corn-on-the-rob

Since I was new to baitcasters last year and need to have the reel handle on the right for all rods pitching with my left was natural. Don't have to switch hands!

If the university offers whichever major you want to complete then go for it. Like everyone will likely say, education > fishing. While not a ton have official teams many have clubs which compete in the FLW or BASS college fishing series. OU has a club OSU has a club Akron has a club (all of the above compete in FLW college series) Kent has an official team and also competes in FLW just the same as the aforementioned clubs. The only difference between the college club and teams is that the university recognizes it as an official sport if it is a "team". They may provide more funding and possible scholarships but when it comes down to it both the clubs and teams compete at the same events so I honestly would not put too much emphasis on the differentiation. Also chances are that if you are lucky enough to get a fishing scholarship it likely won't be for a lot and also fishing at an official team school you may not get to fish the college series' due to high numbers of members/seniority/varsity status. My best advice is decide what major you would like to complete, find compatible schools locally or out of state, check which ones that have teams OR clubs then pick. Acceptance and academic scholarships from each individual school might also sway your decision based on financial status. Hope this helps, if you have any questions let me know. Rob

I have so much trouble seeing low-vis braid/clear mono/fluoro in certain light/water conditions. As a major line watcher it has caused me trouble. So I went to hi-vis yellow braid with fluoro leaders, works well for me.

If punching I use a uni to snell the hook, easier for me to tie.

I dont use trailers on spinners except for in muddy/night water. If I want a big profile thumper I'll use a chatterbait with a trailer instead.

I really enjoyed the sweet craw for a natural color (green pumpkin and orange) I also like the 24/7 color. It is a regular black n blue but with a hint of purple which I like.

Will it always make a difference? no Can it make a difference? yes I personally like FC leaders when water is significantly clear especially because I use hi-vis yellow braid.

I have never had to use the shims on shimano reels. I bought 3 newer model symetres last season (front drag). I absolutely loved the reel but ALL THREE were binding after 6 months of moderate use. They were cleaned, kept dry, used properly. Shimano did fix all of them free (I paid shipping) but once the same problem happens by the end of this season they won't be covered and I will be looking for a new reel. The fact that a $100 reel has a known issue and are only good for a short time is absurd. A reel at that price point I expect to last AT LEAST 2 seasons flawlessly. Don't get too worried though the issue may not be prevalent in all of them but it is a known issue with the line. I must have plucked 3 out of a good batch... That being said, they are amazingly light, perfect in size, and have a buttery smooth drag.

Yea it is crazy sometimes. Even on the worst of days there are fish biting well somewhere. I like to think that most anglers pride themselves on sportsmanship. It has been my experience that most are good people (like most of the fine gentlemen/women on this site). You also have to remember cheating in this sport is exceptionally risky, get caught once will likely get you blacklisted, never being able to fish tournaments again.

that is one fat chunk of a fish

oh yes! That was heartbreaking

So my buddy who lives on a lake i'm gonna tournament fish tells me where a rock-pile is, do I publicly let all the other anglers know where that rock-pile is? EDIT: I do agree that I'd rather it not happen but like II mentioned in my post, it has a ton of gray area.

We have a small garage but park our boat corner to corner so the trailer just fits. Didn't know if you had taken that into account for more potential length or not.

Any color will work. What colors work best can depend on the conditions and location. Many people as stated like red/orange colors and they work well but don't overlook other options. I like any craw colors (reds, oranges, browns, blues) Bluegill colors (browns, blacks, greens, chartreuse) I will use whites and shad colors but normally the above gill/craw in the spring ^

Just get the new ones. They are good crankbaits. Old ones can be expensive and quite frankly, may not actually offer a real advantage if at all.

Take this thread with a grain of salt. When most people bring up bad experiences when it comes to most things, it normally is the exception, and more often the rare exception. Nothing replaces your own experience, so get out there and give it a go. Don't go in with preconceived notions and you will likely be met with a good experience. If something does go wrong, take it as the exception not the rule and keep trying. As a boater myself in college, I find each co-angler unique and interesting and have a lot of fun with anyone. I get just as excited when I net their fish as I get for mine even though they are directly competing against me. Sure I have had to tell some to not step on seats, not cast over my line, be quicker on the net, but it is never demeaning and always respectful especially because many of the college guys are new to the tournament experience. When others talk about "keeping your mouth shut" it basically means if you are too busy talking like you know more than someone else, you won't learn anything and can come off as disrespectful even if you do know more than the other angler. You create your experience. If you are always a courteous, nice, respectful co-angler, and a boater is an ass, it isn't your fault. This is where I personally think is the most important time to just keep your head down and fish. If someone is an ass, don't engage them in any manner than is necessary and do so politely. Even though the other person was an ass, you don't want to tarnish your reputation by reacting to them. Sometimes it happens, just get through it, then move on and don't let it bother you. Once again, the bad experience due to ass anglers is the exception. With respect to the whole gas money, no gas money ordeal, do as you wish. I personally like to offer reasonable gas money every time and even though I will say it isn't necessary, I would recommend it. The reason being the act itself has been defined by BOTH boaters and non-boaters themselves as "polite" and "courteous". Personally, when engaging others in any manner I believe politeness and courtesy go with out saying, but I won't hold it against someone who does not partake.

Yea as much as I was taken aback at first but here is the deal: 1. Can I plant my own piles? 2. Can I have a friend plant piles? 3. Can a stranger plant a pile then can I take down coordinates when I see him do it? 4. Can I ever fish a planted brush pile that I found when no one told me because it is still planted? 5. Can I ask a friend for fishing spots? 6. Can I ask a local or guide for coordinates to some good spots? 7. Can I use a public map that has popular fishing spots marked on it? 7. and so on... The list is intentionally facetious but my point stands. If #4 is okay, then #1 should be okay. It is a really muddied line, but the rules would have to be: cannot intentionally fish altered area made with intent to attract fish by you or others. Which in itself is 100% unenforceable; How do you know if a spot was natural or unnatural unless you scuba dove or knew if someone pushed that laydown into the water? Can't do it. There is no difference between a pro seeing somebody planting a brush pile and marking it, finding a brushpile someone planted and marking it, or planting it themselves and marking it as long as it falls under state/local/tournament laws. Planting a pile does not ensure it will hold fish (bass for that matter), or big fish, or make them bite, or that no one else would find/fish them.

The only thing that I dont like is all of the rods are over 7 feet long. I wish they offered some 6'6'' and 6'9'' like the veracity line.

really? I thought that one was uniquely interesting

My first year with baitcasters, my first year tournament fishing, first year with any 5lb+ bass (got 3). Also the first year I focused on improvement. I made a ton of mistakes but I'm glad I did. Every glaring mistake I made was not fun at the time but made me eager because I know I learned something from each one of them which will make me better this year. I'll give myself an A. I had successes, I had failures, but most of all I have never had so much fun fishing and will do so again this coming season.

I own 4 veracity rods including a 6' 9'' MH/F. I love it. I understand people say they run a little overpowered but it is still close enough to not NEED an adjustment in power when selecting their rods. The 7' 6 lure/line rating is slightly heavier than the 7' 3'' and 6' 9'' which if you will be throwing 3/8oz a lot I would not recommend even though you still can. But if you are looking for one with casting and flipping versatility especially if you will be only flipping a small amount I would definitely stick with a MH and not go with the 7'6''. You had also mentioned your stature and I think the 7' 3'' is good if you will be flipping a good amount but if you will be mainly pitching/casting maybe even consider the 6' 9''.

I use only a small amount of cranks of mono to prevent slipping but I want the most possible braid on the reel. Braid will last you more than one season as long as there is enough left on the spool after a season of retying and break offs.

Thanks for everyone who took their time to help me out, especially Mike at DVT, awesome guy, very helpful.

I just read about this, I was calling an alberto an albright but only an alberto has wraps both up then down. I switched from uni-uni to alberto last season and haven't looked back, it is much stronger especially to impact, and also quicker to tie once you got it down.

Baitcasters and pitching were new to me last season, it took me that whole time to realize something I was doing wrong but it was subtle. When I would make a pitch I would almost push forward with my hand that is on the rod trying to gain more distance. The best thing I can compare this to is when people who havent thrown a knuckle ball much try to push the ball instead of a normal throwing motion. I stopped trying to push it further and realized the distance was proportional to the speed that the tip went from low to high during the motion. Saved me energy and gained distance.