JoeDeal55

So far the consensus is 15-17 fluoro or 40-50 pound braid. Is casting fluoro similar to casting 14lb Super Silver Thread copoly? In my limited experience, the 50lb PowerPro is a lot easier to cast for me and the 14lb copoly. Better distance anyways. Same amount of backlashes tbh.

I will have a 7'MH/F Shimano SLX combo with the SLX151HG reel this month or the next. I will be using it for a dedicated jig rod. I might try a few other things on it just to broaden my experience but mainly just for bottom contact jigs. I am looking for advice and recommendations for what line to use with it. Brand, test, fluoro, braid, etc. My local fisheries have little to no vegetation. Mostly wood, underwater brush, rock, and mud. I have 0 experience with straight mono and straight fluoro on baitcasters. I have only used straight copoly, straight braid, and braid to short mono leader. Honestly, I only use a short mono leader to save the life span of my braid. The struggles of micro guides. Im unsure how leader knots will pass through the SLX rod yet. The SLX combo will be my most "high end" piece of equipment, (I only own budget gear) so I dont want to spool on "cheap" line but I wouldnt mind "affordable" line. Any and all advice and recommendations are welcome. Thank you!

As of December 2nd water level is 126ft lower than summer pool. No boat access and the USACE have closed the gates to the winter launches. You might be able to launch a kayak if you dont mind hiking with one on your shoulders. A ranger told me yesterday they expect turbine repairs to conclude on December 18th, after which water levels will begin to return to normal winter pool. A little off topic but do you guys fish Summersville lake often? I live here and just got into serious fishing this year. Come spring I will start to dissect the lake. Only have a kayak so im not sure where to start yet.

I have learned how to fish for bass without using live bait. Went fishing early spring and forgot to get me some nightcrawlers. Luckily I had a small tackle bag and just started tossing lures and reeling them back in. Fished all day on an UglyStik GX2 combo and fowl hooked 1 bass on some kind of squarebill crankbait (didnt know what a crankbait was). It annoyed me. I usually catch 10+ bluegills and a few bass when I head out to the family farm pond. (A few times a year) So the next day at work I started researching the best lures for bass fishing and watching youtube videos. Then the discovery of BR! I quickly realized I knew absolutely nothing about fishing. (Didnt even know what a baitcaster was lol) And down the rabbit hole I went. Im still stuck down here. Spent all spring, summer, and fall fishing and learning. Now I own 2 baitcaster combos and my 1 spinning combo. And a knew fishing kayak! (All in the budget realm but I had to learn somehow) Discovered a few different ponds near me that im allowed to fish. I learned how to fish from a kayak. I learned how to walk-the-dog. I learned how to feel the difference between underwater structure and a fish bite. I learned how to cast a baitcaster. Fewer and fewer backlashes everytime. I have also learned that I need to work on other techniques more. I feel really confident with bottom jigs, senkos, and the ned rig. Still havent had any luck with chatterbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, and swimming jigs. But all in all I only got skunked on 1 outing this year. Im still learning and excited to continue. Caught my PB 4lb11oz on a spinnerbait with year. Told my wife and my family that I only want fishing gear for christmas so looking forward to that lol. I learned that fishing has sparked a joy in me that I didnt know I was missing in my life. I dont do social media so I am thankful for BR and this community for giving me a warm welcome this year and a home to share my experiences and learn. Thanks guys!

Will be adding more spinnerbaits to my arsenal! Thanks all!

Not so long ago I made a post about catching my first official PB. By bar the biggest LMB Ive ever caught but its the only one Ive ever weighed on a scale. It was exactly 3lbs. And now, 1 month later I have a new PB! Got it on a chartreuse spinnerbait with double colorado blades. (First day ever trying a spinnerbait) Snagged her literally 2 feet from the bank in a foot of water. Was watching my daughter cast and wasnt even paying attention, she almost ripped my rod right out of my hands! 2 seconds later shes on the bank, I almost fall in the pond trying to keep it from flopping back in the water. (She spit the bait on the bank). I was so excited to weigh her and let my daughter hold her that I forgot to measure her length. She weighed in at 4lbs 11oz! I didnt know they got this big in this particular pond. Just wanted to post my good fortune and thank you guys. This forum has endless information that I utilize daily. Helpful and friendly environment as well. So thanks again BR! Heres some photos. And heres 1 of my daughter holding it. She struggled holding it up lol

Im a budget guy for everything. But considering the obsession and joy I experience bass fishing, I think I am willing to spend more. After I get the Aird-x, I am going to step up into higher end rods and reels. Well, $200 combos are what I am considering higher end for me. Plan on getting 1 new rod and reel every year to see what I like best. My future excites me lol

Thats the thing. I already have a blackmax with no rod. Walmart had a left handed one marked down to $20 so I nabbed it 3-4 weeks ago.

Thank you both! That was my assumption as well. I do plan on trying out more brands in the future like Dobyns, Lews, Okuma, etc. But for now my budget lies with the Aird-x and SLX.

I have a budget Kastking 7ft MH/F baitcasting combo (my do everything combo) and an Ugly Stick GX2 spinning combo for finesse. I will be adding a Shimano SLX combo and a Daiwa Aird-x rod to pair with an Abu BlackMax reel that I dont have a rod for. Im wanting 1 of them to be a M/F for topwater/jerkbait/treble lures and the other one a MH/F for a dedicated jig rod (jigs are my fav). This is where im unsure. I need advice on which would be better for which. Should I get the Aird-x/Blackmax for the M/F combo and the SLX for the MH/F combo? Or the opposite? Is the Aird-x a better jig rod than the SLX? Please and thank you!

Just got my first kayak and I drive a 2005 dodge neon. My brother-in-law loaned me some universal cross bars that work just fine. Kinda of a pain but they work. Have to open all 4 doors to install them. I plan on getting a better setup in the future but, it is what it is.

I can reel with either hand just fine. But working the rod for walking baits and poppers and jerkbaits is impossible for me with my left hand. Too awkward by far. Especially since I bank/kayak fish. Have to twitch my rods at an angle. I will pass up really good deals on reels if its RH retrieve. So I only by LH retrieve reels now.

Being a novice on a budget, my goal is to get 4-5 versatile combos that I can gain the experience needed before going technique specific.

Was a toss up for me between jerkbait and crankbait. I chose jerkbait because I have yet to catch a bass on one where I have caught 2 bass this year on a crankbait. I dont use glidebaits, buzzbaits, or spinnerbaits. At least not yet. So far I have been gaining confidence with jigs, ned rigs, and yum dingers. My PB on a jig this year. Most of my catches this year were on those three. A few more on topwater spooks but not a lot of confidence in topwater yet. With more experience and proper gear, I am sure this will change in the future.

Honestly I have like 10 old rods my dad gave me this year when I started to really get into bass fishing. Mostly Rhino, Zebco, and Shakespeare rods. Im assuming they are 30+ years old. Im 31 and Ive never seen him buy a rod since Ive been alive. They are all 6-6.5 ft long mediums and medium heavies. None of them feel the same. So I really have nothing to compare to. My Crixus MH/F feels lighter but stiffer than all these older rods. And its the first split grip/winn grip Ive ever used. Its my favorite "style" tbh. I really like the split grips. Like it was made for me. And I prefer winn grips over the EVA foam and the cork. Never owned any high quality rods or reels so im looking forward to exploring more expensive gear in the future. My next purchase will be a shimano slx rod and reel.

Thank you schplurg. That is what I assumed. Might just use my credits to upgrade some trebles on some older lures.

Reaction Tackle?

Does anyone have any experience with some of these "highly rated" tackle/lure companies on Amazon? Truscend, Plusinno, Runcl etc. They have great ratings on Amazon but I figure half of the reviews are bought and paid for. I occasionally get free amazon credits and would like to broaden my tackle supply. Considering my financial status I primarily have to wait for big sales or just wait in general to save up for fishing gear. If anyone has any experience with these companies please share. I know its free credits, but still, I dont want to waste them on garbage.

I have a Kastking Crixus 7'MHF 2 piece casting rod and the Crixus 7.2:1 baitcasting reel. Its my first baitcasting setup ive ever owned. I love it btw. Broke the tip top guide smacking it against a tree on accident. Ive pulled in a lot of bass this summer with this setup and last week landed my PB 3 pounder. I havent had any issues with my Kastking products but also I have 0 experience with higher end companies. Lifetime of Zebco 33s and ugly stick combos from walmart. I do plan on getting the Shimano SLX combo in a few months.

The ol' jig is becoming my favorite tbh. I've caught more on jigs and ned rigs than anything else since I've started fishing this year. Not as exciting as topwater but more reliable for me. Im skunked on moving baits (cranks, jerks, swimbaits,) so far. Either I dont have the feel for them yet or the proper equipment... or both.

Caught my PB Tuesday 10/05/21! It was 11am on a private pond in central WV, 70° with overcast skies. I only brought a 7ft medium heavy fast action Kastking Crixus rod with a Kastking Crixus 7.2:1 baitcaster. Spent the first hour and a half throwing a Super Spook with no luck. Decided to tie on a green pumpkin Arkie Jig with green/chart BBB Yomama trailer. Popped it off the bottom a few times and he thumped it on the fall. As soon as I set the hook I knew it was the biggest bass I have ever hooked. Ive only spent this past year bass fishing and I mostly bring in bass 1-1.5 pounds (estimated). Just bought a scale before this outing. Im used to just wrenching little bass in like its nothing. This one fought me the whole way in. It was a fun battle but alas, I got her on the bank. She weighed 3 lbs 0 oz and she was 18 inches long! For a lot of you anglers out there, that might be average, but for me, I am still riding that high! I am considering this my first PB Now im excited for my next PB!

I only used spinning rods growing up and I always casted with my right hand and used my left as a guide on the bottom of my rod, and then retrieved with my left hand. Used a baitcaster for the first time this year and it was right hand retrieve. I would cast it right handed but then I would have to switch hands to retrieve. That annoyed me to no end and almost turned me against baitcasters. Also, trying to cast and "work" the rod with with my left hand was awkward. So I decided to buy a left handed baitcaster to give it one more try and its perfect! I can cast and work the rod with my right hand and reel with my left without ever having to switch hands. It only sucks that most baitcaster combos only come right handed. If something tragic were to happen to my right hand or arm or something I would have to learn to throw lefty but hopefully that never happens.

This is my goal... eventually. Fishing has always been fun, but since I started seriously bass fishing, its no longer a fun hobby anymore. Its a way of life to me now. So yes, in 20-30 years I am sure I will have a nice collection of gear to cover th. But for now im saving up to get another rod or 2 to somewhat cover everything I want learn. After that I can be more precise with my choices and start collecting. Its going to take a while but ill get there eventually. Also, you mentioned this flea market. Where do I find that?

Guy 1: uses 7' medium heavy moderate for crankbaits. Guy 2: uses 7' medium moderate-fast for crankbaits and uses 7' medium heavy moderate for jerkbaits. Guy 3: uses 7' medium fast for crankbaits and uses 7' medium heavy moderate for topwaters. This is just an example of what ive seen browsing the forums. Although they use different rods for crankbaits they are using the same rod for 3 different techniques. Im not a pro nor do I have very much experience but if 1 rod can do more than just 1 dedicated technique than it is versatile imo. Personally I have no idea. I only own 2 rods other than a bunch of hand-me-down zebcos. Knowing my financial status it would take me a lifetime to own a single rod for every different technique so im trying to cut corners lol. So idk if im looking for a crankbait rod that I can also jerkbait and topwater or if im looking for a jerkbait rod that I can also topwater and crank etc.

Or a 7' medium heavy moderate? Ive seen all three thrown around for cranks. And now im even more confused lol