MediumMouthBass

Im in PA, so im up north. But not MN up north. For me the smaller the lake the better. The biggest lakes around me that i fish are 90-160 acres, but im surrounded ponds and lakes less than 50 acres. About 4-8' average depth, with deepest being 10-12' but some may go to 15-20'. Lake #1. A small bowl shaped lake coming in at 48 acres. Biggest ive caught there was 3lbs, but over the past decade ive heard about and saw numerous 6, 8, and 10lbers caught. Years ago with only my fly rod in the spring going for trout right off the bank in the rock area i saw a big bass! It was about 3 pounds (in PA this is considered big), i shouted to my mom to come over and look at it! She didnt see it but instead saw the bass right next to it that i didnt see. Compared to the 10lb bass i caught years later this was a giant, i can only imagine what i couldve weighed. This was the biggest bass ive ever seen in life or on the internet, at first i thought it was a carp. But it had the same face, shape, and markings of a largemouth. Lake #2. 24 acres. Very narrow about 30-60 yards across at most and about 4-8' deep. Has a stretch where its 100 yards across and 8-12' deep. Its shaped like the letter I with some deviations in it from manmade points. In 2023 i caught 12 bass from 3-4lbs, 1 5lber, and 1 10lber here. I also missed about 10 bass ranging from 3-7lbs that came off the hook too early. Because of its size i barely wouldve even came here, but found it on the one fishing app and seen a bunch of guys catching 4-6lbers the past few years. And it gave me hope and a purpose that i would break my 4lb PB. Lake #3. 160 acres. Most of it is shallow but the middle can go to 15-20', has a cove on both sides of it. This one has a lot of pike in it, Biggest caught was again 3lbs, but like lake #1 seen many fish upwards of 5-10lbs caught. Pond #1. 30 acres. Tear drop shaped, featureless pond. One downed tree in the middle, and in the summer its covered and unfishable. Depth varies from 4'-8', more pickerel in this pond than in the whole state. And these pickerel are huge, we are talking trophy sized. Only ever caught dinks here, but again seen numerous 4, 5, and 6's caught. All of these lakes and ponds have the same things in common, mud bottom, not too deep, not dirty but not clear either (about 3' visibility), not really any structure unless a small amount in a concentrated area, and all are very small in size. The thing i think makes the biggest impact is this, all are stocked with trout way more than they should be. The bigger lakes around me i fish range from 60-102' deep, very clear water, rock bottoms in all of half the lake, have walleye and smallmouth too. Arent big bass producers, biggest largemouth are usually 4lbs whereas competing smallmouth are also 4lbs, brown trout are huge too. Bigger the lake = the more fish competing for food, and the bigger radius you have to try and find one. You can catch a big bass year round as they still need to eat, but your best bet is pre spawn. I caught most of my big ones in prespawn with a lipless crank, the guys ive seen or heard locally catch theres were almost always on texas rigged senkos or craws. So bring a wide variety of baits that YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE IN. My advice would be to go on a fishing app where people post there catches, find a spot locally to you where in years past people caught some giants. Find one place in particular you like and fish there only every chance you get in the spring. The bite isnt always on either, several times i would go and there wouldnt even be a bite of a small bass for an hour or 2. I would not move an inch, after a few hundred casts my new PB would bite. The bigger the lake the more you have to cover, and these fish are patient, they didnt grow this big because they bit every bait that dropped in front of them. Being persistent and holding out hope will go a long way.

I know i made a post awhile ago about house brand lures. And Academy came out on top from what the people said, but theres been a few lures from BPS along with Scheels ive tried that have been very good to me. I know about the spring classic for BPS, but does anyone know when Academy and Scheels do their sales where most of the house brand stuff is discounted? Rods, reels, tackle, lures, baits, clothing, etc.... I really want to stock up this year on cheap lures so i can finally go to war with pickerel!

Berkley Warpig 1/2, Brown Craw and Ghost Red Craw. Caught 90% of all my PB largemouth on both. Every time i went to this smaller lake i didnt see a single other person catch a fish. Some days i would cast these in the same spot for an hour or more without moving and then BAMMM!!!! I became obsessed with fishing just this lure, bought about 10 more in different colors. None of them work for me..... These 2 colors for this lipless have became sacred to me, and i have a cult like following for them.

Not Stellantis, Tavares.

I too have a lake right next to a powerplant, small in size, about 100 yards across. Very narrow lake, only a few deep spots (deep being 10') I caught almost every PB largemouth from it. Biggest was a 10, but im thinking theres even bigger in it. Last year i only fished a few times, but each time there was 0 activity. Years prior atleast there would be jumping, bass on beds, etc.... Didnt see any of it, and the few bass i caught were small and under 3lbs. Whats odd is that in the winter-spring the water used to be blueish green and crystal clear down to 6' (which in most parts was bottom), and 0 weeds. Last year i noticed early in the spring the water was dirty, about 6"-1' clarity, and weeds/grass all over. We had a mild winter so that might be the reason for vegetation being everywhere. There werent any reports of fish dieing, and they didnt get on a bus and go elsewhere. And theres only 1 spot on this very underfished lake thats deep enough. but they arent there anymore either😌 This speaks to me, every time i went it would be the same spot. Like clockwork. And then nothing the past year.

If you dont mind me asking, why do you want a shorter rod for fishing off a kayak?

Midway also has Berkley Stunna 112, and 112+ around $8.48. Bass Mafia Daingerous 6" swimbaits for $6.80 (2 in a pack). And many other things going on too.

Would you suggest the World Minnow over the World Diver? Thank you all for the replies, im currently draining my bank account, and day dreaming about pre spawn fishing these new lures!

As would i, but if you or anyone else on here are interested in some heavily marked down Abu products check out my post in the latest sale thread. Makes them very affordable and comparable to the offerings from Daiwa/Shimano/Lews

With the other thread about Abu being overpriced, i offer you Abu's being sold for what they should be! Midway has open box rods and reels at a very high discount. For example: Revo STX $144 instead of $230. Revo SX Rocket $120 instead of $190 Revo Rocket $207 instead of $330. Theres some more deals for their spinning rods and reels too. and theres a Tatula CT for $109 Various Dobyns spinning/casting rods have some good discounts too.

Thank you very much for giving me a vote of confidence in moving toward them for my future purchases! Its been a long day and im not sure im up to reading 4 pages or else i would, off the top of your head since your our Falcon expert around here. Can you just give me a quick suggestion on what the best do all bang for the buck rod series is?

I think we might be talking about two different Revo X's. Im talking about the 5th gen with an all carbon frame, not the 4th which was aluminum. The reels from Daiwa and Shimano with plastic/carbon frames that are equivalent (CC80 CR80 Caius) cost $70-80. Which is $50 less. OP's original point makes sense when you start to compare prices. The Abu Revo 4th gen was a steal and a heck of a deal back then, because it would be sold regularly on sale for $80. So just a few years ago Abu was miles ahead of both competitors selling there plastic junk for the same price. (Yes thats right, an aluminum framed Abu was the same price as the big 2's plastic junk) Abu shouldve took the win, and stayed being the budget fishermans company. Because they were the only game in town, and they had the win handed to them. Which matters more than we think, i hate my Tatula 150 because it feels like im holding a brick. Its interesting theres so much controversy here, i know the old school Abu fanboys (1 comes to mind in particular) were upset by this thread and called it trolling. Blocking a guy for stating a fact Abu costs more than other brands? Okay then. And that the OP and i are the devil for saying anything about it, but its the truth. Whether people like it or not. Do Abu reels still offer something to the table? Yes absolutely. But they dont offer anything to back up the steep price increase compared to what they were selling for and whats already on the market. On sale Abu reels are still very good for the money, like the Rexo SX on Amazon right now for $120. Its actually $115. Heck of a deal compared to even the JDM Daiwas and Shimanos. And because i like the design and color im really thinking about buying one. But this is a rarity today, as Abu keeps doing less and less sales and trying to sell only for MSRP most of the time now. I personally love all the Abu products i have, even got a t shirt and a few hats. But im not going to let my love for my older rods and reels keep me from seeing the truth. A $10 pizza is a $10 pizza, no matter how much the fanboys tell you its worth $20. Imagine if Daiwa took the Tatula CT and sold it for $210. Lews the LFS for $150. Shimano the SLX XT for $180. (US and JDM prices) Id be boycotting them too. Its nothing personal against Abus products (well minus the rods), its against the prices. Shimano, Daiwa, Lews, and Abu all have their issues, strenghts, and weaknesses. And each one brings something different. But would anyone here actually buy a 5th Gen Revo SX that MSRP's for $170, Revo STX $230, Zata $190, Rocket $330, Winch $230, Zenon X $350. Over a Tatula 100 from Japan for $110? Tatula CT from the US for $150, SLX XT for $125? JDM Zillion for $210? JDM Zillion HD $240? Or on the low end, would anyone pay $120 for the Revo X over the LFS $100, SLX $100, Fuego Ct $120? Some might because they might just love the reels, whether its looks, fit and finish, or how it feels, but for the majority if they can get more for less they will go that route.

As someone moving forward from cheaper rods (Daiwa Aird X's). Even though im very happy with them i just would like something a little nicer. Was going to go with Dobyns or Daiwa but im waiting to see what happens with Dobyns going forward, and the new Daiwa rods i checked out the other night at DSG just didnt feel like they offered much more than my Aird's. I keep seeing Falcon pop up on here and my groups on Reddit. Really thinking about making the switch eventually, any experience with their customer service? Something thats very important to me when going to a different company, since even the best rods get damaged in shipping. And mistakes do happen for everyone.

I was looking at a few of these on sale for $11, it has something called flash boost, so i guess thats a good one to add to the list. Thank you

Ive had a few older/cheap Rapala and Strike King jerkbaits that ive fished time to time the past few years, but ive really not caught much on jerkbaits, so ill just cut the line and put them away. From A-jays catches ive decided i would get into trying a jerkbait more since honestly i havent given them a chance. And just learned the way ive been fishing them is wrong (probably why nothing bites and i have 0 confidence in them). Ive decided i would dedicate 2 combos for just jerkbaits and force myself to fish them more. I already have the rods and reels but my journey of searching for jerkbaits has come to a huge amount of selections, sizes, colors, brands. To say its overwhelming would be an understatement. I know Megabass 110's are the standard for most guys, but at $20-25 each with more reviews than i like talking about needing work out of the box, sinking like a rock, and bills breaking i would like to try something different. Preferably much cheaper and more durable. 6th Sense Provoke Rapala: X-Rap/Deep, Originals, Husky Jerks, Shadow rap Shad Deep, Ripstop/Deep, PXR Maverik. Berkley: Stunna 110, 100+, 112, 112+. Jackal Rerange: 110, 110MR, 130. Strike King: KVDJ300, KVDJ300 Deep, KVD Elite 300. 13 Fishing: Whipper Snapper. Yo Zuri: 3DB, 3DB deep. Lucky Craft: Pointer Minnow 100. Duo Realis and Duel Hardcore too. These are the baits so far im looking at getting, i did some research on them and i think it would give me a decent starting point, with a wide range of sizes, depths, and shapes. Not sure if i should buy a few of each, or just go all in on a few of the above. Anyone have opinions or advice on which ones i should pass on? Or other brands/models that youve had success with? Prefer to keep it under $15, as i fish in alot of pickerel infested places. And im just as interested in getting advice on colors too! As the ones i have now are bright white, perch, or firetiger. And the bass really dont want them....

This is a fishing forum, you know where someone comes to ask a question.... And i know for a fact peoples money and interests have mattered to you at one point or another. It seems a lot of people so far missed the actual question. Its not " why would you ever buy an Abu" Its why pay $120 for a plastic framed Revo when an LFS is $100, SLX is $100, Fuego CT is $120. Why pay $200 for their pro rods when you can buy a fantastic quality, highly praised and reviewed Dobyns, Falcon, Daiwa, Shimano, Lews, many many others that are between $100-200. Maybe hes curious what hes missing? Is it the way the reel looks? The way it palms in the hand? How it feels? A life long Abu user just wanting to keep buying reels from the company he did decades ago? Maybe they have good sales that undercut a rod/reel from Daiwa or Shimano by 50%. Or is it the person just had nothing but issues with Daiwas and Shimanos and Abu's gave them good results. No rational person pays 25, 50, 100% more for something else for no reason, so hes asking why? What makes them special and worth paying more than a Daiwa or Shimano? Honestly shouldve just used Dodge, but it was late and i was tired. Their Durango RT was $42,000 a few years ago, now its $72,000. TRX $72,000, now any remaining ones are $130,000. And they want $40-50k for the Hornet😂 But ive seen a few Kia's pushing that $60-70k mark too. Abu used to run sales frequently, they were the budget fishermans brand. Now they reduced sales, increased price, while keeping quality the same or less. Which is more than likely why the OP is asking this question.

I love my Fuego CT, feels like a tank. The handles are the best ive ever used on a reel. Mines a 6 speed but i only use it for swim jigs and spinnerbaits. It doesnt cast lighter lures as well as my T winged Tatulas (1/4-3/8 just doesnt cut it). I would suggest using the conversion you already have the parts for if using heavier cranks, if lighter maybe add a shallow spool too. But Lews did just release the new LFS Gen 3, comes in a 5 speed. The LFS while often hated on for not being a Daiwa or Shimano is an underdog reel. Looks not so good, no fancy coatings, but casts a wide variety of baits very well, and lasts a long time. On sale they are dirt cheap too.

Abu is a joke now. Not even sure how they are holding on the way the economy is. Their bread was the Ambassadeur. Well they just started making them in China. I think we all know how that will play out? The butter was the affordability, and marketing towards beginners. Remember when you would walk into a Walmart and see Black Maxes, Pro Maxes etc.... Complete combos as low as $60, often times included a few baits for free too! I loved mine so much i bought several, easy to use, simple, and dirt cheap. The new Max X is poorly made, uncomfortable and MSRPs for $90. They also stopped putting them in stores, havent seen a single one in Walmart yet, and they sold a bunch of product only because they were in Walmarts across America. Revos were also less than $80, and most of the rods varied from $50-100. The old school round reel and budget fishing was their thing, and they did it better than anyone. Had the market cornered, and decided to throw it away to compete against Daiwa and Shimano.... Imagine Kia selling a car for as much as a Mercedes, While still only offering Kia quality. The new rods and reels are ridiculously expensive, subpar materials, horrible reviews (especially rods), lack of customer service too. Guys get broken rods and call cs, no one answers. Email? maybe if you are persistent for a few weeks youll get to talk to someone. Their new pro rods MSRP for $200 for example, and they look like garbage. Check it out, the color scheme is something else..... Its Pure Fishings fault, look at Spiderwire. The most hated on braid there is. Berkley? Lures cost $10 and have bills breaking constantly, or they are in the hot seat for copying another bait for this years i cast. Fenwick? Rods snap like twigs. Pfleuger? Terrible reviews, the life long users ditched them and couldnt take it anymore. No one buys a plastic Abu reel for $120, or an aluminum framed one for $200 over a Tatula, LFS, SLX, Curado, Zillion, etc.... Nor will they pay $120-200 for rods when Dobyns, Falcon, Shimano, and Daiwa are the same price. Im very fond of the Abu combos, rods, and reels i own. They have great memories, and shaped my bass fishing to what it is today. But i cant imagine ill ever buy another one of their products, especially for the outrageous prices they ask. And the lack of quality they currently offer. Pure Fishing is the reason so many worried when Dobyns got bought, and this is why. Lews is the new Abu, tons of marketing to beginners. Stocking DSG and Walmarts to the max, promoting all over social media/youtube. Offering affordable rods and reels, doing sales all the time. Thats why so many people are buying Lews, even though Shimanos and Daiwas are often better.

I havent had any issues with Berkley lures and ive got over 100 by now. But i also dont grind bottom since most of my lakes are mud or grass. The few that are rocky are too deep for squarebills. But from checking reviews, across the board Berkleys been hit or miss for the past few years, a lot of talk about bills breaking especially on TW. Particularly the Frittside, which is the biggest reason i didnt stock up on them when i went on a cranking buying spree. I really cant understand how they want $10-13 for their hardbaits when the competition is around $5 (we all know the street price for Strike King is $5). And the high quality cranks arent too much more than what Berkleys asking either (Lucky Craft, Spro, etc). However, even with their issues theres no crankbaits that work for me like Berkleys, theres just something about their see through or matte colors, and the very different rattle the baits have that drives the bass where i fish absolutely insane. Every PB ive ever caught (except my smallmouth) came one after another on their cranks. Mainly the Warpig, which is pretty much just a crankbait with a broken bill from the factory😂. And i buy them on sale whenever i can, because for me if the $4 investment lands me one new PB and breaks after it will be worth it. Same logic the guys buying Megabass 110's use even knowing the bills break, except thats $20. I too like the Stunnas, really cool colors, design looks great. I just cant cast the thing. Its so light weight and not aerodynamic at all. Also havent got a bass on any of them.

I understand why there was a post about it potentially being dangerous. As Sinaloa is known for you know, the cartel. And various parts of Mexico have been and are active warzones between the Federales/military and the cartels. But like its been said, ever hear the cartel going camping in the mountains? Or fishing at the lakes? I completely agree, any legitimate business/lodge transport should be safe. Crime is everywhere, even in the nicest and safest cities. Its just not as noticed. The thing @TOXIC was talking about is a concern though, however the same thing happens here too. The issue is, that in the current times theres alot of groups across the world that have a hatred for us. Just turn on the news. Making us a big target for certain people, money or not. And once we leave our border to go anywhere, our lifeline is severed. Something goes down in a foreign country who is going to help? The embassy that will take a few weeks to get paperwork filed just to get to your ticket in the queue sure wont be much use, if you are even able to reach out to them.... And like @king fisher said the cops over there go either way with their loyalty and allegiance's. Mexico can be a very safe, beautiful, and great place, or it can be hell on earth. All it takes is upsetting the wrong person. Theres a reason the State Dep. says stay at your resort or lodge, and dont travel off the path. If you stay at your resort/lodge youll be fine. If you go into town and start drinking and get into a fight or something like that, then anything can happen. Heck, going to a lodge in Mexico is safer than walking down a street in NYC, LA, Portland, Seattle, Detroit, Chicago, Philly, etc these days. For instance i caught my 10lb bass in a state full of drug dealers, and gangs. Atleast in Mexico i probably couldve got more than 1, and ate some good food while doing it!

Lots of good deals for the mailing list sale. I personally dont like Yamamoto Senkos so ill pass on these but i know alot of you guys love them. A 100 pack of 5" Senkos are going for $47 (certain colors). Cheapest ive ever seen them.

3lbs is considered big in PA so thats what i use to go off of. 3 years ago about 10% of the bass i caught were big. Biggest one was a 4lb smallmouth. 2 years ago i found a new smaller lake, about 90% of my bass catches were between 3-3.25-3.5-3.75-4-5-6-10lbs. Only a few smaller bass here and there. Last year it was just a few 1-2lbers and a 3.25 since i only fished a few times the whole year.

Works on clearance items too. TW website keeps going down for me, every few seconds - minutes. Must be getting alot of people.

Forgot about this last night, theres a creek about 45 minutes from me, its in a very big city. Very well known across the US. Fantastic brown trout population, we are talking giants here. Throw some mouse flies at night and your in for a skunk (they travel up and down regularly) or a new PB The city hasnt cared about the creek in decades, people have been dumping shopping carts, batteries, tires, car parts, metal grates, all kinds of junk for. As well as some bad pollution spilling in to it every so often in certain parts from old mines.... City never lifted a finger to stop it or clean it up. Multiple conservation clubs finally came together and started making it very nice. Crystal clear water, healthy fish, bank trails and very easy access to it. And on one of the sections theres a fly shop 20' from it. Still the lower part is off limits because theres still pollution spilling into it daily, but maybe one day there wont. Theres still many people out there who care and have respect for our wonderful hobby and the amazing nature and wilderness we are surrounded by, and do the best to keep it clean. Its sad people do this on purpose, but the reason i wrote this is to prove that even the worst places to fish with enough support can transform from dirty coal to a clean diamond.

Every Shimano reel i own makes noise, even my Ultegra i just got. All of my Daiwas are quiet, whats funny is that they are the Revros, which is the cheap one. If its smooth and feels good keep it and fish it till you forget about it, if not maybe send it off if it really gets on your nerves, or try adding some oil or grease. Since a lot of reels today come with too much or too little.