JLeon77

If you want to spend up to $200 on a reel and want a good one, I would recommend Okuma. I have a komodo and a Helios. They are super light weight and well built. Search walmart online or amazon and you can find them for way less than anywhere else. Both reels retail for $199 but I got the Komodo online from Walmart for $142 and the Helios on Amazon for $144. You don't see high end stuff in Walmart stores, but you can get it online. Also a great thing about those two Okuma reels is that they have a 3 year warranty standard. If they are willing to warranty them for 3 years, they are standing behind their products. Not sure why you don't like Lews, but I'm sure you have your reasons I have a tournament MG and it is great.

I fished my first two tournaments ever this weekend, I was a co-angler. Saturday an ABA event on Rocky Fork in Ohio and Sunday at Indian Lake, Ohio in a club event. Got skunked on Saturday...But won on Sunday! Get this, only caught one fish, but it was a good one...6.22 lbs! Caught it around 10 am and a cold front came through around 11:30 with 20+ mph winds and the bite got real bad. Like I said it was a small club event with 8 boats, a few guys had four in their bags, but they were all small. My one bass got big bass and won overall. I'm officially hooked on tourney fishing and fishing in general! Big thanks to Bass Resource for for all the great info, tips, and Gene's "how to flip and pitch" video. Learning how to flip and pitch was a huge help today and now one of my favorite ways to fish! BTW, 6.22 also my new PB!

Fishnimpossible, Thanks for the advice! I will keep all that in mind. I will only be the co-angler so i will probably have to yield to my boater for locations, but I will definitely take your advice to heart. Thanks!

I have a Tournament ZX 7'6" flipping rod Heavy action. It is extremely light and I like the grips on it. They are almost like WINN golf club grips. The tip is probably a little more stiff than I would prefer, but it is a Heavy action. I have only had if for a month or so, but I like it so far. I didn't know about the sale, I might need to go to Cabelas and pick up a spinning rod.

I have strike king S11's in Amber lense and a pair of excaliburs from Walmart that we're less than $20. Both work well and the cheaper ones are more comfortable to wear all day. Amber is better in low light, the Excaliburs have a darker lense for brighter conditions. Both are great for the price, both pairs for less than half a pair of oakleys or costas...

This will be an ABA Weekend Series Tournament...in that case do they provide bags?

Fishing my first tournaments this coming weekend and I had one question that may be dumb but here goes... Do we need to have our own weigh-in bag or are they provided? I know that it probably varies, but was just curious? Thanks!

Yes, a lot! Thanks

Late to the party, but I had good luck in the pads on Tappan with an old trusty hula popper last year. It was frog colored, so I am assuming frogs would work well too.

I just got one and for the life of me can't figure out how they are supposed to go in. Can one of you post a pic of your box loaded up? It would be much appreciated!

I have an Okuma Komodo bait caster and it has been great! Surprisingly I got on walmart's website for $50 less than I could find it anywhere else.

Welcome from one Ohioan to another!

I use a hook sharpener, you can get one on tackle warehouse, bass pro, or a place like that.

For $129 you can get a Lews Tournament MG and you won't find a better reel for that price. I have a Revo S and an Okuma Komodo and the Lews is my favorite.

Never understood why baitcasters were backwards from spinning reels. Once I started with a baitcaster I used a left hander even though I'm a righty. Just makes sense to me, but it does make finding reels difficult sometimes.

Thanks for the welcomes y'all...hope to have some good stories to share this year.

Was deep sea fishing on vacation in Puerto Rico once and one of the outriggers started running out line like crazy. We reeled on it for a while hoping for a fish, but instead it was an empty 5 gallon bucket. That bucket fought hard in 5 ft waves though...

Hey guys, new to the forum and living in central Ohio. Fishing at Rocky Fork next month in my first tournament. Anyone fish there often? Any thoughts/advice on the lake?

Great info from you guys, I will be fishing my first tourney next month as well.

Hey all, my name is Jeff and I live in Central Ohio and only recently discovered Bass Resource. I'm really enjoying reading all the articles and learning as much as I can. I have fished for most of my life, but recently I am getting into it quite a bit more. I live within walking distance to the Scioto River so I fish there when it's not super high and muddy. I also fish at Griggs, O,shay, and some local ponds. I travel to Green River Lake in Kentucky quite a bit as well since my family has a houseboat down there. This summer I am looking into fishing in some tournaments and possibly joining a club. I have signed up for my first tournament on 4/12, now I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will get linked before hand, since I will be a co-angler. Looking forward to learning more and hopefully contributing!