MassYak85

x2 I really didn't use my new swimbait stuff this year that much, didn't catch any bass (did catch some decent size pickerel who apparently felt a little bold) and ultimately got overshadowed by other techniques that produced. I do plan to use it come fall more, matt allen's videos definitely gave me the confidence to use them though.

My dad was the one who really got me into fishing, he taught me a lot of the basics. But it wasn't until a few years ago that I started really trying to learn about bass fishing and all the little nuances that neither of us really knew about. Before that a day of fishing basically consisted of me throwing a weightless worm, and he would throw a spinnerbait, and if we didn't catch any, or that many, we just chalked it up to be a bad day of fishing and left the lake stumped. Articles online, YouTubers (Glenn probably gave me the most help early on), and online forums like this one especially have provided invaluable insight and information and we both have benefited and it has really shown in our success the last few years. Last spring I got my first fish over 4 pounds (5.40, and my PB), and this year not only did I tie my PB again (5.40....exactly), but I have gotten four fish over 4 pounds. Once we got a rough grasp of the spawn a couple seasons ago my dad got a couple nice ones pushing 5.

My favorite rod length right now is 7' 2". Under 6' 6" feels weird to me, but I'm a taller guy so that might play into it a little.

Exactly what I would have said

I use a 7' 6" HF Vendetta, which I believe I picked up for 80 bucks. I really like it, but it is a broomstick.

I love the 90 and 130 size but this just screamed gimmick to me, and an attempt for them to cash in on the success of the standard lure. If they want to do that I suggest they just come out with a 110 size.

Should have seen my dad's face the first (and only) timer he caught a walleye. "This is an odd looking smallmouth"....He then proceeded to try and lip it and realized just in time that this was no cuddly little smallmouth haha.

Yea, swimbait gear especially is probably not the place to look to save large amounts of money. In a niche technique where a backlash could cost you 20....30....50....100 dollars, a 50 dollar "budget reel" in hindsight might not be the best decision.

For dinks that can't seem to calm down I usually get the pliers and grab a hold of the hook and (hopefully) use the fish's weight to dislodge it. Next step is to grab them by the body, which (knock on wood) hasn't failed me yet.

x2, I looked around for a little bit because I was a little wary about dropping 200 on a technique specific combo, for a technique I wasn't even sure if I would like to fish yet. Both the rod, and the reel....they were about the cheapest I could find that still had very positive reviews and feedback from people. I have the H guide select (1-6oz). Lures in the middle of that range will load the rod very nicely, so the 2-3 oz ones that you might start off buying will fish very well on it. I think the 6oz upper range is a little bit generous on Okuma's part though, not that it can't be done but the rod seems a little overloaded IMO with anything in the 5/6 ballpark.

That's a beautiful rainbow Mike! I rarely ever catch any but I think they are the coolest fish to actually hold and see in person.

Hmm, I haven't experienced either of those issues yet. How often are they drying out on you? Mine have been on all year no issue.

I haven't tipped on mine (knock on wood), but what I did with my crate is attach some bungie chord on top so that I can hook it across the 3700 boxes, so that if I flipped they wouldn't fall out of the box. I also have the crate itself attached to the kayak with bungie, and I have bungie near my rod holders that I can wrap around my rod handles to secure them too.

That's some good stuff right there

I use power pro and have not found a reason to switch yet, I have also tried 832 and I really liked it.

Personally if I could only have one rod and reel and could only use one line, it would be 40lb braid and I would just tie leaders on as needed. But 12 or 14lb copoly would probably be my second choice. I would hesitate using straight fluoro if it is your only setup since it sinks and can mess up the action on topwaters.

On my swimbait setup I usually hook it onto the reel frame, but otherwise, I use the hook keeper. My issue is a LOT of the hook keepers that come stock on rods I really don't like, and most are too small for larger treble hooks, so I have switched over to Fuji EZ Keepers and will never go back

I have a crate behind my seat that I can fit six 3700 size plano boxes if I want. I don't always bring that many but it allows me to have the option of not cutting down just to save space.

Someone on here recently mentioned this to me in one of my other threads, so I'll pass on the good deal http://www.sportsmansoutfitters.com/daiwa-tatula-freshwater-baitcast-fishing-rods/ Diawa Tatula for $109, I use the 7' 2" Heavy fast for jigs/worms and like it. Very light and sensitive.

I was going to change out a few split rings for some treble hooks on some larger baits (Whopper Plopper 130, S-Waver 168 etc.). What size split rings would you suggest for size 2-1/0 trebles? I was thinking Owner Hyper Wires but I have no idea on size. Thanks.

The actual cost to start out and dabble in a few techniques and be successful is not much at all. It's all the new techniques, brands that we "have to" try out, slight differences that we feel give us an edge, and variety within a certain lure style, and variety within rods/reels that add up to a lot of money....and of course a boat will put a dent in the old bank account! Once you get past the initial investment of getting a few lures that will cover most conditions at most times, knowledge is really the thing that will have the biggest impact on success.

Congrats on the new PB! I had what I think was a smallie follow and slap at my 130 a few times, didn't seem to want to commit to it. I switched to the 90 and hooked up with a little smallie inside one of those "nets" they use to keep construction waste out of the river. I got him over the top of it and then he jumped and shook the hook. The smallies really seem to have my number when it comes to the whopper ploppers, I've lost more than I've caught it seems. But I've landed almost every largemouth.

We were out from about 6 to 2 today on the lower charles. It was a little tough going, but we probably got around 10 bass between the 3 of us. I got the biggest on a whopper plopper early, I would guess around 3. I didn't weigh it because it was making a real fuss about being handled. I was lucky I didn't get hooked while removing the treble from it's front lip. The rest of the day consisted of a few more fish around 2, and some dinks. They seemed to like spinnerbaits best today, double willow leaf. We've had some very tough days on the charles so I was pretty happy with how we did.

Going to try the lower charles tommorow, hopefully the cooler temperatures get them to venture out from their deep hiding spots for at least a little bit.

It depends, try both. He might be catching more if the bite is tough because of the slow fall rate of the weightless rig. You could either try weightless as well in that situation, downsize the size of your weight to slow the fall as well, or just try working the bait slower. But sometimes they want that fast fall a weighted T-rig has, in which case you might out fish your buddy. Try everything until something works. If the weightless is the hot ticket that day, no shame in switching to what works.