OntarioFishingGuy

Try to find a Veritas on sale or use a Fenwick. Both are great budget rods.

I dont think a sammy can be beat, even at 16 dollars.

I ocassionally use 16lb test if i am placing a dropshot in heavier wood cover. Not too manageable on most spinning reels, but easy enough on a casting reel.

Those baits would be the only time i would throw straight fluoro.

Nice fish!

Like other have said, 20 lb braid is possible on a casting rod. I have used it with no issues.

If i only had one crankbait it would be a silent crankbait.

Generally 1/4 oz jigs. I just like spinning rods and reels, you could use a casting rod with just as much success. And I figured someone would think that.

50 and under: Berkley Lightning rod Berkley Cherrywood Ugly Stik Lite Or look for a more expensive rod either used or on sale, like previously mentioned, a Veritas.

Moderately priced is quite a broad definition. It might help to give a specific price range. For good rods that come in a variety of prices check out Fenwick rods. Read this for which power and action to choose: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130634-rod-selection-the-basics/ Good luck with your fishing!

Nope. I have caught fish with rusted crankbaits all hooked up in their gills. Certainly not ideal, but it wont necessarily mean that the fish will die.

Flourocarbon: More abrasion resistance Braid+leader: Better handling on spinning reels

Try fishing a popper slowly. if they are not coming up for it, do the same with a jerkbait. If neither of those work, go Senko.

I have heard good things about the Fenwick HMG.

Hi there and welcome!

Good stuff Glenn!

I would agree with not reeling the bait any faster that it takes to impart vibration. I also feel like it will give you a better feel of your bait as well.

Up here there is summer, winter, and a couple weeks of transition. Heck, is SNOWING in Alberta, and weather reports say it will be 5 degrees Celcius on Sunday. What is wrong with the world???

Palomar for everything. A lot of people will say it is not a strong knot, but I don't have problems with my line breaking, and it's all I use. As for swivels, I will use a snap swivel on spoons, and a swivel about a foot up the line on spinners, and of course carolina rigging.

So I recently started using hair jigs more, and have started fishing them in a really fun and productive way. I will go find a weedbed about 7-8' deep, use a stiff med hvy spinning rod with braid, and make short pitches into the weeds, then jig about a foot off bottom until you get it fouled in weeds , which is when you rip the rod as hard as you can. I know it is a popular walleye technique up here, but i have been catching a lot of bass on it as well. I was wondering if you guys have ever tried it, and if so, how much success have you had on it.

I like high speed reels, not for catching up to a fish, but to get the lure back to the boat quickly. That said, I don't use them for everything, just for things like punching/flipping and topwater, everything else I use a 6.4 or 5.4.

Probably a 7' m/XF. As long as it has some play in the tip to where you can shake the rod and the tip will move. If not go to a fast action.

No advice on the reel, but she is a BEAUTY!

I fell like I always do better with my ultralight and a bunch of small cranks than I do with all my rods, out in a boat on a large lake. I just feel more relaxed and fish better because of that.

4 casting Favourite casting: 6'8" LTB with Chronarch 51e/ 10lb sniper 7 spinning Favourite casting: 6'8" Light Fenwick EliteTech River Runner with pflueger Supreme 25/ 2lb floroclear.