Brett Stair

Lol... I like it a lot and have only fished with it once. I found it on clearance and got it and the TFO GTS rod for 250 total

Lure rating is 3/4 - 2 Thanks for the input. Exactly the type of input I’m hoping to get since I’m trying to figure all this out. I may try to do frogs on it since I’m missing them from being to quick. Your comment makes me think that XH/ModF might benefit me.

Wondering what you would match the rods and reels below and then what uses you’d have for each: Rods A. Berkley Cherrywood HD 7’ MH Fast B. Cabela’s Tournament ZX 7’1” MH Fast C. Cabela’s Tournament ZX 7’1” M Mod Fast D. TFO Professional 7’6” H Fast E. TFO Professional 7’ MH Fast F. McCain Tommy Martin 7’3” XH Moderate G. TFO GTS Bass 7’3” MH Fast H. TFO GTS Bass 6’9” M Fast Reels 1. Revo X 5.4 2. Revo X 7.3 3. Revo SX 6.4 4. Revo SX 7.3 5. Revo SX 7.3 6. Revo SX 8.0 7. Casitas 7.2 8. Curado DC 8.5 i have them sort of set up but want to see what more experienced guys would do with these to see if I’m missing something. Right now I am: F4-flipping texas rigs/jigs D5-frogs/texas rigs/jigs G8-Lipless cranks... and all around?? E6-all around rod?? H7-Shakey head/drop shot/wacky A2-buzz baits/all around C1-cranks but nothing deep diving B3-spinners/chatters/swim jigs I’m thinking of adding a deep crankbait rod/reel and am curious what the suggestions would be for rod and reel... or do I already have it?

Bait Monkey got me at Academy in the clearance section.... this is after Cabela’s got me earlier this week with a Casitas 151HG paired with a Tournament ZX Jerkbait/Topwater rod.

I’ve wondered about these after seeing them at a tackle show. I’ve been wanting some PFG slip ins but can’t bring myself to pay full for them and can’t find them on clearance at the right time.

Just picked up my first Shimano... Casitas 151HG and as an Abu guy I’m a little overly excited to get to try it out and see what all the Shimano love is about. I paired it with a Cabela’s Tournament ZX Jerkbait/Topwater rod (6’9” M) and plan on using it for those along with shakyheads and drop shot. (I’ll leave the heavier lifting to the Abus) In reading about it I came across the MGL version and noticed Shimano talks about how the MGL spool on their other reels make it easier to cast lighter lures. Would the MGL spool work on my reel and would it be worth getting if it does?

Curious... if you could only use one bait per technique what would that bait be? (give hook choice etc if specific) Weightless Texas Rig - 5” Senko on a 3/0 EWG hook Weighted Texas Rig - Zoom Ol’ Monster on a 4/0 EWG hook Stuff I’m still trying to find my favorites on... Shakeyhead - Drop Shot - Wacky Rig - Carolina Rig - Ned Rig-

Try the eco pro swing ones that are around $3 https://www.cabelas.com/product/ECO-PRO-SWING-SHAD/2488776.uts?slotId=0

Picked up the 7’3” XH Flippin and pitchin rod yesterday at a tackle and boat show and am pretty stoked about it. The pro there said it’s the same rod as the new blue ones they just thought they’d sell better than the two tone black and gold. I rarely buy anything without researching first but seemed like too good a deal to pass up ($85). Sooo.... what say you? Edit: Usually not a lag in feedback so here’s what I’ve found online: https://www.tackleselect.com/collections/tommy-martin-signature-series Not many reviews out there but everything sounds good and the 3 reviews on TW are good.

WOW. That's great to hear as I was wondering how'd they'd handle all that. Priming myself for their next sale.

So excited to head out today and go fishing. Had my two new rods and reels... Tournament ZX Crankbait rod with a Revo X 5.4 and what I was super stoked to use... brand spankin new XML Bass (Killer Stick) rod with Revo SX 7.3... plus with my 4 other rods all now protected in 6th Sense rod covers. We load the boat, stop to get gas and snacks, and off to the lake. This is going to be a great day........ We get to the lake and I jump in the boat right before we back down the ramp ... "Why do I only have 3 rods???" I feel like I'm about to throw up. We secure the boat and back track... nothing.... I lost my 7'6" Temple Fork Outfitters Heavy flipping/frog rod with a Revo X 7.3 in a navy 6th sense rod cover, my spinning rod in a red 6th sense rod cover, and my brand spankin new XML Bass (Killer Stick) rod with Revo SX 7.3 in a green 6th sense rod cover. I've got no money in my fishing fund and now I only have the crank bait rod, a Tournament ZX Spinnerbait rod (MH) with a Revo SX 6.4, and Black Max on a Cherrywood HD 7' rod. I've got nothing to throw frogs and heavy cover with anymore. What do I use now that both my heavy sticks are gone?? And... what do I start saving for? I'm truly sick now... all my Christmas, birthday, and last Father's Day and anniversary were either swiped at the gas station or blown out of the boat.

This may be the measure for me. Can I? Yes. Confident I will? Uh... dunno... especially from the back of the boat. Guess I’ll keep working until I find that confidence but I did notice that a lot of the guys in these local tournaments get skunked or only pull in 1. Extremly cool! That picture brings back some good memories for me as well because everytime I went fishing with my grandpa he’d end up having us holding our catch like that at the end. Mill mind this to a T when I get to that point. What’s a good PFD on the lower end of the budget scale?

Fisherman series at Cablea’s Bag comes with 6 3700s I bought an extra to make 7. Ones they come with aren’t great but I’ll replace as they break. I got 2 of these: Plano Elite Spinnerbait Box in the 3607 size and they fit into the big side pockets.

Here’s mine that has worked really well for me. Cabela’s Fisherman Series that holds 7 3700s and 2 3600 in the side pockets (I went with the spinnerbait Plano boxes). Room for stuff in front pocket and two other side pockets plus the mesh top and back.

Got a couple of rods and reels for Christmas and about to go get everything set on them. When you go out to practice do you stick with one lure or throw a bunch? One is a crank bait rod with a 5.4 on it so I plan on throwing some cranks out there and seeing what it takes to “feel” the lure. The other is a heavy 7’ with a 7.3 on it. What should I “practice” with it?

Thats the kind of thing I’m looking for and to work up from.

Curious to know you guys thoughts on being “Tournament ready”? I’d like to venture into the tournament arena at some point this year (local not professional) as a co-angler but don’t want to waste someone’s time fishing from the back of their boat. I think it might help me learn a lot more and get familiar with finding fish, techniques, and presentations.

Here’s my set up and it’s really functional for me. The spinnerbait boxes fit perfectly in the side pockets. It’s a Cabela’s Fisherman series bag. I have 2 Berkley soft bait binders for all my soft plastics as well although I can always throw a few in the top and back mesh pockets of this bag if I’m bank fishing with just a couple of rods.

Christmas was good to me this year and I’m headed out for my second year of fishing with the following set ups. I’m hoping to get some suggestions and corrections on my thinking. 1st set up: Reel: Abu Garcia Revo SX 6.4:1 baitcaster Rod: Cabela’s 7’1” MH Tournament ZX Line: Trilene Transoptic 15 lb Uses: I’ve been using this for a little of everything but mostly spinnerbaits, swimbaits, jigs, senkos, and some drop shot, Texas rig, and shaky head stuff. 2nd set up: Reel: Abu Garcia Revo X HS 7.3:1 baitcaster Rod: TFO 7’6” Heavy Professional series Line: Power Pro Slick 8 50# braid with big game 12# backing Uses: I’m flipping and pitching with this ... Texas rigs, frogs, jigs, really anything in cover 3rd set up: Reel: Lew’s LRX30 6.2:1 spinning Rod: Lew’s Laser RZ Carbon speed spin IM7 7’0” Medium (Lew’s combo from Cabela’s) Line: 8# Trilene Transoptic mono Uses: drop shot, shaky head, weightless fluke, light cranks, and crappie jig rod... ... ... this is my only spinning rig and I really don’t like it all that much 4th set up: Reel: Abu Garcia Black Max 6.4:1 Rod: Berkley Cherrywood HD 7’ MH Line: Trilene 15# Transoptic Uses: everything ... decent backup for the 1st set up I got for Father’s Day New to the aresenal from Christmas: 5th set up: Reel: Abu Garcia Revo X W 5.4:1 Rod: Cabela’s 7’1” M Tournament ZX (Crankbait) Line: Trilene 12# Transoptic Uses: this will be my crankbait rod 6th set up: Reel: Abu Garcia Revo SX HS 7.3:1 Rod: Cabela’s 7’ H XML Bass (Killer Stick) Line: thinking of putting the 50# braid on this as well  I’m most confused about how to use the Killer Stick. I think it may be my go between the 1st and 2nd set ups and make the 4th between the 1st and 5th. I could use the Killer Stick with the 50# braid for everything from frogging, punching, Texas Rigs, jigs, and some spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Anyone have this rod or do you think this is the best use? Considering putting 30# braid on the first rod... thoughts?

I’m brand loyal to Abu Garcia for a simple reason... I know how to adjust the drag systems and don’t want to have to learn another brand. My first reel coming back to bass fishing was a Revo SX left handed I picked up on clearance at Cabelas for $70. Probably spoiled me.... and made me prefer left handed reels. Picked up a Revo X and a Black Max. Definitely prefer the SX. Just found another SX for $90 on Amazon and jumped on it and plan on picking up an X 5.4 and a crankbait rod tomorrow with some gift cards. I don’t care for spinning reels but have a Lew’s combo I picked up at Cabela’s as well.

Caught a personal best today ... yes not terribly big but is for me this year. 4lbs and 22 inches on a Booyah Buzz with Zoom Horny Toad trailer. Great top water explosion and thrill to bring this one in!! I’m starting to recognize bites more on T-rigs and am not getting skunked as often when I go out.

Update: I’ve caught a few but only enough to make me realize I’ve still got a lot to learn and patience better be my best friend. @road warrior ... read the article and did exactly what it said caught two each in two neighborhood ponds on the same day. The 5 inch Senko on a 3-0 ewg weightless T-rig did the trick that day. Since then I’ve caught some on a spinnerbait, chatterbait, T-Rig baby brush hog, and a wacky rig jig head from MTB. Missed a bunch on a Spro Frog one day and am convinced I can’t tell the difference between a bite and vegetation yet but also that hooksets aren’t free because I’ve lost my fair share of baits and rigs in trying to set on everything. Baits I want to catch fish on but can’t seem to get a bite while Texas Rigged: 7 inch Senko, Zoom Ol Monster and Magnum Ol Monster on a 4/0 ewg ... can’t seem to get a bite on these which is why I think I’m having trouble detecting a bite.

Yeah... I’m torn between the spinning setup and the first setup on crankbaits

Ok... I’ve recently come back to bass fishing and have been working to get some gear that allows me to fish different techniques and provides versatility. I’m still trying out some stuff which I will outline below but I’m wanting some of you experienced bassers to help me understand the best uses for what I have and if it’s adequate. 1st set up: Reel: Abu Garcia Revo RX 6.4:1 baitcaster Rod: Cabela’s 7’1” MH Tournament ZX rod Line: currently Trilene Transoptic 12 lb but going to 15 lb at next line change ... I’ve used a few different monos and like the transoptic because it’s helping me “watch my line” Uses: I’ve been using this for a little of everything but since adding the 2nd rod I’m trying to use it for mostly spinnerbaits, swimbaits, jigs, crankbaits, and some drop shot, Texas rig, and shaky head stuff... even flipping and pitching until the 2nd rod. 2nd set up: Reel: Abu Garcia Revo X HS 7.3:1 baitcaster Rod: TFO 7’6” Heavy Professional series Line: just put Power Pro Slick 8 50# braid with big game 12# backing... haven’t fished with the line yet. Previously had bass pro 20# mono on it Uses: I’m flipping and pitching with this ... Texas rigs, frogs, jigs, really anything in cover including weightless senkos 3rd set up: Reel: Lew’s LRX30 6.2:1 spinning Rod: Lew’s Laser RZ Carbon speed spin IM7 7’0” Medium (this is a new Lew’s combo from Cabela’s) Line: 8# Trilene Transoptic mono Uses: haven’t fished with it yet but I’m thinking this becomes my drop shot, shaky head, top water, weightless fluke/Senko, and crappie jig rod Is this a good set up or am I missing a necessary rod? What suggestions do you have for the set ups or uses?

What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting or getting back into bass fishing?