FishTax

Thanks @PBBrandon ! Budget is as low as possible , I like to get good rods on great sales, or used so I can have quality gear at lower prices. That means many times I wait a while before finding the right rod. I'd like to be around $100 or less, which should get me into the 150-200 price point if I find the right deal!

I'm looking to get a new rod to throw typically 1/8 shaky heads and weightless senkos on. I really prefer casting as I am inaccurate and can't skip well with spinning, nor to I generally enjoy spinning. Who here is throwing these baits on casting gear, and what type power/action rod do you like?

I feel your pain. I've had them come off on my last 3 trips. I think there are several components for me, one being in keeping my rod tip too high and am not setting the hook from the right position. For me it's like picking my head up on my golf swing, I know better but keep doing it. Frustrating!

Finally got one worth taking a photo of! Not huge but a good start. 3 lb 3oz, my first chatterbait fish, and on the big blade orange chatterbait I've been waiting for the right opportunity to throw. She bit at the end of a long point in about 4' of water. Forgot to take the donkey leash off for the photo. I caught 2 more today but both got off, I'm struggling with hooksets sitting down on my kayak. I think I'm going to reconfigure a bit so I have more space to really put it on them.

Did you get a weight? Awesome!

Have fun. Stay safe. Pick up trash. Be kind. Never know what someone is dealing with. Shaky head bite is always on.

The lews ML 'jerkbait' rod.... I'm wondering if I could use that for my light shaky heads as well? I'm looking for a casting rod that can handle 1/8+ that doesn't break the bank. I think I would like a touch more length on that application but I may could make this work. I love fighting bass on medium light rods.

Abu has a big sale going, looks like mostly entry level stuff. Lot's of baitcast combos in the $50-60 price point if anyone wants a vengance or black max entry level setup.

On the extender, not sure I agree. Maybe because of how my wheel system is designed, but I roll mine up to the truck, lift the front and set it on the edge of the bed. Then I go behind it and lift straight up and push it right in. It's over 100 lbs, but you're lifting that either way. Maybe I'm missing something and need to watch a video of how a bed extender would be helpful to me? Is it lower to ground than truck bed? I wouldn't think so.

Too blurry for me as well. Hopefully there is another way I'm interested in seeing this data! Does it have location included? February in Florida is a lot different than in Tennessee.

Their jigs and spinner baits are on sale at bps. Like... Good sale. Bait monkey is yelling in my ear about it.

I've got a helix 7 running on a 12ah litime lithium from Amazon. I've had it 6 months with no issue.. very small and light.

@Bazoo I don't recall what all I"ve read, but I use 'read' loosely Go on the tube and search 'colors fish see'. I'm not sure if you'll get the same results as me or not due to the algorithm, but that's where I'd start. I'll see if I can find anything specific and will send to you if I do

I have this rod. I don't buy super expensive rods but it definitely compares favorable for rods under $100. I would buy another, especially if on sale. I got it on sale at academy last year when they had the big rod sale event. I throw ewg on toads. Only issue is sometimes they roll, there are threads about that but you can use a nail weight to help counter that. It's near impossible to get the hook perfectly centered imo. Also if you look up on YouTube bass talk live (btl) day 4 with Frank scalish, there was a good episode last year on toads.

This week I found a bite on a 1/4 chartreuse single Colorado blade in the shallows. Catching dinks but still fun. I've been reading about how colors look under water and how fish see them and this has given me new perspective and pushed me to try more chartreuse and other things which don't look to my eyes like anything natural.

If they're eating anything, and I think this is what Pat is saying kind of, but I'd bring the things I really want to get bit on. For example, I've never been on a good Whopper plopper bite so I'd throw that just for the experience. Top water is the most fun bite, so you gotta try that! I'd also throw some really big stuff because it's in my blood to try to catch the largest fish in the water 😄 for me this would probably be a jig, and a soft plastic with the word magnum in the name.

Fire ants are out in NC, found out this weekend.... so yeah they should be in SC also although not as bad as potentially in a few months. Greenville NC has gators. Thought that's where you were going from the thread, but you're in the clear in SC Copperheads are mean, avoid them. There are some snakes we call water snakes in my area, not sure what species is, that look scary but I'm pretty sure are nonvenomous but are easily confused with Mocassins.

@ATA wow! That's quite the setup. I like the idea of a travel bfs setup, I still haven't figured out how I want to use my bfs gear but that may be the answer! For travel I was thinking m/f ugly stick spinning lol

I use mesh rod covers. Never on a rod that has a treble tied on though. I use them only while stored or traveling to prevent tangles and the guides from getting banged up. I take them off when I transfer rods to my kayak and stick the covers in my truck.

Watch clearance at academy and bass pro. I've been happy with the h20 premier reel. I have most major name brands. I don't think one brand is going to be significantly easier then another to learn on. Just don't get anything that is cheap junk 😎 I recommend starting with at least a half oz lure and turning the brakes up pretty high to start with. Imo heavier lures are easy easier to learn on because they load up better and are easier to feel. Good luck!

I'm interested to know who keeps a travel setup most of the time in their vehicle? If you do, is it a junk rod or something nice? What types of water are you stopping at? I've been looking at Google maps trying to find possible public ponds to hit on lunch break, etc., and thinking about what gear I may keep in truck to scratch the itch when it pops up. I'm thinking about a 2 piece rod with a tiny tackle box and 1 bag of trick worms.

Are you referring to the slider bar on Google Earth pro to see historical images?

Wow! I've never seen a crappie like that. Insane

I have the 106. I truck bed it with tailgate down. Definitely get wheels for it. Shouldn't need a trailer, truck bed works fine. It's heavy but if you are in decent health you should be fine. The only reason I want a trailer some days is so I can keep more gear on it and get into water faster, but in reality it'd probably only save about 3 minutes. Love mine and would definitely buy again. I found mine used on marketplace. Definitely had use but it's still totally fine with years of life left in it. They are very tough.

I'm in a bit of a slump this year, the way I handle is to fish ponds, or switch species. I can usually catch a crappie anywhere, and just need to touch a fish to feel successful some days.