Jaderose

I use a BPS PQ on a 6'6" bps Extreme Rod spooled with 20lb Power Pro Slick with about 8ft of Fluoro leader for my main rig. Total combo around $200. I've never thrown a high end BC on a high end rod. I may upgrade someday but then again, I may not. This gives me everything I've needed up to this point and I love it. Like Hootie I throw 1/4 oz jigs and such on it all the time and with the distance I am typically looking for. Am I slamming high end gear? Not at all...I would LOVE to give it a try. I'm just saying that I love what I got and don't really have a "Tackle Monkey". The Bait monkey takes up too much room. Buy the best you can afford and love what you got.

WOW!!!! Beautiful. Terrific work

I don't golf, I don't hunt, I don't drink or hang out in bars. I don't chase women(my wife is more than enough for me), I'm not really involved in church activities. I work very hard and a lot. I love my family and I take care of my business.....and I fish. I don't spend a fortune on it (although I have the bait monkey, too). My fishing time usually goes like this........When I get there and start, my mind is on work, chores, problems, anything but fishing. After a few minutes, my mind starts to engage with fishing. Figuring out what bait to use, where to cast, fiddling with my tackle, etc. Very soon, time slows down and I'm fully engaged. No work, no cell phones (it goes OFF when I fish and my family knows that), no nothing but me, the bass, and the great outdoors. There might be an eagle flying around in the sunshine or it might be raining....I don't care. I'm outside doing what I love to do. I don't fish competitively and I'm usually alone. The only person I'd really want to go fishing with passed away in 2010. Fishing is MY time. It keeps me sane

Yep...this. When they are "clicked in" toward the spool shaft. When they free float on the springs in the out position, they are on.

This and this. I'm saving to buy what I want. I'm old enough that it will probably be the only boat I ever buy. I'll get what I want and when I pay, it's mine. If you're financing 20 large on a 16 year old boat, spend a few more grand and get a new one at a great rate. I don't know what how much the actual boat you're looking costs but for what you're spending, that sucker oughtta come with a troller and electronics.

I love to fish but I have a tough time doing it when there are other matters to attend to. My wife suffers from depression and there are times when, for whatever reason, she needs me to be around. So I am. When I was younger, this would have made me bitter because I was a selfish jacka$$. Now that I'm pushing 50, I've discovered what's TRULY important. My wife is my best friend, lover, partner, and the person with whom I will hopefully grow old with. I'll put off work to fish. I won't put off family. I'm glad to hear your wife has a clean bill of health and I salute your having your priorities in order. When you DO get to go, I hope you get a string of PB's. God Bless

Got one...never had much luck with it other than getting it fouled with weeds and muck. It seemed to snag everything for me. Oh well...glad you like it.

I couldn't even imagine it.

Are those poles ADVANTAGEOUS? Sure.....I didn't say they weren't. I'm just saying that they are not ABSOLUTELY crucial to successfully Flip or pitch. And yes, I've pulled 7-8 lb bass out of some pretty thick cover. I didn't say I had cheap equipment...I don't. At least to me it isn't. I flip 1/2 oz jigs into cover all the time on a 6'6" pole. I can also skip pretty well with either of them. Not everyone can afford to have 6 different poles for every technique. Heck, not everyone even believes it's necessary. As far as this quote.."But I use 7' .. 7'5".. And 7'11" sticks, all heavy, all moderate/ fast actions.... 20 to 25 pd hybrid or CXX " Well.....ok then. I don't. Nor do I feel like I have to tell a guy so new to bass fishing that he can't get his reel set up properly that he has all the wrong gear. He needs help..not a lecture. My .02 p.s. Although I do use 20 lb slick braid. Love it

I don't understand this "longer is better" mentality. An 8ft fishing pole? I have a 6ft and a 6.5 fter and I can pitch and flip and haul em outta the weeds. I'm not slagging anyone's choice of gear but the idea that you MUST HAVE A MINIMUM of 7ft is ludicrous. I could skip and flip and pitch with a 5'6" cheap pole with a Zebco. It ain't about the gear....it's about the skill.

Ebay...bunch of them

Any of you ever use these for bass? I have a few I got in Minnesota for Walleye but have caught a few bass on them, as well. They're well made and cheap! Just curious if anyone else uses them and if you do, what colors and trailer combos do you like?

^^This^^ I don't fish for money or records. I don't even take pictures of my catches. I have an old flip phone and don't want to carry a camera. If I DID catch a record breaker, I wouldn't even know it nor would I know what to do with it to get it verified. I try to get any bass I catch back into the water as quickly as I can. I'd just know I caught a big 'un. And then I'd brag......... my buddies would think I was full of *****.....and life would go on.

This^^ The fact that you're even asking tells me you know the answer but you want us to give you permission to go against your conscience. Some have..so go for it if you need to...BUT.....a little leg work will tell you everything you need to know. I would find it hard to fish there if I was worried about trespassing. I can't fish very well when I'm not relaxed and focused. Just my .02

I have the exact opposite "problem". I use baitcasters almost exclusively and am so poor with a spinning reel I gave a brand new Pflueger set up away as part of a pay it forward thread on here. I have others but but almost NEVER use them. Frankly, I'd rather use a spincaster for light tackle than a spinning reel. I just can't get the mechanics down. The thing is....that's ok. I'm not a professional and I don't NEED to be a pro at a Spinning reel. I suppose it is funny when people see me with high dollar ( for me) Baitcaster and a Zebco. Couldn't care less. I catch fish on both.

*Insert one of several off-color and fairly obvious jokes here*

This has been my worst fishing year ever. To the point that I've asked myself several times if I really had any idea what the heck I'm doing....and then I come on here and see I'm doing all the same things you guys are. I don't know....this has been the coolest summer I can remember ever. I talked to many fishermen in this area that weren't even 100% sure we had a spawn this year. I never saw any evidence of it. Oh well...any time fishing is better than any time working

Bearpaw will make anything for you, as well.

It's in Nebraska. I only live about 20 miles from the Nebraska border

Beautiful. Wish I had the 3 grand. I wouldn't even dicker with him. http://stjoseph.craigslist.org/boa/4656073347.html

You'll get there. Last year at this time, I'd never thrown a baitcaster in my life. This year, I have the brakes shut off and use nothing but the spool tension and my thumb and can get 30-40 yards with a flick of my wrist. Practice, practice, practice. Watch everything, read everything. You'll get there....it's all about the muscle memory.

Pretty much this^^

I have a small collection of Hellbenders in my office. They are cool old lures. I throw one occasionally when I am up in Minnesota on a deep lake. Those suckers get down there.

Get this.......You're welcome http://www.savagegear-usa.com/product/view/lures/specialty-lures/glide-swimmer-1

Frog probably your best bet. I like Scum Frogs but whatever you like...use. I noticed one thing you said......." However, after that catch, I've had probably 15+ bass bite and spit the frog before I even had time to set it. It's really frustrating me." Top water frogs require patience...and it's hard to do. When a big ol' bass explodes on that frog, your first instinct is to set the hook hard and fast. Which is exactly the WRONG thing to do with a TW frog. I TRY to give it a 2 second count before I do a side sweep hook set after the initial explosion. It's tough to do but if you try to give it even one long second, you WILL catch more fish with a frog. I use many different techniques according to what conditions I'm fishing but there is NOTHING more fun than TW frog fishing. What I'm telling you to do is VERY HARD TO DO initially, but you will get the hang of it...especially when you start bringing them in.