Shimano_1

Its a slippery slope. We love to bass fish so obviously we see it one way. If I owned the property and didn't fish i can see myself getting irritated at people bouncing jigs and hooks off my property. Saw blades do sound a little extreme and dangerous. If someone polity asked me not to fish around their dock I would oblige but I'm sure there are those that would fish it because they could. I'd maybe talk to a game warden about it and get their take on it. This is one reason I avoid docks unless I can't catch em any other way...and my lack of skill let's me know I'm probably gonna be hitting someone's property when I fish em lol

I think for the average weekend fisherman graphite reels are just fine. I personally don't buy them because for not much more money there are options that have aluminum frames. I buy things thinking i want it to last years but its doubtful ill wear many out before upgrading so its a moot point. I've got several buddies that fish graphite reels hard and can't remember them having issues....but they definitely feel worse than the higher prices aluminum reels.

I've fished a ton of reels over the years and pretty much any of them adjusted right will cast a mile. The lews bb1 pro comes to mind and from what I've read the new tatula elites may fit the bill. For deep cranking I'd look at the lews or the tatula 150 for line capacity. I prefer a reel with more line capacity for deep cranking. I still use an older pro qualifier myself but mostly because I deep crank about 2 percent of the time. I'm sure you're gonna get a bunch of opinions so stay tuned...

lots of people have this problem. I have experienced it myself tho more of when I set the hook i tend to move it. It used to bother me but the braking system on them is sweet enough I've just learned to deal with it. Only option is to alter how you're holding the reel or get rid of it

A lot of that kind of stuff can be wrapped in something like a carbon fiber adhesive wrap to freshen things up. Ive done a couple of cracked and faded windshields as well as dash panels etc in it and it looks great! Just another option and cheaper.

I wouldn't approach it quite that way. I'd probably start with the one I wanted and get all the information. Then I'd gather the same information on the rest. Maybe one is significantly better deal than the rest. Once you get your information you'll have a good bargaining tool. I'm sure some dealers will stand out good and bad. A good dealer will be worth a little extra cash imo. I'm sure if they know you're buying and you're negotiating with other dealers, they'll be a little more motivated to offer the best deal. I got a good price on my aluminum rig last year but the experience with the dealer wasn't grand. I wish I'd done more homework and next time I will definitely do more of what you're doing and shop around! Good luck! Maybe with all this covid crap they're needing to sell some rigs!

I've always just used armor all car soap and then a good coat of wax. I wipe mine down most every time when I pull it out and I've started using Lucas spray wax when I wipe it down

I personally feel any v8 1/2 ton truck would do just fine. I'd want 4x4 for sure just for the weight and steep wet ramps. Other than that I'd be satisfied with any of the new trucks on the road for any bass boat.

lews custom pro on a carbonlite 2.0 rod. 300 retail is my most expensive. I could afford higher end fairly easily but I'm satisfied with what I have. Got a buddy that loves his metaniums and loomis rods. I've fished them and yes they are legit. Everyone has their reasons for fishing what they fish. Be it budget, attraction of the latest and greatest etc. The main thing is using them. The beauty of it is there are so many options available these days. I've actually tried to stay away from higher end simply because I don't want to have to replace a bunch of gear because the one is so much better lol

I use a 7'2 mh thats stiffer than most mh. I wouldn't want a 7'6 rod to frog with myself. I prefer a little softer rod than most for most things tho. Gonna boil down to personal preference. You could for sure throw one on the longer rod but between the 2 I'd choose the 7 ft

looking good for sure! Its not the difficult just time consuming. It is worth it tho. I don't think anything makes a boat look better than fresh carpet

I agree with all that has been stated already. You're never gonna get the truth. I would concentrate a lot more on patterns guys are running on different lakes throughout the season. I think its a rare deal that one bait is that much better than the rest. I do browse the top 10 winning baits/patterns myself and usually its on supposedly the same baits we all use.

Anyone have one and actually have some time on the water with it? I was never a huge fan of the last gen. The braking system was awesome but everyone i had seemed geary sounding. Curious if this new one is any smoother or quieter? Already know I like the profile better. Really wanting to try one but would like to hear some feedback first. Thanks

This is the bottom line I guess. If I were in your shoes I think I'd look for a new or very lightly used aluminum rig. I traded a 20ft triton with a 250 in last year on a new Triton aluminum rig with a 115 4 stroke and I have been pleased with it. The storage and speed isn't quite what the glass boat had but its plenty and we have had no problems fishing tournaments from the new one. Other than the speed pretty much every other aspect of it the aluminum boat seems better for me. Easier to launch and trailer alone, eaiser to tow, much better fuel economy etc. Its going to boil down to personal preference tho. Just know the aluminum rigs are much different than they were even 10 years ago as far as bass boats go. Good luck!

If it's over 20mph I don't head out usually. If I were fishing bigger water like ky lake I'd say that number would be lower. I fish a lot of smaller lakes that don't get too rough. I have a triton 18tx. Fished in 25mph winds a cple weeks ago and it wasn't fun. Never felt unsafe just hard to do much in those winds

I rarely fish anything over 15. I keep 20 on one rod for bigger jigs, heavier cover type fishing. The majority of my other rods including the one I throw smaller jigs and swim jigs on have 15. You're gonna get varieties of answers here so I guess its what you think you'll have more confidence in

I like the Christie craws but the last cple of years I've quit buying most yum baits. They seem to have way more deformed baits than I'm comfo with even at their price point. Fish probably don't care a bit but my ocd does lol. I'll stick to my rage craws and speed craws til they get that problem addressed

Come on man really? If it bothered me I'd never say a word about it.

Guilty on this one for sure! I've lost a few fish thinking it was grass etc so I try to assume it's a bite if it feels like one! Took two guys from work last year that aren't bass fisherman. The lake was full of grass. One guy kept setting the hook on grass or stumps. Other guy starts riding him about it. The guy that was doing it gets bit and assumes its grass so he sets the rod down and starts hand lining it in for whatever reason...still haven't figured out why. He makes about two pulls with his hands and a fish well over 6 lbs comes up outta the water and spits his bait. I felt bad for him as this was possibly the biggest fish he'll ever catch. He didnt seem to mind much I guess because he's not a bass fisherman. It definitely can be hard to tell what's a bite and what's not.

I think I've got enough tackle to last me a few years if I had to make it last...as do several others lol. I'm always trying to buy enough of what I think I need to last a while so I guess if that is true then it's good that I have stocked up! Personally dont see it being an issue...but never saw this whole pandemic thing coming either!

I've used the palomar for most everything for years and years with no problems. I used it on all types of line as well. Simple and has worked perfectly for me. I'm sure there are several that are sufficient but no need to change if it's not broken

I'd say after a pb he probably wants to keep fishing it like he has been lol. Definitely not conventional but if it is working I'd keep right on fishing it that way! Maybe the reason its working as already stated...because its something different.

I've never replaced one on any boat I've ever owned. My buddy has a cple times and I always assumed its because he cranks it down as tight as he possibly can. I snug mine up good and let it be. If your not doing that I dont know what the problem is. As already stated I'd get the Fulton I always buy anything I can from them and its always quality

Its funny that this thread popped up. I was just telling my buddy how it seems all the stuff I used to throw I've gotten away from as I've kept adding new stuff to my arsenal. Used to catch a ton on buzzbaits and culprit worms and have abandoned both not even realizing it. I think this year I'm going to try and being back some of those tried and true baits for me. I think my issue is I get to fish once a week and in an 8 or 10 hour day there's only so much time. What a crazy puzzle bass fishing is....very much part of the intrigue for me! The only baits I've thrown for years and still use regularly are jigs and stick baits. As far as confidence lures mine undoubtedly are a jig, jerkbait, stickbait, and drop shot

You're not the only one. I kind of liked the tatula ct and the 100 but never cared for the sv. I've owned 3 or 4 and wasn't a fan at all. They were probably the noisiest reels I've owned and I got them from different places at different times. They were ok but between the geary noise and what I felt was lack of casting distance they aren't for me. I scratch my head every time I read people singing the praises. They are super easy to use and hard to backlash so I can see the appeal there. I know its frowned upon here but I've turned into a lews guy lately. They just work, silky smooth, cast a mile....what's not to like. Shimano makes a fine product as well I like any of theirs from the curado up. Daiwa makes some fine reels as well I just want a fan of the sv. Which means...as others have said...try them for yourself and you decide. Apparently what I like and what most others like are not the same thing.