Dan N

I guess I could have phrased that better🤣 those pics are welcome also!

One of the lakes I fish here in Wisconsin, took the size limit off bass this year because it is full of too many small bass. while fishing there early summer this year , 2 different locals requested to keep them all. I did keep 5, 10-12” and they were delicious.

I did well on flat sided cranks until a week before ice up . Rapala OG slim and OG tiny also some luck with Rapala DT 6 although not sure that rod would be the best for cranks

Let’s see some, I get them fairly often in my parts.

I think the short fat ones look cool, but I’ll take whatever 😉

Last year while fishing a pond in a campground, I watched a family catch way more bass then I did on all my artificial baits, using pieces of hot dogs under a bobber! Sometimes the simple stuff works better. Sometimes you realize bass are not as smart as we think they are🤣 If you simply want action for the kids, a worm under a bobber will always work.

In line spinner(mepps) small floating rapala ned rig wacky rig stick worm

Rapala OG tiny , runs to 4 feet, I did excellent on it this fall. Also Rapala DT 4

Don’t sound too bad to me! Gives incentive for next year!👍🏻

Don’t give up on the cranks, GRiver, that being said, I definitely have certain times of the year they work great, and times of the year, not so much. Nothing wrong with sticking to what works for you! During most the summer here, I rarely use them . I will add , as I mentioned, previous to this year, I had zero confidence in jigs, but stuck to it and now love them . Good luck to you

Check out ALX rods

I had a good year, didn’t fish as much as last year, but many good trips. I do have a boat and fish from that, but I also really enjoy taking shore fishing trips at my local park, has some great channels off lake Winnebago, WI. I do a lot of short 1-2 hour days. I believe 30 was my best day from shore. Overall, no complaints. Very good crank bait bite this fall. Today it snowed. Season is pretty much over.Also did very well on a Tokyo rig in the spring, and forced myself to do more jig fishing, which I did great on! New convert to that! Bought like 50🤣

I would have to agree with a steady retrieve, I also try all other stuff, but for me a steady retrieve with maybe just a little bit of slow pumping of the rod works best. I know ripping out of grass works, but I don’t fish a lot that way.

Welcome! Very exciting to start out and learn . MediumMouthBass gave you some excellent info above. Also lots of great info on YouTube. When just starting, don’t get too into specifics for everything, just fish and have fun. A medium heavy fast action 7’ or so casting rod can handle a ton of applications for bass fishing. Medium is great for cranking. Spinning rods, medium or medium light also super useful for just about any finesse type fishing. Have fun and just start fishing!!

UI hit the local channels today again ,Lake Winnebago, WI. Had 8 bass, some nice chunks , in a 2 hour shore fishing trip👍🏻

This is kinda what I thought. Certainly they can do it with most any equipment, as long as it’s not total junk. And I would agree that the free rods and reels are not that big of deal in the overall cost of things.

I’m a better crank bait fisherman than all my buddies, because I’m not afraid of losing a bait. Many will not throw into cover because they don’t wanna lose a bait. Huge mistake. I’ve learned the feel of how to work a crankbait thru cover. Not trying to brag at all. It’s just a fact that guys don’t fish some of the best stuff, cuz they don’t wanna lose a bait.

While I love the occasional big fish, I’m more than happy with numbers, as long as they are not all dinks. 2-3 pound bass are just fine with me. Did not catch a fish that hit 5 pounds this year. Although in Wisconsin, 5 pounders are not super common.

Still catching them good, just shore fishing at some local channels here in Wisconsin. The boat is done for the year, but I’ll fish from shore till ice. got 3 in a quick 30 minute trip before sundown last night. Throwing cranks .

So I think the answer is obvious, but just looking for some opinions. Do the pros just use whatever brand they are sponsored by? Would they use equipment they didn’t really love because it’s free? Do they ever use different stuff and not show it?

Could not care less. Plenty of other good reels on the market. Believe it, or not…

I have no need or want for a DC reel , no matter who makes it.

For sure for crank bait fishing, have several different type baits, running depths etc… available without constant bait switching.

Don’t use worms of any kind after September here in Wisconsin

I’ve never fished anywhere the Ned rig hasn’t worked. I know it’s not the favorite for many, but I will always have it ready. I’d prefer other methods, but dang, it always works. For me anyway.