RickB

My dad and oldest uncle (Jackie) used to take me and my youngest uncle (Albert)to farm ponds fishing on weekends. Me and Albert were probably 5 or 6 and fished with bobbers and worms while dad and Jackie fished for bass using black crème worms with props on the front. If it was going to be a big fishing weekend we would lay chicken livers and shrimp on the porch in the sun while we were gone, so they would get rank and toughen up. When we got back and ate supper we would head down to the river with our livers and shrimp and catfish till wee hours of the morning. Our moms would fuss because they keep us out all night. Sure would love to live those days again.

LMB...8.5 SMB...4.0

Smithwick.....toothpick Culprit.....motor oil color worms, found others that make a motor oil but it's not the same color.

Less TP1 topwater/jerkbait looks interesting. 6'8" m/mf 8-12# line 1/8-1/2 lure. Anyone have experience with this Less line of rods? Thanks

Spinnerbaits, I throw them in fallen timber a lot. Probably shouldn't let them sink but it catches fish.

Culprit use to have a motor oil color and they where my favorite. They don't make'em in that color anymore guess I need to try another brand.

Yep, Lew's has been on my radar along with St.Croix ,Diawa and Dobyns

I'm probably the first guy ever to ask for rod recommendations Looking for a general purpose casting rod I guess I would call it for throwing lighter cranks & topwater. This will be a new setup will be putting a Tatula 100 6.3:1 w/10# mono on it. Wanting something under 7' say 6'6" to 6'10". Mostly walking the bank so looking for a shorter rod. Budget $75.00 -$150.00, I know that's a broad range but that should cover a lot of options. Also comments on glass/graphite blends as in my research I see a lot of those. Thanks

Fish with a Zoom Fluke until I catch something, use a spinner bait less.

Thanks guys, haven't thought about 24v on transom and 12v on bow. Trailer for sure to old to tug, pull and push.

Thanks guys, I have had 12' flat Jon, traded up for a 16' bass boat and got tired of fishing the big waters around me. Just to much traffic. I then down graded to a 8' bass hunter pontoon. Really liked that boat and kept it for years. Now I am without a boat and really want to get back on the water. New wife really doesn't like the idea of a bass hunter types. She thinks we need a 20' barge so she'll feel safe on it but she's not spending the money. Talked used with her and that gets eye rolls so now I'm looking at something along the lines of a 1648, Bass Pro Grizzly looks nice so does Almaweld and Alweld. Now to come up with the funds to do something like that. Would a 55# transom mound push something that big around sufficiently and maybe a 45# foot control on the bow. Really want to stay with 12v.

Same here, I'll throw'em but have never caught a fish on one.

Thanks Guys, I'm looking for a used boat I can mod, so I'll take V or flat bottom, prefer flat. From what I hear flat would be the most stable. I'm thinking no less than 14' would rather have 16'. The largest lake and closest to home is 175 acre drinking water reservoir. Most folks say the upper end is where the fish are and the ramp is at the dam. Getting there and back is my biggest concern. I'm not one to run and gun, I like to try and pick apart a location when I get there. Bank fishing causes me to do that now so I'm hoping I'll do that in a boat. Cost is always a concern but I would rather spend once then have to go back and spend again because I was trying to go to cheap. 12v motors would help save money and I'm thinking from suggestions above 55 on the transom and 45 up front, how does that sound. Thanks

If you experienced boat guys were going to do all electric with a Jon boat would you do flat bottom or Mod V, will be fishing electric only lakes 100-200 acres. Would like to do casting decks fore and maybe aft. Fishing two people what would your minimum size be? What would you do for trolling motors how many lbs of thrust, 12v or 24v. I know there are a lot of variables but just beginning my search. Thanks

Welcome fellow Virginian

This will be my 4th water craft, 14ft john that made me want something bigger. 16ft Bass tracker, then I found out that I don't like the big impoundments with all of the pleasure boat traffic. Dropped down to a 8ft Bass Hunter which I had for many years fishing farm pods then sold. Now looking to get back on the water and fish electric only lakes. Have 2 real close, 174 acres and 70 acres. Hopefully this will fill my need to get back out on the water without wanting something bigger.

looks like I may bite the bullet on one of these, 30 miles from home. 2016 model w/trailer, 55# TM, battery, and Lowrance fish finder (mod# unknown) all for $1500.00. Going to look at it Saturday if all looks good I'll be pulling it home.

Hey mmargoli, how have you enjoyed your PRO 120. Been looking at these for over a year and have yet to pull the trigger (going to this fall I'm pretty sure). Was thinking the same thing about putting a TM on the back to help in loading. Does the 55 have enough umph to push it up on the trailer. Thanks

Yeah saw them on Ebay, more than I won't to pay for them. Wondering if anyone makes something similar. Thought about trying to make one out of a devils horse.

Anyone remember the Smithwick "Toothpick", was one of my favorite topwater baits. Looks like these have been discontinued for a few years. Found a few at an old tackle shop stuck in the corner. Is there anyone making something similar now a days?

I like marshmallows

Thanks Gundog, we talked about a fall trip. Hope I can make it happen.

Thanks guys, had a very good trip and will be going back someday, Mike the guy's boat I was on said the top water action is awesome at times and would really like to go when they're hitting on top. Friday 4/13 air temp was 80 water mid 40s, Saturday 4/14 air was 84 water upper 40s, Sunday 4/15 air was 44 wind chill 35 with misting rain off and on water temp low 50s. Sunday was when we did the best, guess the few degrees rise in water temp turned them on. I haven't caught that many bass in one day in my life. Crappie maybe but not bass. I really need to learn more about fishing tubes. Mike was wearing them out on Sunday with them, I just couldn't pick it up. Should have been easy but I caught my fair share on green pumpkin rage craw. Switched to a jerk bait started picking up some numbers and size. Elbow was sore by days end from flinging that jerk bait so much. For those that have access to that river on a regular basis I'm really jealous of you.

Here are some of my best catches from my Susquehanna river trip back in April. Thanks to all of those who gave me tips on how to fish it. Most were caught on Jerk bait and T-rig craw. I couldn't connect with the tubes and the others that were fishing them caught more than me. All in all I caught 50 plus in 3 days so I consider it a successful trip.

Went to Peaks of Otter last October, camped and fished a couple of days. Caught few SMB on POP'R and shallow cranks could never really pen down what the wanted. No fish over 14". I hear it can be good at times, maybe I was there at the wrong time.