rtwvumtneer6

Some are tricky... And some largemouth (I think) resemble a spot before they mature. This one in particular has been the case of a few arguments.

Is there a trick to getting the sharpie to stick?! I've colored blades on chatterbaits, double coated them, let them sit over night, and I can't make it last!

Good afternoon! In my area, the popper has become one of those lures that everyone has, and forgot about. I throw the Rebel Pop-R with a lot of success. Easy to find, affordable, and I can walk one pretty well. I swap the hooks and I'm good to go. I might be against the norm, but on sunny summer days it flat out gets bit for me on grass lines and breaks. That being said, I can't find any with a dark belly. I'm from a school of thought that the dark color helps with contrast against the sun, making the silouett easier to see. What are some of your favorite popper style baits that I could find with a black underside? Or is there a Rebel color that I haven't found, yet? Thanks!

I'm excited to say that I'll be fishing my first tournament in a few weeks!... And I need your help preparing! I always over pack. I just took inventory today, and based on the water I think I would be comfortable taking 5 rods... A dedicated cranking rod, flipping/frog rod, 2 all purpose rods, one fluoro one braid, and a drop shot/finesse spinning rod. I also have my tackle backpack for hard baits and terminal tackle/tools and a Plano bag for my soft plastics. So, 5 rods and two bags (about 25# total). Prob one other bag with waters and snacks, and rain gear if necessary. For you boaters, is that too much for a co-angler to bring? Also, any advice on etiquette or unwritten rules that might help would be appreciated. Trying to be efficient and respectful and have a good first experience. Thanks!!

Greensburg PA in the house! Lol. Mostly fish lakes off 79 North of Pittsburgh...Arthur, Wilhelm, Presque Isle/Erie, Pymatuning, and if I head East its High Point, Glendale, Raystown, Shawnee. Ever hit any of those? Lots of water, lots of fish, just don't grow world record largies in PA ?

Yes..."up to 10%". I bought a pack of worms yesterday marked at $2.99 (before tax) and with my membership it was $3.01 after tax. But, I agree that I will not renew. And unless I'm in a pinch, I will continue to buy the majority of my gear from TW. In fact, I emailed them tonight at 7pm EST on a Sunday and had a response within a half hour. That's who I'm spending my money with.

My local store (PA) opened in the spring. They did a soft open, and nobody knew about it. The "grand opening" was also lackluster. I will say, their pricing and selection have improved, but when I'm in there (about once a week) I'm constantly hounded to join the Good Sam Club, but never offered any help finding a product, and the registers are always vacant. Personally, I do not like the approach. I am guessing, that they have I incentives for selling memberships. Anyway, traffic is slow. Maybe 5-10 cars in the lot at any given time, and I'm sure a few are employees. I do get coupons and promos in the mail, but I was also told those are exclusive to club members. I should add that I did join, because I made a large purchase and it made sense. It would be nice if the sales team recognized me as a member for as often as I see the same 4-5 people there every visit. This locations is visible from Route 30, a major highway. However, when you exit I can't recall any direction to the store from the highway. Time will tell, but I have my doubts that they will do any better than the original Gander Mountain. ***Forgot to touch on the competition in the area. We have 2 Dicks Sporting Goods within a 10 mile radius, but they only carry the basics, and entry level rods and reels. We have 2 Field and Stream stores and a Cabela's, all of which are a 90+ minute drive. Bass pro shops is 3+ hours.

If I had to pick one style of fishing it would be a Texas rig or a jig. Something that's making bottom contact and the retrieve is primarily done with the rod. I like to feel what's going on under the water, and visualize what the bait or lure is doing. I try to pay attention to what I was doing that made the fish commit, and then try to replicate it. The "tick" isn't as glamorous or easy to detect as a topwater bite, but if I can pattern the first couple bites, it often turns into a good thump. Also a style that let's me lay the wood on my hook set ?

My local store (PA) opened in the spring. They did a soft open, and nobody knew about it. The "grand opening" was also lackluster. I will say, their pricing and selection have improved, but when I'm in there (about once a week) I'm constantly hounded to join the Good Sam Club, but never offered any help finding a product, and the registers are always vacant. Personally, I do not like the approach. I am guessing, that they have I incentives for selling memberships. Anyway, traffic is slow. Maybe 5-10 cars in the lot at any given time, and I'm sure a few are employees. I do get coupons and promos in the mail, but I was also told those are exclusive to club members. I should add that I did join, because I made a large purchase and it made sense. It would be nice if the sales team recognized me as a member for as often as I see the same 4-5 people there every visit. This locations is visible from Route 30, a major highway. However, when you exit I can't recall any direction to the store from the highway. Time will tell, but I have my doubts that they will do any better than the original Gander Mountain.

This is one of those topics that is all about personal preference. My opinion is the fewer knots you have, the less room there is for failure. I quit using fluoro leaders with braid and have not seen any difference in the number of bites I'm getting. The exception for me is finesse fishing on a spinning rod, where I always use main line braid to FC leader. My vote on a BC is of you want to throw braid, throw straight braid. If you want to throw FC, throw straight FC. Cheap backing on both to save $$$. FC breaks the bank quicker than any other line, but certainly has its advantages.

"Splashing around like drunken frat boys" that's hysterical. I often describe the carp spawn at my local reservoir as "the bar scene at last call". There will be a 25-30' stretch of bank where they are 5-6 deep rolling on each other. When that happens, I move on. If it's just a few chasing each other or roaming, little to no impact.

I've got in tune (with braid) to listening to the rpms of the spool on a long cast. Kind of like shifting gears in a vehicle (if that exists anymore ? ) There's a clear difference between the beginning of the cast, apex, and decent.

Unfortunately, no academy stores in my area. I'll be pairing it to a reel with 15# fluoro. Most lures 3/8-1/2 oz. Jigs, chatterbaits, lipless cranks, maybe even the occasional Texas rig. I've had a few people recommend the 7'4 H, saying the 7'3 MH is more of a deep cranking rod. Thoughts?

My local Walmart has my two favorite colors for $2.50 a bag right now... Thinking maybe I should buy them up?!

Since it's a "sales" thread.... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-RDSPOWELL.html?from=basres

I've been raising the issue for years for my local County Park lake to put trash bins near the water, and to install line disposal stations. The push back that I'm gettting is, "We've had trash cans in the past, but people throw them into the water." It drives me crazy they won't even enterain the idea of chaining them down. There is literally one dumpster that serves the entire area, and it's a little over a mile to walk the lakes perimeter. I hate to litter no matter where I am, but that's not true for everyone. But, maybe if they had the option of a trash can, some might use them. There are a lot of pets and wildlife in the area, also. There have been several occasions that I know of where they have been hurt by fishing line. The park staff does clean up, but it's too large of an area for just a few dedicated folks to handle, along with their normal maintenance responsibility. Sorry, more of a rant than anything but at least I know with you guys it's not falling on deaf ears and you can appreciate my frustrations and concern. If anyone has any suggestions or success stories to help make a change, please let me know! Enjoy the weekend.

To add... I've heard rumors the Shimano reel is an updated version of the "Bass Rise" and could retail as low as $44.

Good evening! I apologize if I'm repeating but I'm just curious, with ICAST right around the corner and new products being released, should I expect to see any sales or clearance on previous year's rod and reel models? A more general question... What time of year is best for finding deals? I have a big list of "want" but not "need" and like most of us, I want to stretch my dollar as far as possible. Thanks!

I agree... Similar profile but no line tie or knot exposure. If I had to pick a jig, the missile ike mini flip in 3/8oz is a nice compact size and usually pops free pretty easy for me if I do get hung up. It will take a beating, too.

That's for the info. "Heavy" always worries me that it will end up being a pool cue that won't load up. Sounds like the flacons all have a softer tip?

I think I'm too far north for academy. I did see the Christie model at Walmart for $70 but I wasn't impressed. I've seen the fury and thought they were on the lighter side. What model Bucoo would you suggest for throwing 3/8-1/2oz jigs and trigs, chatterbaits, lipless cranks... A kind of "do everything" stick? I'm looking 7'2"-7'4". Thanks!

I hear nothing but good things about the bucco... It's a shame I can't find them anywhere besides online ?

Good insight... Sounds like I can move on in my search. I guess lesson learned... When you find one you really like, buy more than one! Also hope I don't get penalized... They blocked the taboo numbers in the rod weight rating. ?

Hey, guys... Hoping I can tag along here and get some help. I'm replacing a BPS JM Titanium 8 7'2 MH/F that has been discontinued. Its my do everything rod, aside from crankin, flipping and froggin. Anyway I'm looking at the lews tp-1 in 7'3 and they are listed as MH/M 1/2 to ***/8oz or H/F 3/8 to 1-1/2 oz. This seems a little backward... Anyone have experience fishing them? P.S. not willing to go down to the 7' for MH/F model. Thanks!

Short story that might make you feel better, laugh or just flat out feel sorry for me... Went out bank fishing shortly after first thaw. Muddy water. Hands almost numb. Tied on a black and blue chatterbait hoping they could find it (zman original so luckily only $5). First cast into a tree. 1 lure gone without getting into the water. Second cast, wedged it in what must have been a rock pile that I couldn't see. 2 lures gone. Get in my box, tie on the last bladed jig I'm carrying, snip my main line instead of the tag end, and watch it fall into the water. Lost 3 lures, and only one of them ever had a chance to get in front of a fish (while connected to my line). I always like to try and learn something everytime I go out. I no longer tie any knots over the water. ?