BaitMS

Personally...I would choose the St. Croix. But, I've had my eye on the Dobyns rods. You might want to look at the Champion series models 704C or 705C for what you will be throwing. For $170 its cheaper than all of the rods you listed (except the crucial). The only difference is there rods are not split gripped.

reelfishingdeals.com I think the curado is the same price as at Delo's.

For St. Croix rods you might want to contact Glenn at Wolf Tackle (wolftackle.com) and see if he has any avids in the power and action you are looking for. I just ordered an avid crankbait rod from him for $128. These are last years models that he is getting rid of. These are still excellent rods IMO.

Lipped: Bandit 100 and 200 series Rapala DT series 4 and 6. These baits are just too good for the price. Lipless: The Yozuri Rattln vibe.

Yeah you are making perfect sense. But, with the world wide web it makes it too easy to find what you want at an ¨affordable¨ price. This is my vice. I search around on the internet for what I want until I find the best price. Then the baitmonkey bites me in the ashe. I rarely, if ever, pay for any fishing equipment at retail price. Good luck with your spending freeze. It 's going to be like any other New Year 's resolution...it won 't last.

It 's at least a double digit. Nice catch.

Yes...you did congratulate him on catching the bass, but at the END of your post after you INDIRECTLY told him that he should not keep fish. Catch and release is not as important as fisherman make it out to be. If the rules that are set by fishery personel are followed, healthy systems will be available to all. This is why he should read the rules and regulations of the systems he is fishing.

Mattys, Congratulations on your first bass of many, many more to come! This is a great sport. Keep reading these boards and you can accumulate a lot of good information about bass fishing. One thing though...Make sure you read the rules and regulations of the lakes or reservoirs you are fishing. They may or may not have rules to go by. You may also want to make sure you do not have to have a fishing permit. Keep bringing them in guy!

As a fisheries ecologist keeping fish is actually encouraged. Fisheries managers monitor lakes and set fishing regulations accordingly to make a lake as productive as possible. However, bass fisherman have developed the mentality that removing any fish is going to be detrimental to the system. This is why regulations are set. We want you to harvest the smaller and larger fish. The fish "in the slot" are protected and as these fish grow the slot can be moved up or removed. The decisions are made based on the monitoring of the system by nets, electrofishing, creel surveys, etc. If more people would actually keep bass they would see a dramatic increase in the size of the bass they would catch. Oh, and all lakes and reservoirs do not have length limits. These are usually set by the tournament groups. LBH, In the "other" post everyone was congratulating the kid except you. Why do you take this approach? Do you have any formal training that makes you an expert as a fisheries biologist? Why dont you ask some questions before you assume. Who cares if he removed one small fish. IMO, It is not going to have any affect on the lake he is fishing. Were you always a catch and release fisherman?

you need to send a PM to Lightninrod.

Depends on what size trout you plan on catching. A medium rod (1/8 to 1/2 oz lure rating) with a medium-small reel (shimano sahara 1500 or 2500 size) would be good for trout. As for line, 6, 8, or 10 # line should be good. Lures-try some in-line spinners or rapala countdowns or originals.

I've started changing the treble hooks on my Yozuri Rattl'n vibes to these: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_52849_100010002_100000000_100010000_100-10-2 I put a size 4 on the front and a size 6 on the back.

I know this is a different company... But, last year whenever Wal-Mart was marking down a lot of their fishing stuff I picked up an Abu Garcia Record baitcaster for $50. At that time Pure Fishing had a rebate for Abu Garcia reels of like $10 or $20. I sent the UPC and receipt and I got my money. Really, I don't think the people that are receiving your paperwork to process the rebate will even know. As long as all of the necessary materials (receipt, UPC, rebate, etc) are in order you will get the rebate check. For instance, the bait monkey took another bait of me yesterday. Right now at The Sports Authority the Quantum Energy PT 750s are on sale for $134.99. There is also a coupon for $25 off of any products priced at $125 or greater. Then there is the Quantum $50 rebate for the Energy reels. So, after its all said and done it looks like I just picked up a brand new e750pt for $65. Not bad. If not, I still got it for $115. I'll let you know in 6-8 weeks.

You know they're $100 each at Delo's and you will have to submit a rebate to Shimano for each one ($30x4) for them to be $70 each.

Matt- For your shad do you prefer the G-Lock or the EWG Falcon hooks to rig these baits? I see that you recommend the 4/0 hook.

Need help looking for a splash well drain. I have this splash well drain from Basspro: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=101651&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults But, I need one that is longer than this. The diameter of this splashwell drain is perfect but it approx. 1/4" too short. I went to the TH Marine website and it says they have one that is 1 7/8" to 3 1/8". The problem with this one is it comes in packs of 50. I only need one! Anybody know where I can get the TH Marine Splashwell drain model no. SWD-1W (Splash Well Drain Tube - 1 7/8" to 3 1/8" Transoms - White)?

Sorry. Every lake/pond does not have a spring(s). All of the phytoplankton do not die. If that was the case many ecosystems would not do very well (bottom-up theory). These are the primary producers of the system and thus provide energy to all levels above them. You are correct that the decomposition of plant material does contribute to decreasing oxygen levels and that colder water can "hold" more oxygen. But depending on where you live there may be some plants or other factors producing/providing the oxygen for the waterbody. Fish are cold-blooded and slow there metabolism accordingly. That's why in the winter we tell you to fish VERY SLOOOOOW. Fish are not going to expend any more energy than what is necessary. Low budget, if the lake turns over it creates habitat from the top of the lake to the bottom of the lake. Oxygen will be consistent (relatively speaking) throughout. Not just at the bottom or the top. Lake turnover is just the mixing of the system to the point where the thermocline is not as noticeable. Hope this helps.

I have the same question? This can only be determined by taking genetic samples.

$10.00 Freshwater resident $6.00 Saltwater resident Total $ 16.00 to fish from side-to-side and top-to-bottom of MS.

I have a premier crankbait stick and really like it. But, this was one of the first St. Croix rods I purchased. Now I own an avid and a legend elite. Save a little money and go get an avid. It has a lifetime warranty. But, if you are in need of a rod right now I would go with the premier over the triumph.

Just buy Rapalas. It tells you on the lip!

I have a trip coming up and plan on taking a few rods & reels with me. What type of rod tube do you use, have you used, or would you suggest? I have been looking at the Plano rod tube (model no. 4588). But, the reviews on Basspro were pretty bad. I will be transporting three or four two piece rods. The rods will be taken apart for transport too. Suggestions?

I read (don't remember where) that most cell phones have an indicator inside that will change colors if a phone gets wet. This is so the cell phone companies can or can't honor a warranty due to water damage. Anyone else heard of this? I don't feel like Googling it right now.

Do all trolling motor bases have the same hole pattern for mounting (to the boat)? I have a 1984 boat and want to replace the trolling motor and want to know if I buy a new trolling motor will the holes of the new base match up with the holes of the old base? I think the trolling motor that is on there now is a motorguide. It still runs strong but parts of the base have recently broken as has the clip that holds the motor down. What brand trolling motor do you recommend? Motorguide or Minn Kota? Why?

The problem with that picture is its probably the GUY that is selling the reel!