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Starting to look like I'm going to have a new winter project....

If you're willing to spend $130, the SLX XT with SVS Infinity braking would be a solid choice right at budget.

Winter projects are a great idea. It sure beats going completely insane. Last year I made a pegboard and focused on storage and organization. Tomorrow I'm going to look at a boat and trailer that will certainly fill up my free time and empty my bank account.

Guess I never did answer the original question. I typically run 20# braid to an 8# leader. The line diameter for the brands I use work well for my knot and clear my guides without issue. You can certainly get away with lighter line, but it makes the connection knot tough to tie.

Just something to consider... I switched to hi vis yellow braid for techniques where line watching is critical. Even with "heavier" braid (I've used all the way up to 20#) the green is hard to see.

Not sure if you're planning to try and catch more trout, or if you're asking what trout have eaten while bass fishing? I had a brown early in the spring nearly tear the rod out of my hand throwing a standard size bladed jig (white/chart.) Pretty sure it had at least 4/0 hook in it. I get them to follow or swipe a lot, but this one straight up engulfed it. Can't find the photo ☹️

Friend of mine tipped me off that the boat and trailer seen below are "free to a good home". Made a quick stop and was shocked/pleased at the condition they're in. I was curious if anyone could give me a ball park idea of what this project may cost to build a deck, add a tiller trolling motor on the back and a trolling motor with a foot pedal on the front? Would also need batteries, a basic fish finder unit, life jackets, anchor, etc. From what I understand there is no title and the boat is not currently registered (PA if any folks are familiar with state regulation). I'm weighing the options between investing in this project, or continuing to look for a used boat that is ready to run...The ultimate goal is to have a vessel that we can use in a local trolling motor only club. If anyone can give me an idea of what I might be getting into financially it would be greatly appreciated. And as always, please feel free to share your experience/suggestions. Thank you!

Looks like this topic is a few years old, so I'm curious if any feedback on Tappan Lake has changed? I am considering a weekend trip in the spring. Would be renting a boat and fishing 2-3 days. Trying to do my homework in advance. Any suggestions on boat rentals, locations, lodging, etc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I prefer the word "suggestion" You can certainly go as light as you want, given you can manage your line. I.e. I probably wouldn't throw a KVD 1.0 on my frog rod. Flip side of that, I pitch a 1oz tungsten weight + a superline hook + a rage bug on a rod "rated" 3/8-1oz but I wouldn't use that same rod to try and sling that much weight half way across the lake. Generally speaking a rod will perform at it's best somewhere in the middle of those numbers, but going outside of them (within reason) can work, if it makes sense for the application.

I generally throw the same thing in clear and stained water. If anything, I'll change the trailer. Weight 1/2 or 5/8. I like it heavy enough that it's not hopping of the bottom like crazy, but not too heavy that I think the fish will find it unnatural to pick up. Bumping off of whatever is down there is erratic enough action for me. Jig Color - Brown and purple. Trailer - RI beaver. Usually bite off a few ribs Trailer Color - stained - blacklight, clear - GP or PB&J I like this set up on a 7'3 MH an 17# fluoro. Reel either 6:1 or 7:1

If I could find one! Anymore, it seems like the manual transmission is an extra expense upgrade... But, with the DC technology finding it's way into very affordable reels, baitcasters are becoming almost "automatic" and I think that might become the norm (just a thought). You still have to drive it, but the learning curve is significantly less.

This is a topic/question I've come across quite a bit. Winter has arrived, and the lake has turned. The water isn't frozen, yet. You get a day where the temps are just above painful and have a small window of time to do some bank fishing. What areas do you target, or find the most success? What lures or presentations have yielded the best results? Do you slow down? Speed up? Throw large or small profile baits? In my experience, the few fish I have found are either in deeper water where shallow water is accessible (relative to each body of water) or, dirt shallow. The rest, I assume are deep with their bellies in the mud. In years past, I would have either thrown a tiny drop shot, or hurled a football jig as far as possible and crawl it back. I'll still do that, however, I'm starting to believe that a burn/pause retrieve with a crank bait can trigger a good reaction bite... regardless of water temps. Anyway, just a brainstorm for the evening. Interested in all of your thoughts/opinions.

Welcome @Bluegillslayer Not sure if anyone has said this directly, but to keep it simple from the start, watermelon, green pumpkin and black w/blue colors will catch you bass anywhere you go. Assuming (from your name) that your bass are feeding on bluegill, keep that in mind when selecting baits, and select a color to start with based on water clarity. Hope that helps!

Think that should about cover it ?

I'm still in denial that this is already happening, but I don't think I'll be on a boat Thanksgiving weekend this year. I usually cross my fingers to be on the water for March 21 (my birthday).

All the info you need is here. My opinion, short and sweet: SLX XT is worth the extra $30. The DC reels are like a specialized tool. Unless it becomes the norm (and it might) I don't see a need to have all DC reels. One for skipping, and one for light lures in wind and you should be set. I am more than pleased with my Curado Ks which are about the same price as the SLX DC.

I've dealt with their customer service via phone and snail mail. Figured I would be passed around and transferred a few times but I'm pretty sure they just cupped the phone with their hand and yelled across the room for the person I needed. Looked it up on Google (yeah a little creepy) and was shocked with what I found. 18 people sounds about right. Nice people (that I talked to). Very helpful. Hope it all works out.

Wherever you choose, I would suggest contacting guides asap. I just got back from my first trip to Texas and my guide made all the difference. The weather didn't cooperate, at all. 40 degrees in TX in October. That being said he took into consideration what I wanted to get out of the trip and personalized it for me. We built a good rapport before we even met, and made the experience very comfortable and enjoyable.

Thanks, everybody. Looks like I've got most of the gear and tackle that was suggested already. I'll probably start with a few basic colors in the super fluke, and a bunch of white that I can color on my own if needed.

Funny enough, spinnerbaits have been banned on certain lakes. More specifically, every lake that I fish ??

Good old zoom finesse worm is always good and they will have any color you could ever need. I also have a lot of success with the V&M Drop Shad in Green Pumpkin Watermelon. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-VMFISHING.html?from=basres

This is ever evolving for me, especially when I started to get into more technique specific rods. This is what I am most confident with, or plan to have ready for next spring. squarebill - 10/12# copoly medium and deep cranking - 10/12# copoly frog 50# braid football jig 17# fluoro dropshot 20# braid to 8# fluoro spinnerbait 17# mono chatterbait braid to mono leader (just started using braid on moving baits. This may change) pitching/flipping 50# braid to 20# fluoro finesse - 20# braid to 8# fluoro

New to soft jerkbaits. I'm seeing Zoom Flukes and Zoom Salty Super Flukes are both available in 4" sizes. 1.) What's the difference in these baits? 2.) What size(s) do you use most often, or suggest I start with? (4" or 5.25") 3.) If rigging weightless, what size hook do you suggest for each? Thanks!

First trip to Texas was a crazy one... Air temps in the 40s, and 75 degree water temps. Stuck this one on a frog. Not at all what I was expecting when I booked the trip, but it was a blast!

Air temps in the 40s. Water 64-75. Wind. Caught them in 10ft water with the A-rig, bladed jig and tight to cover on a frog. Not what I expected from Texas, but we still had a blast! Here are a few photos from Walter E. Long (Decker) Lake.