STPC

Beetle spin. It will pretty much catch anything swimming, and if he gets hung up you're only out a couple dollars. The black w/yellow stripe works really well in stained or cloudy water.

Gasoline.

Well said. I heard it on The Herd today and it pretty much stopped me in my tracks. Hearing that brought back quite a few childhood memories and my baseball card collection. The thing I believe I'll miss most about him is the fact that he always had a smile on his face, like he actually enjoyed playing ball like we did when we were kids.

This is very true. I love a Zoom Horny Toad thrown straight down the bank, maybe 2' from the bank. I always thrown to the same place multiple times when doing this and it has produced quite a few fish for me. Works even better if there is any type of grass there too.

My thoughts exactly. Why else would finesse tactics be so popular today; and seem to be gaining popularity more each day.

Can't go wrong w/the chatterbaits. Find a matching trailer and you will be killing it soon.

Sounds to me like he is the fortunate one.

Welcome to the forums!

Black or white trick worms are one of those lures no one should ever be without b/c they always seem to work when nothing else will. And for a buck too!

That's great that you were able to pick it up so quickly; I guess you've got a smart thumb. If you like the Speed Spool and want another setup I just saw them a few minutes ago for $90 at big box store; plus Lews is offering a $20 rebate.

It's bad enough that it happened...I wouldn't want to make anyone revisit it to take pics.

Welcome to the forums. It's nice seeing some more folks from SE NC on here (I'm in the big town of Burgaw). -Stephen

Glad someone else asked this question. I am right handed and feel that using my right hand to cast and thumb (being that is my dominant hand) is much more natural. Also, I find it difficult to walk topwater baits w/my left hand working the rod; it just feels awkward. So when given the chance I'll go w/a left handed bc. I own both though, right and left handed.

I would start by reading the bass fishing for beginners section of the articles here at BR. I have read and learned so much from these articles as well as articles in several sections.

Totally agree. It can be fished at several different speeds/depths and mimics some type of baitfish is just about every body of freshwater.

Palomar knot for any braided lines - easy to tie on the fly and is incredibly strong.

I have used spinning gear my whole life and have recently come across some decent casting gear (at no cost to me) and would really like to learn; however, both of the set ups are on 7'6" medium-heavy and heavy rods. I guess my question is this: What size, weight and action rod would be best to learn to use casting reels? These gigantic broom sticks just seem a bit much until I learn to use the reels properly.

The Tapout worm looks to be identical to the Zoom Trick worm...but I know that looks can be deceiving. Me thinks I'll have to get a pack or 5 of them.

Oh yeah, Keen shoes are not for those w/skinny feet (I have to wear two pairs of socks).

Keen siskiyous (waterproof) if its chilly, Merrell Moab low vent (possibly the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn; they never show any dirt, the Vibram soles have lasted for over 3 years, they weight next to nothing and breathe very well). If I'm just fishing w/the kids I will wear a pair of Sanuk flip flops w/the coozie soles.

I think Bank4Bass pretty much has the basics covered. You'll also need to have the proper terminal tackle to rig you're plastics correctly. -Plastic worms - and maybe add a curly tail worm to that -Top-water or frog -Craw bait -Spinner baits -Buzz baits -Senko-style baits -Jigs -Rapala Original Floating (possibly the greatest fish-catching lure ever made)

That's a good approach to take. Keep it simple and don't try to overwhelm yourself.

Why would you want to spend all of the extra money on a casting setup with the quality to handle throwing lightweight lures when there are already numerous high-end/quality spinning setups that will do the same thing? Plus, the birds nests possible with light line on a casting reel would be something almost bad enough to quit fishing over. I like the idea of keeping it simple and practical...so why try to reinvent the wheel?

I have been using 1 gallon Ziplock bags and separating the plastics by type (stick baits in one bag, lizards in another, etc.) I think it makes it easier for me to locate what I am looking for, and because I bank fish, I can quickly grab several bags and put them in my cargo pockets and be on my way. I store all different brands together; doesn't seem to affect them.

Wow! I didn't mean to open up such a big can of worms w/this thread; just wanted a simple answer. TomAto, tomOtto...if you like the presentation the Rage rig gives your soft plastics then by all means go ahead and fish it, call it what you want, just as long as you're enjoying time on the water.