joetomlee

It's set up at a really low gear ratio of 5.1:1, so why not use it for pitching and flipping heavy cover? Unless you are looking for something with a slow presentation then you can do that as well. I am just thinking for spinners and such things that you spend a lot of time reeling in, that's going to wear you down more quickly. If I were you I'd use this as my heavy hitter. Jigs and swimbaits would still work on it as well. And as Et said, you've got the other rod which sounds like a finesse setup and this one could complement that.

ohhh that's a nice idea. I think I'll check into the glow stick idea, I hadn't thought of that before. Maybe I can just make a H shaped base out of PVC pipe with multiple pipes sticking up at a 90 degree angle. Thanks for the glow stick idea I like that a lot.

NICE diagram hahaha . So he just cut a point in the one end and used the PVC pipe alone stuck into the ground? I would settle for that, but I've seen some crazier things that hold multiple rods and jingle when fish bite. I want to go a little more in depth than a single pipe.

I have a Revo STX and not encountered this problem ever. Using braided line and running it strictly for pitching and flipping in very heavy cover. If I had that problem with my reel I would return it. That's not an issue you should have to deal with, especially for a reel in that price point.

Shimano Clarus also has really nice reviews. I've never used that rod before so I can't speak about it personally. I've got a Shimano reel though and it's awesome. I know they are a great company and build quality product. Just go with whatever you have most confidence in personally. That will be your most successful choice.

I think that's an awesome idea. One of those DUH!! (why hasn't already been created) ideas. I know I spend a small fortune on fishing product every year and that would be an enormous help to me.

I have the Supreme paired with a carbonlite and I've fished it a ton!!! Super sensitive rod and extremely light in your hands. I think they sell for $99 at BPS so just within your budget. Seriously one of the best rods I've ever used, and I've got a lot of big brand name rods. I can't say enough good about Carbonlite rods. Definitely try it out at your closest BPS if available.

Not sure which thread this post should go into. I am going to try and do more carp fishing this year and wanted a set-up that could hold my rods up idle. I've seen You Tube clips where people have bells and buzzers that go off once the rod twitches but I cannot for the life of me find any of these products online for sale. I want one for when I bank fish that I can just place on the ground nearby and watch. Are these even for sale in stores or are people making them out of PVC pipe? Not quite sure, but would be open to making one myself if someone already had the blueprint for it. Anybody out there seen these things for sale and can guide me in the right direction?

Kuenro, that's a tough situation. I know you're probably expecting some generic fish pattern advice but this is particularly a difficult time of the year to figure out what the fish are doing in your waters. They may still be very lethargic or they may be moving to the shallows in search of warmth. I don't think you'll find the advice you're in need of on this section of the forum. My advice to you is to follow Jay Ell Gee's suggestion and post in your regional forum to see if anybody has had an opportunity to uncover their current patterns. If that fails, I'd take a trip to the local tackle shop and make small talk there. It may not be a full-proof method, but I think it's your best bet.

Anyone have any good links to jug fishing tutorials?

I've had some good success with crawlers on gang hooks:

Pike and pickerel are very similar and it's tough to tell from that picture alone which you caught. If I had to take a guess, I'd say that's a pike. Hard distinguish them apart sometimes seeing as how they can interbreed and create hybrids (part of the same family). I've never seen much logic in distinguishing them apart from one another.

If you're gripping a pike by the gills be really careful as their mouths are full of jagged teeth which extend pretty far back. It's not hard to overextend your finger into the gill and get cut up.

I use the trilene knot exclusively. Its got great breaking strength and easy enough to tie on any type of line. It has never caused me any trouble.

By the way, that's an awesome fish!!!

I agree, I think we are subconsciously working confidence baits differently than other lures we are not as confident about. I can't think of another reason why different people have different producers. I am also more inclined to switch out lures much faster when I am not as confident in their ability to catch fish.

Also want to mention that although your second time wasn't as productive as your first - you didn't get skunked. So maybe your attitude towards that area is a bit off. You should be pleased that you were so productive those two times. I've also fished waters that were extremely low pressure and held big bass within. Although they are a blast there does come a point where I begin to think "It's almost too easy", and it really does lessen the whole experience and joy of actually catching fish.

Sounds like the fish just weren't in the mood to feed, so definitely take fstr's advice and try to get a reaction strike. If that's not working, try a drop shot or jerk bait, those are especially easy to fish when you are able to see the bass in the waters.

I was interested in the Moken Angler 13 so I did some checking around and found a kayak store which has a demo marked down by 50%. $1100ish marked down to $550 (it also comes with a rudder). It's pretty far away for me (about 1.5 hrs) and so I was wondering if it would be worth a trip to go out there and check it out? He said it was a 2 year old demo and that fishing kayaks never picked up in the area so he's just trying to get his last 2 out of the store. Do you think a 2 year old demo kayak is worth purchasing? I've asked him for pics and he said he would email me some tomorrow.

Thanks for the advice, I will check into some of those suggestions. I fish freshwater lakes (flat waters) although one in particular is very large and known to get choppy on occasion with a moments notice and so I'd like to have the ability to withstand that on the rare chance I get caught up in it.

I'm in the market for a kayak and was hoping to get some advice!! Here's where I'm at: $600-$900 budget Leaning towards sit-on-tops Only needs to fit 1 person Something stable I can stand from without fear of tipping comfortable seating I already own a Nitro bass boat and so not looking for anything crazy, but something that will last me a solid few years. Anybody familiar with kayaks enough to be able to suggest something for me to look into? Also, for my needs, is a SOT most appropriate? I've had experience in all types of water vessels so open to other suggestions if they exist. I know there have been a couple other kayak posts similar to this lately but didn't find either of them were quite within my scope (one guy had a 2k budget and the other had different needs/wants). Really appreciate any input, thanks in advance!!

I just recently purchased the Iphone app as well and have nothing but the best things to say about it!!

If Kate Upton was in the boat I'd let her sit on my lap and fish. :eyebrows:

Nice job! and welcome back to the forum.

Marty has a good post concerning this. I've personally had the most success with topwater baits when I fish early mornings.