onefinalcast

Wow you guys have been a great help. I really do enjoy fishing faster and covering more water. However that's because I don't catch as many fish slow fishing or with jigs. I think Going with jigs would teach me some slow fishing discipline. The jigs seem to be a popular choice with a ton of versatility. I may end up with this choice.

So far it's the jig huh? Also, by bladed jig, do you mean like a Z Man Chatterbait? I have two of them and love that thing. It catches me a good amount of fish!

Being a novice in Bass fishing, there are two techniques/lures that I am not good at using. The spinnerbait, and the jig. This year I want to really work hard on one of these two techniques, but I am not sure which one I should start with. I have 3 or 4 of each lure, but don't use them often because I didn't catch much fish with them (not a confidence bait). Now I know the argument can be made that each one has its time and place etc. etc. etc. I understand, but I don't get out on the water enough to learn two techniques in one season. I just really want to focus on one and get good at it. Then I can work on the other afterwards. So at the end of the day, if you had to teach me only one technique/lure, which would it be? Spinnerbait or Jig? I will be ordering a batch of new lures in the next couple of weeks here and look forward to everyone's input. This will help me decide which route to go.

Thanks for all the help guys. Things are starting to come together and I may have made up my mind. Everyones input definitely helped me. Awesome community on here!

If I can find an Endurance for $150 that may be the deciding factor. I'll just have to keep shopping around. Also, I don't like really stout rods. I don't mind going down a power if it means added sensitivity. Is the Powell 714/Dobyns704 pretty stout? Could I get away with using the 723 Powell or 703 Dobyns for 1/2 oz jigs and spinnerbaits? The bass here in the midwest don't get nearly as big as down south or out west...which lets me think I can get away with a 3 power. Thoughts?

The rod will be used for t-rigs, spinnerbaits, flukes, maybe jigs. Pretty much looking for a rod that can do multiple techniques. Also I should state that I have not held either one in my hands. I probably won't be able to as there aren't any stores with like a 80+ mile radius that has Powells or Dobyns Champ series. If I was to get one first, and then the other second, would it be obvious to go with the Powell first and 'upgrade' to the Dobyns afterwards?

Dobyns huh? I guess I am trying to come up with reasons for me NOT to get a Dobyns, in light of saving a few bucks. For example I keep telling myself maybe I am still too nooby to be worthy of a Dobyns. :grin:

I am getting a new rod soon and have been eyeing the Powell Endurance 714-CEF or Dobyns Champion 703C. This is only my third or fourth year doing serious bass fishing and this will be my first "nicer" setup as I currently own two BPS sticks which were <$100. I plan to put a lot of time on the water this season (in a yak) and really learn to fish and study structure. The Powell is about $50 less than the Dobyns. Unless I can get the Endurance cheaper, I wouldn't mind spending another $50 for a Dobyns. What would you do in my shoes?

Xcalibur XCS. For the extra ~$1.00 you spend over a Strike King 1.5 you get better hardware. For those who change hooks on the ST consider spending the extra buck for the XCS which already has super sharp hooks. Not to mention the better detail. Raised gill plates, scales. For anyone who liked the XCS, I suggest looking at the 6th Sense Crush. They are amazing too!

Thanks a bunch guys. You guys have been great help in breaking down this particular lake. Now I have a better idea of what to look for in other lakes/maps which should help me quite a bit. Keep the advice coming!

I am not entirely positve what the forage is like in this lake. I believe there are emerald shiners in there as well as perch. I am unsure if shad are present. There are a lot of smallmouth bass in this lake and also largemouth, but the smallies are definitely larger in numbers. I do not know if there are distinct weedlines. Of course, cover would be something to consider as well once I figure out where the best structures are. It seems like you all like that cove/flat area near 75th and 79th. How would you fish this cove/funnel area? Would you position the boat in deep water and cast into the funnel? Or have the boat in the cove and throw out to deep water? Also, for the island (Circle 2) that I circled, how would you all approach that as well? The backside of the island drops off to 20-30 fow quite fast while the north side is more of a slope. Which side will hold more fish and what lures would effectively fish this structure?

Hello all. I am a novice bass fisherman from Wisconsin with just two seasons under my belt. For the most part I have been focusing on learning the basics such as lures, presentations, tackle/hardware etc. but am looking to expand my knowledge in order to help me become a better fisherman. I have a basic understanding of structure/cover from online articles/research but am looking to further my knowledge of this particular subject. I have attached a link to photo of a local lake. This is a relatively large lake (in this area anyway) at roughly 6,300 sq. acres. I have seen this lake before but have not fished it because of its sheer size and because I wouldn't know where to start. This is my attempt to break down the lake and hopefully get some advice from you fellow bass fisherman. In the picture you will notice the solid red line which indicates the flow of the river (starts from bottom and goes towards top). The two circles are my attempt at identifying structure and what I think would be a good place to start looking for fish. Circle 1 is a "point", and Circle 2 is looks like a "dropoff". Beyond that I am unsure of where I should be looking for fish. Please help by suggesting where you would start looking for fish and why. Or save the image on your computer and circle areas where you would focus on if this were a new lake to you, and send or post a link to the picture. I am unsure of the type of cover this lake. Also I would consider the lake a stained water lake, if that matters. Thanks ahead of time! http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/11812238783_d61183f2a4_o.jpg p.s. I would have used the image uploader on here however the size limitations would make the graph/depths impossible to read.

Hello all. Been bass fishing for about two years now and have found some helpful information on this site. Look forward to learning and progressing more as a bass fishing!