livemusic

The concern for me is that the large beetle spin grub is stiffer plastic than something like a fluke.

Site/google search didn't reveal anything but maybe I am not using the right search terms. I recall seeing some on this problem. This is a large beetle spin grub (spinner bait) for bass and the tail of the grub has become bent into a semi-circle in the package. So, now, it won't run true. Anyone know how to make it stay straight?

Uh-oh, I checked their site for warranty replacement, must have gone up. It says $60 + $20 return shipping, so, $80 to replace. More than I want to spend. Will check on getting it repaired.

Broken tip on my Dobyns Savvy Series rod, SS703C, between the 2nd and 3rd eye. Do you think I could get a worthwhile fix by a pro? I know a guy who does this. OTOH, if it is not hard to do, I would like to do it to save money, lol. How could I fix this, and do you think it will be worthwhile afterwards? Can a broke place be stuck together or do you have to reduce the overall rod length by just sticking on a new/same rod tip? That might not work well, because the distance between the tip and the first eye would be much shortened.

Say, 5.2:1 versus 7.1:1... do you have a preference? Or a definite preference for certain lures?

Anyone have an opinion on the best rig for skipping soft plastics under docks and tree limbs? Casting or spinning? Any particular model reel, length and stiffness of rod?

This is 'cart before the horse,' but I am determined to find it! Yesterday, I have no idea how this happened but suddenly, I watched a spinning rig sink. It's not that expensive, but enough. A Berkeley Lightning rod and a Pfleuger President spinning reel. I use mostly baitcasting rigs but the spinning rig is a favorite. We were in about 3 feet of murky water. I immediately reached for it but couldn't find it. Then grabbed another rig, took plastic worm off and started dragging for it with the hook. That was a mistake. I only found moss and sticks, but not only did I not find the rig after dragging the bottom for 30 minutes, I broke the tip off an even better rod. Double ouch. It seemed too cold to wade and that bottom is mush. I got myself in a dangerous situation one time when my feet sank into deep muck. Plus, it gets deeper, and who knows, the rig may have glided into a little deeper water. Anyway, it seems crazy that I cannot find this rig, so, I am going back. With a better drag. I am going to use any or all methods -- drag an open chain stringer if I can find one, rattletrap lure, or treble hooks. Question is... when I find it, what to do until I can clean it thoroughly? Anyone have any thoughts? Open it and drain water out, what else? As for deep cleaning, anyone know of how to do that?

Yep, I charged the trolling motor battery. It showed it as "charging" upon hookup. The battery in question, it showed "no connection" for that one. Indicating to me, 100% dead. I am now trying to charge up the dead one with an old trickle charger to see if I can get anything out of it whatsoever.

My onboard charger doesn't work; this is what I am using, Minn Kota MK-210P portable charger -- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MN7EZY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00 A buddy says he has a portable charger that has some kind of 'recondition' setting. Any idea what that setting is? I am hoping to salvage this battery!

I am not home but I think it is Continental.

I looked at it and I didn't see it marked. Do you know... is it typically one year warranty?

I bought my 1997 Bass Tracker less than a year ago, I dunno, maybe 9 months ago. Seller had installed a new 12v cranking marine battery and also a trolling motor battery. I guess I screwed up, the boat sat, covered, for about 4 months. I don't have a trickle charger, seems I have read that you keep one on it? Anyway, I went to charge it yesterday and my 2-bank charger indicated no connection whatsoever, when it was clearly connected, and properly. I did it over and over a few times to no avail. Tried bank 1 and also bank 2 connectors, same problem. I guess this battery is shot? I don't know that I have had one go that quickly. But it also was not the most expensive 12v marine battery one could buy, it's lower end quality. Anything I can do other than buy a new one? The trolling motor battery did charge up.

I will clarify that my truck battery does not go down on a regular basis. I just said that because once in awhile, I will leave a light on, or my girlfriend's or someone else's car battery will go down. So, like anyone else, I sometimes need a charger for that. How do I tell what type of batteries I have? Far as I know, the battery I have on my boat motor is just a 'charging' battery and the other two are 'deep cycle' batteries for trolling motors. I don't think I have an AGM battery. How can I determine this? Everything is complicated these days. I found a portable Schumaker charger at Cabela's that looked good and is on sale but upon reading reviews, some people complain about it burning up their AGM batteries. And then one guy said it burned up his battery over three months when he had it on trickle. Sheesh. Still trying to decide what to do, but at this time, due to cash outlay, am leaning toward just buying a portable unit for, say, something less than $70, until I save up enough to put an onboard one on the boat. Still interested in opinions if anyone else wishes to chime in.

I have an almost 20 year old Bass Tracker 17' boat with 40hp, troll motor and just bought a Humminbird 1199 fancy fish finder. The old Tracker fish finder that came on this used boat, I can't get a signal. Anyway, the onboard battery charger doesn't work either. Hmmm... need to check to make sure these devices are really shot. Assuming the charger is no good... I need one. But I also need to charge a stand-alone 12 volt battery for when I fish from my jon boat and occasionally, the truck battery goes dead. So, do I buy a charger to install on the Tracker, or a stand-alone unit that I carry back and forth to the boat. Or use to charge my truck when the battery goes down, or whatever. (My stand-alone portable battery charger I have had for many years just conked out.) If I buy one for onboard boat install, should I buy a 3 bank or 2 bank? A 2 bank is all I need now (one for motor, one for troll motor). But, if I get a newer boat someday, I might have 3 batteries. So, should I buy in anticipation of needing 3 someday, lol? Also, what ampage? I see them from 5 amps and up. Feedback appreciated. And if anyone has a model or brand suggestion, let me know.

Yes. "Sufix 832 Superline is the strongest, most durable small diameter braid on the market. Constructed from 8 fibers (7 Dyneema plus 1 GORE Performance Fiber) at 32 weaves per inch, Suffix 832's R8 Precision Braiding and advanced fiber technology deliver superior strength, roundness and line consistency. The Gore Performance Fibers (from the makers of GORE-TEX) improve abrasion resistance, increase casting distance and accuracy, and also reduces line vibration, while the Dyneema fibers provide increased strength and sensitivity, as well as, superior hydrophobic protection and a smaller diameter."

I think I answered it, lol. I'm no expert but the fact that I said precisely Suffix 832 Advanced Superline is it. The Shock rods say they are designed for advanced superline.

It is Suffix 832 Advanced Superline. I forget, it was somewhere between 15-20 lb test.

Speaking of pebbles in the road causing havoc with cyclists, I grew up with a fellow who was killed riding a bicycle. As an adult. Somehow, a small stick got in his spokes and flipped him and broke his neck. Freak accident, he went much too young.

I was reading an article in the past day or so about this very thing and the guy slayed them when others caught nothing by using a fly rod and fly/lure that worked. I have endured the frustration myself.

I have one of the 'highest end' Zebco Omega reels, I think it was either a Z02 or Z03... whichever was top of their line a few months back. It is silver and I got it for about $60 through Amazon. At BPS, the guy told me it had been replaced with one that is now black color and has one handle instead of two. It's about $80. Then, they came out with a Zebco Authentic Platinum 33 and I got it on sale for $29 about a month ago. It is silver and has two handles. Most importantly, it has 4:1 retrieve ratio but the first one I mentioned has only 3.4:1. I much prefer the faster retrieve and prefer the double handle. I think that there is a difference between the Platinum 33 and the Authentic Platinum 33. Might be the retrieve ratio, not sure. I bought these for my gf but I will use them sometimes when I want to throw something a mile or I'm fishing for small bass or crappie.

Some company makes a bait whose ad banner would show up on fishing sites, might have even been this one. I was thinking that it was a Z-man craw but I looked at their line and did not find it. Then I thought it might have been Biospawn. Didn't find it. Whatever it was, the photograph as sensational, it looked so good! The lighting was terrific, a real pro photographer took the pic. Doesn't mean it has good action. I think it was a side view. Whatever it was, I cannot find it to ask about it.

In my newspaper, I see that Academy has the 10e on sale for $500 instead of the regular $550. Wondering... do they put these on sale at a lower price or is this a typical price? Thinking that for Father's Day, some store might have a good sale on these. Or wait for fall.... wonder if they have better prices after the summer fishing season.

I can't remember who posted a pic of a battery box power center type thing that had 3 switches on it. I guess you can attach different things other than a troll motor? Whatever... I can't find it via a google search. Anyone have any idea? I know Minn Kota sells one for about $58 and it shows juice remaining and it has easy hookup to the cable but I don't see any switches. I think I saw this in the huge thread on Pelican Bass Raider mods.

And I will, but thought I would try here because it's a bass forum and fly forums are probably mostly trout and likely, a bit more snooty, lol.

When I was a teenager and young man, I used a fly rod a LOT and had a lot of fun. I want to get back into that for something different sometimes. And I have no clue what tackle to buy. Back then, there was not much selection, buying ANYthing was simpler then. Nowadays, there are so many choices. And this fishing I would do... I am thinking that I would primarily target bass but if I don't have any luck, I will target bream (bluegill, etc.). I used to catch both and sometimes, I would use a larger bug for bass but sometimes, I would use a small one and catch both bream and bass. So, do you think I could buy something that could do both, lol? I assume so because I used to do it! Any suggestions for what to buy? At this stage, I don't want to buy a super expensive rig or baits until I know more about what I'm doing. The water I will fish will be shallow and not hampered by trees in the background; I will be in a boat, casting toward the shore or grass. I am open to sinking flies but mostly what I recall was popping bugs. EDIT: I have a Bass Pro Shop, Academy and Dick's not too far away. I know that BPS has a fly fishing section. Sidenote... to show you how unsophisticated we were, lol, there was a time that my brother and I bought 'automatic' reels. It has a lever that you pull up on and it sucks the line in instead of having to reel it. But, duh, isn't light weight a draw in fly fishing? Those reels are anything but light! I did later go back to a light regular reel. For now, I mainly just want to catch fish, so, I probably need to lean toward targeting bluegill and hoping for the occasional bass. Most bass I would catch would be small ones. In the past, I have caught a 3 lb'er or two.