MediumMouthBass

Vision 110 Jr Vision 110 Jr + Vision 110/110+ Spro RKCrawlers Zako 3-4", Spunk Shads too for their trailers. 3/8-1/2oz swim jigs. 1/8-1/4 finesse jigs. 3/8-1/2oz football jigs. Wacky rigged Strike King Ocho or Yamamoto Senko Ned rig, 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4oz (depending on depth) Keitech, Strike King, whatever brand you prefer 2.8-3.25" paddle tail swimbait. 3-4" grub, i like the Zoom Fat Alberts. 3"-4" Flukes. These are just what i would use to catch any smallie, big or small. Im not sure this would matter in MA, but every place i fish in PA i use PB&J, Black, Black and Blue, White, Chartreuse, White/Chartreuse, and pink for best results.

The issue with tuning them would be cost, i can go into any store now and get a reel from the big 2 ready to fish off the shelf for $100-150. Vs the $150 for a new C3/C4 ($30-75 for an old one at a yard sale), and then the added costs of parts. Now you would know more than me on this so please chime in if theres a better/cheaper way to do this, but anytime i checked into upgrading either my old C or new C3 it would be atleast another $150-300 depending on what i wanted to do. I would think most guys would just take the off the shelf reel thats more modern, looks cooler, and is more affordable. However those Ambassadeurs would be cheaper in the long run, even modded out with the fanciest parts. It might break down in 50 years😂, but how many of Daiwas "newest and greatest" Tatulas would you have bought and recycled in that period? Because i dont think many new reels last more than a few years without excessive cleaning and replacing parts (and these have alot more parts) Anyways @bulldog1935 what would you do to take a new C3 5500 more modern and on par with a Tatula/SLX from the big 2? Asking for a friend🙂

I dont think scent works for bass where i fish. Ive tried Berkley (Powerbait), Netbait (Baitfuel), Strike King (Coffee scent) and other brands with garlic, anise oil, fish oil, etc.... I didnt catch more bass, or less bass. But i am a believer in it for trout, walleye, and catfish. I think the argument can be made that in certain places the scent works, and in others it useless but gives the angler confidence. And i think we can all agree if you use some that gives you confidence you will catch more fish. But are you catching more bass because of the scent, or because that confidence makes you work the bait to your best. Ill use A-Jay as an example, he doesnt know if it works or not. But look at the bass he catches with it. I think he will agree that the level of confidence he has when using scent puts him on his A game. And thats worth more than anything.

Im thinking many states have had the record for both species beaten over and over again without anyone claiming it to the state. Especially with the way bass are thought of today, people start fights online (to where sometimes ive even seen threats start in the post comments on FB) if someone takes a 2lber to eat, imagine the uproar from that crowd if they heard a guy killed a 7-10lber+ just to get a piece of paper saying it. And then for the non verified C & R, you are absolutely right. The lakes i fish are very small and already high pressured, if i caught a record or potential record and posed it these places would no longer be fishable, and would be decimated. It wouldnt be worth it, because its hard enough fishing 20-120 acre lakes. Like its been said above, NY is the best chance on paper. Within the last few years NY has took off with records, 1 guy beat the smallmouth record twice (and if i remember correctly it was 2 years in a row and the same bass?)Luck? Skill? Deal with the Devil in the Arby's parking lot? Who knows. Same lake (Cayuga) also had the largemouth record broken last year. Then the smallmouth record got beat again recently by a guy fishing a tournament at St Lawrence River. However i do not believe this is a coincidence. I dont think its the bass that have changed, i think its the people fishing for them. Whats more likely, northern states that most believe rarely ever had big bass, all of the sudden got a bunch of record holding giants out of nowhere? At the same time. Or social media and Tiktok have made everyone crave fame and want to share everything with the world? Once again im a big believer many records have already been beat for both species, many guys dont fish with scales, many dont take pictures of bass either (even if its their PB), and the guys that do would just put it up on their wall, tell their wife that pretends she cares while not listening, and brag to their buddies at the bar. Whereas nowadays everyones got a scale and a phone loaded with every app you can think of, and these modern day bass fishermen love to use it. I feel like i see a few hundred 1-3lb bass posted everyday on FB/Reddit. Im betting in the next 5 years we start seeing records beaten across the country, especially in places we wouldnt think. Because of this.

TW's brand cost $6, Walmarts Ozark Trail $4, but i think youd prefer the ones from Falcon for $6.

9 casting combos, 1 spinning #1. Lipless: Berkley Warpig #2. Chatterbaits: The one we cant name, and the Siebert Tremor #3. Shallow cranks: 13 Fishing Flat Daddy or the Scamp #4. Jigs: 3/8oz Berkley swimjig and a 3/8-1/2oz Siebert football #5. Jerkbaits: Megabass Vision 110 Jr/+, Jackall Rerange, Berkley Stunna, Lucky Craft Pointers #6. -2oz swimbaits: 6" Daingerous or the Whale #7. Glidebaits: 13 Fishing Glidesdale #8. Texas rig: 1/8-1/4oz weight paired with a Zoom Mag UV, Yamamoto/Daiwa Neko Macho/Gambler Burner Craw #9. Wacky rig: 5" Ocho, Okeechobee Craw. Around mid March this smaller powerplant lake should be open water after 1pm, and they usually stocked trout already, with another one coming in March, and then April. Im going to be taking a bunch of different color lures, baits, trailers. But im mainly going to be using reds/browns or trout patterns. I have to remove some wire tied skirts from a few Chatterbaits because i want to put my trout skirts on them to really match the hatch.

Digitaka is having their "Super Black" sale while supplies last.

I use Wiley X but out of every color ive tried my favorite is green mirror outside, amber inside. Ive worn them for a few years now, in bright sunlight, cloudy days, indoors at businesses and at home, along with at night. Ive fished/kayaked/walked/etc at night with these on many times and its unbelievable how these lenses work with my eyes. But i only fish smaller fresh water lakes, since you mentioned salt ive heard blue is the best.

Where does the Tatula 100 SV fit in though? Im guessing same frame as the 24 Tatula? Or no? I know Daiwa loves to change things up

Question, did you receive your MMB 2025 calendar yet? I also sell shirts, Hats, and speak at weddings, family reunions, etc... Although those cost money, unlike living rent free in your head. Personally if this happened to me, id call the company. I wouldnt say anything about sending it back or keeping it, id let them know what happened. If they say keep it thats fine by me, if they ask for it to be returned ill just ask them to cover shipping and send me some stickers. Honestly id love to keep my mouth shut and keep it, but even the smallest amounts of deceit, lies, and sins will be judged one day.

Skip the SV TW 103, get the new Tatula 100 SV from Bass Pro Shops during the spring classic. Head to Walmart and buy a $5 rod, BPS will give you $40 off of it per their trade in program thats tiered based on item being boughts price.

Im bank fishing with rods i bought for $33 im not going to baby them, and they dont need it as all are showroom like condition (minus the 2 with top guide issues). I dont have the luxury of spending 10 minutes each time i move to put rod socks over the rods when im moving every so often down the bank. I also had lots of stiffness in the back from injuries, there was a time it was very hard to bend down or forward so tossing the rods onto grass was my best option. I eventually had to kneel down to pick them up, but there was no way i was doing that twice per stop along the bank. I also fish some places where walking through skinny trails for miles through the woods was the only way to get a good spot, im more focused on not stepping on the rattlers we have everywhere than looking for a tree that might be overhanging and hit/brush up against the rods. I then fish a very small creek with branches and rocks everywhere, i try to be careful but sometimes you hit a branch. The stepping on it was my fault, i didnt think my foot was near the rods. What you call careless i call finding a way to do what i love and enjoy life. To each their own. Id say you must be fun at parties, but im not sure you get invited to many. If i were to snap a rod over my knee, that would be comparable to what you are talking about. In that case i wouldnt ask the company for any help, however if the company takes a $100 rod, and adds $30 to the price for their built in "insurance" based warranty and even has in their website description it covers accidental breaks and encourages you reach out to them and use it then im going to use it. Dobyns has had this program for awhile, want to know why? Because you still pay $80 to get it shipped to you, they gain lifelong customers, and when you go to tell your friends what happened they just gained a few more. When people hear Dobyns rods, they dont think about the rods, they think about the legendary warranty. Where do you fish, in your living room with bubble wrapped rods? This is life, stuff happens, you cant control everything, and accidents occur. Nor should i have to pay $100-200 for a rod that i take a total loss on if it were to break because your ethics dont agree with it. I feel this is worth adding, accidental damage causing a break isnt always the rod owners fault, say you buy a rod from a big box store. These stores treat their rods/kayaks/reels horribly, theres many ways something can occur damage.. I bought a rod last month that i had to straighten out a few guides, the other rods that were with it had snapped/smashed tips, all kinds of damage. Most people entering the hobby wont know what to look for, so imagine how much money they will be out come spring when its past the return date and the manufacture tells them its not a defect? (and when i went back last week all the rods had sold) Shipping today is a disaster, and people that have no idea about fishing gear making minimum wage are the ones stocking them on shelves. And if they drop a rod on concrete (not grass) when stocking the aisles all it has to do is hit the right spot to create a small fracture. I also talked to the local DSG manager, he sold us an Old Town for 50% off because it looked like it went through a warzone. He told us they have many items that come damaged or get damaged in the fishing/kayaking section when they unload the trucks.

IMO theres only the big 2 now, and will only be the big 2 for the foreseeable future. Abu got kicked out years ago and is now a joke (no offense to guys who like Abu, i even like Abu but PF took them to Stellantis Dodge level of ridiculous). Lews low tier stuff is cheap garbage, their mid tier Mach series is also junk. But because of "influencers" hyping them up they charge absurd amounts for them and sell many of those combos. Lews mid tiered rods and reels are where its at, but should never be bought for full price. I got my 2 BB1 Pros for $100e, Superduty LFS $100, LFS 1 $66, LFS 2 $22.50, and for rods 3 KVD's $66e, TP1X $66, 3 Team Custom Pro's $60-70e (retails for $220e). The KVD rods are just alright (uncomfortable handle), the TP1X is a personal favorite, the Team Custom Pros are the nicest looking and feeling rods i have ever seen, super light, very sensitive, and i love the hybrid cork/eva handle (since its not the same generic one on everything else). The LFS is cheap, it looks cheap, feels cheap, leaves alot to be desired. But its a tank. The Gen 3 was a much deserved upgrade, it looks great (im so glad they added the BB1 Pro's handle/grips to it). The LFS G3-Custom-BB1 Pro-Superduty LFS-Tournament Pro-Last gen Custom Pro are great reels, you can pick most of these up certain times of the year from $50-100-180. And with the new Shimano SLX A's from America getting such bad and problematic reviews i can see more guys switching over to Lews or Daiwa for that mid priced market. Lews high end rods and reels arent worth it, just buy Daiwa/Shimano/loomis/Megabass at that price point. The customer support is hit or miss, some guys get taken care of in minutes/days, others may wait a few weeks just to get someone on the phone. The warranty is more than often very good, heard a few guys snapped their rods on accident and told Lews, they got sent a new rod for free. Others were out of warranty date and Lews gave them a coupon for 25% off a new purchase. The one guy broke a reel seat on his 2 year reel, new one showed up a week later. I love my Lews rods and reels (even the KVD's i guess) and want to buy more, but honestly Daiwa and Shimano have a status so high that Lews more than likely wont be able to reach. But they dont need to, they have the market cornered. Abu pulled out of being affordable, Daiwa and Shimano US (many people are afraid of ordering from Japan or dont know about it) are twice the price because they rarely go on sale for anything substantial, and Lews has the best marketing team in the game. They know their audience and how to reach them.

I have rods rated to an ounce ive thrown 1.5 on, rods rated 3/4 ive thrown 1-1.5 whopper ploppers on without a issue, they actually felt pretty good. However ive also had rods rated to 2oz that felt they might snap at 1.5-2oz. On the opposite end, i have a rod rated as low as 1/2. The rod casts poorly unless im fishing a lure 1oz or heavier. And i also have a bunch of rods rated down to 1/4oz, these are all MH casting rods, they wont do 1/4. Barely even 3/8oz. Every rod brand and model is different, theres a general rule and guideline, but nothing is set in stone. Only way to know how a rod will act when given a certain ounce bait is to try it out.

If i had to stare at a screen all day to fish i would no longer be interested in it, because it would no longer be fishing. I could just save money and stay home, buy a VR device to hook up to the Xbox and fish from my couch. I plan on buying a fish finder for the boat and kayak, but only to find depth, map out the lake, save spots, and find brush piles. My plan is to run the boat around the whole lake and map it out, and then after that ill only use the fish finder to get to point A and B. The rest will be all fishing. I get that FFS is also a tool just like a fish finder is, and both have their place. But the majority of guys i see are more so dependent on it, than using it as a tool. And thats fine, theres no right or wrong way to fish, whatever gets a person on the water and gives them enjoyment is what fishing is all about. But personally FFS would ruin my fishing experience, and so would staring at a regular fish finder all day. I want to be immersed in the outdoors, enjoy nature, get away from all this tech they keep cramming in our world, give the strained eyes a rest from staring at screens all day at home, i want to work on my craft, hone my skills, even though i will use electronics i dont want to rely on them, nor do i want to over use them. I love catching bass, who doesnt? But i also enjoy a good skunk, it keeps me humble, gives me motivation too.

I wondered last week why i dont follow professional bass fishing tournaments, between everyone staring a screen fishing the same bait, the ridiculous rules, and drama... I answered my own question in under a minute. The polygraph test isnt surprising. Many guys invested alot into these devices and refuse to stop using them because they dont want to look stupid, jokes on them🤣

I hear you guys, i know most rods with a defect will break during the first few trips. But a few of my rods i bought years ago i still have in packaging. I often buy when somethings on sale not when i need it. So having warranty longer than a year is a nice add on for me. The main reason i want a insurance based warranty program is because accidents do happen, i could fall on it, fish a jerkbait and wack it into the side of the kayak, lose balance in the boat when theres a wake and step on one, etc... And then theres the way i handle my rods, i dont high stick them but ive put my Aird X's through alot, i dont think any other rod i own except my Ugly Stiks would still be in one piece aside from them. Ive thrown them on the ground a few hundred times (often in rocks bank fishing) thrown them in the kayak, clumped 6 combos together and walked miles (where they would bang into overhanging trees, bushes, branches, rocks, etc). I also fish many areas with lots of grass, the one day i mustve brought back atleast 100lbs to the bank. Ive wacked them into trees several dozen times, ive also stepped on a few of them accidentally wearing steel toes while bank fishing😬. Another one i was carrying while wading through the creek and i slipped on rocks, i used it to break my fall, that ones still 100% to this day (but that might just be because i was in water?). So far only 1 rod had the top guide pop out, and the 2nd ones top guide shreds line. No breakage, but again these cheaper rods ive found to be almost indestructible. I am pretty cheap, ill admit it. I only buy when i can get a heck of deal on fishing gear. To spend the amount i plan on to upgrade my rods i feel more comfortable knowing if they cant handle the same amount of stress, atleast i wont be out of all my money. Im more so leaning towards Dobyns and Falcon because both have helped quite a few guys out even when they admitted it was their fault. So im thinking about filling most of the rods with Dobyns, ALX, and Falcon, however i think ill pick up a few from Kistler and Shimano just because a few of them stand out to me Thank you guys for the comments, before today i never really thought about Kistler or ALX!

Shimano was selling them direct on an auction site, it was a 6 speed LH but they sold out, ALF had a few too but i dont see an option to add them to cart anymore. Im thinking they sold all remaining stock, sorry about that. I havent checked it for a week. However i found a few at Waypoint in Minnesota $97, which is all i can find.

In the $100 range youve got the SLX A, LFS Gen 3, bump up to $120 theres the Fuego CT. If you order from Japan or Amazon Japan its hard to beat the 24 Tatula 100, goes around $116-130 depending on the yen-usd rates as this is better than all of those. The SLX A is a great reel but lacks external brakes if you prefer them, the Fuego CT is a bit overpriced, the LFS Gen 3 looks fantastic with its much deserved upgrade. I love the look of it now, the BB1 Pro handle and grips on it seal the deal for me. I wouldnt say its worth $100, because no reel is worth MSRP. Lews reels go on sale frequently 25% off or more, wait through March and you should find one at a good price. Its worth mentioning the last gen SLX XT is being closed out at some places around $86-96 bucks (if not already sold out) and is by far the best reel out of everything i mentioned.

I caught 4 bass i think? Didnt fish much due to health concerns. Winner for numbers was the 1/2oz Red Eyed Shad in red. Winner for size was the 6" Daingerous in white or albino.

This is good advice, follow it. I will add onto my original post, i bought 3 kayaks in a few month period before finding one that fit me and my needs. Dont go into kayaking thinking im only going to buy this now and then upgrade later, it will be a very costly mistake. Because when you go to sell a paddle kayak it wont hold much value, whereas the pedals and powered ones do. However the guys on marketplace will often sell theres for a low price because they need the money quick. Theres a few Sportsman 106's with a pedal drive near me around $1500-1700, a few looked like they came with a trailer too. Which is the downside for these, they weigh a ton more and need a trailer unless you have Superman strength. Write down everything you want in a kayak, and then jot some extra stuff down that you think youd want in the future, with everything together buy a kayak that has all of what your wrote down. The best advice ive heard when i started kayaking was to buy something you could grow into. However you might not want a pedal drive in the future, i am more than happy with my paddle and the 50lbs weight savings, and quite enjoy the exercise.

Ive been fishing with $55 Aird X rods for awhile, they are fantastic rods no doubt. But im wanting to start investing further into my love for bass fishing and start buying some nicer higher end gear. I started overhauling them so far and have 5 nice rods, ideally i want 22 combos in total for casting and spinning. Im not the type of person who only wants 1 thing, i more so like having options and different things to try. Im looking for a rod company/companies that #1 Makes rods that last, and arent prone to breaking easily. #2 Has great customer support if any issue happens. #3 Has a generous "warranty" program that if my rods snap, or have a defective issue it wont be a total loss (even if i have to cover a portion or half of it+). I havent snapped a rod yet, but between unknown factors and the poor QC that plagues every industry post Covid i want to make sure im not throwing my money away. And because ive only fished with cheaper rods so far im very hesitant about spending so much more for better rods, having this type of program would make me feel less uneasy about it, and have more confidence going forward. Im definitely planning on buying a few more Dobyns because of their insurance like program and maybe a few made in America St Croix's as well. What other companies are very good at these things? Ive been looking at some Ark and Falcon rods too but im open to any suggestions.

The MH Aird X's are odd, its almost like a hybrid between MF and F. Your suggestion is spot on, they make phenomenal lipless rods. My 7'3" found a permanent spot for just that. But for OP heres some of my thoughts on additional uses for your combos #1 will also do good with football jigs, chatterbaits, and paddle tail swimbaits in weeds/grass. #2 flipping/punching lighter baits into vegetation. #3 would make a great setup for fishing Strike King Hybrid Hunters too, along with toads #4 Lipless, squarebills, heavier topwaters like whopper ploppers, big walking baits, smaller wake baits and under an ounce total soft swimbaits. #5 also would work for tube jigs, ned rigs, again paddle tail swimbaits. #6 you could also fish weightless Texas rigs on this, along with weightless flukes.

Cant remember ever saying that, i make a comment with my opinion, and when you try to start an argument with me and only me ill reply with what ive learned from doing research here, reddit, FB, YT, and tackle shop reviews if i dont have first hand experience with it. You need help, ill pray for you, Until then ill just block you. Have a good day!

Why do you feel the need to start a fight with me, and insult me about this? Anytime i make a comment you argue with me, whether it was about the Fenwicks a few weeks ago, the hybrid line last week, and now this. Do you have a personal grudge against me or something? And whats wrong with learning from forums? If you make them out to be so untrustworthy and that everyone but you is a liar why did you join here? I joined here to learn, because many on here have rods and reels i dont. And i value their input, along with their knowledge, i wasnt born rich, nor do i have an endless amount of cash to buy everything related to fishing to learn myself. I have about 17 years experience with fishing, i started when i was a child. I have been fishing for bass since 2019 although i didnt take it seriously until 2020. So lets just call it 5 years now. But even if i did only have 1 year experience, why would you want to put someone new to the hobby down? Instead of helping them learn. You should talk to a therapist if you are so angry in life you feel the need to attack me on a bass fishing forum because i shared a post that was from here where many guys said they had no issue with having side scan on a slow moving kayak.