HoosierHawgs

My recommendation, get a good size boat, then do a custom build. You are used to fishing off of larger boats, so you will be more accustomed to that style. Add a deck, some carpet, and a nice size storage compartment. Put a small motor on the back, a small trolling motor with a foot control in the front. You can also add a live well custom made from a cooler. There are tons of videos, and it is pretty inexpensive compared to big boats, but you still get some of the comforts of fishing from a more expensive boat. It can serve as a setup for both big lakes, or lakes with horsepower limits.

We lice 2 hours from a BPS. Doesn't keep us from spending plenty of cash there.

Lighter better balanced rod, greater accuracy.

It is officially $1.89 a gallon in central Indy! It's a Christmas miracle.

Topwater/Jerkbait, Spinnerbait, and Crankbait Rods all w/12# Stren Original or Trilene XL mono Flipping, C Rig, Frog Rod 50# Spiderwire Stealth Braid Worm/Jig Rod 12# Trilene 100% Fluoro XL or Seagur Invizx Fluoro

Generally if you are swimming a jig with a flapping craw trailer, it imitates a bluegill rather than a crayfish anyways. Many lures we fish resemble different things to fish than what we see

I don't even fish that much tackle or different lakes.... I win!!! I beat the game!

They had quite the rough year. Hopefully they can bounce back.

Merry Christmas y'all!

I am from Indy, and I support the Colts a fair share of the time, but I truly hate when this time of year comes around. We have already clinched the division, so we throw the rest of the regular season out the window and start playing backups and resting players. I can't stand it, because it is against my competitive spirit In my opinion you always play to win, because no matter what there is some value in winning, even if it is not an immediate gain. So today we only scored one touchdown against the cowboys, and I'm gonna get it from John (biggest cowboys fan in Indiana), because I've made fun of them all year. Hope Dallas loses on Thursday... Darn Happy Holidays Jake

Any of those vertical winter techniques really aren't my thing. Neither are c rigs

Fish a spinnerbait....

This can be a number of things. Wind and other conditions on the water vs in your lawn, if your fishing with a partner and do not have the same amount of casting space, if your lawn fishing with a different lure, and if you are more focused on accuracy on the water and you are more focused on your distance in the lawn. Their is a perfect scientific answer to your question, just give it some thought and testing.

Maybe go in store and look at these... http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/berkley-lightning-rod-im6-7-mh-freshwater-casting-rod/pid-758703?color=Black&N=10001+933739032+101394130+4294951525+4294957716 http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/lew-s-tournament-laser-mg-speed-spool-baitcast-reel-right-handed/pid-903544?N=274871093

I would probably buy one of those Lew's and stick it on an All Star Rod.... Some people don't think they are quality rods anymore, but for the price they are still great rods. You can get a good deal on one at Academy I'm sure.

Not a fan of combo rods. The reels are fine, but the rods are not generally very good. That reel is good, but I'm not a fan of the knobs, this is a personal preference. I would look into Berkley rods. They are a great value. The used market is good too

Thanks for the advice! Will definitely be taking precautions in the future. Luckily he did not tear any of the muscles or nerves up in his hand. He did have to get a tetnes shot.

Funny post above. Local reservoirs can definitely be a jackpot. The one by me is 10 acres, so I can cover the whole thing in one trip, rarely anyone else fishes it, and access from the bank is very good if you are willing to hike through some grass, cat tails, and a little bit of mud. We've regularly been catching 5 and 6 pounders. Dad even caught one that was 7#, then it hurried a hook in his hand.... Hook remover and fishing gloves were the first things on his Christmas list...

I'm gonna say basically the same things the others have said. I have not a lot of experience tournament fishing, as I just don't have the time and means to do it, but I certainly will try to get into when I do, hopefully joining a fulltime BASS or FLW club when I get into college. But don't let your age hinder you! If you are in good health, do it! Your age will only stop you if you let it get into your head.

I was looking into this also for price and handling reasons. Co Poly will be very abrasion resistant, sometimes even more than fluorocarbon, but it will not be as sensitive. At many times it will have better handling. There are some good inexpensive Fluorocarbon lines, Seagaur makes really good lines, and they are inexpensive and they are all on sale on Tackle Warehouse for the 25 Days of Christmas sale. Red Label is very inexpensive, there are mixed opinions on it. Invizx is also fairly inexpensive, not so much as Red Label, but it has better opinions in terms of use as a mainline. It is soft and supple, which is why it's a good option if you are worried about handling (I also like Berkley Trilene Professional Grade 100% Fluorocarbon XL if you are worried about handling, but it cost slightly more). Abrazx is also on sale, and is stiffer than Invizx, but it is also more sensitive and abrasion resistant. There are plenty of quality choices that are fairly economical when it comes to fluorocarbon line.

I had a thread about this below. AJ posted some articles that are a good starting point. There are some other good points others have made. * have some really good videos on throwing swimbaits that I have been watching, they make some good points as well.

Good show! I really like the concept of a 'Dual Tournament Format' so to speak. There is a reason it's been on for over a decade. Great show!

Hello fellow Hoosier! Welcome to the forums!

Thanks! What is the ration on your Curado?

What Hootie said above is true. I would rather have the Cardiff myself because of price range. I'm sure they are both good little reels. Shimano makes some really good round reels. I'm still using my dad's old Corsair and it is smooth as butter. Die Cast Reel frames are also a lot better these days compared to 10 years ago or so, so I have no problem buying Die Cast Frame reels. Good read, thanks for posting.