Big Bassman

My original Big O's were stolen back in the 80's by kids that probably never knew they were of value. I had left a small tackle box of test lures in my boat by accident overnight. The rest is history. Had many original baits in this box, Heddon, Bomber, Bagley, and others less known including regional makers. Sure wish I had them back for my collection. That little box was packed! To this day I don't know why I didn't have those baits put safely away? When Big O's hit the bass fishing scene they were nothing but gold and Fred Young made them to order. The repos you have ghost are really cool though, I would keep them if I were you, they are a fun thing to have. I still have some of the old plastic ones.

I'll just wait for TW as I have plenty of tackle anyway. For me anything I buy is a want and not a need! Please keep me informed bass 1980 if you find out when they have their next sell. I always stock up on certain items when they are on sell for a great price. Like the "Bait Monkey" motto, "You have to spend money to make money". Isn't bass fishing grand!

Remember Mike, what you see above the water often relates to what is under the water. Also, per a couple of previous posters, if you can fish with someone who has bass fished for awhile do it. Some of us here have fished for 50 years and still learn everytime we go out. Go as often as you can, learn and enjoy. I fished a long time before I had a sonar unit and still caught plenty of bass. Trust me son, if you love to bass fish and put your time and effort into it, you'll be just fine. Read about bass fishing and go bass fishing as much as you can. It is like anyother sport, practice makes perfect! You will get out of it what you put into it!

They have more sales than carter has liver pills! Probably will have a "Presidents Sale", if so that should be February 18th. By the way, they are a good quality supplier!

When I was young I always brought home a legal limit and we had fish frys all summer for our family. Once the tournaments started growing popular and B.A.S.S. came along I started C&R. Nowadays me and my boys keep a few to eat but rarely. I may rethink this after reading this post? As far as bass tasting good, we all think they are great, but it makes a big difference how you clean them! I think I need to research this topic more thoroughly. Compliments to the poster and all posting.

I spend a little more on the reels because they WILL last me for a very long time if not forever, while I do break a rod once and awhile and don't believe anyone will give me a replacement rod at a total n/c if I have used it for awhile? This is a personal choice question. What a great post/topic. Everyones opinions are not only fasinating but right on. This site is loaded with quality fishermen that know their sport and how to share this knowledge with other members. This place is a gold mine, all the way down to "bling-bling"!

IMHO if you plan on using your reel for salt water I would go with the 5500C as it is a beefier reel. However, it is bigger than a palm reel (PQ) and may not be comfortable for you? They are basically two different reels so as someone suggested in a previous post, probably should go with the reel that you like the best for what you will fish the most. Unless of course you can afford to buy both?

PQ is a pretty decent reel for the price!

The knock on these reels is the longevity issue for sure. It was on the previous model as well. All I know is I purchased 3 of them for my sons and myself. We all bass fish as much as possible, because I'm older and semi-retired I am able to fish several times a week. One son says they are ok and one says they are not as good as his Pro Qualifiers. I happen to love the one I kept for myself. It's smooth and I really like the thumb button, just seems to fit my hand. I have many rods and reels so this reel probably doesn't get used as hard as someone who only uses two or three when fishing, so I might not be a good source of info? But the way I currently feel about it is I would buy more if they were on sale. Over my many years of fishing I have been a Abu Garcia fan and believe they are a pretty darn good bass fishing reel. These Cabelas are a good reel too!

For me it will vary each year depending on where and when I am fishing. Last year it was a spinner bait, and some years it is the jig&pig or worm, but most years it is probably a crank. During the course of a season I will use many different baits, again depending on time of year and body of water. Always searching for the one bait that will give me the best results. Sometimes I am looking for numbers of good fish, and sometimes I am looking for big fish, that to will make a difference.

What is this world coming to? I do believe our politicians are getting dumber every year! I guess it correlates to our US education going in the pot as well. If what is going on in our Country wasn't so sad & terrible, it would be hilarious. Some of the things they come up with leaves a man speechless!

Thanks cal, I nothiced yesterday our Walmart had items on sale and discontinued including rods. Our deals were not that sweet though. BuCoo rods were $99.99 plus they had scents and hooks on sale, but more like 20-30% off. The deals you mentioned may come so I'll have to check back daily!

I use both the strike king and bagleys. I've always been a balsa bait guy, but don't have anymore hangups with the KVD square bill than anyother. I have used the coffin bill balsa in heavy timber and didn't seem to have any issues, however I don't throw the coffin bill as much as other cranks. I'm looking forward to trying the new Rapala coffin bill though. I have been throwing their DT Series balsa pretty regular and like them.

You my friend, are what is known as "A LUCKY DUCK"! As you collect all these trophy bass be sure to post a pic or two, it will help us northern boy's get through winter.

Hey tfultz, great vid and very sweet Pelican. Thanks for sharing! You are obviously a man of talent and detail!

There are a lot of really nice bass boats around for 8K! Check your local craigs list and don't be afraid of ebay either. Do your homework and you should be able to find something to your liking! Good Luck

I too have one of these little boats and use it for farm pond fishin. In fact, I am sitting in it for my avatar to the left. It's perfect for those small waters. Put it in the back of my pickup with all my goodies and can 4 wheel drive back to those boonie hard to reach ponds where the big guy's are just waitin for me! I have never modified mine, but have gotten many great ideas from this thread and will have to install a few of them. Thanks!

I'm with RW post #179. That being said, being an old guy and applying the "Buffet Theory" I have also accumulated much fishing tackle over the years including collector type items. It goes with the territory! I sure love looking at everyones tackle though, and wish all posters & members happy and highly successful fishing! Thank you all so much for sharing, it helps pass the cold weather months.

Agree, great site! Wish I had found it years ago.

Welcome aboard Arki from "The Great State of Iowa"!

Bass will hit just about anything in the spring. Cranks, Spinnerbaits, and Jig & Pig are all right up there. However, whats most important in the spring is when you go and where you go. Make sure to go as often as you can, and start as early in the year as you can. We are having crazy springs and you don't want to miss out on those really big bass. They are starved and when they start eating they go absolutely wild! When you go, try to fish water that you're pretty sure has mature bass in it. If you can get a hold of a topo map check for areas that have deep water like river channels near points leading into shallow water. In other words, put youself in the most likely spot to catch a lunker bass and your odds will skyrocket.

When I first started bass fishing seriously I always used real pork trailers as well. Many times I would trim the excess from the bottom of the chunk and give it more action. As plastics got better and better over the years I use them exclusively now. Thanks Nick for reminding me, it's hell getting old!

Learn new sonar unit which will be an all year thing! Drop shot and fish more plastics. When I think back on all the years I have bass fished I realize I have concentrated on one or two lures & techniques each season. In other words, one season more spinnerbaits, another maybe more jig&pig or plastic worm. I have always either had more success with a particular type of bait or just fished that bait more regularly in a specific season or year. Last year it was spinnerbaits, killed fish all year! Not sure why, but whatever bait I'm tossin at the time if I start nailin fish I generally stick with it until it becomes less productive and then I try something else.

Save it for a new outboard.

You will find this sport very addictive and enjoyable, welcome aboard! Been fishing over 60 years, ain't nothing better!