jdw174

X2 fa sure

For a long time, I used the identical rod for both, the Falcon LowRider "Carolina Lizard Dragger". Worked fine for both. Used it for jigs, too.

Yep. Watch the pros, especially when they're pitching to deeper targets. Almost all of them will strip line off the reel manually to get the jig to drop straight down.

Some years back, there was a fishing show on TNN that featured two women bassers. I can't for the life of me remember their names or the name of the show, but I do remember they fished out of a Stratos. One of their first names was Linda, I believe. It wasn't a bad show at all.

I'm with you almost 100%. Big Hoss is a smart-aleck twit. Chumlee couldn't find his butt with both hands and a flashlight. Only place I disagree with you is the old man. He's not all that bad. Rick is my favorite. Go into any pawn shop around here and about the best you'll get is .25 on the dollar. IOW, they'll put a price on it almost four times what they pay for it in the first place.

A few years ago, I got one of those famous "unwanted" mailings from B.A.S.S. in the form of a hardbound book called "Advanced Bass Fishing Skills". It was the first in a series of books to be sent unless you cancelled. I actually bought it after flipping through the pages. The price was right, considering the quality of the photos and paper. I then cancelled the rest of the mailings. It's an excellent read for tuning up my memory on various lures/presentations over the winter. It's outdated a bit now....has almost nothing on dropshotting/shakeyhead techniques, but a good read nontheless. Another one that is quite good is from In-Fisherman. It's the #3 book in their "Critical Concepts" series called "Bass Presentations". It's in paperback format and it's not fancy, but it's very good and worthwhile.

Wouldn't walk across the street to see FF if he were performing live. (I also hit the "skip" button on my DVR when he comes on UMF )

If you can find a GOOD one, by all means do it. I belonged to one of those when I lived up north. We fished with each other all the time, had no problems with front-ending, etc.. I served at one time or another as president, tx director, etc.. We had a good club with good members Now, fast forward ahead to where I'm at now. I was invited to join the local bass club when I got settled in. I went to all the meetings and I could sense a little resentment (in this neck of the woods, Yankees aren't welcomed with open arms, apparently). I joined, worked their club projects, fished the tx's, and was largely ignored, constantly front-ended and just generally made to feel that I didn't fit in. I could go on, but you can get my drift. A good club is a lot of fun. A bad one will sour you quick.

Normally, I'll stick with the hard baits, especially shallow cranks. However, this past year I concentrated a lot on dropshotting and shakeyhead worms and did well.

I just enjoy being out on the water, especially at first light, a little mist on the water. Second would be figuring out what they're hitting on for that day or maybe working on learning a new technique.

I don't care for him on the Ultimate Match Fishing Show, either >

I've been using an AllStar Zell Rowland Top Water Special for the last 15+ years. If it ever breaks, I'll cry :'( . It's 6'6" and I believe it was originally designed for slinging Pop-R's (which it does beautifully). I also use it for jerkbaits, walking the dog as well as chuggers, poppers, and it can double for a shallow running cranking stick. They're no longer made, at least with Zell's name on them, but they do pop up on Ebay from time to time. I'm with the above poster in that I feel a whole lot more comfortable with the reel on top when working hard baits.

I'm currently using the Optima 34M which I think may be too small for electronics and cranking (although it's worked well so far). I'd go with the Delco Voyager, but there aren't any dealers around here. Matter of fact, I'm really limited in what I can buy and where. I need at least a group 27. Any suggestions?

That's the one. The handle on mine came unglued so I just carry the stone around with me in the boat. May have to buy another one.

Go to Lowes. Somewhere in the store they'll have a sharpener display (check around the pocket knives). I got one there made by Smith's. It's metal, a bit over an inch wide with a single groove down the middle and comes with a nylon web sheath. Mine works very nicely. About $9. If you like the stone type, there used to be one made by GATCO (Great American Tool COmpany). Don't know if they're still made, but it was the best I've ever used.

Not a bad idea, but where can u find "tiny" ones. Lowes doesn't go quite that small.....

I don't see him giving up on cranks if conditions will allow them. Of course if he has to flip, etc.,...............

Thanks guys...

I am SO sick of opening up a box of jigs or SB's and finding another skirt where those *(*&&^&^%$ rubber bands broke and the skirt all through the box. If any of you re-wrap yours, what kind of wire do you use and where do you get it? Barring that, I suppose I could get some wrapping thread and use it instead...

When the time comes for a really GOOD cleaning, I send all of mine away for service. The shop I use does an outstanding job. I don't do this every year, though. I make sure my reels are wiped down and properly oiled. Usually every couple of years. It's worth every penny.

x2 with the above poster. I wouldn't go less than 7' and the MH action. You'll be able to use it for both basic worming plus flipping/pitching.

I've already got more than I can use, but there's always something to try. I won a $50 gift card to the local sporting goods store and I picked up four of the new SK KVD Square Bills, 2 of each size, and a handful of SK Tour Model Football Jigs. That pretty much covers any new lure expenditures for the coming year.

I don't get nearly as excited in getting the BPS catalog as I used to. Same for Cabelas. Any ordering online from my end goes to Tackle Warehouse. I make sure that I make it at least $50 for free shipping and I don't have to pay the almost 10% sales tax we have here.

I received an older green Curado, brand new, in partial trade on a prop I was selling. Turned out to have a ratio of 3.8:1! I had no use for that at all, so sent it away and had it converted to the standard 6.3:1. Cost, including tuneup, came to around $35-40. Don't see why it can't be done the other way around...

I'm with Chris on everything he said. I used nothing but Lowrance/Eagle for years....never had a real problem other than they just got old and quit working. My last Lowrance was a 334CI. Had it mounted at the console and added a Navionics chip. It worked fine with no trouble. When sidescan showed up the pricing scared the crap out of me. Lowrance came out with their's and it seems that that's when the complaints began turning up even more. I sold my motorcycle and used the money to get a new sidescan and TM. I'd read so much good about HB and their customer service I decided to make the switch. Bought a new 898si at a very good price and absolutely love it. The 334 made the move from console to front deck. It's no sidescan, but a super leap ahead of the 11 yr old piece of junk that came in the boat. The 898 is at the console on a RAM mount. Wayne is right in getting the biggest screen you can afford. While an 1197 would have been nice, the one on the 898 works just fine for me. I'm not bothered by the size of the data screens on the left. You can customize your unit to limit what data is shown. The controls on the sidescan are much more user friendly than the ones that are on the 334ci it replaced. Add a Navionics chip and you're ready to rock.