Kyle S

As the title states I'm looking to start some conversation around all fishing gear that you've found to be worth spending your hard earned money on. This could be literally anything pertaining to fishing....Rods, reels, soft plastics, hard baits, fishing line, nets, boats, clothing, you name it! If you think something is worth the money, or not, let us know. For example, I personally find Yamamoto senkos to be superior to most other stick baits and am willing to spend the extra cash to use them. I've tried YUM dingers which are a fraction of the price and simply find myself always going back to the senko! Largemouth bass in my area seem to never be able to get enough of them! If you disagree, feel differently in any way, or think another stick bait is 'better' please share your opinion! My reason for asking for your advice is simple, I want to try out new gear and techniques constantly. I'm always looking to expand my knowledge and experience as an angler, and what better way to do it than ask knowledgable and experienced anglers such as yourselves? We're beyond fortunate to have such a plethora of options when it comes to gear these days, and with a market so flooded with choices, it's often times quite challenging to make a decision on what to buy. Kind of a double edged sword really... Please don't feel like something isn't worth sharing due to price or any other reason. Everyone's budget is different. If you think that a G Loomis NRX is worth the money, tell us why! If you think that a Berkley lightning Rod is worth the money, tell us why! - Things I think are worth the money or just enjoy using... Cavitron Buzz baits Abu Garcia Black Max bait casting reels Lew's speed spool Keitech swing impact fat swim baits Booyah spinner baits Rebel Pop R's Strike King KVD square bill crank baits Booyah hollow body frogs Booyah 'Xcaliber' crank baits that I and a ton of others just picked up for $2.99 at BPS 2020 spring sale Chatter bait customs exclusive to Tackle Warehouse Yamamoto senkos Zoom flukes Shimano SLX bait casting reels Daiwa Aird X rods, spinning and bait casting Berkley choppo's All of the above gear I like simply because it has served me well and has aided me in catching fish! - Things I think aren't worth the money or have had a poor experience with... Zoom horny toads ( I want to like them so bad, but the bass don't want them ) YUM dingers( I like yamamoto's better, and so do the bass where I live ) Full size Zoom Brush Hogs ( Love the Baby brush hog, nut can't buy a bite on the full size Strike king Spinner baits ( I feel the hook doesn't extend far enough past the rear blade ) Nichols spinner baits ( I feel the hook doesn't extend far enough past the rear blade, also have problems with the blades not spinning on multiple baits ) - Things I'm curious about... Any and all rods or reels from $1.00-$150.00 Zebco Omniflex line store brand specific gear i.e. Academy sports, Bass pro/Cabelas... Thanks!

Like @Bluebasser86, whenever it has happened, i'm the one one who has been at fault...I hooked my buddies t-shirt with a crank bait on one occasion. Luckily no skin was penetrated. On another outing I set the hook too close to the surface and missed a fish that was swiping at my swim jig and as a result, my lure came rocketing out of the water and slapped a buddy on the leg, once again without penetrating skin. This brings another memory to mind...Last summer I met a guy who set the hook on a jig, missed the fish like I had done before, and had the lure come shooting back at him. It hit him right in the eye. 'Luckily' (if that word is even relevant in this thread?) his sunglasses were on and caused the jig to bounce off of his glasses and stick in his cheek. Ouch

7'0" - 7'3" MHF rod and a higher gear ratio reel i.e. 7.1 and up...and 30-50lb braided line. Heavier mono can do the trick also! Good luck

What type of boat would you get if you were me? I'm aware that this question gets asked frequently however since advice given is always dictated by each poster's circumstances, I'd like to share my own and ask for some help! Thanks in advance I'll try and list anything I can think of that will help with a recommendation -This would be my first motorized boat, outside of jon boats with trolling motors -Don't plan on tournament fishing...ever -My tow vehicle is a 2010 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 double cab v6 with a rated towing capacity of 6500lbs -It would be mainly myself, and occasionally one other person -Going fast is certainly not something I prioritize -Bass is my primary species -Will not be a family boat -I'd be fishing the James River, Chickahominy River and Lake, and potentially the Rappahannock river as well. -I don't have a set budget, however $12,000 seems like a fair budget. I would be financing. Other thoughts... -I've considered jon boat with a tiller, but rented one last spring and was not a fan... -New Vs, Used?...New seems more appealing simply from a reliability standpoint however theirs the potential to get more 'bang' for my buck when buying used if i'm willing to gamble on a used vessel. -I plan on keeping the boat for as long as possible. -The bass tracker classic seems like it would fit the bill however i'd rather have the 175txw for the various storage options. Any regrets from tracker owners?? I've seen some people praise them, and others despise them. -In a perfect world, I'd like to have a Lund pro v bass, or an 'RT' series Ranger, Sadly though this is the real world. -fiberglass or aluminum? Aluminum seems like the obvious choice given my budget. Please feel free to correct any of my assumptions or inform me. Thanks again

I would guess that this question has come up before, but i'm still new and having trouble searching the forums. I recently purchased a fishing kayak and need a quality PFD. I have around $150 in gift cards to bass pro and would love if a recommendation could be to something I could purchase from there. I've done a little research and have seen prices all over the spectrum. The 'Mustang' brand, inflatable PFD looked really nice. however that $250 price tag didn't!! I like the thought of an inflatable vest due to its small size but that would be completely new to me as I have only worn the standard foam ones. Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks, and I apologize once again if this is a repeat question.

Thank you!!

If I could figure out how to easily post a picture of the kayak, I certainly would. Any tips on posting pics easily would also be greatly appreciated!!?

Lots and lots of jigs have been tied on lately, with plenty of soft plastics as well. Also, I often times find myself throwing a spinnerbait and chatter bait as well. Hard baits still have their place, just a rare place with me. Something about the 'thump' that occurs when a bass sucks in my jig...it's hard to put it away, even when something else could be more effective.

Thank you all for your opinions! I ended up going with an entry level kayak, more specifically a lifetime teton 10' angler. By no means is it a fancy kayak, but it will certainly allow me to get out more often which is very important to me. The bass boat will come one day... I couldn't help but notice you and I are from the same small town @flyfisher Love me some Mechanicsville? do you mind if I ask of any local spots you could recommend to get my kayak wet and a line in the water?? Thanks! Also, any beginner kayaking tips you or anyone could recommend?

2010 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 TRD off road. The little truck that could...

I’m in search of advice on what you think I should eventually purchase for my love affair that is bass fishing. I’ve thought about this decision for months however I find myself continually bouncing back and forth only to wish that I could have both vessels. Obviously there are many pro’s and con’s of each, however I’m curious to see if any of you all have spent some time on both platforms and prefer one over the other. If you could only have one of these platforms to fish out of, which one would it be, and why?! Thank you???

Yes, yes and yes! Thanks!!!

The green pumpkin Yamamoto Senko has been responsible for many of my summer time catches. I usually have one tied on. Jigs would come next. Once again in green pumpkin or some close variation. Spinner baits are up there on my list as well as chatter baits, I love them both. Flipping/creature baits such as rage bugs and baby brush hogs are also held close bye. It gets blurry after that...I don't have confidence in many topwater lures at the moment but hopefully that will soon change. Are you interested in the the brands and details of everyones staple lures? Also, what are your'e go to baits @BassSam5???

I have both the choppo and plopper, and like them both equally. The whopper plopper seems to have better quality hardware, however the choppo's hardware seems to be just fine. The only difference that I can spot other wise is the 'girgling' sound that each bait makes. I haven't fished them, but I believe academy and bass pro shops both have their own versions of the bait as well. I too, am curious as to what other have to say! Glad you asked @Phil B

I love to fish with others, however I feel that I prefer to fish by myself more often than not. I've discovered that i'm far more attentive and in tune with everything whilst alone. Does anyone feel the same? Or perhaps, feel the opposite? Thanks

Red Wing boots are what I would recommend. They meet all of the requirements that you made and then some. I won't lie and say that they are comfortable right out of the box because they aren't...or at least mine weren't. However, once they're broken in, very comfortable and make you're feet feel extremely safe. They aren't the most affordable boot, but they are high quality. Certainly something to consider. Best of luck in your search!!! Lots of options out there, I would also recommend going and trying some different boots on in store if its possible.

Definitely picking up a pair of those! I've got a pair of 'Boomerang' retractable line cutters, but they have gotten fairly dull. Thanks!

Thanks again to everyone for all of your suggestions!! I ended up going a wee bit over my budget. For the rod I went with a Lew's speed stick TP1 Black 6'10" MH, and for the reel I decided on a Lew's Tournament MB. Rod was 129.00 and reel was 139.00. Also.....I just purchased two Abu Garcia Black Max's from Academy Sports during yesterdays online flash sale of 25% all reels! I've heard quite a bit about these reels so I figured i'd give them a shot and see what all the hype was about. I got them for 29.99 a piece. Later this evening I plan on picking up two rods to pair with the new reels...so much for that 200.00 budget??

Thanks everyone, I’ll repost here and let you all know what I decide on!

My apologies, @Glaucus I've budgeted $200.00 total. $50.00 for each individual rod and each individual reel! That's correct @MN Fisher!! $50.00 per rod, and $50.00 per reel! I'll look into your recommendations, thanks!!

Hello there everyone! I'd like to add two new bait casting rods, and two new reels to my arsenal. I've got $50.00 to spend on each rod and reel, and would prefer to spend even less than that if possible. I would love some of you all's expert advice? Thanks!

I have a Rapala scale that the owner of my local tackle shop recommended. It only cost me about $25 and has served me well. Tournament fishing is not something that I do, so I can't justify spending much more that what I already have. Lot's of decent scales in your price range IMO. Good luck in your search.?

Thank you sir!?

I have to second this...Keeping things simple such as color selection, I feel truly helps me be more efficient while out on the water.?

What is your favorite all around jig!? I love throwing jigs and with all of the choices out there, which one do you throw? Thanks!