Choporoz

What do you already have? What's your budget?

I like darker shirts and coats because its still chilly here and the darker colors absorb more sunlight and keep me warmer.

I'm not sure you can get just one jig. I don't know anyone who has ever been able to. Try a couple different heads and different weights and colors. You don't need 15 to start, but try a couple different ones, at least. I suggest you start with dark color heads and skirts - brown, green, black, blue or some combination of those. There's a world of different trailers - experiment and let the bait monkey be your friend. I'm quite surprised there's no crawfish in any of your waters. But, it won't matter. There's no live Rage Structure Bugs in my waters and the bass eat 'em up. Read through this if you haven't already: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12403-jig-fishing-questions/

More than any other specific crankbait, when I was a crank bait beginner, I most wish that I'd had some of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIG-UGLY-Plug-Knocker-Lure-Retriever-Quick-Easy-To-Use-NEW-IMPROVED-/331155075605?pt=US_Taxidermy&hash=item4d1a617215 Until I was confident I could get my cranks back if hung up, I never had the confidence to put them into harms way.....and didn't catch bass. Once I realized that I could get just about any crank back, I lost all fear and put them into the heaviest cover....and learned to catch fish with them. Now I always have a couple of those Big Uglies along and they have saved me ten times their cost in retrieved lures.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-jointed-shad-3-1-2-swimbait/pid-22556?color=Baby+Bass&N=4294963690+10001+297679222 I've got one of these. Great action, nice slow sink rate. Looks like a champion. Unfortunately, I haven't caught anything on it but bluegills. I won't say it isn't user error, but I tried it many times and never got a bass bite.

Quite true I haven't. No invite? I forgot to mention that I have fished from canoes with my wife on a few occasions and readily admit that handling a canoe in wind or current is FAR easier with two than it is alone.

This looks to be quite true! Most range from $11 to $18 shipped...at least the ones that caught my eye. I would be interested in watching probably 5 or 6 of them, but I'm not going to shell out $60-$100 bucks for them. I'm just thinking out loud here....but what if 5 or 6 of us all agreed to buy one DVD. We could have a group 'pass'; create a list of us with addresses -----After watching, we'd all mail the one we bought to the next guy/gal on the list....maybe even include a favorite or local lure or something with some local flavor...maybe a handmade jig or some hot sauce or something...again....just thinking....but if there was enough interest, I'll help set it up. Here's a list of examples of titles that caught my eye on first glance: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Glen-Lau-Collection-of-Largemouth-Bass-3-DVD-set-fishing-videos-BigMouth-series-/231467396829?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35e4882edd http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Bass-1-2-Punch-Dave-Mercer-Bass-Fishing-DVD-Video-/310928630854?pt=US_DVD_HD_DVD_Blu_ray&hash=item4864ca6446 http://www.ebay.com/itm/In-Fisherman-Jig-Time-Bassin-Bass-Fishing-DVD-Video-/310936783074?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item486546c8e2 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crankbait-Strategies-Hardbait-Bass-Al-Lindners-Angling-Edge-Fishing-DVD-Video-/321481019505?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad9c31071 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Largemouth-Bass-Bassology-Al-Lindners-Angling-Edge-Bass-Fishing-DVD-Video-/121318164152?pt=US_DVD_HD_DVD_Blu_ray&hash=item1c3f2046b8 http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Bass-Pro-Kevin-VanDam-3-DVD-Video-Set-Fishing-Fish-KVD-/161581659858?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item259f0476d2 http://www.ebay.com/itm/In-Fisherman-Bass-in-the-Grass-Largemouth-Bass-Fishing-DVD-Video-/310936784481?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item486546ce61 Thoughts?

I think this is the way to go. A number of guys are going to get skunked targeting a single winner. If just one hour, I'd better get something in the boat and for me, this would be the way to do it. I'd probably start with a senko and I'd also throw something on a keel weighted hook alternating with that trig. Get something in the live well and then worry about culling

Browsing the special tags in VA, I came across this: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/vehicles/#splates/info.asp?idnm=WLCBA Never knew it was an option. I always felt that the proliferation of special plates and vanity plates was a bit over the top, but I think with portion of the $$ going to conservation, I just might have to make a switch. Anyone from VA already have these?

Perhaps I should have just said "Get off of my lawn!" As I said above, I don't have a problem with repetitive topics. And the exchange of information here is something I value extremely highly. I WANT to learn from all of your experiences. I guess I need to get better about applying my BS filters....and about ignoring posts that do nothing to add value, but seem to just pad post counts. I tend to get frustrated by those who feel the need to reply to nearly every thread without adding value. Whether it is "I haven't used that, but...."....or statements that appear to come from experience, but are only regurgitated googling with zero real experience in that technique or brand, etc. And my teeth always get to grinding when I read a thread that starts out with a request for reviews or impressions of, say a particular $120 reel, and someone inevitably says, "you must get xxxx $200 reel"...and come to find later that the replier has never used either.... My remark about youth stems from my personal observation that the posters that tend to do those things above that I find irritating most often are the most inexperienced fishermen. So....I will amend my philosophy from "Post more. Read less".....to "I will endeavor to filter out the BS and ignore those that I find irritating" Oh...and

I admit that I've never been in a good canoe (or fishing canoe, if there is such a thing.)...but I did rent a canoe to fish on a small lake on two different occasions. The first time was such a battle with the wind that I did little fishing. The second time it seemed like the wind was better so I tried it again. Turns out the 'marina' was on the leeward side and as soon as I hit open water, I was toast. I found a few sheltered shores to beat, but I was very tempted to beach the dang thing at the windward end and walk home. Fighting the wind alone in a canoe was not something I want to experience again.....ever.

I got some from clearance bin somewhere -- the larger size, I believe. I found them difficult to rig - I settled on 5/0 EWG, but never was happy -- the plastic is so hard that it won't compress - the hook needs to swing out on the hookset -- that is, if you want it rigged weedless...then again, if you don't need it weedless, you might as well throw trebles. I admit it would cast a mile, but I never had the confidence or patience to fish it long enough to get a strike.

Lots of dads....soap, Nissan, Toyota?.....the Cat's in the Cradle one (Nissan?) made me a bit nauseous

I'd love to get my hands on some tree-repellant for my lures. Not the wet trees, I'm fine with getting into the submerged trees.....I'm wanting something that will keep my lures from flying into the overhanging branches that have some sort of tractor beams tuned to my tackle.

Not sure about LFSs, but I did use ss1h alongside Orra sx extensively last year. Both are solid; nearly interchangeable. If I had to choose one, I'd pick the Abu only because I found the handle and knobs a little more comfortable

Honestly, I don't even mind that so much.....I just tend to mind the incessant posts that don't add value to a topic. Now, I'm good with a humorous addition that may not be a good answer as long as it isn't snide or nasty mocking.

I didn't develop it here, but elsewhere long ago. However it applies to all that I've been a part of. Read more. Post less. And if you happen to be well under the median age of active members of a forum, then I appreciate it all the more if you share my philosophy.

^The thaw is expected in which week of July?

^ I strongly disagree. Sorry. Action and sink rates vary widely. Never clearer to me than after I started testing plastics myself in a fish tank.

Right! Ha! I can't help but roll my eyes when I hear arguments about trolling (and other 'methods') not being 'sporting' or too easy or no fun. I'm sure I'm the only one here, but if I thought I could catch more and/or bigger bass by trolling, I'd be doing it....every time. Buck Perry was brilliant

I've got a bunch from my grandfather hanging in a spoon rack for now. Not the presentation, nor the dust-proofing that a framed box would have, but nice, just the same. My wife has been on the lookout for a glass-top display coffee table or end-table to show them in.

Kyle, I've only ever been in the Woodbridge store (and I think Williamsburg.) Woodbridge store clearance stuff has been totally chaotic the last couple months. I've found something different every visit. From a $200 reel for $60, to 75% off rods to just a few hooks. No rhyme or reason, but, yes, they do put different stuff up all the time. I am guessing that discontinued and overstock from distribution centers gets pushed out without regard to the predicted sales market. Don't say any more about the Springfield store -- I've got much more stuff than I need or want already.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/145485-back-reeling

x2 Of all the hundreds (thousands?) of bags of plastics I have, Roboworms are the easiest to store in their bags. Better question is how to store/carry Salty Core Sticks or Rage Lizards.

Went back in this weekend (5 packs of hooks, 2 packs Cut-R's, Salty-Core, 300yd Power Pro, GYCB craws, Arashi Sq Bill) all for $21.