edfitzvb

Where is Mend it sold?

A lot of baits fit that profile. Could be a Yo-zuri bait, could be a BPS bait.... Hard to tell at this point. And yes, they catch fish (either bait). The BPS bait is less expensive, the Yo-zuri baits have a better finish

I prefer one piece rods. That being said, I have seen many rod tips broken when tailgates and doors are closed. Two piece rods are also in my collection for that reason. I think everyone who has ever used a two piece rod has cast the tip off. That's why there's a lure on the other end. You reel the lure in, sheepishly look to see if anyone saw, put the tip back on, and fish some more.

At the price, you saved yourself a LOT of money. You can certainly learn on that combo. I have used a lot of BPS tackle and have always found it to be dependable and good value for the money spent. Go practice. I rarely use spinning tackle any more because of the reliability, accuracy, and power of the bait casting combos I now own.

First, we are sorry for your loss. I am sure wherever your father is he gets some satisfaction seeing you in the boat and remembering. Advice so far has been good, everyone starts where you are and MOST of us are courteous and understanding. In fact, if you feel self-conscious, telling us that you are new will often prompt helpful suggestions. Enjoy

Bill Dance was my favorite, but I also watched Hank Parker, Roland martin, Gadabout Gaddis, and on ABC there was an outdoor show that sometimes had fishing segments. I remember them bringing in the big guns of the time, like Homer Circle. At the time there was no cable, so I had the 3 networks and PBS, and ABC was real snowy. If it was fishing I was watching. That was back in the '60's or so for the older shows. I remember the first time I saw Dance how much better the production quality was.

I have fished for trout in streams when it was so cold that the streams had frozen patches (for running water to solidify, it's COLD) but when it's that cold I generally confine my bass fishing to the bank. That way I can warm myself periodically if need be, especially if there is a biting wind. It takes dedication to fish when the line looks like a bead necklace from the frozen water drops.

Used to live in that area. SML is a BIG lake when the wind is blowing. I know why they restricted the area you could fish. Better luck next time, it looks like the weather is getting ready to break. The dogwoods will be blooming in no time.

That's the great thing about fishing... The things you get to see while fishing. I was fishing on the coast of Virginia in the North Landing River when I saw a fish (it was 80-100 yards away) come out of the water and grab a snake that was hanging in a low lying branch. I was not close enough to see what kind of snake but the dimensions of the fish said "bass"

I am right handed. I reel spinning reels with the left hand, reel bait casters with the right. I learned it that way and don't have any problems. My son is left handed, started on spinning reels using mine. I bought him a left-handed model (back before designs made it an option for any reel) He continues to reel left handed on spinning reels, also left handed on casting reels. This is PROOF that I am more versatile......

I was in Nashville a couple of years ago... It IS Tennessee, so at the hotel bar the house brand of bourbon was Jack Daniels Black Label. One of the perks

Did you say WASTE? That's a matter of perspective

If anyone knows of any reels that have serial numbers it would be a good idea to post. I have a database file tht lists all of my rods and reels here at the house, but if there are serial numbers also that should be noted.

I use snaps on lipped and lipless crankbaits and jerkbaits. I want the bait to be able to wobble freely.If it doesn't have a split ring on it, I put one on. The only baits I tie directly to my line are soft plastics and spinnerbaits (unless they are inline, then I use a swivel.)

Bigbill, I can relate. I started fishing on a regular basis again about 10 or 20 years ago, after my children were old enough not to "swordfight" with my rods. I have 15 or 20 older rods that I collected to remind me of the old days, but the newer rods are SO much better. ALL of the older rods are in storage now, and the older reels that I loved so much get no use. I'm almost ready to sell them to clear space before I'm featured on a Hoarders episode. The newer stuff is better, period.

Hard baits are what I grew up using. I always have a couple of spinnerbaits, two or three rapalas (black back w/silver side) two or three square bill cranks, and a popper or two as well as a prop bait like a devil's horse or a torpedo. I fish these baits two to one over plastics, because I don't have a lot of patience. Also... early and late, it's a lot of fun to fish a jitterbug. Classic bait that gets a lot of bites, and the bites are from fish that are serious. Lots of fun.

I was a Newbie to reel maintenance until I started reading this forum. In the last couple of weeks I have gone through and cleaned/repaired all of my reels that I want in service. I was amazed at how much added casting distance I gained. I never was scared of spinning reels, since most of mine were older Mitchell 300s, DAM Quick reels, and Shakespeare Maroon reels from the '60's and '70's. They were simple and built to last. I was scared to death to mess with a bait caster, though. Since I started researching reel maintenance as a result of this site, I have learned A LOT. Don't give up. I had a spinning reel that seized up last summer that I kept meaning to get to. I started on it... no luck. It took me four tries before I got everything working again. As long as you didn't lose any parts and didn't force anything you should be able to re-do it and fix whatever the problem is.

LOTS of Ospreys here at the coast. I have to smile bemusedly when I am getting skunked and an osprey dives down and takes off with dinner. I have seen deer, beaver, muskrats, nutria, and cormorants galore when bass fishing. Saw a bald eagle eating a fish on the shoreline at Buggs Island Lake. I could have hit him with a rock. Saw mink, a bear, chipmunks, and otters while trout fishing (realize this is a bass forum, but I still fish for trout when in the mountains). Even the ordinary sights, like turtles, herons, egrets, gulls, add to the joy of fishing. It's why I can get skunked and it's still not a wasted day.

I have Shimano, BPS Pro Qualifier, Lew's, Quantum, Okuma, and Daiwa. MY personal favorite maker is Lew's. I don't worry about anything except what feels good to me. Let me emphasize that you get what you pay for. The 2 best no trouble reels I ever owned were the original Lew's Speed Spool and the Abu Garcia 5500C. Had both for double digit years service, did NO maintenance on them except to change line every few years, and they always worked. Great reels. For you, as a beginner, I would suggest any reel that has easy access side plates to adjust the internal brakes. Go with something that normally retails starting around 100-150. If you are like me you will buy others once you have acquired the skills necessary. I have 2-1 baitcasting reels to spinning reels, and spinning reels are in assorted sizes (mine are primarily medium and ultralight.) As to the advantages, you can pretty much do anything with a spinning reel that you can do with a Baitcaster. However, the baitcaster handles larger line, is more comfortable, and for me is more accurate. There is a reason that most pros use a baitcaster as their primary reel. A baitcasting reel is a tool that every serious fisherman needs. You are doing the right thing, grasshopper.

Two words: Gor Juss! Thinking about making my own rods next winter when it's too cold to fish and my reels have all been serviced for the year. You do very nice work if the rest of the rod is up to that standard. Congrats

That's one that would go on my wall. I am on record with my angling buddies that trophies should be released and a fiberglass mount used if I want a remembrance. I have released numerous fish that I could have mounted, but THAT one deserves a skin mount.

There is no definitive answer, because the question is subjective. HOWEVER... if it was my money, I'd get the Lew's. I own both and have no problems with either. Both are good reels.

Mud bugs, hellbenders, bombers... lots of those old hard baits still catch fish. I really used to love fishing for smallmouth with them and rooting along the bottom with them. Now I live at the coast, and there aren't any smallmouths for hours. Lots of LMB, though...

+1 on Lew's. Great reels, quality parts, always work. I have several

I have an old school Plano 3700 bag that I take with me in the boat and a 3600 that I can take if I'm just shore fishing for a few hours. If I had a backpack I would then feel the need to FILL IT UP. Life should be simple. If I have to have a backpack full of stuff that will detract from the joy of fishing for me. I can get along with a small stowaway box that fits in a cargo pocket. A couple of cranks, a jerk, a popper, a spinnerbait, and a few soft plastics should have me catching fish without being weighed down