roadwarrior

No doubt, you can catch all the fish in the world on just about any rod and reel combination. But if you want fishing to be easier, more fun and be able to CONSISTANTLY hook-up and land better fish, "equipment" will help.

It's a reel you should have for kids, girls that dot't fish and anybody, for that matter, that only fishes "occasionally." There is no learning curve so anyone can fish from the get-go. As others have said, "any rod and reel can be used to catch a fish." If you have decided to become a "bass fisherman" on a regular basis, there are much better options.

For anyone unfamiliar with a Mojita, this could become your next Favorite Drink. For those that go Clubbing, this is the ticket: light and refreshing! http://www.tasteofcuba.com/mojito.html

The smallmouth in my avatar were caught on big shiners fished on a split-shot rig, a #6 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook and Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

Welcome aboard! We'll probably have someone respond shortly with some specific advice.

David Green, The Reel Mechanic. David provides tons of free advice, schematics, referrals to other dealers and service centers. He rarely advises anyone to "send the reel to me" but rather, send it to someone! I appreciate his honesty and frankness, pricing specified up-front, and an unconditional warranty on his work. I'm not mechanically inclined and probably wouldn't know whether a job was "done right" or not. It's nice to deal with people you can trust. Bobby Uhrig, President Megastrike, Inc. When Bobby joined as a sponsor of BassResource.com he offered a free sample of one of his companies products to the first seventy-five guys to respond. After receiving about 175 replies, Mr. Uhrig decided to honor ALL requests! Pretty Cool in my book. Brad Coovert, JBC Outfitters Brad is a distibutor through his online tackle shop. He not only offers our Forum members discounts, he also has very special deals on selected products. His prices are fair, his service is prompt and delivery timely. I like doing business with companies that support BassResource.com.

This is a statement we see quite often, but with a little practice is not necessarily true. I fish both types of equipment and am more accurate with spinning outfits. Regardless of the specific tackle, you will become more proficient over time. A shorter, stiffer rod is more easily controlled that a longer, soft rod, but then you sacrafice distance. Like most things in life, there are trade-offs.

Wow! That IS a big boy...

Congratulations! 8-)

Generally, swimbaits perform better in deeper water. They are somewhat hard to fish shallow. Crankbaits are smaller and smaller baits always outfish bigger baits if numbers are important to you.

With cooler temperatures, the big bite is on in the Mid South. In Rhode Island, too! 8-) These are the lures that are working for me right now: 1/2 oz Micro Munch Jig (black) with a GYCB Kreature as the trailer (black w/ blue flakes) Cavitron Buzzbait (black on black) GYCB Senko Swimbait GYCB Kreature fished like a spinnerbait (steady retrieve with an occasional twitch) 6-8" Storm Swimbaits (Mattlures Baby Bass, too, but I'm out) There is no reason Fat Ika, 6" Senkos and Micro Munch Tackle El Gordo or Mizmo tubes shouldn't work, I'm just not fishing these soft plastics right now because I am focused on the jig. For topwater, this might be the best time of year to fish the LC Sammy and Zara Spook. And of course, my favorite class of lures: jerkbaits! When I have the opportunity, this will be my main focus. I just don't like fishing my favorite lures from shore, they don't always make it back. :

Welcome aboard! Take a few minutes to look around the site. There are various sections for all topics. Regarding the weight of your fish, in the future if you will just measure the length I can give you a ballpark number. If you measure the length and girth, you can punch the numbers into the BassResource.com calculator (on top, in the "Tacklebox"). The calculation is a VERY close estimate. It is hard to judge a fish in a picture, they are often lighter or heavier than they appear. I would say: either side of 4 lbs, but it is almost exactly what most people that don't weigh their fish consider "a little better than 5."

Growing up in KC and being a die-hard Royals fan during the George Brett era, I was ALWAYS an American League fan. A few years after moving to Denver, we got a National League franchise, the Colorado Rockies. Man, after getting a little exposure to "real baseball" I could never go back. On the other hand, I haven't followed baseball or watched a game since the World Series strike. :

It's the bottom of the 7th, down 0-1, two outs, runners on second and third and it's the pitcher's turn at bat. Pitcher has a two hit game going, no walks and firing a 95 mph fastball, sharp curve and killer changed-up: still "fresh" heading into the top of the 8th. If you are an American League manager, you're on automatic pilot or still taking your nap, the designated hitter is up. In the National League, this is when you earn your money!

Nice fish. Congratulations! 8-)

That's why I buy St. Croix, I've never had one break. I almost crushed my Legend Tournament DS rod with my garage door two weeks ago. It was bent in a U and put a 12" scratch down the side of the blank through the blue gel coat exposing the graphite. Took it out that weekend and stuck a 6.5lb on it that had me wrapped up in trees. I had to really pull on this fish and the rod stood up great! C'mon, you're being silly. That rod needs to be exchanged. I have broken two St. Croix Avids (my fault) which were replaced for free. I have replaced one G.Loomis for $50. Either way, they were all GREAT deals.

My son has one that I keep in my fishing room. It might have the longest shelf life of any tackle I (we) own. It NEVER gets used. :

Cal 911 Seek help IMMEDIATELY!

I don't think the bard effects catch & release at all. I want to land all my fish, say Hi! and Good-bye. Barbs are NOT an issue.

As I said before...DUDE! Too cool. GREAT video, super fish and fantastic story! You da MAN! 8-)

In Rhode Island? C'mon...DUDE! ;D ;D ;D That is awesome! ;D ;D ;D 8-)

;D ;D ;D Good day! 8-)

20" = 4 lb 10 oz 21" = 5 lb 7 oz 22" = 6 lb 6 oz 23" = 7 lb 5 oz * Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, "Weigh Your Fish...With a Ruler!

Generally, it's not "what" you fish, but "where" you fish. Bass relate to structure and/or cover.

Last week this was the ticket for me during the middle of the day: 1/2 oz Micro Munch Tackle jig (black) with a GYCB Kreature (black w/ blue flakes) as a trailer. I rigged the Kreature with the tentacles forward to increase the bulk of the jig. The trailing appendages look VERY much like crawdad arms, stand up and wiggle!