GreenGhostMan

I've only been bass fishing for about a year, but I caught my PB (little over 4lbs) on this spinnerbait in the chart/white. Where did you find the xcaliburs?

Wish my wal-mart carried Yo-Zuri. I'm forced to buy from TW, which leads me to spend at least $50 for free shipping. I did find 2 norman middle N's for $2.50 a piece yesterday.

Hang in there buddy!

I'm lucky my wife has been as understanding as she has been so far. At first I had to make sure we didn't have anything planned for the weekend so I knew I was free to fish... It's gotten to the point where she now tells me "why don't you go fishing on Sunday" or just last week she told me "you should take tomorrow off and fish before it gets cold again." She's even finding private ponds and lakes for me to fish now.

Good to know I'm not alone! Feels like I just stood up and admitted I have an addiction in AA (Angler's Anonymous).

My wife is starting to think I have some type of disorder. The early spring of 2016, I was invited to fish a pond. I guess this is where it happened. I had a single small flip top, old school tackle box that was half empty and 2 $20 spinning combos from Wal-mart. In 3-4 hours of fishing, I must have caught 25 bass. From this point forward, bass fishing has been on my mind about 90% of the time that I'm awake. Flash forward a year and I have a fishing kayak, 7 rod setups, 12+ boxes full of lures, several drawers full of soft plastics and accessories out the wazoo. If I'm not clicking thru TW or scrolling thru this forum, I'm scanning google maps in search of a new pond, stream or lake to fish. After an entire day of fishing, I spend the drive home thinking about when and where I can fish next. I've never been this into something in my entire life. I almost feel guilty at times. Are there other people out there that can relate? Just want to make sure I'm not the only one...

I've used raise.com. You get an additional discount on your first purchase there. https://www.raise.com/buy-cabela-s-gift-cards

I only use them on my crankbait rod. I use the VMC duolock snaps.

Swim jigs are one of my confidence baits. I normally cast a swim jig out and let it sink to the bottom. Hop it a few times like you would while pitching and then vary your retrieve back. Sometimes a straight line retrieve, sometimes stop and go. I throw some jerks in there sometimes too. A variation of the yo-yo has worked for me as well. Experiment and see what the fish want. It's a very versatile lure IMO.

Thanks for the tip. Didn't know that about the 15#.

When I use shaky head: -when water is cold -when I'm struggling to get a bite -when water is really clear When I use texas rig: -Whenever I want to use soft plastics, I generally start with a texas rig. If bite is tough, I may switch to a shaky head or ned rig.

I just started using yo zuri hybrid in 12# and really like it. Plan on buying some 15# from TW soon. I tried using fluorocarbon on my texas rig rod, but am going to swap it out for the 15# yo zuri.

Lew's. I'm newer to the bass fishing addiction, but my first baitcaster was a BPS carbonlite. My 2nd was a Lew's Tournament MB... The next 4 reels have all been Lew's. Smooth, they cast a mile, and they just feel like a solid, quality reel IMO.

If you don't peg the sinker, the bait can be picked up by a bass and they won't feel the weight of the lead as much with a texas rig. The lead sinker on a texas rig is more weedless in my opinion. Especially when pitching in brush. I feel that I get hung up in brush much easier with a shaky head. You can also use stout hooks with a texas rig. Most shaky head jigs have light wire hooks.

Right... which is what I originally said I would throw them on. Wondered if people threw the 100 and 200s on baitcasters.

The 3XD and freak won't be as effective from the bank. A bit too deep diving IMO.

Unfortunately, my only mediums are spinning set ups. Don't have a M baitcasting rod.

I use the kvd lure enhancer sticks. Also use the sticky liquid when I fish tubes. Got some megastrike in my last LTB that I plan to try at some point. I figure that scents can't hurt, so why not?

I'll have to give the 100 and 200 a try. I believe the 300 is heavier. I've thrown those before without a problem.

I have the 733C fury and I wouldn't use it for big worms. Definitely go with the 704 or 734.

Maybe I'll take it to BPS to have them clean it for me. Anyone know how much this costs? And do I have to mail it off somewhere or can I take it to the store in person?

I haven't fished any bandit 100 or 200s. I think I may have one in my crankbait box, but have never tied it on. They are only 1/4 oz, right? Do you guys fish them on spinning reels? Seems really light for a crankbait. I'm trying fluorocarbon on my crankbait rod for the first time this season and feel like it would be backlash after backlash with a 1/4 oz crankbait.

I bought the original carbonlite as my first baitcaster ever. Learned how to cast with it. It served me well in that regard. Very easy to use without backlashing. However, the anti-reverse started going out after only 15 or so trips to the water. I need to strip it down and clean it, but afraid I won't be able to put it back together correctly. Over the winter, I purchased a bunch of Lew's reels and I don't think I'll ever buy anymore BPS reels other than the occasional PQ when they are on the classic sale.

I like the ones by VMC. The double wire keeper works well and they look nice.

What this guy said. I always took "offset" as meaning not in line with the eye of the hook.