NBR

Some jigs have light wire hooks so they will straighten if you get snagged.

I had a dear friend who is no ;longer with us that was fishing one of Michigan's best trout streams who watched a canoer pitch a beer can into the river. He picked up the can and on his way to a usual pull out spot called the MI DNR. He and the DNR guy met the canoers when they got to the take out landing and the canoest was issued a ticket. We all need to me more proactive in reporting violations.

Brad, Welcome, I think you will find this a friendly and informative board. Soft plastics are a good start but some time the bass take them very subtlely and hits are hard to detect. If I were you I'd also get a spinner bait or two. 1/2 ounce, silver Indiana blades white or yellow skirts. Always use a trailer hook. I prefer "Strike Kings but that is just a personal thing, A surface bait such as an original Rapala which can also be cranked down as a shallow runner or a Heddon Spook. When choosing colors I like to think about the forage base and keep the colors in that area. Generally darker but some silvery like bait fish. BPS is a good source but so is Northern Bass Supply in Kingston, NH. NBS would probably be more help in making selection since every one I have talked to is at least a fanatical bass fisherman and most are fanatical. They have a net site. Re scents, I don't use them very often but others do. I caught mt first bass in about 1946. I am not the best bass fisherman around but not many are more seasoned. Feel free to PM me if you want.

Try not to transfer that "Snot" to other lakes with your boat, live well or trailer. It is terrible stuff.

For the most part those new to bait casters will need to cut the line off after some backlashes It also happens to everyone regardless of their spot on the learning curve. Tighten the drag as tight as you can. Put your thumb on the line on the spool as tight as you can and crank a bit. This works a lot of times but not always. When it doesn't work it become pick and pull and when pick and pull doesn't work then snip and cut are the solutions. Unless you don't mind cutting up expensive braid I'd suggest a less costly line.

Mike, We more experienced (term for older guys) don't seem to relate to drag settings like our younger brothern. I couldn't care less at the pound level where my drag is set. For bait casters mine is set rather light for the pound test line I'm using. Since I've done this since long before star drags were on freshwater reels on the hook set my thumb goes right on the line on the reel spool and assures a good hook set. During the landing of the fish if I need a little more pressure my thumb on the line provides that in an instant and eases off just as fast. With spinning gear I use a heavy drag and back reel if I need to let the fish run.

Get Humminbirds 800 number off the net and call them.

Josh, I'm with you 100%. I've used pinched down barbs for over 40 years and those hooks come out of me, my clothes and make the release much faster. My one exception is spinner baits but I might even try that this year. No data to substantiate but I don't think I lose any more fish.

While Crestliner's suggestion is used a lot with good succeass I don't use it. If you take only one lure or type and catch nothing, ie. no runs, no hit and plenty of errors you might discount a method/lure as unproductive when in fact on that given day you picked the wrong locations or the bass just were shut down. I prefer to experiment when I am really hammering the fish then if I get nothing on the new approach I know that either I don't do the new way very well or it just isn't effective. The lake I fish often would be a good example. From shortly after ice out to late June or early July 10 fish an hour is reasonable. By mid July until fall a 5 fish day is excellant and a good skunking is likely. I think the bass suspend over deep water but I can't say that with any confidence since I haven't solved the puzzle yet. Wash my mouth out with soap, I've even trolled with poor results. It's not just me since everyone I ask says how tough the lake is in the summer.

Youmight be better off looking for a used motor?

You will be pretty much into trout country. I'd suggest you stop at the North Country Angler in North Conway they are great people with excellant products and very helpful.

Like most everything, "If it seems to good to be true it probably is".

Although I don't have a KVD reel a fishing friend has several and loves them!

The Berkley Line Spooler aren't useful for spinning rigs but grear for bait casters. I've had mine for closer to 20 years than 10 so $30 over that time frame is not much a year.

Ask Minnkoata but my thought is no. The WD 40 might interfer with conductivity and the caulk could keep the seal from properly seating.

Having lived on or near Gun for years I'd think the shore fishing would not be very productive. To bad I moved far away or I'd take you in my boat.

Fasten the line to something strong like a tree and pull but not enough to break the line. My prefered way is to hook a 5 pound smallie but the 5 pound smallies are not always cooperative.

Many bearing shops carry both bearings and seals. I would guess there is a "Dixie Bearning" ion your area. There are also many others.

X 3

I'd suggest either a BPS or Cabella's combo. Buy a practise plug at the same time. Follow the reel directions fo setup. Practise in the yard or driveway not at the lake so you don't waste fishing time. The baitcasting learning curve is longer than spinning and spin casting but the rewards are great. I've done this for over 60 years and still find a way for an ocassional backlash.

A big cause of line twist is reeling as the drag is slipping and when battling a fish your are apt to be unaware of the drag slipping.

Welcome!

Welcome, I fished Crane, Sand Point, Namakan and occasionally Kab for something like 30 straight years. Then I was transferred to New England. Although I made the trip for a few years after that at 3800+ miles round trip it just became too far. I keep my water damaged, folding damaged and wind damage just in case I might get back. Regardless I will always remember the great times your state gave me.

Crankster, I bought a Carver cover a few years back and have been very pleased with both the product and their customer service.