InfantryMP

I will play here...My go to all around rod, I use a Shimano SLX DC, and a Duckett rod which happens to be the Jacob Wheeler signature series 7'2 MH. I can skip with it, I can pitch with it, I can do a lot with it. It is my favorite setup in my arsenal besides my frog setup.

Sam's Club has great Duracell AGM batteries, and the have a good warranty on them as well. Not just manufacturer, but a store warranty. If I remember right mine was 18 months in store if something were to happen to them I could replace them on the spot in the store.

I have a similar issue. I like to subscribe to tackle bundles. I am subscribed to. 6th Sense Champions Club (MLF box) I like to keep them going over the winter, so I can stock up on stuff. I do not have a BPS or a Dicks within 45 min to an hour, so I let everything come to me via mail. When I need specific stuff, I order from TW.

Well the last tournament of the year for me was yesterday. This was my first full blown year of tournament fishing, and I wanted to recap some things here maybe for people who were like me last year. (Wanted to tournament fish, but did not pull the trigger) 10 different lakes this year. Only 1 I had previously fished, but never had caught 5 in the same trip. I started with an older, smaller boat that ran fantastic. Had some upgrades on it for sure, but was very small and tough to fish open water in the wind etc. I did upgrade the rig this year after the 3rd tournament because I knew I needed it, and wanted it. This year was a huge learning year for me. Especially with 9 new lakes to fish. The club I fish with are fantastic guys some old, some young, but all are out there because they love to fish, and I also think they need to get out of the house a bit lol. No one was a hard-ass competitor that everyone would call "That Guy". I caught fish in every tournament but 1. That will happen. Did not let it bother me too much. Just tried to get better each time. It took until the last 3 tournaments of the year for me to be competitive with the guys. In the last 3, I placed 1st, 2nd, and 4th. It was not the new boat, it was not the conditions really. It was me putting together a plan based on what has worked for me, fishing my strengths, and making a plan and sticking to it. For the guys who are thinking about getting in to tournament fishing. Do not worry about equipment. Fish as a non boater, or co-angler a few times to get an idea of what it is like. It is actually a bit more of a pain in the butt sometimes to be on the trolling motor all day, and cycling through spots, then just fishing. However, it is a bit more rewarding personally to do all of that, and do well. Try new things, because you will have to- I do not throw a lot of drop shots, or frogs. I had 5 blow ups yesterday in the pads, and it was awesome! I now have a new appreciation for frog fishing, and plan on getting some more frogs for the box! I was never that good at fishing grass. I would always get hung up with stuff, and it was frustrating. Now, when I see grass, I am excited. I am a die hard chatterbait fisherman and being able to catch some on other things is fantastic. You can win a tournament on a Texas rigged worm, so sometimes simple is the way to go. I believe I am sitting in like 8th place in the club out of 20ish. Not bad for the first year, and 9 new lakes. Next year the lakes will change, but I think I am going to try to pre-fish some of them prior. I made about $200 from winnings, which paid for club dues, and some snacks for the boat this year. Go fish a tournament if you are wondering what it is like, you may be surprised on how well you like it, and want to keep doing it for fun! Hope everyone is doing well as tournament season is winding down (especially in the north areas)!

This is the same for me. There is a DSG about 45 minutes away from me, and there is nothing for fishing. Luckily Cabelas is across the street.

This was my first year in tournament fishing. Out of 8 tournaments: I won 1, and got 2nd place in another. I cannot complain on that aspect. I think this year with no certified biggins, I can say I did well in regards to learning, and development. Additionally, I did well in not buying so much bait, but really utilizing the enormous amount of bait that I already had. I did get the new boat this year, so I guess that wipes out the bait money talk lol.

Shakey head or a creature bait t rigged will typically get the job done for me!

I think for me its an activity that tests me. You have to figure the fish out, where to go, what to throw etc to do well. Its like a game to me that I am addicted to. I cannot physically do competitive sports stuff anymore (thanks military), so bass fishing allows me to still be competitive, and do things without major physical work.

I use a PitBoss Pro and a Weber Bullet depending on what I am smoking. In the Pitboss, I have done 3 briskets, 1 Thanksgiving Turkey, and entire Chicken and a ton of pork belly burnt ends.

I hope he starts getting better. I hate that he is out another event due to this. He is a great guy and it sucks to see crappy things happen to good folks!

Yea you will need to re-calibrate your TM if you are drifting that far off. Depending on the size of your boat you may need to adjust the boat scaling. The smaller the boat, the lower you go on the scale. This will ensure that the TM is not over-correcting when trying to keep you within your given spot because the TM is thinking your boat is bigger. I believe the scale is 2, 1, 0, -1, -2. I used -1 for a 17ft boat and an Ultrex and it worked out great! As far as Talons vs Power poles. I think this decision should be made with some forward thought. If the graphs you have or you want to have will be hummingbird, then go with Talons so they will link together. If you have an Ultrex or a compatible Minnkota TM then talons would be the best option. If you are using Lowrance units, or want Lowrance units I would go with Power pole for the same reason of linking together.

I have had good success with SK Dream Shots. You can always soak some in some magic potion for a while. I know it is not the ones you mentioned. but I have had good rates with them on smallies here!

That is awesome! I hope they get a replica mount done for him. Hopefully he did well in the tourney too!

I would buy another Shimano SLX DC. I would take remainder funds and buy line to spool it and have extra spools.

I found it to be interesting. I do agree the flukes seem to be close together, but at the end of the day I think the bass will see that crazy movement and attack it out of instinct. I think it can produce very well, but will also be subject to need to have a few bags of flukes handy.

I agree with lowering the poles half way or so especially if you spot locked. The little movement that spot lock has will not mess with the poles. When I am in deep water and spot locked in. I will lower them all the way down for the co-angler to be less hassled with them. Plus I do not want a 1/2oz jig hitting them either.

Odd....TW has em in stock. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Powerbait_Maxscent_Flat_Worm/descpage-CLF.html

Start shopping now if looking for a new one!

If I am on the boat, I will be about for about 4 hours min. The travel times and getting everything ready, it seems anything less than 4 is not worth the drives etc. If I am bank fishing the local ponds or pay pits. I will go for a couple of hours depending on if I am catching or not. The wifey comes with me, as she loves fishing too, so I never have a conflict really.

The difference between some of the newer models and the 2021 models are crazy. I mean heated steering wheels and wireless phone charging is not worth the extra cash in my opinion.

I am old fashion here. Improved clinch for everything except leaders. Alberto knot for leaders.

On the way to a tournament, I will think about things like the spots I chose. The tough thing is, you just don't know until you get there and see the water for things to start clicking (if you didn't practice the lake). I get on the water early enough that I can see the water clarity and the wind, then I finalize and think about where to go first etc before we actually take off.

Thanks guys! The mobile version it is!

Gotcha that makes sense. I am going to leave my normal gauges alone, but I think I am going to order the mobile version. I appreciate the help on this one. I kind of wish my dealer talked to me more about stuff like this along with upselling stuff like Power Poles etc for add ons. One last question. Can you check the engine hours without the motor running? Like if I turn the key on, can I use it like an OBDII code checker?

A-Jay, Did you mount the external gauge somewhere specific? I am not sure I have a spot on my console for it, I do near the controls, but I am deathly afraid of cutting in a gauge there. Maybe I will stick with the mobile version for that reason alone. Do you use the mobile version?