HoosierHawgs

Yes, they would be, but the Balsa is more $$$, and not as durable.

Yeah, the Lew's and Abu are made in the same Korean factory. Good stuff. I'm pretty sure BPS and Browning are manufactured in the same place, so I wouldn't venture far to say they all may come from the same factory made to each company's specific order...

More like MegaCash....

My advice would be to buy a few different brands of Buzzbaits, some on the lower end, some on the higher end, maybe some in the middle in terms of price (or jst whatever few brands will fit well into your budget) and give them each a good amount of fishing time to truly test their worth, and then pick the one that you like the best and fish it.

Yeah, I was about to post that. http://codymeyerangler.com/?page_id=15 Wonder if Shimano decided to go a different direction or Daiwa offered him something better... Hmmm

God, I hate Dick's Sporting Goods !! I refuse to shop there anymore.. The selection is terrible and they don't have anyone in there that knows a thing about the outdoors. I really hate that they bought out Galyan's, I really enjoyed the Galyan's store in Plainfield, the had decent selection and actually knew a thing or two.. Gander Mt is a little lackluster too, they cut down their fishing selection to make more room for their "Gun Supercenter" which is quite overpriced. These days I shop online, in local shops or I take a daytrip every once in a while to the BPS Clarksville. It's a HUGE store! Hopefully the Cabela's brings some stuff that we have been lacking

X2. Also, make note of the differences between cameras. Certain models can do things others can't, and have different quality video. Know what features you want, and outline a budget as well.

Yeah, they seem like really nice baits, and I am a big fan of Berkley products, they are good quality and very affordable! What size (weight) do you throw on you crank or jerkbait rig?

In, Nobelsville, correct? I can't wait either! They were supposed to build one in Greenwood a while back, but the Economy tanked and the plans fizzled out.

Cody seems to be really stoked about it as do the Lee brother's from what I've seen. Matt and Jordan have bright futures and are part of the next wave of Fisherman coming onto the scene. I read an interview that one of them did with Field and Stream (or maybe it was Outdoor Life or Bassmaster Magazine, I can't remember... I digress), but he was talking about wanting to come up to the top and be better than KVD, and I think that they both have the talent to do it. Question... Cody Meyer is no longer signed with Jackal then, correct?

Which bait would you use? I'm thinking about adding both to my arsenal so I can have each one for different situation. I think they would both be good cold water baits, and I see guys throwing them on light line spinning outfits, but the Lucky Shad is a 1/2 oz, which is a little heavy for me to throw on my spinning gear w/8 or 6# line, but the Flicker Shad comes in more sizes which would allow me to have some in the heavier and lighter sizes. Would throwing these smaller baits on baitcasting gear w/12# line kill the action? All opinions about these or similar baits are greatly appreciated.

X2. When the water has more chop to it I will throw a double bladed bait to make sure that those bass are hearing/seeing the commotion. If the water is so choppy that even the double blade buzz or a popper/chugger can't make enough commotion to be seen I put the topwater rod down.

At night or in dirty water I like a black bait w/a black coated blade, this will allow fish to see the silhouette of the bait along with keying in on that annoying buzz. During the day or in clear to stained water I like white or white/chartreuse with a gold blade because where I fish the fish key in on large shad as a forage base, so I am trying to mimic a dying shad at the surface, which to the bass is an easy meal.

Stren or Trilene. They are both very similar lines

Try this: http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/2014/08/bait-guide-how-to-catch-bass-in-any-pond

Indiana (duh), Florida, Tennessee, I've fishes in Michigan, but only off piers, so I didn't catch anything.

Indiana is somewhere in the middle IMO. There are good sized fish here, and some decent fisheries for sure (Raccoon, Eagle Creek Reservoir, Monroe, Patoka, and a small, but well kept shoreline of Lake Michigan). But some fisheries like the White River are trash. Not well kept IMO. But in terms of top states to fish, CA, NY, MI, The Carolina's, AL, TN, and FL all have world class fishing IMzo

Shimano what? Only one I can find for $99 is a Citica.... Which is just a Cauis w/an aluminum frame.... It doesn't have near the features of an LFS model Speed Spool, which is $99 at a base price and can be found for less I'm sure... While the Citca is a $129 base price... What's funny is I like my $100 Speed Spool better than more expensive reels from other brands!!!

I know the Ranger's have plenty of space to store up to 8' rods, and they also have a very large casting deck from what I've seen/been shown. I don't know a whole lot about the Skeeter's, but someone I know is looking to get into a new boat as well and he is looking at the Skeeter's.

I had that fact that confidence is a huge part of fishing driven home for me this year. There were many times where a sheer lack of confidence (and focus) let a bad day get even worse. Another theme that goes along with this is my hardheaded stubborn nature is going to have to change for this coming season. There were times where Dad was just wacking em, and I wasn't getting a bite, and yet I refused to change what I was doing due to fishing history, what I'd been told by others, ect. I just need to learn to focus on what I'm doing and be versatile. It will help my be a much more productive angler in the future.

I don't know what reel you are fishing currently, but in another thread DVT commented that once you jump into the 100+ dollar price point the quality takes a rather large jump as well. I imagine you will enjoy the reel, and that this will become a very expensive hobby

Never fished one, but may have to experiment w/it this upcoming season. As for making it weedless, get a head w/a weedgaurd, there out there somewhere.

Johnson Beetle Spin... Still in my box.

And the swimbait experiment begins! I'll be looking to order some Hollow Bellies, S-Wavers, Savage Gear Line Thru and 4Play baits, and some Hard and Soft Magic Swimmers. I'll keep everyone updated when I do!

Toothpaste and a toothbrush. Gently scrub.