jb_adams

I've had some luck using them with spot removers and ranging from green & yellow camo, green & silver (baby bass swirl), BRIGHT green senko with no flake. The bright green looks like a Martian Senko! ;D But it was catching fish left and right one afternoon. I typically stick with darker shades of green like watermelon and green pumpkin. I've got all sorts of red, black, blue faked tiki sticks and some with red dipped tails. The best senko tactic for me has been using spot removers here. The stay on the bottom and tease the bass that are down low next to underwater structure and creek beds. When summer hits, I'll go with brighter colors and use them weightless for suspended bass.

Like I said, I'm not experieced enough to know the difference yet. I'm working on it though. I'm just now starting to feel the difference between a slite nibble and tapping things on the bottom. I guess if I had a $200 rod, I'd feel the difference easier. I can't afford that step yet but in time, I'll get there. I'm just now learning to use a baitcaster. Why go out and buy a $200 GLoomis or St. Croix when I'm still backlashing every trip?? Doesn't make since to me. Get better equipment when you go more than once or twice a month. For now, $35 makes me happy. It's better than the $20 Wal-Mart Quantums I've been using. Keep in mind, I'm still weening myself off a Zebco 33 too. :-[

Like I said, I might be able to tell a difference with bait in the water but I'm still a beginner. Another guy whose fished for years such as yourself may feel a night and day difference even in the store. For example, pick up a GLoomis rod and then pick up the bottom end of BPS rods. There is an obvious difference in overall feel being weight, sensitivity, etc. If you fish with them (where the real test is) you'll notice even more difference. Being a beginner and picking out a rod, I'm quite happy spending $35 vs. $78 for a rod that feels very comparable side by side. If I spent the $78 and couldn't tell the difference with one that I already had, I'd be disappointed. I already had a 6'-6" Abu at home and knew what to expect. See my point? Yeah, I agree with you that you have to test the rod on the water. When you have a very talkative 5yr. old, a nagging wife wanting to go hit the outlet malls, and it's 5:15 on New Year's Eve, you really don't have much time to contemplate rod compostitions and chemical compounds! ;D SO, I went the cheap route! (haha) That's why I was wanting to know the quality of what I have for $35. Either way, I'm still happy with it for now.

I am just now switching to baitcasters so I love the magnetics! I have mine turned up too much but that's just so I don't get disgusted with fishing out backlashes all day. I can cast further with a closed face most of the time and more accurate. I am switching to baitcasters and with practice (so I'm told), I will get better to where I can turn the magnetics down to around 3. I usually start around 5 and work my way lower or higher as needed.

I looked at the BPS Tourney Special and for $78, I was more than happy with my $35 Abu Garcia. If I hold them side by side, one in each hand, I can't tell much difference. I might be able to on the water with bait in the water but there is a definate difference between the Abu and the cheaper BPS rods. Thanks for the clarification on this. I feel I know too much of too little about rods now. (haha)

Funny you mention that abou the junebug brushhog and white grub. I just rigged a black and blue Bitsy Bug with a dbl tailed white grub. I tried it off the bank this afternoon and it looked like it would do pretty well. I agree with the previous statement though, if the bass have a long time to look at it in clear water, better keep it natural.

Of course, depending on water clarity, water temp, time of year, etc, etc, etc.... What are your experiences with jig trailer color selections? My fishing buddy was using a black and blue Strike King "Bitsy Bug" type jig which I'm guessing was a flipping jig. He was oddly using a brighter green (lighter than green pumpkin) as a double tailed grub and was catching fish and getting bites in really tough weather conditions. It got me to wondering because all of my trailers look like the blend in with the color of the jig. You know, red and brown jig = brown trailer or green and black jig = green pumpkin with black flake. That sort of philosophy. Would an odd color jig trailer attract more attention? Sure it would! Would it be more productive?? I'll test the theory and let you know what happens. What's your thoughts?? Thanks!!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/abu_garcia_conolon.html Based on the link above, I am trying to find out the graphite modulas for my new Abu Garcia Conolon rods. I have a 6'6" rod MH action and a 7' MH action rod with two BPS Extreme reels. I love the setup and for well under $100 each, they are great rigs. I purchased each rod for around $35 at the local Wal-Mart so for the price value, they are great. I am currious to find out what the modulas is on these rods and I am not finding much on the internet. The rod simply said, "IM7 high modulas rod" when purhased. High high is what I want to know. A better quality rod can get up to 33 million, 40 million, etc.

I like your approach.....clean...simple...and easy to use! I KNOW my partner will like it. He's all about Yo-Zuri hybrid. He says I think too much. I say, when you're learning from sratch, don't be affraid to turn over a rock and discover something new. Sure, you might get bit but you'll learn and that's what makes you a better angler, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE!! Thanks guys! ;D

I tried a Quantum Accurist for about $120 at the local Sportsmans Warehouse. I wanted a Quantum and that model was highly recommended. After one day of use, I still backlashed. Not the fault of the reel, just the user. It was smooth and high quality. I just didn't feel like swallowing that large of a chunk on my first baitcaster considering I never liked them. I just got my new BPS Extreme baitcaster in the mail and took it out on it's first trip this last weekend. I was really impressed with the performance, quality, and smooth operation of it. I would easily compare it to the Quatum Accurist for half the price. We're talking a comparison of $50 vs. $100 so there really isn't a big loss or gain. But when your wife beats your head worse than the baitmonkey, $50 is a gold mine!! ;D I got it, love it, & can't wait to use it again! For $50, who cares if it last more than 4 years after 5 times a week. That's a heck of a reel for that kind of usage. If I get 4 years with once a week usage out of mine, I'll be more than happy. If I even get 3 years with I'll STILL be happy. If I spent $250 and got 4 years of usage with 1 trip a week, not so happy then. It had better last a lifetime for $250......get the point? Value is in the eye of the beholder. It's all your opinion and what you use it for and how often. For the low budget weekend angler like myself, it's the best $50 I've spent in a while. The reviews on the BPS Extreme are VERY high ratings. Like a 4.8 or 4.9 out of 5 from what I've read.

I don't have one but I did just receive my new BPS Extreme baitcaster. I will compare it to a Quantum Accurist. I tried the Accurist for a day and it was high quality but I still backlashed it from over casting. I went with the BPS Extreme and the quality is just as good and I have only backlashed it once due to overcasting. Sorry, I know you're asking about spinning gear but I thought I'd add this for extra insight. It was highly recommended and the reviews on the internet say that BPS reels are good stuff. I'd like to get a BPS spinning reel now so I would recommend it. From what I see, it's good quality for the money.

Well since we're all thinking what a great post I've made... (joke) Here's a question for you. Is it recommended to use combinations of line types for specific applications? For example, use a 14-17lb Co-polymer and a 4ft leader of Berkley Vanish flourocarbon that would be used for baits in clear water presentation?? You could use a fly rod knot to join the line together and it would allow the best of both worlds for strength, low vis. clarity for clear water presentation, and still allow for switching back and forth from regular copolymer to a copolymer/flourocarbon when needed, all on the same reel. That way, us guys with only 4-6 rod & reels would not have to keep only one for flourocarbon, one for copolymer, one for Yo Zuri Hybrid, one for.....well, you get the idea. By using a leader of your choice of line pound size, type, and color, you could use multiple applications and bait presentations on the same reel without having to re-spool. I read somewhere that for a C-rig, using a flourocarbon leader was recommended. I think that's where I got the idea and what started this entire post anyway. Thanks for all the input guys! ;D

I bet Kastmasters would catch a ton of white bass in the winter. You can catch a boat load with Kastmasters here when they are schooling. I like the action on a Kastmaster. You can real it slow, fast, or just burn it below the surface. I just haven't found the right combination for it yet. I'm about to try jigging with it myself so I'll let you know.

Maybe you guys should mount a "blade dancer" on the wall vs. that big trophy bass! ;D A littel board with plastic bait on it.....that would be funny!

So.... I guess my question was geared towards "basic technical" for line type specs and not anything complex. I knew flourocarbon is preferred for baits like crankbaits, senkos, or any other presentations where you want the bait to sink quickly. Are there any other rules of thumb for line type selection? Can someone break it down in laymen's terms like the summary below? I'd like to know what lines are best for what baits or water clarity too. Obviously, flourocarbon is best in clear water because of it's low visibility. Summary: - Flourocarbon is usually good for clear water because it absorbs little to no water and good for allowing baits to sink, subject to nicks or abrasions, stiff, weaker knot strength but stronger than mono - Monofilament is softer than flourocarbon, resists nicks or abrasions, stronger knot strength and good all around use - Copolymer or Hybrid mixes best of both flourocarbon and monofilament yet copolymer and hybrid have different compounds and slightly different characteristics (what characteristics?) Is that right?

What is the difference between copolymer and fluorocarbon? I know that monofilament is one extrusion of line material. A fluorocarbon has an inner extrusion with an outer layer correct? I think I've read this before somewhere but I have become confused again. Can someone straighten me out here?

NICE! Great video editing too! You know the guy is a hardcore fisherman when he has his own BassResource.com ID on the back of his jacket! Nice touch! ;D I'm sure you've had that name for years though.

I thought I already replied to this thread. I just looked through ALL 6 PAGES and found that I haven't. ;D Well, it's pretty obvious actually. JB is my first two initials and Adams is my last name. It's also the first part of my email address and I used it years ago when I first signed on to a forum. I find it easier to use the same user name in multiple forums. I belong to many off-road forums and two fishing forums. I call BassResource.com my home for fishing forums! You guys are too cool to not call this home! 8-) I just updated my avatar so, I think it speaks for me. I didn't change the personal text to this verse because this is a fishing forum, I changed it because I believe in it. Since this is a fishing forum, I thought that was the most appropriate verse to quote from the many, many verses in the bible. Me and my fishing partner believe that God is a fisherman too. After all, Jesus did feed 5,000 men with two fish and he filled the disciples nets with 153 fish before he assended to heaven. There is no challenge in it for him though because he knows where all the fish are and what bait would catch the largest bass in the lake! ;D

Well Kevin Vandam prefers the un-fixed loose position so that's why it's the best! (Or so says my fishing partner!) (joke) Ha ha!

I read about it in a bass magazine. I rank it up there in the "gimic category" until I hear otherwise. Right up there with the "kick tail." You know what? I'd still try one if I thought it would catch a fish. Darn you baitmonkey! >

You're right, it is khz. Sorry. Thanks for the clarification!

Which frequency do you guys prefer for your transducer, 200 or 50?? To me, 50hz. is a much lower frequency and could be similar to the sound of a med. to low speed trolling motor drone. A 200hz. frequency is higher in tone and could be less noticable. I'm not a fish and I don't know what frequencies really bother the fish. If I had to guess, 200hz would be the better setting for the transducer. What is your preferred frequency setting? Also, do you guys notice a difference in fishing spooked fish with or without the fish finder on?? Jolicious has a Lowrance LMB-40M which is a good unit. I was told that the transducer may be spooking the fish.

Thanks guys! I wondered why I should spend money on lifelike baits when I could use the real deal and get better results. Alive or dead, an easy target with authentic smell, look, and action of the real thing to me is a no-brainer for clear water. I can't see why this wouldn't work. All I need to know now is what type of shad to use based on local colors and available forage. I know that some guides like certain types of shad vs. others because some will live longer than others. Plus the fish prefer certain colors over another for some reason. I can't wait to go try this new technique now! Thanks again!

Dropshot is very new to me. I've yet to try it but I have a question. Why can't you drop shot live bait? I have read where you can dropshot senkos, finesse worms, gobys, and panic minnows but why not the real deal? Sure, it won't be able to swim but it's live bait waiving around and it can't go no where. It's like a worm on a hook. They either eat it or they don't. Live bait would seem more apealing to me than a plastic senko. Any thoughts or experience with this?? :-/

I hope the recovery is a quick one Avid. I know by now that you are anxious already to get back on the water. My prayers go out to you!