Cravin

Im from Oklahoma originally, so Ive seen alot of mud holes. I like spinners and carolina rig,Also Ive had alot of luck twiching a weightless fluke with fish attractants and a good pause before hookset. if the place stays muddy alot the fish rely on sensing motion and Ive found their strike is quite a bit different on a free falling fuke, it almost seems like their bumping it to check it out. Try it , it may work for you.

I just got a Abu Garcia Revo S yesterday, haven't fished it yet, hopefully I'll be able to tell you more after the weekend, seems nice. they have a combo for it at BPS, Also look at the Citica combo they have there,Those would be my only two choices right now.

I started witha Zebco 33 and this is what my 7yr old landed his first bass on. http://www.zebco.com/catalog/33.html It prices for $20 to $30, ball bearing drive -not nylon gear like 202, rod kinda feels like a bass rod, 10lb test, can throw fairly light jigs to heavier bass lures really nice, plus it has enough backbone to land a nice Bass or Catfish. I think I payed a little over $20 at Walmart. They are right about the Ugly Stick, very durable rod. put 33 on it and it will last,great for kids.

All Hail Curado! I remember when I got my first Curado, It was small, Really low seat, and could cast any lure of any wieght, nothing could come close to it in my mind. To hear people compair to it to the newer model tickles me. Sure it lacks this and that and its big and high on the seat against a new one...its old tech, but it was the best reel for it's time and is still being sought after and compaired to new lines of reels. I see it as the Shelby Cobra of reels.....It was awesome then and still very impressive today! I love the new reels also but I have no problem casting a old Bantam 200 , they still have that Cadillac feel to me. Get a new one and if you dont like it Im sure you can sell it here.

I took an old Bantam Curado into Southwestern in Dallas for a cleaning Today and found out it wasnt dirt that was the problem, He said a bearing was out and the total would be around $ 40+ for repair and cleaning. I was kinda tired of looking at that green reel anyway so he said he would give $50 credit for it and before I could flinch I'm buying a new reel. I was looking at another Citica figuring I could hide a $70 purchase easily from the wife when the guy behind the counter showed me the Revo S and sang all of it's praises. It was $53.03 out the door, I like the very small body on it and it seemed a great price for a 9 bearing reel, I also know of Abu's Rep with alot of fishermen although I fish shimano. I can't really find anything on the "S" model as far as a review so I dont know how I faired on this impulse buy! If it is "all that" I might check out SX or STX, either way I spent $10 to $15 more and ended up witha new reel.

After a big fight like that you cant be too upset that it wasn't a bass, At times I'll take any bite.

I was aware of the whole april thing well before to this post and I still fell hook line and sinker! very funny

Nice Carp, those are sport fish in Europe! I have only fished for carp once and that was by accident. It was lunch time on a two day tourney with nothing biting on very hot day. I went to camp and got a couple hotdogs and chips to eat, I sat down to eat by the water where my tube was laying and saw a bunch of carp run the bank looking for food so I threw a piece if hotdog in the water and sure enough they ate it. I took off a plastic worm and put a piece of hot dog on the worm hook and ended up landing 3 before they left the area, I believe they fight better than catfish.

Real nice fish, I gotta try that bait I guess. Nice taste in fishing hat, Mine looks alot like it!

I love seeing all of the color variations from different locations on this site. Those are DARK pretty fish.

Beautiful smallies! Sounds like you've had your feathers ruffled. I dont see harm in taking fish occasionally, Although I don't, I figure there are more and more people releasing so I don't think the fish population is being destoyed like it once was. I'm sure you'll find some people here that don't agree with it, but I bet if you post some pics of fish you did release you'll gain points with them. We as a whole need to understand that people take fish, thats why there are slot limits allowing it on many bodies of water. Even if you dont agree with it its a fact. I figure the people in charge of controlling the fish population have a better understanding than me.(I HOPE) It is a touchy subject. anyways....nice fish!

This is something that I thought I would share because its probably one of the most important things I've done while fishing. The first time I met my new nephew his father was out to Sea with the Navy so we took him in for a few days, He was about 6yrs old. Since I knew I would'nt see my nephew much( Divorced parents) I took him to the store and bought him a fishing pole and we went fishing. We caught some perch and crappie off of a dock. His father doesn't fish, what a shame. that was about 8yrs ago. after about five or six years later I finally seen him again. The first thing he said to me was "remember when we went fishing? I still have my pole!" Wow, He was so little back then, I was suprized he even remembered me. At that point it really sunk in, I dont think it is possible to show a child the love of fishing and they forget. I fish alot so this was kinda par for the course, I'll take anyone fishing. mainly older friends but this was the first child I took and by far my favorite. I still dont get to see him much but I think next time we go I'll pack the poles and try to find some place to get a hook wet. I'm sure he'll want to reminisce about his first time fishing and how glad I was for being there !

That must have been one heck of a fight on that tackle, Did you get the shakes from that one? I know I would have. she's pretty!

MAN OH MAN! Those are some outstanding fish! I love the color on the second fish photo. Beautiful!

What can I say , My PB is three pounds lighter than that hog, sure Ive landed and weighed a few over 7 pounds but the number 8 is my achilles heel. and yeah.. Ive been fishing with a few people who have caught some bigger than 8. Catfish? no problem over 8 or even 10...done that, But to hear that this was just the first good trip of the year? .......I need to know when we are going to fishing! :-? Just kiddin, Very nice Fat Bass that I would probably have a mold made for!

That's a great story. I like all the details of what you went through and how your bringing him along with your passion. Last weekend I took my boy out with a friend who spent most of the time with his closed face shakespear reel fishing with a bobber and hot dogs, I tried to get him to throw one of my shimano baitcasters with a jerk bait but he declined. After he seen me and the boy pull out some really nice fish, In his words "the biggest fish he seen come out of that pond", I can tell it wont be long before he comes around. That mean's I'll be helping two get hooked. The only bad part about it is that I'm the last person to get my hook in the water.Tell your dad that that is nice looking fish.

Thats so awesome! Be sure to tell him we all said congrats. The baitmonkey is probably thrilled!! There's only one thing wrong with the pic. That yankees hat. Red Sox 04' BABY!! senko77, About the hat, Unfortunately it's the name of the team he plays on. We got a new puppy this weekend and I caught him chewing on his hat.. I told my wife the dog must have some Boston Terrier in him!

Nice Footballs.

Me too, it looks a few pounds bigger than a 5 pounder, I caught some long 5 pound fish but I dont think they looked that big. I want to commend you also for as honest a weight as you could. I have seen some of the worlds smallest 5 and 6 pound fish caught by a fishing partner or two, or three, or four....... I'm not saying they were lieing, but I did question if thier arm scale needed calibrating.

OH...PB is Personal Best! after reading your post and seeing that fish, I threw a jar of Peanut Butter in my tackle box. my mistake!

I'll take a day like that anytime. Nothing like getting a bite from any fish of any size when your mind is miles away from everyday life.

Really pretty fish, The second one is really nice!

Sounded like alot of fun! Having a nice rod and reel seems to make fishing alot easier. as far as doing it all on your own...Good Job!

Thanks everyone, He's really enjoyed hearing from ya'll. Yeah it 's alot bigger than my first by a mile! he caught it on a brand new Zebco clasic combo I bought him last season and fishing a little spinner with a jig body. I know I'll never forget the sound of his voice, He was saying " I think Ive got something! Here Dad Take it!", As he tried to hand the pole to me in a panic. I told him "in a panic also," I cant.. you hooked him you have to land him"! When the fish broke the water I was afaid that big of a fish would throw the little lure, but he got him in. I am a little worried about his future as a fisherman though, I couldnt get get him to kiss it!

We hit a local pond today (Sunday) for about three hours and my oldest boy was fortunate enough to land this bass all by himself, Figuring this was a big moment in his life I told him I'd post it in here so everyone could see his fish he's so proud of. We took four nice fish but I think his was the most important, he settled down and started to actually fish hard after landing that one and has said we wants to go back tommarrow.....I think hes got the bug now! sorry the picture is so bad but my phone has a crappy camera, six pictures didnt even come out.