blckshirt98

I used the Plasmatail worm for the first time about a month ago on a dropshot - got bit right away so it's on my list of "catches fish", would use again!

I always go by Elite rules! A-rig doesn't count, snagged fish count as long as it wasn't a sight fish. So you only met one of the two criteria!

Man, I caught a 5 pounder but I reeled him hooked only by the skin of it's left eye. Got the hook out and didn't see any blood or eye fluid leaking out, released it hoping it made it through okay.

I think if you're rod is heavy enough and you set the hook like a boss, should be fine!

I know a guy who's scuba certified and went diving in a local reservoir, not to retreive anything but just to scope out what's down there as opposed to what you can only see from the surface. Said it's a completely different world!

Dropshot x10 billion. I've caught probably 90% of my bass on a dropshot!

I've used PP Super Slick on spinning gear and will stick with my normal PP and 832. The Super Slick is silky smooth and quiet but my biggest complaint is wind knots. Since it's not as stiff it tends to do what it wants if you have slack line - I've had more wind knots casting with this stuff than anything else, and, once it cinches down you're cutting the knot out, there's no "un-doing the knot" once Super Slick tightens down.

Noooooooo don't share Carolina! They were/are my source of stuff that's hard to find anywhere else!! But seriously their selection of Japanese made or hard to find high end baits is second to none.

EXACTLY THIS, and put a lot more eloquently than my original post.

This might sound kind of weird but does anyone else keep bags of plastics in their car just to mess around with while driving? It's almost like the fishing equivalent of popping bubble wrap or smashing circus peanuts in the package. Squeezing plastic baits in the bag is kind of therapeutic for me.

+1 to BTD and their sales. Another one that's had great deals is outdoor pro shop

Sun exposure is one thing I don't mess around with when I'm fishing or outdoors in general. I always apply 50 SPF sunscreen and reapply if my skin even starts to feel remotely warm or like it's starting to burn. I use a boonie hat with a 360 degree brim, and a gaitor to cover my neck/ears. I always wear fishing pants, and cover my arms/hands in sunscreen too, I got bad sunburn in Hawaii once after spending some time in the water. Scalp sunburn is the worst because when it peels/itches/flakes it looks like you have the worst case of dandruff. That same sunburn I was in a restaurant and had to conjure up every bit of self-discipline to not take a dinner fork and start scratching my back right there at the table.

I hope any "bites" in the game use the vibration on the phone for tactile feedback!

Baits are like any other industry, like sports supplements, that rely on yearly innovations and buzzwords to keep sales up. Every year you have a handful of new buzz generating items that stir up some discussion but once it all settles down people will use the old standards that work. Every now and then a new bait or technique will catch on and enter the fabled realm of "accepted bass catching canon" like dropshotting a few years back. Spybaits got some traction but never blew up because their usage was very specific. Those LiveTarget baitballs were a freaking eye-catcher but I haven't caught anything on them. RIght now I think magnum spoons and hair jigs are techniques getting some traction, but will likely fall into the spybait category and specific condition baits. The one bait though nowadays that is blowing the f up that I think will stick, are topwater rat style baits. The small custom rat companies have been around but the baits have been really expensive for many anglers. But with all the reports and fish blowups being caught on video by people fishing rats, and SPRO introducing their BBZ-1 rats, and the smaller Spro sizes being released soon, I think the rats are on their way to becoming topwater category that will stick. If one of the major lure companies can introduce an effective floating topwater rat under the $10 price point to compete with frogs, they'll hit that "canon" status as most everyone would be able to afford one.

You can also dump kitty litter over everything and/or bury things in the kitty litter to remove the scent. Though if the plastic smells like "that maggot smell" I'd probably just go buy a new Plano because that smell makes me nauseous.

Go to an REI or some other store with a good selection of backpacks to try on. I have broad shoulders too and taking a backpack off and on can be a pain in the ass especially when the backpack straps are thick/stiff and it chafes your skin every time you take it off and on. I've found the Kelty Redtail to be the perfect backpack for me because it's super light and the straps are very pliable. Also fits plenty of Plano's and plastics for a day of fishing as long as you're reasonable in your gear selection. If you're one of thoes guys that bring the kitchen sink even though 95% of the stuff won't touch water when you go fishing you might look into something bigger.

When I first started bass fishing I saw people talking about Huddleston's doing so well and saw they were $20-25 per bait and thought those people were the hardcore of hardcore bass fisherman. Even Luckycrafts at $15 and up I thought were madness. But with time I've fallen into the "most lures catch fisherman and not fish" and have gotten my fair share of expensive baits, though I'm always timid about throwing them being a shore guy. Now I read up on what's working according to forum posts and tournament results, and also what has good action in the water by watching YouTube videos, and will usually buy it to try it at some point. But really it comes down to lack of discipline. Like I mentioned in another post a local pro on the FLW has caught almost all of his fish off of dirt cheap Zoom trick worms, and uses S-Wavers which is on the cheaper end of glidebaits, and he does just fine.

The "price per bait" of some of the "premium" brands is kind of ridiculous. 75 cents to $1 per plastic is nuts. I think 25 cents is a nice sweet spot, and companies like Zoom, Yum, and Berkley's Havoc line will always be around to give us some solid plastics to use at a cheap price.

I use a Norman Speed Clip for just about everything where I'm looking for a reaction bite. Maybe the most valuable/time-saving piece of terminal tackle I have.

Send an email to Outlet Bait using their "Contact Us" link. They're usually really good about responding, whenever I place an order it seems to be the same 2-3 people who hand write a "thank you" on my invoice.

I like to think of it like those movies where the action hero goes into a weapons locker and has four walls of guns and explosives to pick from, and he gets to pick what he feels like using for that day. When I get my backpack ready for fishing I like to look at all the plastics and crap I have and pick a few here and there that I feel like using that day. Definitely adds to the fun.

I have Sterlite containers stacked to the brim with bags of plastics. I have enough to last for years but still always find something new at the tackle shop that catches my eye.

In the original packaging if you keep them out of direct sunlight and heat/humidity, they'll last years. It's just plastic! The Havoc stuff in particular with no scent/flavorings to break down will last a lifetime.

I buy year round when I find good deals/sales. I pay full retail at my local mom and pop tackle shop to both support them and because they have the best staff around just to talk fishing. If I didn't need to work I'd retire and volunteer to work there ha. They do have a yearly mega sale where everything is on sale and tax free, and I'll load up on that day.

Check the Daiwa Lexa 100's on sale at TW for $59. If they have a Labor Day sale, the extra discount should apply to the sale price as well and you should be able to get one for about $50.