ElijahH

I have a Defy Black that I love. They're all about $60.

I'm right handed and I've switched completely to left handed reels. It just seemed awkward for me to cast right handed and then switch hands every single time. It just feels better to me.

Overrated. A daiwa aird-X or a Dobyns Colt or even a Lightning Shock would be better, in my opinion.

I would guess most wouldn't be interested. Your best bet to grow the brand would probably be through funding programs like KickStarter or to find some private investors and grow a website on you own.

Learning the sonar and not just hitting the obvious pieces of cover that everyone else is already fishing.

I know I kinda disappeared for a while, but I genuinely enjoyed reading all the responses!

Wow! Welcome back! (Your wallet will never forgive you for returning!)

I definitely agree that spinning and finesse combos should not be looked down upon, that's a vital strategy for certain conditions. Also, Senkos should stop being looked down upon as 'too easy' or a 'beginner lure'. Its a great lure that works, enough said.

I know I really need to work on fishing deeper into the season, but I usually start to get distracted by bow season. And here in SE Ohio we've seen temps in the 40s already. That's crazy!

I think bass anglers of all experience levels go through this every year! Whoa! Congrats! Hope you have a speedy recovery. Also a off year for me. But we'll make a comeback Glad everyone is liking the thread, I definitely enjoy hearing yearlong recaps, accomplishments and even struggles of fellow anglers.

How late do you fish into the year and how does your strategy change? I've never done well later in the year, even though many guys fish well into November/December. Congrats on the boat! (And the PBs!) Smaller boats like that are so versatile.

I'm also in Ohio and really start to struggle around October when the temps start dropping, what's some strategies?

Last year was a great fishing year for me. Got several 5lb+ fish and got on the water a lot. This year though. I haven't been out nearly as much as I've wanted to and have pretty much been skunked. I did however make a serious boat upgrade and also upgraded some other gear. How has your year been? Anyone else looking to make a rebound, start early in the spring and fish hard next year?

Got a great deal on a '80s '16 Bass Tracker with a 50hp Merc and a Motor Guide bow trolling motor. I've never owned this much boat and don't want to make any expensive mistakes. Any and all advice is welcome. At the moment I'm looking to get it ready for winter. Fishing is slowing down here in Ohio and its bow season! It will have a cover and be in a walled car port, but what should I do maintenance wise? Thanks!

Thanks for your help! Just wondering if you have advice for reaming? I'm familiar with it from watching some rod building videos, but I don't really know what I'm doing.

Cleaning out my old rods and reels from yard sales and flea markets. I found a old 6'6 casting rod in great shape, except the real seat trigger was snapped off. I got the grip and reel seat off and was going to get a replacement off of mud hole, but don't know what size to get? Thanks.

I don't have any personal experience with any of the rods you mentioned. But the Dobyns Fury and Shimano SLX are both good choices around $100

Buzzbait, I only last a few casts and then go to a spook or frog.

Got a couple Fuegos on eBay for a great price

Scored a couple Daiwa Fuegos on eBay for a really good deal.

I use a 13 Fishing Defy Black, paired with a Daiwa CG80 as my chatterbait setup. Both are around $60. One thing that really stands out is how light it is, which is something you'll appreciate more, once you start fishing more and more.

I'm looking at a BPS Graphite series, 7'6 H to start throwing some smaller, 2oz and below swimbaits. I know I'll probably get crap for looking at such a cheap rod, but I'm a student and cannot afford to drop $200 on a decent beginner swimbait. I watched one video on youtube recommending it, but wondered if anyone else has had experience with it?

Another tip, I know they get a lot of crap, but if the bite is slow, fishing the pads and weeds with a weightless T-rigged senko can sometimes get a few bites that a weighted creature bait or jig won't get.

Since the bottom is mostly soft I would personally stay away from jigs and go with a light or weightless T-Rig. Other than that anything should be fine. If the water is unusually clear you'll probably have to go to a drop shot or shaky head with lighter line.

It's way under your budget, but I bought a Defy Black as my dedicated chatterbait rod last year and it's been great. It does not fish like a cheap rod at all and you'd practically have enough left over to get a ultra light setup as well.