flyfisher

I usually go for a lower trajectory so sidearm casting is the norm. I also do not seem to get that belly in the line unless i am using spinning gear and even then it can be managed by feathering the line with a finger on your casting hand and stopping the line right before it hits the water.

Another great option in your price range is the native redfish.

Definitely a good smallie bait. The regular size spook will catch them too and one thing i have found on any of the sizes is to let it settle for a few seconds before beginning our retrieve. It seems like when i start retrieving right away it spooks the fish where when i cast and let it set they come and check it out and when it just sits for a few seconds then moves, it triggers a hit.

My swim jigs came in today too....man the quality looks great and I cannot wait to use them next week!! The perch color is outstanding

Seems like a no brainer to me. You keep the boat, take the hit on income tax next year and if you have a boat already, sell it and use that to pay taxes on the ranger. I am not sure what tax would be on a boat but here in VA when you get a car the tax is about 3% so on a 60k ranger would be what, about 2 grand? Seems like a pretty good deal to me. I also think prizes are taxed differently as far as income goes but i am not sure....either way i am keeping the boat and figuring out how to make it work even if that means borrowing a few thousand to cover the cost of the taxes etc...

Awesome!!!

Anytime you want to catch fish. I have caught fish in cold water warn water deep shallow pretty much if there are fish there it can catch them. I will also put another vote in for the magnum super fluke...great bait.

Nice fish. I have had many a pickerel make me think of huge bass only to be disappointed once they stop fighting after a few seconds and my hopes are dashed,

It's more about stealth in lower water in my mind. The bait doesn't seem to matter to much as most smaller creeks/rivers don't have the same forage base as larger bodies of water so the bass are much more opportunistic feeders. I used to fish a small creek in college that there was one rock where i could catch the same fish every single time out. Coolest thing was over the years i was there i saw the fish grow and the last time i caught it she measured at 19.5" and the creek is no more than 25 feet wide at the most.

i use 8lb diameter power pro super slick with no issues.

I will have to look up the place again but i will definitely let you know. Wow thanks for the advice. I am not looking to get into this to much so i am trying to keep it to something that i will use once maybe twice a year at most. I already have a few fish finder rigs because that is what we used to go after stripers on the Delaware this season. Luckily i have all the outdoor gear i need so a headlamp, lantern and the like are already in my arsenal I also hope to not need chest waders as it will be July I am pretty sure my reel is spooled with 300 yards of 40lb test power pro, you think that will work? I am not looking to spend a ton of cash as this isn't something i plan on doing all the time. Thanks again for all the pointers and advice.

I have seen the same thing with bowfin and pickerel. People are just ignorant. I hate killing any fish personally or anything else living for that matter.

Alot of guys with river jet boats do it. another option that may work well is the Sea dek products. They sell it by the sheet and i know a few people who have used them in their kayaks with great success. I imagine it is lighter than a spray on floor and easier to replace down the road. http://www.seadek.com/

Awesome--thanks guys. I will be sure to let you know how it goes...the only problem is it isn't till mid July....

Yeah i don't plan on working any plugs.....i see this more as an opportunity to sit on the beach with my 3 year old, drink beer and chuck some bait out there and hope something eats it

bummer on the rods but **** happens That bluegill is awesome, i went out this past weekend with the 4wt and they must have been spawning because i couldn't stop catching them.

Another fan too and i like the 8lb diameter for cranking too.....

Never used that rod but i really like my Kistler Helium micro guide crankbait rod. I totally agree that having a crankbait specific rod makes a world of difference.

So i will be heading down to the outer banks for the first time this summer and i am thinking i want to do some surf fishing. I have never done it before so my question is what gear do i need? I currently have a 6000 series shimano baitrunner on a 6'6" MH rod that i use for stripers and catfish. I realize that the rod won't work but do you think the reel will be ok if i get a surf rod to go along with it? I have no idea what i will be fishing for but i figure i will swing by a local tackle shop to get the scoop and pick up some bait and possibly a rod if i don't get one before i go as i know people are much more willing to give out info if you buy something substantial from them. Anyways any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Not sure but i prefer my 6/8" MH/F rod for texas rigs myself. For lighter and smaller weights like a shaky head i do like my 7'MF spinning rod.

I'll fish with you on short notice if you want But i can't promise i will help you win but i sure will try

If hte competition side isn't fun then by all means stop competing and use the tourney entry fees to buy more stuff

The amount of bold and larger font used in this thread make my head hurt....

I picked up one in the 4.7:1 ratio in left hand as it is pretty much the lowest gear ratio available for left hand retrieve. I used it for cranks and i have to say i am very impressed and would not hesitate to buy more, especially at the price. I currently have one PQ and 2 citica Es and on citica G. The pq is on par if not better than with those reels but i haven't fished it for more than a few months so i cannot comment on long term durability which has been reall ygood on my citicas.

They are awful but scary thing is they are not that far out of first place.....now Chooch is on the DL and howard got a cortisone shot in his knee. I also feel bad for Hamels but he should know how it is since last year was the only year in his career he got any type of run support. This team totally baffles me....as a lifelong phillies fan i am almos to the point of saying blow the team up and start over which with Chooch and utley in their final years of their contracts may not be a bad start. Bring up Ruf to see if he can play out field and joseph at the catcher spot. I personally like howard and his power but he needs some decent hitters so they have to pitch to him. I also like charlie but give Sandberg a shot and see what he can do because he was a great player and seems to a be a pretty good manager.