EastCoastAngler

My dad and I were fishing a few years ago at our "honey hole", it was getting late in the day. We had just started throwing hula poppers when it sounded like a toilet flush on my dad's. He fought this monster to the bank where it had slightly wrapped around a laydown. Another guy that was fishing with us volunteered to get the fish free from the snag. He went into the water, got the fish free, and lifted it out of the water by just the line. This bass bro 12 pound mono like it was floss. Needless to say that was the largest fish I've ever seen lost. And the guy wasn't invited to fish anymore.

Oh good deal, I've been wanting to fish that little lake, I'll take you up on it.

Welcome! What part of NC are you from? I'm from the Raleigh/Cary area. If you're close we could meet up.

One of my closest friends was taking a trip to the beach to fish. Another friend of mine built him a rod rack for his birthday. On the way to the beach my friend looked back and at 65 miles per hour and saw his rods flying around on the highway. Needless to say, over 1000 dollars worth of rods were ruined due a poor rod rack.

I love 40lb 832 on my heavier bait-casting gear and power pro on spinning gear. There is an old "rule of thumb" that says never use heavier than 20lb braid on spinning gear, and and never lighter than 30lb on baitcasters.

Tackelwarehouse has a deal on the zillion tws. I believe they are $179.99 which is over a hundred dollars off. I have one and they are outstanding.

Use a double uni knot for main line to leader connections. This is my go to knot for all connection applications.

You're missing out on some of the most heart stopping bass fishing ever

I fish a St. Croix Avid X for many of the same applications, I have the Medium Heavy Fast action and I love it for 3/8 jigs and heavier. For lighter applications I would suggest the 7' Medium fast action, this rod is rated well within your desired range for all techniques you have listed. It is extremely light, sensitive, quality hardware, IMO best 200 dollar rod on the market.

Make Youtube videos

Stren original is great line, also Trilene Big Game is the best bang for your buck monofilament line in my opinion.

^x2 a good friend of mine relies heavily on his 2pc Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0 spinning rod. He bought it in medium power fast action and he says it fishes slightly heavier than a "true" medium rod. But he throws everything from weightless worms and dropshots to 1/2 ounce jigs and chatterbaits on it.

If throwing small poppers/ topwaters is your goal, I would go with a Medium/Medium Heavy spinning rod with fast action with your preference of braided line. The fast action will help you throw those small lures much easier and further, while also delivering more accuracy vs a "standard" baitcasting setup. I'm not saying throwing small lures on a baitcaster is impossible, but it can be done much easier on a spinning rod.

There's enough money in rods and reels in this photo to buy a used boat haha. Anyway nice looking setups.

Hello, does anyone have any access to private ponds around Shelby,NC? I am in college in Boiling Springs, and I'm having a hard time getting my fishing "fix" since I am from out of town. Ive been run off a few places that were promising, but now the only place left is a golf course with 6-8in bass. Anyone that has any info let me know. I also wouldn't mind driving in to SC if need be. Langdon

A local golf course that I fish at is LOADED with big bass. After fishing this pond for a little while last spring, I noticed baitfish moving around. Upon further notice, I found a couple threadfin shad, that had been partially eaten by birds, laying on the bank. I had the idea of drop-shoting some of those shad that are typically used for catfishing just to see what would happen. It seemed to make sense because that is about as realistic as a dying shad suspending in the water. It started raining as I was trying this out and left without any answers. Has anyone ever tried this?

Im going with Greg Hackney. The man is full of information, and can flat out catch fish anywhere he goes. Nobody else does what he does with a big jig and a broomstick. I would love to pick up some deep water jig tips from him.

Hi everyone, my name is Langdon. After using these forums for many years, I finally joined. I am amazed at how kind and welcoming this community is. I have loved fishing my whole life, beginning with catching bluegill with a worm and bobber, to chasing my pb bass year after year now. I am looking forward to all I can learn here, and contributing anyway I can.

With this transitional period of time, shad activity increases. Bass begin to buIk up for the colder months, so reaction baits tend to be more productive. I would recommend either a shad pattern squarebill, a spinnerbait, or a swim jig/ chatterbait. Works these around rip-rap, shallow cover, isolated cover, points, and drop offs and see if you luck changes.