UKCats55

Hey guys, I have always used monofilament but I am wanting to make the switch (for the proper presentations) to braid or fluorocarbon. What are some opinions on the best products as well as when to use each? I like the Berkley brand, and will be using it on Berkley Lightning Shock rods. Thanks for the help!!

Hands down, best rod under $50 is the Berkley Lightning Shock rod. I own 3 and you can find them under $50 at any Wal Mart.

I completely agree, the Berkley rods are a great value!! I have a Abu Garcia Silver Max on a Berkley Lightning Shock rod that is my favorite set up. I also have a couple Mitchell spinning reels on Berkley Amp rods for finesse baits. All three outfits cost me less than $250. With a daughter in college and a 2 year old, I can't afford to drop $500 on a fishing rod. But like everyone says, it is all personal preference. I know a guy that has caught several bass over 10 pounds using a Zebco 33 and an Ugly Stik!!

7 pounder, I was fishing a white Fluke hooked through the nose with a weedless hook. I let it sink slowly with lots of small twitches on the way down.

I have fished my whole life, and the one tip I would give is not to make it too complicated!! A baitcaster, a spinning rod, and a couple of Plano stowaways have caught 99 percent of the bass I've landed. Don't waste a ton of money on stuff you don't need. I have WAY too much stuff myself!!

I agree with the others who have said a 7' MHF is a great all around choice. I like the Duckett Ghost rods myself.

I think so!! It is water resistant, and has 3 compartments in the main bag area. I use one for some raingear, the middle is a cooler area, and the bottom holds 4-360 boxes. It is a Browning, so it should be tough.

If I had it, I would fish it!! I suppose I would be worried about damaging it, but the fun would outweigh my fear. I have 2 daughters, one in college and a 2 year old. So if anything, fish it for guys like me that think spending $50 on a rod is a lot!!

I would get a casting setup with 15 or 17 pound Trilene Big Game. You could get a couple of 7' Lightning Shock rods with Lew's reels at Wal Mart for $250-$300.

Got my backpack fixed up today!! Found a Browning backpack on sale at Bass Pro for $30. I already had utility boxes, one 3700 and two 3600. I also added a spinnerbait box and a small box for terminal tackle. Throw in some soft plastics and I am set.

Skeet Reese rods are good, but the Berkley Lightning Shock rod is EXTREMELY underrated!! I would put it up against almost anything under $100. My favorite rod ever, by far.

Nice jerk shot rig, definitely going to try this soon. I fish from shore a lot as well. Thanks for sharing!!

Gander Mountain has some awesome Vortex spinning and casting rods for $20 right now (they were $60) and I paired one of each with a Mitchell Avocet spinning reel and a Pinnacle baitcaster. Mitchell was $30, Pinnacle was $40, both at Wal Mart. Wal Mart also has some pretty nice tackle bags for $20, they are Okeechobee Fats. As far as baits, grab a frog, Pop-R, Rapala, a buzzbait, Red Eye Shad, Senkos, Flukes and maybe a jig or two. Good luck!!

Thanks everyone, a ton of good info on your posts. Gives me a lot of ideas on how to outfit my bag.

I recently posted a topic on what type of bag I should use for shore fishing. The overwhelming response was a backpack. Now I am curious as to what everyone keeps in their shore fishing arsenal. I always like to hear what others have in their bag and compare it with mine. All input is appreciated. Thanks!!