roadwarrior

Nick, That is very impressive. Congratulations! I think I can speak for everyone on this forum when I tell you that, "We are so proud of you".

Welcome aboard!

I would fish a Gitzit. If you are fishing from a boat, cast into the bank and work SLOWLY across the shelf, letting the bait free-fall and then sit as you come over the edge. In crystal clear water, long casts can be an advantage. If you are fishing from the bank, I would still fish a tube, but work it parallel to where you think the shelf drops off. Bass will stage along the ledge. T-rigged worms are another option I would try. If you are comfortable with jigs, that would be another suggestion.

I have ALWAYS received excellent customer service from BPS. Take it to their return desk and I am sure they will replace it for you without any hassel.

My #1 bait is a Micro Munch Tackle El Gordo tube, T-rigged, 1/16 - 1/8 oz bullet or barrel weight, with a bead, unpegged. I also fish a GYCB Kut-Tail, same rigging.

Welcome aboard!

Bomber Square A and/ or Norman Fat Boy, retrieved slowly, just above the hydrilla. Floating Rogue which is kind of a topwater/jerkbait hybrid. Slug-Go (fluke). Floating Rapala (steady retrieve with an occasional pause). I would also try a GYCB Kut-Tail, weightless and fished like a jerkbait, but with more subtle action (slow, steady retrieve with intermittant twitches).

Matt Fly, Whoa...Man, that brought a tear to my eyes. That's a great post

dodgeguy, Yep, I know exactly how you feel. We see a lot of boats on the river, but we rarely see the same boats twice. I think everyone (else) should fish artificial lures exclusively. I like fishing, but I like catching more.

I am a big fan of live bait. For the most part, I fish big, lively shiners targeting smallmouth bass. I have spent some time fishing nightcrawlers, fishing for smallies on the Tennessee River. The problem, as has already been noted, there are just too many fish that are more aggressive than big bass. I haven't been able to get the bait past all the competition. I'm afraid I have just given up on trying.

What flechero said, One day my buddy and I were on our third day of a trip. As we started out at the bait shop around 5:00 AM. We decided we didn't need any beer. A couple of hours late we found out, we were WRONG! There are two things that make a potentially great day short: running out of beer or running out of smokes.

The baitcasting rod I fish the most is an Avid AC66MF, but I think the tip is too soft for jigs and soft plastics. Maybe the Extra Fast action that you are looking at will address this issue. When you go shopping take along the reel you will be using and a 1/4 oz lead weight. Go out in the parking lot and make a few casts. I think you will know right then if the rod is what you need.

Although I personally agree with Raul, you will find VERY strong opinions that both factors are key. As a side note, I happen to have my best day of smallmouth fishing on January 8, 2005 with a rapidly RISING barometer. We had great water flow on the Tennesse River that day and as far as I'm concerned, current is the only thing that counts on a river.

If I were a tournament fisherman I would spend at least 75% of my time flipping and dropshotting. I don't like either. Flipping: Heavy equipment, jerking fish out of the water, just not my cup of tea. Dropshotting: I only catch small bass. I also don't fish spinnerbaits much, mostly because it seems everyone does. I occasionally fish spoons, but talk about B-O-R-I-N-G...Well, maybe if I caught better fish on these lures I would have a different opinion, but I haven't. Note: Last summer I was bottom fishing in the Gulf with at 75' in 250' of water, verticle jigging with an 8 oz. "spoon" that reminded me of the spike you might place on the top of a Christmas tree. The equipment, weight and dept made this very physical fishing. However, I landed my biggest fish ever, an 85 lb amberjack. The fish just about killed me. Fish on at around 8:00 AM, boated forty-five minutes later. I didn't fish the rest of the day until about 5:OO, or a hundred beers later!

Welcome aboard! There sure is a lot of technical information in this first post. I hope you can spend some time in the other sections and share your thoughts on some of the other topics. Good to have you with us.

Fish Chris, I think having a legitimate chance at catching largemouth bass over 15 lbs put you and the California Hawg Hunters in a unique class of fishermen. If most fishermen in other states were fishing for those fish they would be fishing for The One bass that may or may not live in their reservior. (I might have to make exceptions for Texas and Florida). Other than those states (CA, TX and FL), nearly everyone else in the country is hoping to catch 10 lbs or maybe just a little better. !0 lb bass are not common, but there are lots of them throughout the country. Using some of the baits/ lures that you don't use will GREATLY improve most people's chance of catching what they consider a monster. So, no you are not limiting yourself, but you would be if you were fishing in about forty-six other states.

Chug Bug & Tiger Welcome aboard!

My fishing partner bought a 2180 Bay Ranger last year. It's really too big to fish much by yourself and it's not the perfect "bass boat". It is, however the "perfect fishing boat". We usually have guests and my buddy guides a little. Half the year we're striper fishermen. Fishing in the "boils" requires moving around the boat, a lot. I assure you, the space is not wasted. It's a great boat for some guys, and I'm one of them.

The_Muddy_Man, You are obviously Not paying attention...SHIMANO...not Pflueger... What kind of name is that? Flew-gore, Flu-roer...Flew-Goer... Flugger...NO! It's Shimano...S...H..I...M...A...N...O

Thank you.

Just above this comment is a post by Zebco202 which refrences the tutorial by ReelMech. I think this will help you with all of the technical prolems you have faced. There is a learning curve, but once you have climbed the ladder, it is worth the effort. Good luck!

Hmm... I don't have any sponsors either.

If it was a post from a member, that is fairly common. Many of our members belong to other forums and many threads and posts are duplicated.

Bass-Brat, That's Ray Scott.

He catches HUGE catfish on the Mississippi River, too.