the reel ess

It would be if we really meant it. But look how many people have made the admission that they probably aren't better than the rest. I did.

The point of this thread is not to brag about how we're better than others. It's more of a way for us to see what others are good at, that we might not be. But rather than saying "I suck at____", it comes form the other perspective, allowing others to tell us what they're good at. See, if you don't join, someone who isn't good at what you are good at will miss out on your knowledge.

Last season I compromised between the two styles and used a Chug'n Spook Jr with decent success on very humid evenings, a couple times after storms passed. Also, the frog was kind to me in mid/late summer, but that wasn't asked. I just volunteered that info free of charge. I don't have any data to support this, but the Poppers seem to work better for me in spring/early summer and the walkers work better in mid/late summer and fall. I guess that's due to bait size. Also I've had better luck with poppers in the AM and walkers in the PM. Just anecdotal info. Oh, and overcast helps extends the period during which bass will bite topwaters. I've even used a Torpedo all day when it rained on and off.

I drink craft beer as well. I like to taste good beer and there's no turning back from that. There are some things I won't skimp on. For instance, I use PowerPro braid, Gamakatsu hooks, all my reels with the exception of one I'm about to replace is good quality. I bought a new fishing kayak that's middle-of-the-road, price wise, while my buddy was telling me they're for sale on Craigslist all the time for $100-150 (his now has a leak and I let him use my daughters-oh, how I wish it was pink!). I'm no longer in the market for the cheapest of every lure at Walmart. I take my time choosing exactly what I want. I want good quality. I just don't want to pay for it!

No need for more than a couple colors of frog. And I figure why get them in colors fish don't see. So I usually use the frog color. IT'S A FROG!

Better to have the wrong lure in the right location than the opposite. Then selection and color comes into play. I use Trick Worms a lot. I have bags full of the natural colors like watermelon and pumpkinseed that never get used. The bubble gum, limetreuse and methiolate are always in need of replenishing. I used to buy a chrome, firetiger and natural shad color of every hardbait. Now that I fish a place where the main forage is gold shiners, I buy only gold shiner or gold chrome. Color matters even less for topwaters. Fish simply don't care what it is. They MUST KILL IT! I caught two Saturday on a black spinnerbait with a huge black Colorado blade. I don't know what that resembles, but they bit it.

I have an UL Academy Sports brand Tournament Choice spinning reel that works like gangbusters for $19.99. I fish one pond that only has small bass and big bluegills in it and I always take that combo there.

Awesome!

When I use a Zoom Trick Worm T-rigged, as I do more than any other worm, after a few bites it gets torn on the head. Bite off a half inch and re-rig it. I believe I get more bites on the smaller one and the action is better if you're jerking it, no pun intended.

The most rip-roaring deal in spinning reels I have ever come across is the Pfleuger Trion. $40 all day, every day, everywhere it's sold. It's a tad heavier than the next model up the line, but I believe all the running gear is the same. Smooth, doesn't twist, works well with braid, and great drag. I'll buy another when the old BPS Viper reel wears out (if it ever does).

Check your PMs

Almost forgot. I got a 7' MH Falcon LowRider rod from a co-worker who needed $ for a motorcycle build for $50. It's technically the "heavy crankbait" rod, but I use it for T-rigs and last season for frogs. It's by far the most sensitive rod I have and I have the $50 Johnny Morris reel on it. That's probably $250 worth of combo for $100. I use Lightning Rods, bought on sale for the lures that don't require sensitivity like lipless cranks spinnerbaits because they're light and durable. I have 3.

I probably would have gone to a T-rigged craw. But then, I would have already been using one since that's my go-to. It just seems they didn't want the whole BIG JIG presentation, just the trailer. BTW, isn't that Lobster a big ol' bait? I usually don't go bigger than 4" T-rigged. In winter, bass will crush craws with their lips before eating them, thus the red lips in cold water. For that, a T-rig might work better. May I suggest Berkley Chigger Craw? They'll hold that thing all day long and fight you for it.

Dude! You're a wealth of knowledge. I have one of the Rick Clunn baitcast reels from BPS, bought off the website on clearance. The drag WON'T lock down. It has the 7:1 ratio and only a magnetic cast control, but it casts a country mile. I use it for reaction baits with trebles and topwaters because that's an instance where you would want a little more free drag anyways. The thumb bar has never worked great on it either. I have wondered if RC was ashamed his name was on that reel. My local pawn shop wants newer-than-new prices for all its old beat up tackle. I wonder if I'm supposed to haggle with him, but the only time I tried with gun, he told me to go to Academy and buy it.

I'll freely admit I'm a cheapskate when it comes to fishing. I don't spend as much as I probably should on fishing tackle and I'm always on the lookout for ways to save money whenever possible. What are some of your money saving ideas? Here are a few of mine: I don't buy $100 rods for reaction baits or topwaters because sensitivity matters less than weight and durability. I've bought a Johnny Morris reel off Ebay for $50. Had to send to BPS for $18.95 to repair, but that's a JM reel for $68.95. I usually kayak fish. No electronics. Berkley Big Game 15# mono! Sold by the pound and cheap enough to change a couple times a year. I use cheap mono line for backing for reels that have braid (I don't skimp in braid, but you can reel it from one reel to another, then you're using the unused end of it) I started wire tying baits with cheaper skirts so I don't lose them often. When using a T-rigged soft plastic craw, after one side gets chewed up at the head, flip the bait over on the hook and catch another one.

I'm opposed to anything with the word extreme in it because it's so cliche.

Lunkerville is my favorite. Not because he's good. But because he's like me.

And welcome!

If can you see turtles swimming, it's warm enough to use a willow blade spinnerbait per Jimmy Houston. By the time the dogwoods are in bloom, bass spawn is full-swing. Not sure if that's universal or a SC thing. Fish that have been shallow long will be dark, those that have been deep will be very light. If you spook one you can pass it by and come back later. Their memory is only 15 min max. That's all I can think of right now.

Yeah, and usually on the first cast at that tree, ruining that tree for you. I fish one body of water that only has one good laydown on the entire reservoir. I'll always approach it with a T Rig for that very reason.

Man, had this been around when I was that age, I'd be a lot better angler now.

The smallest two sizes of Rebel Craw. It seems everything in a creek will bite that. Grubs, tube jigs, 1/16 or 1/8 Roadrunners, Rebel Miniatures like the Bumblebug.

Oh, Not sure if this has been mentioned, but I'm a better angler because I keep a journal. My wife gave me one for Christmas last year. I started first time out in 2015. I was late getting going because i had foot surgery. But I'm looking back in it now and seeing what worked and didn't work from March on. It's like an almanac. I was out Saturday fishing with a buddy who likes to bet college football. We've been fishing a long time and he told me I'd gotten a lot better. and asked how. I said time on the water and keeping a journal. He said that sounds stupid. I asked him if he wrote down his betting history and everything about the games and he said no. But that sounds like a good idea, might cut the losses. I said "Yeah."

What channel?

How does this work? Are these strictly college kids spending their own (family's) cash to compete under their school's name? Are they officially sponsored by their schools? Is there any credit from college for it? I'm guessing some have a major that's connected, but have no idea. A quick Google of the subject doesn't give much info. It seems not too many people are really interested in it right now.