DFWO

How did it happen? Ugh... Carrying a bulky, heavy box down some stairs, and the dog wanted to play. He dropped his toy under my next step, and when I stepped down, I thought I was stepping on the dog. With all my weight on that foot, I popped up on my toes, and that's all she wrote.

I've had so much fun fishing this summer. It's helped me deal with stress, I've been more relaxed, lost a few pounds, connecting with the kids, etc. I was fishing about 4 days a week, just got new Tatula rods and reels, a bunch of new tackle, a new backpack, I was all revved up to do some serious bass fishing. Saturday night, I tore my Achilles tendon right off the bone, taking pieces of heel bone along with it. Along with everything else, I'm feeling really beaten down that I'm probably not going fishing again for the next few months. I'm embarrassed to say that to my wife. And In the grand scheme of things, it's silly, but I'm really going to miss this new hobby I found.

This is my first baitcaster, so I just don't have a strong sense one way or the other. I'm fishing mostly smallish ponds, so long bomb casts aren't usually necessary.

Both, really. Just depends on the pond. But in general, it's pretty wide open.

Yeah, I've heard really good things about them. I wish I could find one locally to check out.

I'd like a spinning rod and a casting rod for pond/bank fishing on a ~$400 total budget. All around type rods, nothing technique specific. I like cork handles, but I'd consider something else. For reels, I have a Tatula 2500 and a Tatula SV TW. I'm leaning towards Tatula rods, the 6'10" MHF casting, and the 6'8" MF spinning. But I'd like some other opinions before I pull the trigger.

I sort of think this is what happened. I bought the line at BPS, and the guy putting it on didn't instill any confidence. He had some kind of tangle putting it on, took a bunch of line off and removed the spool. But I picked up some Sufix 832 10lb yesterday and i love it.

Daiwa Exceler 2500 I have two of them, maybe I'll try braid on one, and 8lb mono on the other

8lb XL, or would you try something else? Thanks, I'll look for it this afternoon

It's definitely not the bail, I close it by hand 100% of the time. And it's not too much line, it's probably 60% full now, due to cutting off line from other tangles. I think I was reeling in slack at times. I tried to make sure my line was nice and tight this morning, but still had the same problem. I'll make a long cast, and I'll feel a thud, and I can see this tangled bird's nest before it hits the water. And I'll throw out something odd I noticed this morning. I bought a new rod, and put line on both of my reels at the same time (10lb Trilene XL). Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure it's only happening on the reel with the new rod. I suppose I could swap reels and see if I'm having the same issue. But I just can't see how it could possibly be related to the rod.

I'll do that in the morning, hopefully that'll clear up the problem

Ok, thanks. I've been fishing all summer with cheap, generic mono and never had this happen. I switched to Trilene XL last week and now I'm getting these tangles.

Ok, I'll try that. Is it caused by the line being put on wrong?

Untwist the line?

I'm using a spinning reel, and sometimes when I make a long cast, I feel this tangle form in the line. Not on the reel, but just the line forms a tangle between the rod and my bait. I can feel a tug when it happens. There's just suddenly this bird's nest out on my line. This was an example, but sometimes it's a lot worse.

That sounds like a plan

I don't have any real answers to specific bait or technique questions. One of each is for me, the other two are for my sons. I've been fishing with live bait and floats, and stickbaits for the most part. But that's on borrowed tackle, I'm sure all three of us will be trying different baits and lures going forward.

I've bought rods and reels for my kids and I, and while I'm ordering tackle, I tthought I'd also pick up line. I've used generic 10# mono on everything this summer, so I don't know what I want or need. These are the combos I've got on hand; 6'6" light spinning rod and 2000 Daiwa reels for panfish 7' MF spinning rod with 2500 Daiwa reels for bass 7' MHF baitcasting combo for bass

I've ordered a light spinning setup, just waiting on it to be delivered. For now I'm using a 7' MF spinning rod with 10lb mono for everything.

I stopped at BPS at lunch yesterday and tried to remember some of the suggestions here. I picked up some 1/16 Marabou jigs, 1/16 plain jig heads and some 2.5" Gulp Minnows (I realize once I looked at my phone later that you guys mentioned the Alive minnows in the jar). I stopped at my favorite spot yesterday evening and started with just corn on a small hook under a bobber. I caught a couple of Sunfish and a Bluegill, so I guess that was the control part of the experiment. lol Then I switched up to the jig head and minnow, and it just felt too big (I'll stop today and get some 1" Alive minnows). But after about 15 minutes, I snagged a small LMB. But no panfish, so I went back to the corn, and caught a Bluegill that was about 3" long. I turned him into a pretty nice bass. I've been fishing at this pond 2-3 times a week, all summer, and I've caught a total of 2 LMB. Frankly, I was ready to give up on fishing for bass at this pond. So, it was a really nice evening of fishing. As far as the panfish, I'll pick up some of the Roadrunner jig heads with the spinner, and the 1" Alive minnows. I'll go over some of the other posts as well and make a shopping list.

I decided to treat myself to a nice panfish combo this week, and I'd like to put together a small tackle box to go with. I've been using live worms or corn for the most part, so I have different sizes of Aberdeen hooks, split shot and bobbers. I catch different types of Sunfish and Bluegill, and once in a great while a small Bass. I'm pretty new to fishing, and I don't know if I'd catch more fish with some different lures or artificial baits. Or if they're for different conditions, etc. I've chatted with the guys at Cabelas and BPS a little, and they've recommended a few general options. Inline spinners, rooster tails, jigs, etc. But no real specifics. Does it make sense to try some lures? And I'd appreciate a few suggestions as far as brands, sizes, colors, etc. FWIW, I'm in North Texas and fishing 1-3 acre suburban ponds. I'd say the water is fairly murky for the most part.

Midway has Tatula XT MF rods for $50

Just to update, I picked up 2 of each of these so far; St Croix Mojo Bass 7'1" M/F Daiwa Exceler 2500 I decided I'm going to get myself something nicer, maybe a Shimano Ultegra or Stradic. I may start another thread about lures and line. I have a short list, but I could use some other opinions before I pull the trigger. I found some 7' MH/F casting rods that like, but I'm clueless on baitcast reels. Something good for beginners, on a $100-150 budget. And something a little nicer for myself.

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I hate to start a separate thread... Are there brands that aren't discounted often, or deeply? Like Ping golf clubs for example. Or maybe certain high-end lines of gear? I've only been fishing for a couple months, and looking for sales or discounts less than that. I bought a couple of Daiwa Exceler reels for ~30% off, but I'm guessing I'm not going to find a Shimano Stradic for 30% off (non-JDM) I've got some gear on my wish list, but not getting a good deal steals a small part of my soul.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'm the only one who has any interest in the panfish. So, one light spinning setup for me would do the job.