Skeeter Driver

I live mine as well. Clearly a well done product. Share the view that there are some spots not yet mapped. But still find it very useful.

hi and welcome.

Awesome place this is .... I'm new as well and love it.

HI All -- was trying to upload a couple photos of my rig and admit that I can not figure it out. Tried cutting and pasting them here, but get an error message "Can not use that extension in this forum" -- yet I was just trying to paste a 100K JPG file. Can anyone offer some advice on how address this item. thx in advance.

Great looking fish in that member photo. Am sure you have some good knowledge to offer. Bring it on!

I am new the Forum too and am finding it so helpful already! Hope you have the same experience!

This may at first sound odd ... but Dawn dishwashing detergent has worked great for me. If you assume that at least some (if not most) of the stuff on the cork includes human oils from simple use, Dawn is great at breaking down that stuff -- all oils in fact. I just rub some on and let it sit for say a minute or two, then use a dish scrubber sponge and boom, it looks like new. I let it dry in the sunshine for a few hours ... after that its ready to go.

Can only add that all those listed from Yum would have to be on my list. No clear winner. All are missed. RIP Yum stuff.

Have to second the comments from BassEditor ... has the very same experience -- some success, but all small players.

I have sized down a lot in such situations. I've been using a small craw on a wide-bend hook with 1/16 weight. Not sure why this is working, but have had more success this year with this approach than any other.

You're clearly getting some awesome advice here about spooling options. I vote for the type that matches what you plan to do with the great new combo you're getting. If see from your member info that you are in KS. I have never fished there so it hard for me to offer comment on the obstacles and challenges you'll face on each cast. I can offer that here in Texas, we have so much timber and rip-rap involved in our fishing I always lean towards braid unless I know than the water is extra clear and I'll need to be as invisible as possible. I have found a product from Spiderwire called Ultracast Invisi-Braid. I have 4 combos running it right now in #20 to #30 pound. So far I am very happy with this line and its pulled up some nice ones this year -- including the one I used for the member photo. It was taken last month on Lake Fork. Now let me say, it is a little pricy so be sure to apply a generous amount of backing so you can get 2 combos spooled from the same 300yd package. Hope this help. [Let me say though that all the advice in this thread is great. Any of the options listed would be great for this new setup you're getting.]

In mi view, MarkH called it here. Have to make sure the chemical properties of the plastics will not be adversely affected by exposure to the make-up of the scent. Also soft plastics do break-down over a very long period of time. Need to be alert to the age of the plastics as well.

Have to second all I have read here so far. I have often found private lake bass will hit anything. Being ambush predators, they are often on the lookout for an easy meal and that reaction strike that is so built into their DNA can often come from something they have not often (ever for that matter) seen but view as an easy meal. You've already tested one awesome method, top-water, but while that is a awesome approach, in my view it is far more rare than say a solid Texas or Carolina Rig worm or lizard. There is no hard and fast rule though as RatherB points out above. I would wager you'll find the private lake fish will hit most anything in your tackle box on any given day if it presented in the right way. Good luck.

Staying on the Wal-Mart Topic for a minute ... I found a closeout box in the fishing section of one in my area this week. They seem to place them on the very bottom shelf where the lures and softs are located. Anyway, was full of YUM products that were, in most cases, /2 price off retail and all in perfectly good shape. Not sure why the discount was being offered. Perhaps Wal-mart will not carry them in future. Nonetheless, be sure to check your local store for closeouts ... I was able to to get a some great backup baits at a very good price.

HI All -- just found the Forum and am excited to contribute. Am based in Plano / Payne Springs, Texas. Fish about three times a week plus tournaments in my area. Preferred gear include a Skeeter 202C, Shimano and Ardent Reels and a number of rod brands from Carrot Sticks to G-Loomis - especially for finesse work. See you all in the Forum(s). thx TxBassAngler

Ditto to that posted by Dyerbassman. I use mine for go-to baits during tournaments. The color and style of the bag is very different from my primary bags so its very easy to find in a pinch. Not a bad bag at all -- but keep in mind in order for it to be cost effective for BASS, they need to keep the cost down. It's not industrial strength that is for sure ... but clearly useable. --

Let me second WillowBlade on this one!

I auto-age my crank baits too. My Dad taught me to do so. Not sure it does any good to be honest, but just part of the routine. I also replace the hooks that come with them with higher quality ones if needed. - Just my two cents worth.