up it was that extra hook that was the cause.

Mustad KVD Elite Short Shank They are a good investment. I have changed many of my lures over to these due to just the poor quality of some of the manufacturers. I have also just swapped out my buddies Zara Spook Jr. after he was experiencing poor hookups with the factory ones. He did not believe there could be that much of a difference. He's now a believer.

The fishing in S. FL can be awesome. The hunting is lousy unless your into hogs. Unfortunately the cost of living and crime rates are both high and rising. KY has some great fishing and hunting locally throughout the state. I make a trip to hit several lakes there at least once a month and it's always worth the short drive.

I have been trying for over 40 years to put a 10 pound LM in the boat. Close but no cigar. That remains my goal. I've just got permission to fish several large and private farm ponds which from what I know should increase the odds in my favor.

I don't think that a cold front slowdown is always the case. I have had a substantial increase is shallow running spinner bait catches since we've had a front move in. The temps. have been running in the 50's during the day with rain and over cast skies and the fish are hitting. A welcome change from the heat of the summer months.

The most basic rule of thumb is, what are the colors of the primary food sources in those waters? Go for a match whenever possible of those species.

Super Spook Jr. in bone or baby bass. Stock hooks are poor quality and get changed out. My buddy did not believe it was worth it until he saw the difference.

I'm within 30 minutes of several local lakes and ponds. It's between 1-1 1/2 hours to the bigger lakes in my section of the state. With the price of gas I stay local most of the time.

I've had bass crush a frog as soon as they hit the water, but have learned patience is the key. In my case the larger bass I've caught have been towards the edge of the pads after walking/hopping them over the top for a while. The above equipment listed is perfect. I've also done well with some of the more economically priced frogs like a a Booyah Pad Crasher. Good action and good results.

The water is finally cooling down. Northstar Jigs and BP Tubes are getting hits.

I just completed rewiring my buddies boat who was experiencing the same problem. I would also recommend replacing the clips with good quality eyelet type properly crimped. Auto parts stores do carry the right size, but you will find much better quality ones (material, gauge, barrel length) from an electrical supply or even Home Depot/Lowes. With a proper mechanical crimp soldering should be unnecessary.

I never hit the water without a least one 3.5-4" tube bait tied on. It just edges out my jig & craw trailer combo. Now neither are my favorite to fish (spinner bait), but they are my most consistent/productive.

I really can't comment on the top speed because I truly doubt the accuracy/consistency of the stock gauge. I also have primarily been fishing at night this summer so I'm not opening her up in the dark. As for the mileage I'm averaging anywhere from 8 - 12 miles a trip depending on where I'm fishing on Norris Lake. The 12 gallon tank will last four outings with some to spare. Reliable and efficient is all I was looking for and I have no complaints. As a side note, last year the BP in Sevierville, TN was loaded with Bass Trackers with 2 strokes all on sale. This was the primary reason I did not get one then. This year when I got mine, there were no 2 stroke there. You pay more in the initial price but make up for it quickly if you use the boat on a regular basis. I use it 1-2 times a week so fuel cost is a real issue for me.

I just picked up the same boat with the 60hp 4 stroke several months ago. I will never go back. It's quiet and it sips fuel which translates to days of fishing on a single tank. I don't need the initial speed anymore ( never really did ) but I sure like to hold a conversation without the smell along with the gas and oil savings and additional range. Two strokes are being fazed out in many industries for various reasons, outboards are heading the same way.

In summer, I fish mainly soft baits at night in 15-20 ft of water. The bottom stucture is rocky making my weight more of an issue then my hook most of the time. I can fish a C Rigged worm with an egg sinker easier then a T Rig with a bullet weight which seems to find every crevice it can to drop into. Since it is the weight I can usually clear it by simply positioning the boad on the opposite side of the retrieve and popping it out with no damage to the worm at all.

This summer during the day a few times already. With the current water temps it's why I switched to night time only till fall.

This is great advice. With the hot weather we have been having I have moved out to fishing in 15-20 ft. of water at night. A 10" black/red worm slowly across the structures on the bottom has worked for me. My buddy smoked my PB with this last week.

I never give up on bass, but I do switch to almost exclusively night fishing for any serious outing.

My number one rule is no whining. My fishing buddy has not been at it as long as me (freashwater) but he's there to fish. Hot, cold, rain, whatever, no complaints. We split expenses and the workload, and no discussion has has ever been needed on it.