billmac

What do you think are the lures or lure companies that are underrated, perhaps because they are less expensive than some of their counterparts? For example, I've found Cotton Cordell rattletrap type baits in Walmart for around $3 each. Does this mean they are somehow inferior? I love Rapala lures, but they are priced like they are made from platinum. Are their cheaper cousins really inferior, or are we paying for the name? There are a million soft plastic baits out there. Are they really all that different from each other?

For those willing to use a spincast reel, what do you think is a good, quality spincast reel? I too grew up using a Zebco 202 and 33. Frankly, I don't really like spinning reels. I use them for light lures but if there was a baticaster that handled light lures or a good quality spincaster, I'd opt for either over a spinning reel.

Well, it only took 40 years, but I finally own a bass boat. I am the proud owner of an 88 Cajun Maverick. Old but in good shape. 115 HP oil injected Mercury outboard. Needs some cleaning up, but that's about it. Can you paint a fiberglass boat? Stay tuned, because I'll probably ask a million questions.

Jig and spinner.

I have always wondered how much other fish species plague bass tournament fishermen? It seems like a lot of largemouth waters would also be pike waters and often walleye and smallmouth often favor similar conditions, and that's just up north where I am.

WRB: I can't visualize it. Do you have a photo? Thanks. Never mind, I see it now. Didn't know what a hitchiker spring was. I've kind of done the same thing by putting a grub on, texas rig style.

This is going to sound crazy because obviously people catch fish on jigs with weedguards all the time, but I just don't like the idea of them. I can't believe they don't prevent some hooksets. I'm not an expert jig fisherman so take that for what it's worth. I have on occasion rigged a curly tail grub kind of texas rig style if I have problems with weeds. Am I the only crazy one?

I've asked the same question many times. I've wanted a bass boat for about 40 years. When I couldn't afford one, I thought the prices were reasonable, although out of reach for me. Now that my kids are gone, I couldn't believe the prices. I am (hopefully) about the pull the trigger on a 20 year old boat that looks great and has everything I want, and enough room and motor to have fun with the family too. Craigslist is your friend. In fact, I did a very complicated, refined search in Craigslist, where I specified boat type, price range, distance to travel, etc. When I had it just the way I wanted, I bookmarked it, so I could check it every day easily. For the boat I'm currently considering, I responded to the owner within an hour of him posting it.

I should add that while I did sharpen hooks on lures I've already used, I was mainly talking about sharpening new hooks. I recall very few hooks on lures right out of the package that passed the thumbnail test. I haven't bought lures in a while, so perhaps that's changed.

I used the follow BASS tournaments religiously years ago, so when I started getting fishing fever again I started watching BASS and FLW tour stuff on youtube. One thing that struck me immediately was how rough they were on the fish. Flipping them onto the floor of the boat. Grabbing them by the body and clutching them to their chests. Shaking them for the camera. Flippantly tossing them back when they cull, and then when they get to the weigh in taking them out and shaking them around again. Whatever you think of the MLF and their format, they are much more respectful of the fish. I like that a lot.

I looked through the Walmart tackle section while I was getting an oil change today, and didn't see any Mister Twister lures. They had always been some of my favorites. Have they fallen out of favor? I've probably caught more fish on a Mr. Twister meeney spin than any other lure.

So I am (hopefully) on the brink of owning my first bass boat. It's old, but I don't mind that. It comes with a Lowrance Hook 7 fish finder. Now, I am a complete beginner with fish/depth finders and don't even know what I don't know. But I'm thinking I might like a unit on the bow and at the console. I don't want to spend a ton of money. For the console I was just thinking of something that would get me in the general area of where I want to be, and then fine tune it at the bow. Any advice would be welcome.

This may sound crazy but I hate spinning rods / reels. I have them. I use them, but I've never liked them. I have always found them awkward. If there was a baitcaster that worked well with light line and lures, I wouldn't use a spinning reel again. Can you guys help me with the abbreviations? I've been out of the game too long. I get M/ML/ML, but I don't know what the F or X stands for. new2BC4bass: I love rooster tails! I use them when wading rivers for trout or smallmouth. I was never a fan of the beetle spin but my favorite lure of all time was the mister twister meeney spin. I've caught more fish on that lure than any other.

Hi everyone, I've already posted in a few forums but I thought I'd take time to introduce myself. From age 5 to about 45, I lived to fish. I live in Northern NY and I fished every chance I got. Mostly wading rivers and streams, or from a canoe. Favorite fish are bass, pike, and walleye, but I'll fish for anything. I followed the BASS tour and daydreamed of being a pro. When my wife and I started a small hobby farm, fishing just disappeared from my life. But last fall I took my 5 year old grandson fishing for the first time and it all came back to me. Now I'm (hopefully) on the brink of owning my first bass boat. A lot has changed since I was into fishing. Holy cow, are lures expensive now! I'll probably ask a ton of questions, especially regarding the boat. I'm an experienced fisherman but not an experienced boater.

Glaucus, Good questions. Let's assume these are rods I'll keep in a boat, and my primary targets are bass (largemouth and smallmouth), walleye, and pike. Bodies of water are big enough to launch a bass boat. Mostly the St. Lawrence River and lakes / impoundments.

Catt: I used to sharpen them right out of the box. We did the thumbnail test. If a hook didn't easily dig into your nail, it needed sharpening.

I'm just getting back into bass (and others) fishing after a long hiatus. I'm in Northern NY. If you had to carry only 4 rod / reel / line combos, what would you have? I don't necessarily care about a specific brands, but generically what type of length and action of rods, style of reel (maybe ratio) and line combinations. Thanks Bill

Do people still sharpen their hooks? When I became obsessed with following tournament pros years ago, it was a big thing, and I always sharpened my hooks. But I don't see much about it any more.

I'm looking at an 88 Mastercraft Cajun Maverick. The boat is fiberglass, 16 feet. Aluminum flooring, not wood. Any idea whether this can be pulled with a van? I don't have a truck. Nada Guides says it's 750 lbs, plus whatever a 115 Merc outboard weighs, I assume. Thanks

Ha. I should probably tell you that I am in Northern NY. There'll be no boat driving until April.

I'm looking at a 98 Tracker Pro Angler V16, 40hp Merc. Minn Kota V2, Hummingbird Helix 5. $3500. Owner says everything works. Any thoughts? It seems like a pretty good deal but I don't have a lot of experience.

Unfortunately my budget is very limited, which is why I've been looking at older bass boats.

Anyone use a pontoon boat for bass fishing? Since I have friends and grandkids, I'm rethinking the bassboat and will perhaps consider a pontoon boat. My budget limitations still apply, but the points some of my friends have made about getting more enjoyment out of a pontoon boat rather than a bass boat are pretty well taken. I'm not going to be a tournament fisherman, although I would like a boat with the typical fishing amenities, like a live well, trolling motor, and depth finder. But it would be nice to be able to accommodate more than a couple people and there's no way I an afford a large bass boat. My other big concern rather than cost is what I need to tow my boat with. My van would accommodate a small aluminum bass boat but perhaps not a pontoon boat, even a small one. Thoughts? Thanks

So a little research has helped me narrow things down a little bit. Since I'm looking at mostly smaller waters and the fact that I don't have a pickup truck, I should probably be looking at an aluminum boat. I have a student who has been active in youth bass clubs and he said 17' or less will be considerably cheaper than 18' or greater.

Any thoughts on Smoker Craft boats? I'm looking at a Magnum 142 for about $1500.