herbu

Too much. Usually load 3 in the boat. Which ones depend on plan for the day. Probably overkill, since what I use in a day could probably fit in a lunch box. But I still carry a bunch for the same reason your mother told you to always put on clean underwear... because you never know.

How many $ worth of baits do you have to lose before spending $20 on a retriever seems like a good idea? Yes, I use one, (a knocker type). Don't use it often, but don't have to use it often for it to pay for itself.

In my very limited experience, it seems the bass in my favorite lakes have a few favorite colors. I try others, but always return to the favorites. However, I'm not convinced it is the color more than my confidence and attention with those colors.

Ghostshad, I was in your position a couple years ago. First year spent researching and buying a boat and all new fishing gear. Did a lot of reading for the gear, and pulled on some experience from my youth. First hit the lake very early last spring. Have gone 2-3 times a week for the last 9 months or so, almost always at the same lake. Here's what I've learned... 1. The fish bite a lot better now than they did 9 months ago. 2. I use very little of the equipment I started with a year ago... including rods, reels and baits. The rods and reels were mid-range, (Quantum Smoke). I liked them and they worked well. But I kept hearing about "the best" rods and reels. There is always a debate, but the discussion always has the same very few candidates. The rest are touted as, "just as good as X, but cost less". As in most ventures, I finally decided if I didn't try "the best", I would always wonder if something was better than what I was using, and would eventually spend even more $ trying to find out. I just got 2 of "the best" reels, and am awaiting delivery of 2 of "the best" rods to put them on. At least then I'll know. 3. Fish like cover and structure... rocks, fallen trees, stumps, weeds. Cold weather, hot weather, rising pressure, falling pressure, rain... doesn't change the fact. 4. I have hundreds/thousands of $ in lures I almost never use. Almost always go to my favorites... soft plastics, (swim baits, crawdads and worms). When you see or read about some bait you think has to be God's gift to fisherman, get 1 or 2 of them to try. You don't need to get one of every color and size. You may like the new bait, you may not. Wait until after you decide you like it before stocking up. 5. Take your time. Watch the lake and critters on/around the lake more than you watch other fishermen. 9 months ago we'd come in at the end of the day and chat with guys at the landing also coming back. They caught a bunch and we caught a few. Now it's not unusual that we caught a bunch while the other guys caught 1 or 2. Of course you never know who's lying. But just because somebody has a $70k bass boat doesn't mean he knows what he's doing. Better to be patient and learn from you own experience. You have time now. A quiet day on the lake is its own reward. And whether you catch 1 or 10, you can almost always learn something.

2 days ago, 12/27, NC, Raleigh area. Water temp was 66-68deg. We did well, back in the coves, along the shore, weightless worms and soft plastic swimbaits. Buddy even caught a Chain Pickerel. Didn't even know we had 'em.

Sorry, can't help, but your location caught my eye. Mother is from White Springs. Her dad was curator at the Stephen Foster museum. They lived on the Swanee River. Lots of fishing stories from my uncle. Good luck!

Isn't that against the law in some states?

May not count, but I got myself 2 Daiwa Steez EX reels from TW. (On sale for $337 vs msrp of 599. They still seem to have some.) Then had to order 2 St Croix Legend Elite to put them on. One 7' Med, and one 7' Med Hvy. Both were for purely medical reasons. Been having trouble w/ shoulder, (rotator cuff), and tennis elbow. Figure saving ~4oz will make a difference. At least, that's what I told the boss.

We call 'em "Nature Lovers". Still not sure if they don't know, or don't care how far sound carries over the water.

Bingo! Whether we realize it or not, I believe attitude will make subtle differences in your presentation.

Thanks. Good tip about comparing length of hook end to length of eye end. I usually go to the bend, and end up w/ the eye completely inside the bait... sometimes quite a bit inside. Is there any disadvantage to having the eye farther inside the bait? Thanks!

I'm also in NC. Went to Shearon Harris yesterday... nada. Screwy weather. Cold front, wind, and temps have dropped 10 deg in the day, down in the 40s at night. I'd like to blame that, but it's probably just me. Tried shallow water worms, jigs, chatterbaits. Tried deeper creek beds bordering the shallows. Nada. Nobody did much. So it goes...

A website that knows what I meant to order, and warns me when I select the wrong thing... "Ooops, you know those Large Replacement Pages won't fit your Jumbo Worm Binder, right?"