DogBone_384

I can understand, since you need a second mortgage to spool up any more than a handful of reels ….😜

For casting reels, yes, especially in clear waters. Fluorocarbon requires a lot of maintenance in spinning reels.

I took a shot at NH this morning. Marked almost nothing. No real signs of life other than a couple turtles and a bald eagle. Little or no new vegetation. There were a fair amount of fresh water clams. Threw the normal assortment: bladed jig, different jerk baits, lipless, and cranks. Also a couple different colored jigs, creature baits, and wacky Senkos. There were two kids on a crawdad looking boat that also had no luck. I didn't last long. Couldn't get a groove going and with no signs of life, I packed up and went home. Water temps were 56.x - 57.x, winds were 8-10 mph from the West, and the air pressure was 30.2. I would say it was pretty bluebird-ish. Another day.

I pedal a Lure 11.5 and have an Elite Ti7 on it. I have a 24 aH Dakota Lithium in a Pelican box with Battery Tender quick connects. I keep the battery in my front hatch.

You'll get'm soon enough. This weekend's warm weather should push a few more up for you.

I use a milk crate when I'm fishing from my kayak. When I'm on my Ranger, I put all my Plano boxes in the boat's storage. I keep all my tackle in an extra large Hawg KastKing tackle bag when I'm not fishing. It's build quality is decent. The zippers are strong and the bottom material is holding up well after two years. I've repaired most of the zipper pulls and the plier holders could be sewn on better. Neither one is still on my bag. As far as storage boxes, I use Plano and BPS branded boxes. BPS 3700 boxes are Planos, made in the USA.

The bass will tell me, but I'm targeting smallies. Sean Snover, from ReelNorthernBass, put me onto a couple good SMB waters in VT.

Congratulations! I'll be roaming around NH & VT with my Ranger the first week in May. I'm hoping to find water temperatures in the high 40's to low 50's up there.

jerkbait jerkbait jerkbait

Yeah, but can she tie a FG knot?

I have 7" & 9" Elite Ti2's on my Ranger. They're good units, but today's anti-glare screens are much better. I think $700 is a little high for an older unit, even if NIB.

Sounds VERY familiar! Suckers were on beds at my favorite Plymouth fishing hole.

Just like women, huh?

Spinnerbaits.

I have 9 Shimanos. My Core50MG7 is my favorite.

You know very well what a bass is .... now get your butt down to that nice little SMB pond, go to the north corner where it drops to 8-10' and drop a tube in there and let it sit. You'll get your bass. I drove over the bridge this morning in hopes for some smallie action. It was cloudy with light winds from the South so I figured I was in for some success. Like yesterday, NOBODY wanted anything with a treble hook on it, a bladed jig, jig, or drop shot. I marked a lot more fish than the pond I fished yesterday. They were stuck to the bottom. Again, in the 9th inning I grabbed a 1_10 SMB with awesome colors by letting a 3.8" Smallmouth Magic Keitech soak while I picked out a bird's nest. Water temps were 49.x - 50.x and the air pressure was 29.5. I had a lot of problems with gear, but ONE is better then NONE....

It was too nice to stay in and my bed's made & homework done, 🤣, so I drove to my favorite SM/LM waters in Plymouth. Grabbed a decent pickerel about 2 hours in but struggled to find bass until the 9th inning when I convinced two LMB, just over 2 pounds each, that a 3.8" Smallmouth Magic Keitech on an underspin was a good choice. I marked almost NOTHING in 25' and shallower, threw almost everything with a treble hook, jig, Hula Grub, etc., etc..... Water temps ranged from 49.x to 54.x, air pressure was 29.7 and winds were 5-8 mph from the west. It was bluebird-ish. The peepers were peeping and turtles doing turtle stuff too. Spring's finally here. Best of luck to everyone else getting out there.

Welcome to Bassresource.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS

If you go Kistler (Helium, I assume), consider a 7'3" MH. I own it and a 7' LMH and find them interchangeable in your weight range. I believe it's the extra 3" on the MH. I'll use my LMH for tubes, Senkos, etc. when I have a 3/8 oz jig on my MH. I'll use my HMH when I throw 1/2 oz jigs, freeing up my MH for the plastics. Best of luck.

I have a Dobyns Fury 7’9” MH/F, rated 1-5 oz. It’s my first and only swimbait rod. I don’t throw big baits much, but this one works well enough. I know Douglass Outdoors has a big swimbait clearance on now. I own a few of their ‘regular’ rods and like them quite a bit. Their build quality is very good.

How many choices do we have for American made reels? I know there are still a few hard bait companies manufacturing their stuff here. Are you saying that the only Kistler rod that’s made in US or that the Abrams is the only one made with 100% American components?

If that's the case, Tackle Warehouse is your friend. Based on my experience, as long as you keep all the packaging, they'll take almost anything back.

I have 28 Kistler rods going back to their original Magnesium TS. I don't know where they sourced their blanks from, but I know they were all made here in the US. Kistler's lowest priced rods are now made overseas. Drop Kistler an email with any questions you have. You will get a reply, probably from Reuben. Their customer service is exceptional.

I bought Abu Garcia Veritas rods when I got back into fishing in '14. They were great $99 rods. A few years later I discovered Kistler rods. Kistler's list price is often high, but they have frequent sales that get them in the $200-ish range. I found them much lighter and more sensitive with exceptional build quality. I also own St. Croix, FX Customs, and Douglass rods in the same price points. Kistler and FX Customs rods are hand made here in the USA, which is a big plus for me. They all have the same positives as the Kistlers with different 'feels' to them. You might call them mid-high end. My overall favorites are my Kistlers. They just feel right in my hand and their actions fit my fishing style well. I've never ventured into the $300+ market. I don't see the need. I would say my mid-high end rods are more sensitive, especially for bottom contact baits. The only difference I've found with my crankbait rods is weight and comfort. Lastly, I'd recommend handling as many rods on your list as you can. You'll know quickly which rod is for you. Best of luck.