Daniel My Brother

Bargain is relative, but here's what I think are bargains: $39 All-Star Classic Rod $59 Pflueger President Spinning Reel $39 Shimano Sonora Spinning Reel $99 BPS Extreme baitcast combo And I'm hoping a $30 BPS Crankin' Stick is also a bargain, as I'm picking up one shortly.

I realize it's "just" a crankbait rod, but I'm stoked to read good reviews about a $30 rod. I'll be picking one up shortly.

Tough question. I used to try to time it so that I hit my favorite spots just as the sun was going down or coming up, problem is my favorite spot wasn't always open when I was ready for it. Now I'll hit my favorite spots as soon as I hit the lake. If the bite is tough, I tend to linger on spots I think should hold fish.

I'm not a big crankbait fisherman, but I do use them some. I do not own a crankbait specific rod, but I've got a little money back on my BPS card and was thinking of picking up a Bass Pro Shops Cranking stick. This would be paired with an Abu C4. Anyone use this rod? Is it decent, or a waste of $30? Thanks in advance. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_36915_100002006_100000000_100002000_100-2-6

Remember when Kobe was one of the good guys? Or when Rafael Palmeiro was know as the spokesman for the little blue pill? Or what about that loveable O.J. Simpson who played Nordberg in the Naked Gun movies? I hate that we try to label some athletes as good guys and some as bad guys. Barry Bonds is a bad guy, but Jason Giambi is a good guy who made a mistake, so it's ok to like him. The truth is, we don't really know ANY of these guys...including A-Rod (who I hear likes muscular strippers ).

Tragic accident in Oklahoma. A five year old boy shot to death by a cop trying to kill a snake. I can't imagine what that family is going through right now. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QRHTA00&show_article=1

Pflueger President for me.

When I was a kid we caught them on live minnows, but mostly they stole the minnow and got away. Their jaws are very hard to penetrate, so set the hook with all your might. Just yesterday I tossed a 4" inch senko at a gar floating just beneath the surface and he turned and grabbed it, I tried to set the hook but he spit it out. They're very frustratrating to fish for. BUT, if you're good with a bow and arrow, you'll catch (kill) plenty. Good luck, Dan

+1 Cajun ;D ;D ;D

The mods seem to hate it when tempers flare, like in post started by Dabnis in the Outings section, but I really enjoy it. So many people are so polite and self deprecating on the board, then a new guy says "screw everybody" and the gloves are off. Soon people start choosing sides and posting furiously. Nothing gets solved, nobody changes their opinions, but you get to blow off a little steam and hey, it's just plain fun - and sometimes funny! But maybe that's just me (I've always been a sh#* stirrer). How do you feel?

Hey Dabnis, It's ok to brag. Braggin' is part of fishing. If I were catching big fish right now, I'd love to come on this board and brag a little. It's the kitchen braggin' that will upset people. If you post pictures from your kitchen on this or any other site, you can expect an education on catch and release. If you are sensitive to this criticism, which you obviously are, then don't post kitchen shots. Like others have said, this is a good site, just be careful when it comes to politics, religion, and catch and release.

To get everyone up to speed...I believe these are the posts he was referring to: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185977917 http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185977808 http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185802625 http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185714623 and on and on it went...

Dabnis, You bought a license, so what you do with the fish you catch is your business. I've got no beef with anyone who obeys the law. BUT if you go on a braggin' board on any bass fishing website in the country and show kitchen shots of your fish, you're going to hear about it. Catch all you want. Keep all you want. Just don't brag about it to a bunch of guys who believe passionately in catch and release. Dan

Congratulations :) Maybe the problem before wasn't the jig or the fisherman. Maybe you just needed to find the right lake. WAY2GO!

My first job paid $2.90 an hour. I used my first check to buy a new pair of jeans then took my girlfriend out to dinner. Looking back, I should have bought a fishing pole. :-[

That is just an awesome picture. Well done.

Great post Muddy! I really think "finding your niche" is what makes a fisherman great. For some it's a knack for catching hogs, others build great rods, and some like you do the most important work of all, you turn ordinary people in bass fishermen! :)

Thanks guys. My biggest challenge right now is just keeping it simple. It's too easy to spend a fortune on baits and gear when you get into a new style of fishing. : I have to keep telling myself that what I have is fine.

I noticed Pinnacle Solene's at Wally World for $48. I've had a Pinnacle Extant baitcaster for 3 years with no troubles at all (got it for around $50 at WalMart). I think you can also pick up an Abu Garcia 5000 for around 50 bucks, a very reliable round reel...but...I'd probably roll the dice and go with the low profile Solene. Of course if the Solene turns out to be junk, I'm going to come back and edit this post.

Like a lot of bass fishermen, my idea of fishing is strapping 6 rods to the deck of a boat, and heading out for an 8+ hour marathon on the lake. That's great in the spring and the fall when the fish are active. But when it's 95 in late July and even your hardcore fishing buddies are taking a pass, it can be tough to get excited about a day on the lake. Recently my outlook changed. Last month a friend from work talked me into fishing for smallmouth on the Whitewater River. The Whitewater is a "river" in name only. It's not much bigger than a creek, and my expectations were low. I just couldn't see myself getting into fishing for 10 inchers. Man was I wrong. I love everything about river smallies. They pull like a train, always seem willing to bite, and jump like crazy! Plus, it is so simple: one rod, and a bag grubs and I'm set. Best of all 95 degrees isn't so bad when you're hip deep in a cool river under a canopy of trees, and not another soul in sight. Tonight I got my best of the year so far. Only 16", but enough to keep me coming back. 4" Chompers Skirted Twin Tail Grub on a 1/8th oz standup jig head. 6# P-Line CXX (moss green)

Very Impressive!

I wade little streams for smallies, so catch and quick release is my only option. I do try to release fish downstream a bit, and If the fish are biting, it doesn't seem to matter. I don't like the idea of stressing a fish out in a livewell. The faster a fish is released, the better the chances for survival.

1. 5" Senko (daytime) 2. 4" Chompers Twin Tail Skirted grub on 1/8th oz standup jig head (river smallies) 3. Jitterbug (night)

I bought a new Citica in December. I sent it back to Shimano a couple of weeks back after it started making wierd noises during casting, and the casting distance was cut in half. I hope to get it back soon. I believe my problem was an isolated one. However, in researching my problem, I've read where Shimano has been forced to fix many problems with the worm gear on the new Citica. It's a very popular reel, but would I buy another? Not likely.

No one's happier than Craig Baugher! (maybe now Muddy will stop stalking him on other sites ;D ;D ;D)