07Rapala

I'm getting back into bass fishing after about a 20 year break. One (among many) things where my knowledge is lagging is digital tools. I need a good lake map app (don't have a dedicated fish finder/GPS). Currently using FishID, but its not great. I'm also looking for an app to log my catches. Would be happy to pay for a good app, but would rather not have a monthly prescription. Lastly, can anyone recommend a website with good local forums? I'd love to learn from people fishing my local lakes, but I am not sure where that online community is. Thanks!

I'm setting up a solo pack boat (canoe which paddles like a kayak) for fishing, and trying to work out how to control my position. I made a DIY stake-out pole, and I have to say I'm disappointed. It only seems to hold in really light wind, less than 5mph, may hold a little faster but definitely would not hold over 10mph. Its also an awkward 8' long stick in my tiny 12' boat. Utility seems limited and storage/use seem clumsy, am I missing something here? A drift sock seems very appealing, how larger should it be and where is the best place to get one? Since the stake-out pole didn't work well, I am leaning towards getting a small anchor. I am wondering if I can install an anchor trolley. My canoe is a pretty light 'kevlar' boat, so I don't feel comfortable perforating the side of it. I was thinking of mounting two shorter ones on the gunwales nearer the bow and stern, leaving the sides where I paddle open. Am I going to be able to mount one on the top of my gunwales, and is this a good idea? If I don't do an anchor trolly, what is the best way to connect a drift sock and anchor to my canoe? Obligatory boat photo!

I'm in a similar boat (pun intended) to the OP. I'm fishing from a solo pack boat, I'm very low in the water and probably have a lot less initial stability than a fishing kayak. Up here in WI, the issue is getting pike and musky off the hook. I have never learned to grab a fish by the gills only lip landing bass. I'm just getting back into fishing after several years off... come to think of it, I guess I must have managed a gill grab on a few occasions. Anyway, it sounds like the fish grip can handle my pike/muskie issue. Can it basically replace a net? Any pro-tips on how to grab a big fish by the gills?

Thanks for the input so far! So, a couple things I should have mentioned from the offset: 1) By 'getting back into fishing', I'm talking about going from fishing 0-2 times per year to maybe 6-12 outings a year. 2) Though I'm not entirely opposed to a baitcaster, I would strongly prefer a spinning reel. Since I won't be fishing much, I won't have a lot of time to learn a new reel type. I did have a baitcaster with a magnetic brake ~25 years ago, and I remember it being very frustrating, either failing to cast a distance or developing a birds nest. I will need some convincing/reassuring/reeducation. I don't want to be someone set in their ways, but I also want to keep thing simple. Why do they make spinning reels in 4000-series and larger if baitcasters are a better choice? And I should add that the heavier lures mentioned above are just the maximum sized lures I will be using... the ones that have proven to be too much for my current rod. (Though I have to say, other than the small spool, that little 1500 Shimano reel seems to handle whatever I throw at it). Wow, randomly found a photo of my old baitcasting reel from ~1995... left-hander version and everything. Not sure on the model but it was a Quantum brand.

I'm starting to get back into fishing after many years out of the game. I have a fairly light rod and reel that I bought 15 years ago for jigging and finesse fishing. As I have spent more time on the water last year I realize this rig is too light for a lot of what I am doing. So I'm looking for something heavier to compliment it. I want to keep things simple, so I just want one other rod to handle a variety of tasks. I intend to use this for heavier crank baits and spinner baits, topwater, sometimes fishing in the slope, and some multi-species fishing, mostly (when I fish up-north I tend to hook as many pike as I do bass). I will almost entirely be fishing from shore or a canoe/kayak. My current rod is a Fenwick HMX 6'6" medium-fast action, which is rated for 1/8-3/4oz lures, 4-12lbs line with a Shimano Sedona 1500 spinning reel. This rod seems too short and too flimsy for some of the heavier lures I am using spinner baits, Zara spook, whopper popper and 1oz spoons (for pike). I think what I want is a 3000 series (or 4000 series if necessary) spinning reel (I am loyal to Shimano). With a 7’ (or slightly longer) medium-heavy, fast action, rod. Does this check out? I'm willing to spend $200-$300 (maybe a touch more) on the rod and reel together, and I am pretty loyal to Shimano... any suggestions?

I used to be big into bass fishing in high school. But when I went off to college there weren't many good fishing options nearby and I got into mountain biking which took up most of my free time. Now its been 25 years and I'm looking for a way to spend more time outside to relax and reduce stress. I live in Madison WI, and honestly had no idea until a few weeks ago that Lake Mendota is considered a world class smallmouth bass fishery. I live within a few blocks of the nearby Lake Monona. I'm looking forward to learning what I do fishing from shore or from my canoe. I want to keep it simple, but I want to land as many fish as I can this way.