roadwarrior

The second fish is either a largemouth or spot (Kentucky bass).

Great thread, Raul. I hope some of our guys go after a new record and report all about it here. That would definitely be cool. 8-)

Yea, that's what I was thinking. If you just keep "messing around" maybe you will get a big one! :

Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

I bought one of these several years ago to keep around for kids that don't fish. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_53795_100001003_100000000_100001000_100-1-3 I never thought it was worth the money or was as nice as the Zebco 33. None of the reel companies have devoted any resources to advance this line of technology. It is at a dead end. I don't think a spincaster is the right tool for serious fishermen, but they all come with free line! However, my fishing partner started guiding last year and picked up a couple of these "new" Zebcos for people that never fish. I haven't fished them, but he says they are "okay." http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_44496_100001003_100000000_100001000_100-1-3

For me it would be the hook-up and fight on single hooks. Although I'm having some problems with Mattlures Baby Bass, that's probably because I just started fishing them. Otherwise, my hook-up ratio is very higher and my landing ratio once a fish is hooked is even better. I think Fish_Chris' comments about the fight reflect the confidence that one gains over time. He is used to catching big fish and EXPECTS to land them. There is no particular hurry and the thought of one of these big girls coming unbuttoned never comes into play. I really like the sound of a shotgun shell being chambered, but I like peeling drag even more!

Many years ago when I was living in Colorado, a friend and his two kids went camping/fishing with my family. Kids were young ang our group was kinda large so I rented a pontoon boat that we could troll Rapalas from the back. Pretty simply and safe. With four lures out 30 yards or so, we're cruising along and some people in a jet boat come scooting by, at full throttle about 20-30 FEET! from the back of the pontoon. They cut off all my lines and acted a complete azz. Well a minute or two later, the tables turned. The big, brand new jet came to a complete stop somewhere near the middle of the lake. People were waving their arms and acting a fool...again. Although I was in no mood to lend assistance, I thought they might have an emergency and was compelled to check on these jerks. As it turns out, jet boats can't actually "cut" your line. The water intake apparatus had "sucked in" all my lines and some of the lures! I'm sure the problem was fixed fairly easily once they took it to trained mechanics, BACK IN THE CITY, but I don't think their weekend went too well. Oh! And no I did NOT offer them a tow. I knew the water patrol would be by...sometime...and they were.

***** Those five stars are for you, Johnnydel!

I have what I consider the perfect rod for you: St. Croix Avid AS66MLF. http://www.reedssports.com/main.taf?cat=176 Click on "add to basket" to see your total cost. Nice discount, no tax and free shipping.

First of all, the Stradic is a great reel and I think the "Best Value" in the Shimano line-up. Regarding St. Croix: I have two Avids (AS66MLF & AC66MF) and one Legend Elite (ES70MF). My Legend Elite is my soft plastics rod, but could be used for virtually every technique. With your discount, I would HIGHLY recommend this rod matched with the Stradic 2500FB. Regarding line: If most of the water you fish is extremely clear, I suggest original formula Yo-Zuri Hybrid #4 (8.5 lb test). Green matches well with clear water and is almost invisible. Otherwise, I recommend Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test) for all spinning tackle.

Man, you have stayed on a roll. Sorta off topic, but pertaining to your fish specifically and Florida bass in general, they all seem so long. Is that why Florida strain have such great potential to grow gigantic if their diet is enhanced? Dan, your fish are nice, but with a little beer belly they might weigh twice as much. Any thoughts on that?

My most productive pond is the focus of a public park and is HEAVILY fished. For a long time I never saw anyone catching any decent fish, but over the past year or so a couple of better fishermen have shown up. Fortunately, all but one of the better fishermen are C&R. My observation is that 90% of the "bass fishermen" throw spinnerbaits most of the time and poppers or buzzbaits the rest of the time. The guys I have observed catching a decent bass now and then fish soft plastics VERY similar to the ones I have given them at one time or another. Hmm...Go figure.

B-double E-double R-U-N. Otherwise, my #3 bait is also my "lure of last resort." Legend has it that the Gitzit (gets it done) was designed as a "do-nothing" bait. Cast it out, put your rod down and pop-a-top! A slight breeze doesn't hurt a thing either.

*** MODERATOR NOTE *** Okay guys...I tried to clean this thread up a bit. If anyone was trying to make a pertinent point that was inadvertantly edited out, resubmit your post. What has been erased is gone and cannot be retrieved. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

GaryO, Welcome aboard! ----------------------- What are you paying for in high end rods? Design, engineering, components, craftmanship, reputation and sometimes warranty. To a varying extent these factors affect sensitivity, strength, casting distance and accuracy, special features and most importantly, dependability. Are high end rods "better" rods? Yes, there is at least a casual relationship between cost and quality. Are they worth the additional cost? Well, that depends on what you expect from your equipment. Fish can be caught with a branch from a tree and kite string. Better equipment is all about what makes "fishing" more enjoyable for YOU. It's not the same for everyone.

Well, you know it's one of fishing's Ten Commandments: Any fish that's lost immediately doubles in size! 8-)

Whether you are reading fishing magazines, threads here at BassResource.com or posts on another site, you will rarely see anyone making flechero's comment. Line watching seems something akin to the Holy Grail for most fishermen. However, I'm another guy that doesn't pay a great deal of attention to my line, particulary when I'm fishing on a river.

Regardless of the rod length or brand, to effectively fish soft plastics you need a firm tip. For me that means Medium Power/ Fast Action. Specifically, I fish a 7' St. Croix ES70MF/ Shimano Stella 2500FB and #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft.

I like 'em all! Get a Pointer 100SP, Baby Bass and/or Original Tennessee Shad. Sammy 128, Aurora Black (which is blue) These would be my top three suggestions, but I have a few others...:

My heaviest rig is a G.Loomis GLX MBR844C/ Shimano CTE200GT. This is a multi-purpose combination for me: striper rod, jig rod and now, small swimbait rod. I don't throw any lures or catch any fish that require heavier gear. The biggest freshwater fish I have ever caught (50- 100 lb gar) was boated with this rig.

Welcome aboard! We have a couple of threads running on the first page of this section addressing lures and in the "Rods, Reels, Line..." forum on "Best Lines" or "favorite line." So, look around the site a little and I think you'll find quite a few threads addressing these topics. But since you ask: Lures/ baits: Jerkbaits & topwater in low light, single-tail grubs, Hula Grubs, Fat Ika and 3 1/2" tubes are a few suggestions. If you fish deep structure, try a 3/4 oz Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade spinnerbait. Line: Everyone has their favorite. My suggestion is generally #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft for spinning tackle, but in ultra clear water I fish #4 (8.5 lb test) original formula Hybrid.

No doubt, that's a beauty! 8-)

Waddaya talking about? Fat Ika. This is my #1 soft plastic and has been for 3 years. This lure is the "Magic Bait."

24 lbs 6 oz. 101% of the World Record. Unfortunately it was a green trout. If it had been a real bass, a smallmouth bass, I would have kept it. I was going to take a picture, but since it was getting late, I didn't want to take the time away from fishing for those bronze beauties. I don't know...I catch 'em that size all the time. Green bass are boring... maybe next time I'll take a pic. 8-)

Great advice already, but I know you NEED to catch a bass. So... Buy a pack of 5" Senko (not knock offs) and some 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu Offset Worm Hooks. Rig them weightless and weedless (look it up). Make a long cast parallel to the bank, out from the shoreline 5-15 yards. Let the bait settle to the bottom and sit for 1 minute. Move the bait 6-12" and let it settle again for another 10 seconds. Continue moving the bait EXACTLY as I have described until you are out of the "zone." Move up ten steps and repeat. If the water you are fishing holds any bass in the general area (around the shoreline) you will catch a fish...GUARANTEED! If the store you shop has Fat Ika, buy a bag of them, too. AFTER you have lost 5 Senkos, fish the Fat Ika on the same hooks EXACTLY the same way. After you fish 5 of the Fat Ika switch back to the Senko, but do NOT change lures in between. I want you to FOCUS on the bait you are fishing. YOU WILL CATCH FISH if you follow my instructions explicitly...GUARANTEED!