Jaderose

I'm a hand switcher but it is such a natural part of the process to me that it just happens. When I bought my first spinner, I bought a RH vintage Penn reel. (couldn't be switched). It was darn near unusable to me. (which is too bad because it's a magnificent reel). I then bought a LH Spinner so I could switch and it got instantly better. I dunno.....whatever works for you. I cast righty and reel righty. My left hand "handles the rod" better. (Insert joke here)

Now THIS is a good idea...although there is nothing like uncorking a monster cast when you're new to BC's and having it growing an instant AFRO

I did it a little differently. I went straight from a Zebco to baitcaster. I've since picked up a couple of spinners but am not very good with them. The learning curve wasn't as steep as I thought it would be. The baitcaster has the same basic profile as a Zeb and I had already gotten my thumb used to using the button as a brake. My fishing immediately improved. I can cast farther, more accurately and work my bait through more stuff. When I bought my first BC (BPS Pro Qualifier...I love it) I had them string it up with the gnarliest bulk 13 lb mono they had, It backlashed...I fought it....was generally a nightmare...but I did all that in January and February out in the yard and on the banks of some of the water I fish. YEah...just casting out on the ice. But I got good at it....when warm weather arrived, I stripped off about 3/4 of that old mono (leaving the other 1/4 as backing) and filled it up with Power Pro Slick 8 20 lb. HOLY COW!!!!! Stuff casts like a dream. I don't claim to be a pro or anything but now I can put my bait about anywhere I want and I'm not "thinking" about my casts. I just do it. Occasional backlash? Yep..but I love my BC's. I only like my spinners. If I have any advice to give at all, it would be to wait. DO NOT try to learn to use a baitcaster on the water. You'll either sell it or (if you're like me) throw a couple of hundred dollars worth of gear in the lake in frustration. Besides......casting and flippin and pitching into a coffee can in January is fun. Beats sitting in the house dreaming about fishing.

This^^

I also fish a lot of ponds that get a lot of vegetation in and on them. I just picked up some Culprit Fat Max and while I haven't used them yet, they are one one of those baits you see and just KNOW that they are gonna catch fish. Check them out. I got some Pumpkin Seed because that was what my local Cabela's had but I've read the Red Shad are terrific.

They're not actually made from glass. Google them...there is plenty out there about them.

Just bought a mint vintage Penn 720 Spinning reel. I have never owned a Spinning reel before. I went from Zebco's to baitcasters. I want to use this for wacky rigging and other finesse type stuff. My question is this.......What kind of line do you guys recommend? I want to have the least amount of hassle with bird nests, unspooling, etc. I have good luck with Power Pro Braid on my BC's...should I go that route or fluorocarbon for its clarity? (Never used Fluorocarbon) Just looking for some advice

Fishing forces me to relax. Usually when I hit the water, I'm fishing "angry". Tense, inaccurate, trying to throw lure too far, reeling too fast, etc. After a few backlashes and no bites, I start slowing down and focusing. Casting gets a lot smoother....retrieval speeds slow down...start catching fish.....and all the thoughts about work or whatever seem to just go away. At least for awhile. I will never make a living fishing but I sure as hell can make a life doing it.

All of them...and by that, I mean I don't think I own a crankbait that cost more than $15

Brother...I don't know where you're at in MO but in NOWEMO, there is NOTHING going on. Spent the entire day at Bilby Ranch Lake and Mozingo..both up by Maryville and didn't even get a sniff. Noboy else I talked to did either. THIS SUCKS!!!! Glad you're catching them, though

This

No love for Bearpaws Hippie Sticks? Small make in New York. Free shipping and they will do custom colors and densities at no extra charge. They also come loaded with MegaStrike. 10 for $5.00 not shipping charge. I will tell you that their website is VERY outdated, though. They will get back to you if you leave them a message

I forgot all about these. I had a couple of these in a tackle box that was stolen about 10 years ago. These things ROCK!! Also, I throw out my Chrome and Fire Tiger Lazy Ikes all the time. Catch plenty of bass on them. They just work! I also have good luck throwing Mepps Comet Mino's # 4 in both gold and silver. Had both of them for years. Polish the spinner blades with ketchup in the Spring and hang on. Probably my most consistent lure year after year.

Howdy y'all. New guy here from North West Missouri. Been bass fishing now for about 4 years and gotten serious about in the last 2. Just thought I'd join up and shoot the *&^% with some fellow fisher folks and learn all I can. Btw because I know I'll get asked......I am a 46 year old man. My forum name comes from the middle names of my 2 daughters.