Bladesmith,

Years ago (in the 80's) I fished tournaments in the local and 3 state area. I would take nothing for that experience and the friends I made along the way. They were the best. That being said, I spent most of my time on the water doing research for the next tournament and it became a job like any other (I wonder how guides feel about it). Now, At 69 years old, I can relax and enjoy my time on the water. There is no pressure to produce a string of fish that is heavier than the next guy. In fact, there is no pressure at all (that is why I started fishing in the first place). I spend my time fishing, watching the wildlife coming down to water, and sometimes I just put my rod down and enjoy the scenery. Life is good. If I catch something, I hurry and put it back in the water so my wife doesn't expect me to clean it for her to cook. If I don't catch anything, I will enjoy my time on the water. Hey, isn't that what it is all about? Yup, I'm a cranky old man, but I earned it.

If I had that kind of money, I would just fly from place to place, stay in luxurious hotels, and hire guides. After all, guides need to make a living, too and who knows their home water better? If you are going to dream, why not dream big?

Hmmm. Learn something every day.........Well........some days anyway.

Brown trout is also not a true trout. It is in the char family. The char family as I understand it spawn in the fall and the trout family are spring spawners.

Thank you, Glenn. The search box turns up 0 on the term "Ned Rig".

I live in an area where ticks are a constant problem. We all learned years ago to spray a little kerosene on our pants legs and boots or shoes. Smells but keeps ticks off. My grandmother used to put a cup of kerosene (called "coal oil" back in those days) in her wash water for work clothes. Not a sexy smell but then ticks aren't particularly sexy either. It works folks and isn't expensive.

When I am in my boat I carry 4 rigs; Spinner bait Crank bait Top water or jig and trailer Soft plastic With these I can cover any depth or type of cover. I do not tie on the specific baits until I get to the water and sit and watch for a few minutes. The lake I fish (Eufaula in OK) can change in a single day so I never know what conditions will be until I actually get on the water. I mostly go by "feel" as for specific baits and colors. I watch my depth finder as I'm moving along to determine what depth I am graphing fish. That depth is where I will start when I get to the spot I wish to fish. That depth will usually determine where I will start fishing. This time of year (pre-spawn) the where will probably be on or near a main point with flats nearby or the sides of a creek channel with flats at the right depth. Rocky areas seem to be my best producers at this time. Add all these things up, rocky point with flats, creek channel with gravel or rocky flats, and I can still get skunked but usually not. That is why it is called "fishing" rather than "catching". Such is the allure of bass fishing and what brings me back to the lake year after year; You just never know what kind of day you're going to have until you put the boat back on the trailer. My game plan is developed on the water as I see conditions.

There is an early morning bite shallow but there is also an early morning bite deep. It is a known fact your bigger bass are deep! And according to y'all I'll be by myself!!! Not any more. Thanks for the education.

Catt. I am curious why you would choose deep offshore structure in overcast conditions when most folks (myself included) would be fishing shallower.

I have certainly been some parts of "that guy" at times. I've been fishing for more than 50 years. By this time, I have accumulated more lures than I will live long enough to actually use. I have old battle scarred Bagleys and Rebels that I will never tie on again, Old pistol grip rods that I no longer use, reels that are collectors items (I still use some of them) and several tough boxes (the big ones) full of spinner baits, crank baits, and soft plastics. When I go to the lake, I take one small box with what I'll use that day. Usually carry 3 rods with lures already tied on and rarely change them. I guess it is evolution. When I was younger I thought it was equipment that made the difference. It is not. It is attitude, experience, and time on the water that makes the difference.

I use a 4 or 5 for blue gills (just because I have both) use the 5 mostly. Use 7 for bass.

They sure are scrappy little devils. Will hit and be caught of larger bass lures. They sure are fun to catch on a fly rod with poppers or other top water flies. I consider them a game fish regardless of what others may think.

Rod guides freeze up because the line you are using holds water. Some years ago I lived in Idaho and this was often a problem One of the old timers there suggested Power Pro braid. I tried it. Problem solved.

Several people on this thread have referred to pistol grip rods as being lower quality rods. I beg to differ with that opinion. I have a Browning graphite 5 1/2 ft. rod that I use occasionally for lighter weight grubs and jigs that is just as sensitive as my newer rods. I also have a Browning Boron rod that is an excellent jig rod. I mostly use modern rods with the newer style grips but the older ones still work well for me.

A few years ago I discovered snowmobile suits. They are warm, water resistant, and all the seams seal against wind. This is the most comfortable, and warmest clothing I have discovered for wintertime fishing (or any other outdoor activity). Together with a good pair of pack boots from Cabela's, I can stay warm in the nastiest weather. Gloves are optional as I cannot use them while fishing but I do keep them available for warming my hands when they get too cold.

I fly fish. Tie my own flies, etc. Fish mainly for bass, big perch, and whatever else that will co-operate. Mainly on ponds nowdays, but have fished for steelhead on little Salmon river and rainbows and cutthroats on rivers and small streams in Idaho. Live in Oklahoma now so fish for what is available here.

Somebody took real good care of that boat. Congratulations!

That back-rac looks handy but those folks sure proud of them for $125.00 each.

What WRB said is pretty much true. However; How can you develop the feel for sensitivity if you do not use a rod that has that sensitivity? When I started bass fishing all that was available was fiberglass rods. I remember when I picked up my first graphite rod and drug a T rigged worm across some gravel on the bottom. I was amazed at the difference in the feel. If I had never used that first graphite rod I would never have known the difference. I would suggest getting the best rod you can afford without breaking your bank or borrow a good rod from a friend and try it. You do not have to have the latest G. Loomis rod but a good quality rod will probably surprise you. Also, make sure the rod and reel you use are balanced. That balance is part of the feel of sensitivity. Just my .02.

How effective is the Ned Rig in murky or muddy water?

I worked my way through college by driving a local delivery service truck. I have a Master's from the U. of Houston in Behavioral Science, minor in Criminology. Worked in the field for 6 years then went back to driving a truck. I am simply not a sit behind a desk person. Retired from driving a truck 6 years ago at 62. Now, I'm wondering what I really want to be when I grow up.......

I change my impeller and check the housing for wear every year in the early spring as I am preparing the boat for the season. As mentioned previously, it is cheap insurance. The waters I fish are sometimes muddy with lots of sand stirred up when I'm idling along in shallow water.

I use a snowmobile suit. It is water resistant, you can seal it up for wind resistance, or unzip parts if it gets too warm. Works good for me.

Welcome! There are guys on this forum that can answer any question you may have. Heck, they answer questions I haven't thought up yet (and I'm 68 years old and have been fishing at least 58 of those years). Read some of the articles for how to info, and check out the fishing reports section for where, hot to info, and how it worked.

Maybe for small water but seems pretty pricey for what it is.