Birdman2136

Good Question.. I could probably investigate that. Though now that I think of it.. if the water was warm I’d be guessing more guys would be down there.

In Wisconsin of course most guys are ice fishing.. me dreaming of open water. There is a hydro dam near my home with plenty of open water and shore fishing options. I see guys there in summer, but what are the possibilities of me catching fish when the air temperature is in the teens to twenties... I’m going to go try anyway, but wondering if anyone has experience with this. I’d probably let a tube or Ned Rig tumble around in the current. Thanks.

Some good choices out there. My Kistler Rod made it tonight. Waiting for the kids to go to bed to inspect it. :)

I see the Tackle Junkies started a thread on what they purchased for tackle. I thought it would be fun to see what people purchased over the bonanza that is Black Friday sales! I spent plenty of money on tackle, but I also bought three new rods and three new reels. Dobyn's Colt 734 x Abu Garcia Pro Max - Purchased for throwing an S Waver and possibly branching into other larger baits... Should be interesting since I've never used a bait caster. *Yikes* Kistler Helium 3 Light MH 7'0 Spinning x Daiwa Fuego 2500 - Swim Jigs/Jigs/Bottom contact Shimano Zodias x Daiwa Fuego 2500 - Drop Shot/Ned Rig/3 inch swim baits Hope others were blessed enough to buy some rods/reels they had their eyes on.... now all I can do is stare at them while I reluctantly go ice fishing.

Lures purchased over the Black Friday Deals Two S-Waver 168s One Spro BBZ Shad and Baby Shad 6th Sense Curves Rat L Traps Whopper Plopper 75s Picasso and Dirty Jigs Swim Jigs 1/4 and 3/8 Beast Coast Finesse Jigs Reins Ring Craw Reins Fat Swim bait thing Gambler Little EZ Picasso Shock FX I think that was all.

Thank you. The more I research it seems the Zodias and Expride are highly thought of rods for each price range.

I've searched around the forum a bit for information on both rods and have found some helpful information. I'm looking for guys or gals with first hand experience with the Shimano Zodias or Okuma TCS. I am looking at the 7'0 ML Spinning models of each for a Ned Rig/Drop shot set up. I'd prefer to stay at the TCS price range, but could be persuaded into the Zodias. I can't find a single place anywhere near me that I could touch the rods so I would really appreciate anyone with specific experience with these rods in the spinning models. Thanks.

I’m following your logic. With replacement plan: one useful rod and 400 bucks in. without replacement plan: one useful rod and 600 bucks in. Assuming you buy the same 300 dollar rod.

The last thing I expect is a free handout or for someone to just hand me a rod because of my dumb error. After fishing in a kayak for the last 3-4 years I've realized accidents happen. I really haven't invested into "higher" end rods yet, so my thought is to invest in one that if I do break it I can get a rod back for whatever that company charges to do so. Hopefully not have to go buy another one at full price.

This is what I’m interested in. A fair replacement program... not a free hand out. Thanks.

Well after I posted this I thought maybe I should word it as what companies have a lifetime "replacement" program. What will I do with the list well... I'm trying to do what I can consider proper research towards my rod investments since I've typically only bought cheaper rods. The top of my list are Dobyns, St Croix, and maybe Shimano.

I'm curious if anyone has a list of all companies who offer the limited lifetime warranties on their rods. I tried google searching it and i get differing results. I'm aware of Dobyn's and St Croix. What else is out there? Thanks in advance.

@ClamSoup What type of set up rod and reel do you recommend? Looking more for specs than brands. Thanks. :)

Thanks everyone. I'm just going to buy a casting setup and learn it.

I'd have to say I agree with you on that.

I'm looking into biting on the hard body glidebait/swimbaits, I'm looking at purchasing a Slammer and S-Waver 168... my only problem is I don't typically use casting gear. I'm curious if I can get away with one of two spinning rods I would purchase to try these techniques. Dobyns Sierra MH or H. They are rated at MH 1/4oz - 1oz and H 3/8oz-1 1/4oz. Would I be able to get away with throwing these bait on these rods and what size spinning reel would work for throwing this size bait or should I just bite the bullet and start to get comfortable with casting setups? Thanks! S-Waver 1 5/8 oz Slammer 1.8 oz

I'm looking to add a specific rod for finesse jigs. Currently I've been using 1/4 and 5/16 size jigs on a medium rod, I think I need a little more backbone for this type of fishing than what I'm getting from the rod I have. If anyone could recommend a rod for me around 100 dollars I would greatly appreciate it. TIA!

Whopper Plopper 90 in T1000 or Pacman and Super Spook Jr in Bone.

Thanks for the input guys, I actually decided to direct him to RoadWarrior's famous post about catching bass. That is where I started so hopefully it will help his as well.

Today I was asked by a co-worker to put a list of lures together where he could spend 100 bucks on lures and get started bass fishing. This is the list I put together, but it made me think what everyone here would recommend to someone if they asked you the same question. Yum Dinger w/ 1/0 EWG hook for wacky rigging Rebel Pop-R 1/4 Bitsy Flip Jig w/ Craw trailer Suicide Shad w/ swim jig head I'm not a brand specific guy so I went with affordable lures that I feel would help anyone catch some fish.

Water is high where I am. I fished a whopper plopper and crank bait all day, with the whopper plopper catching the most fish from 5am-1pm. Most fish were caught in eddies and tucked right up to the bank or cover.

I use two top water lures for smallies on the rivers. A super spook jr and the 90 size whopper plopper. I have very little trouble on hook up using 20lb braid and a MH rod, the occasional fish that tries to stun the lure as spoke about above. I will stop my whopper plopper and run it like a popper style bait. I suppose I feel it imitates the lure becoming injured, I don't have any percentages, but I typically get that fish to come back and get it. I don't have any exaggerated hook set either, just reel and lean into it. In my opinion if your missing a fish topwater with treble hooks it because you haven't given the fish the full time to engage the lure.

I heard that as well. I haven't ordered fro them since spring I believe.

I'm looking for someone who sells quality round/ball head jigs for a decent price. I currently use Gopher Mushroom head jigs for certain set ups, but would like to support a small business if possible. Thanks.