Largies4Life

You may not need them, but the Bait Monkey might...

I had been strictly a Daiwa fan, but picked up some Shimano gear this past winter and I have been quite impressed with it so far. I would say, once you get into the $150 range and above for both companies, whether it be a rod or reel, you really can't go wrong with either one! Just depends on what you're looking for in a rod/reel.

Is there a way to see what the biggest catches are in each state to see who is leading the pack?

X2. Works perfectly to put in the corner of a room!

No doubt kids will buy all of these lures still. It's just that I don't see them being able to compete with other reputable brands who have had jigs/spinnerbaits/buzz baits etc. out for years, but I guess the same can be said about their soft plastics and those are doing just fine.

At ICAST they are debuting and will be coming out with spinnerbaits, buzz baits, jigs, crankbaits, sunglasses, pliers, walking baits, and I think that may be it. They're taking it a bit far in my opinion. I think they should've just stick with soft plastics due to them trying to enter such a concentrated market already.

Whenever I am using treble hook baits like that, I always use a fish grip of some sort so I never have to get my hands anywhere near their treble-hook-infested mouth. Works well for small northern/pickerel too!

Security would not be an issue as I do have a small storage spot behind the parking space that I can always lock it to that. The neighborhood is also very safe from my experiences so far. I was thinking the same thing about a trailer. If I had a trailer, I could easily drive it into the underground garage, detach the trailer, and maneuver it by hand pretty easily. Never thought about an inflatable boat! Are they pretty sturdy if I were to fish standing up?

Here is my current situation. I am a bank fisherman unless I go out in a friend's boat or in one of my family's boats (i.e. my brother's or dad's) I live in a Condo with an underground garage with two parking stalls and I currently only use one of them. I would like to step it up and purchase a smaller deep-v boat or jon boat. I've also considered a kayak as well. The problem is, I don't really have a way of storing it unless I find a way to make it fit in the underground garage, which is why I was thinking a kayak would be the best bet in that case. Has anyone else been in the same boat as I am (No pun intended )? If so, what did you do? What do you think is the best solution for me other than buying myself a house?

Not trying to argue, but the Googan Baits are only 50 cents more expensive than your Rage baits...I'm not a supporter of the squad either just saying that they are basically priced the same as the Rage Series.

Where can the article be found? Found it.

With the weather in the 80's the next couple weeks, I bet the fishing up there will get a lot better really soon...

You can straight retrieve them, or jerk/pull them up and then let them fall and repeat. They are Norther Pike/Pickerel killers. I strongly advise throwing a leader on to protect against these toothy critters!

I have the 7'4" spinning model and just got it this spring and only got to use it a handful of times and then fractured my hand! Going to switch the handle over so I can still use it because I hate seeing that rod just sit there and not get any use! Definitely my favorite spinning setup I have right now.

I don't personally have the terminal coffin, but wouldn't another option be to remove the foam boxes in order to store more hooks? I know it would defeat the purpose, but I would imagine it would allow for more hooks to be stored there!

I switched over the handle last night and just set the drag really loose so I could see what it felt like to reel and I think it will be doable! Just feels really weird to begin with as expected. I won't let anything stop me from getting out on the water!

I can definitely try! I just feel like it would be difficult to learn how to fish the "opposite" way since that's the way I've done it all my life. I will bring my spinning gear along and at least give that a go!

I recently fractured my 5th metacarpal the other week after falling playing ball on my right hand. I am still able to fish, however, I am limited to baitcasters as I hold the baitcasters with my left hand while reeling with my right. On the contrary, with spinning gear, I am the exact opposite and am not able to hold a rod with my right hand, only reel. I am heading up north to do some smallie fishing for the week. Would I be able to get away with using the ned rig on a baitcasting setup or even a tube jig? If so, what would you recommend for the arsenal?

Yup and that's why it all comes down to personal preference at the end of the day, there's no wrong answer!

My apologies, I was referring to the bait coffin at $30, not the terminal coffin. I think the bait coffin is hard to beat, but I do agree that the terminal coffin is overpriced.

It really all comes down to personal preference. I would go to your local Cabela's or BPS store and check each of them out. I went with the Bass Mafia boxes just because I felt it was easier to get the latches undone than the waterproof Plano boxes. However, I would definitely recommend the terminal coffin by Bass Mafia for all your terminal tackle, that box is hard to beat!

X2 on @Big Rick post. Just picked up a pair with the grey lens last week and am loving them so far after being out on the water the last 5 days. Hard to beat for the price in my personal opinion and doesn't break the bank.

So I bought a Lew's Team Pro Magnesium Speed Spool reel off of TW when it was on their closeout deal this winter. I've only used the reel about 10 times this season so far so it is practically brand new still. Ever since using it there has been this high-pitched noise/screech when I cast. Does the reel need oil? Has anybody else experienced this before? It's hard to describe the sound it makes but it isn't like a grinding noise or anything and only happens when I cast and the lure is in the air. It doesn't seem like I'm losing any casting distance from it either, just really annoying.

I like to throw the smaller sizes like the OP is saying, by themselves without an EWG hook. I like the larger sizes on my swim jigs, spinnerbaits, etc. Especially on 1/2 oz. baits and above.

I would advise to always wear pants and long sleeves when bank fishing, especially this time of year when ticks and other insects are so prevalent. You can always roll up your sleeves/pants when you get to your spot, but when you're making the trek through the woods and tall grass, I always make sure to be covered up. One guess to your rashes would be poison ivy, but tough to say.