S. Sass

Nice job looks like you guys had a blast.

You didn't mention size of bait. So im answering based on a guess. Big fish generally eat big meals. Look at the swimbait guys going for records. They use huge bait. The difference is they are not looking to make a certain number of fish. You have to get your quota then hunt the big ones with bigger bait. Of course this is assuming you aren't using larger baits already

Lew's speed spool $100 reel new. Or pick one up in the Flea Market here. The Mojo Bass had some flipping rods in there clearance store for like $90 free shipping. clearance store The Flea Market here is going to get you a better bang for your $ either way.

Kind a depends on what your going for. A bigger bulkier bait or a more slim profile. I fish for LMB so I will use a small impact bait 3.8 I think along with the skirt when no trailer doesn't seem to be working. It's like all fishing sort of a mix of what you know, what you think you know, and what the fish are willing to give ya. No one knows the perfect answer.

I agree doesn't matter what it is when they are mass produced there are variances and sometimes a lemon gets past quality control. This why I chuckle at the comments sometimes seen about how such and such is worth every penny they are perfect. When one out of 20000 MAY be perfect the other 19999 fell within tolerance and hopefully none of those did like the OPs. It's obvious the people who have never been on a assembly line.

No

I find it amusing as well that for how many centuries the kids played games with a score and the world went round just fine. To hear adults speak of the keeping score as if it was a torture or something these days says a whole lot about them. The kids aren't the problem its the freaking parents. I have met and seen some that had a mentality of a 10 yr old and went way the heck overboard. It wasn't the kids who ever had the audacity to leave the bleachers and make a scene with the coaches or umpires at a little kids game. But I used every time one did as a learning lesson for me and the kids as how not to embarrass your family looking like a redneck idiot. Of course I didn't say it like that. But it was very embarrassing to the kid whose dad or mom couldn't keep his mouth shut and watch the game. Dont get in the baseline if you dont want to get hit. They all knew the runner was on 1st.

Since your choices are 6'9 and 7' with a whopping 3" difference it's just your preference now. I wouldn't use the, "I might tag my boating pal" as a reason to pick the short one though. Being only 3" difference because if your getting that close to him you already have him ticked off at you.

It's redicioulus I swear the people who started that crap are the ones who have issues handling life. My daughter's FP softball was some of the last year's of score. Competition was awesome the kids learn both sides. Victory and defeat have many lessons.

I quit watching "grownups" play games and make insane money and cry because they didnt get enough. And then be to neive to know they will be some sort of roll model for kids only to see numerous times the drugs, harlets, and any other criminal or unsavory acts be treated as if it was no big deal. Life is much better fishing than watching the idiot show. Haha

I now use a Fenwick HMG GT72M-F-CB Crankbait Casting Rod 7'2" one piece rod Medium rod power, fast rod action with a older Lews SS1H 6.4:1 spooled with 12lb Big Game Mono. I haven't tried flouro as I just have got started using it. This is my first dedicated cranking setup. I haven't ever really thrown cranks (excluding lipless) much so what little I did I just used what ever rod I had that I wanted to use. I havent used it much yet so the jury is still out on it but I like the feel of it and it was priced well enough to make it worth my time.

Looks like the War Eagle Wake Bait series and the NEW Extreme Series from War Eagle Lures featuring the New Laser Trokar Hook are both twist tie. I had only seen the R tie ones before. Glad to know this. Thanks buzzed bait for making me go look through their website.

Manns sells the 3/8 oz with the closed loop. http://mannsbait.com/product/all-lures-and-baits/the-classic-spinnerbait-3-8-oz/ I like and prefer the closed loop. All the horror stories I hear I never seem to have with them.

So far I haven't lost anything either but man oh man these stories are rough. I feel bad for you guys loosing hundreds of $ and some $1000s. Glad no one was physically hurt just the pride.

I have had very good luck with http://www.duluthtrading.com/ The Men's CoolMax Cotton Longtail T Shirt is nice but my favorite is the MEN'S ARMACHILLO LONG SLEEVE COOLING SHIRT This isn't exactly the shirt I have I don't see them but it looks like a new version of what I have. FEATURES Ultra lightweight, moisture-wicking and durable 2.5-oz. 100% nylon Made-in-the-Jade™ fabric technology makes this shirt feel cool to the touch Improved! Mesh back removed to put more cooling fabric in contact with skin UPF 40 protection against sunburn Button-through sleeve tabs – rolled up sleeves stay up Bellowed pockets with hook-and-loop closures; pencil sleeve in the left, phone sleeve in the right Very comfortable and cool and I do work outside in Texas all summer. They have held up very good the ones I have are 3 years old and not one thread has come loose and the colors still good. Not dirt cheap but as much as i work in them and they have lasted 3 years and easily have another year in them I will gladly buy them at $60 a shirt. (They usually always have a sale on stuff there)

I have really took to the Pepper Custom Baits Clearwater Elite. I would never spend the $7 per bait but since my local Walmart started to clearance them at $3 ea I stocked up. I got Purple Illusion, Chartreuese White, and a Bluegill color. These are awesome for $3 each. If I wanted a really smooth true running quality spinner bait with a keeper for trailers and money was no issue, I would buy them at $7 each no problem.

Monkey get off his back! Hows that for reason?

I played with the safety pin idea and it seems OK for a 3/0 or smaller when putting a loaded pin back in a 3701 Plano box with the 4/0 or larger they don't fit very well. I carry mostly the 3701 so it was a no go on a lot of my bass fishing hooks. The safety pins work excellent on the small hooks though.

Lighter verson would be nice. I agree that it would or could mess up the reputation of the reel though. They never just fix the issues when trying to update stuff. You know they would go changing the entire design and it wouldn't even remotely resemble the BPQ when they finished other than the name. Anyway I have no issues with mine although a ounce lighter would be nice if they only lightened it.

I have "that friend" that is pretty darn good at catching fish. But when making our last stop as we head out he likes picking up way more alcohol than one guy should consume in 24hrs. Amazingly he could fish well past what they call inebriated. Usually it wasn't a issue but just makes it a uncomfortable situation for the one not getting plastered. I like the guy when hes not messed up he is fun to fish with. Hopefully he is now going to fly straight he has had a run in with the law for like the 3rd time or 4th time so he's serving weekends for a few months.

Might want to check at your local shops that you are considering to do the repair as to what they charge and even if they will do it. Most likely they will and it shouldn't be to much labor but before to settle for a guide and possibly have no one or a to pricy of a shop to put it on. Would be safe to know before making your decision.

I would offer him what cash I could spare or offer to take him fishing if the person seemed like someone you wanted to spend the day with on your boat. A honest person is great but I have met personalities that a day on a boat would be considered cruel and unusual punishment to one or both parties. I would think $100.00 would be a gracious offer. To a honest person that should show your gratitude.

That just sounds like logic to me. I am guilty of it though. I do try new lures just because nothing is working good at times. Not always but if its something that I think might work yeah ill try it. But if it doesnt work I dont toss the bait as garbage. Ill try it some other times as well.

I'd say a mojo bass would be a decent choice as well on the last medium heavy. I'm not up on the veritas but the mojo rods seem to me to lean a tad to the heavy side as well. But I like it that way. I agree for starter set this will work good. Don't get so carried away with the 7'2" or 7'3" stuff they push these days. To me 1" 2" or 3" isn't going to make a huge difference. If you start worrying about what every sponsored pro spews you will never have the perfect combination. 7' to me is a decent all around length. So anything close 6'10" to 7'4" or so are good lengths to get distance and have a decent rod to work with. Just my .05¢