WaskaCrank12

I am not a tournament guy - so I basically bring lures with me that I will use that day or that weekend - I keep all of my soft plastics in the original bags except for those that I have pre-rigged onto a hook/jig - I have those pre-rigged ones in a Flambeau when on the boat, along with one or two extra of that soft plastic in the same tray - I do keep all Z-Man/Elastec/Elastomer in separate boxes and separate trays once they are on a hook/jig head (learned the hard way when a few things melted together) - otherwise they are in their original package and stored at home - If I run out of a lure/bait while I am on the water I just switch to something else - I have 80% Flambaau boxes with a few Plano boxes mixed in and have not had any problems with baits melting in/on to the box itself

Most productive lures/baits for me in the 2025 season: -Jackall - Dera Break (mini-chatter bait) with either a DEPS Deathadder or Nories SwitchOnTrailer ------caught both my PB LMB and PB SMB on this lure -RAID Japan - Libero 5g and 7g sizes ------early in the year (May/early June before the vegetation grew/got thick) this lure was extremely productive -- had a 23 fish day with 18 of the fish caught on this lure -RAID Japan - Batabata Craw on a CORE Tackle Hover Rig ------along weed lines the fish seemed to enjoy the back sliding nature of this lure -DEPS BuzzJet Jr. (Wakebait) ------a hit or miss lure but caught 8 fish on 12 casts one day, including a tie for my PB LMB -Megabass Spark Shad/Great Lakes Finesse Drop Kick Shad ------at any given time, shallow or deep, these caught fish for me -Megabass Griffon (MR-X/SR-X/BFS) ------small mouth seemed to enjoy the action of this lure - tied my SMB PB on this lure Some lures/baits that did not work for me in the 2025 season: -Hellgrammites (various brands) ------not sure why these have just not worked for me, literally no catches on them, they look great, move great, seem like they would slay fish - but nada when using them -Senko/Wacky Rig ------granted I do not throw them often (I love to fish and move/cast and crank) but when I did throw them I caught only a few fish (self-fulfilling prophecy ????) -Jerkbaits (95 to 110 size) ------this is clear operator error on my part, I need to practice and improve my technique

The Hook Up Tackle has a buy one rod/reel/apparel and get one at 50% off -- TODAY ONLY -- until 4:00pm Arizona time -- you can call in or use the CHAT feature on the website (that is what I did) but you cannot just go online and order (I think they are doing that for MAP pricing as it technically is a "walk in the store and buy" only event) -- I paid full price for the first rod (the more expensive rod) and then got 50% off the second rod (and I had several Gift Cards, I had saved up the Gift Cards over a period of time, the Gift Cards covered the 50% cost of the second rod)

I am sure I am in the minority - I only have spinning rods/reels - and I love to throw cranks of all sizes/depths - I have multiple rods/reels depending on the size of the lure and the depth (1 foot to 25 feet) I am looking to reach - I will not list them as I know you are looking for one rod to cover the entire range (and most likely a baitcasting rod)

I have two pair of SolarBat's (in the floating version, one pair with MossBack lens for bright sun, one with Amber lens for low light conditions, non-prescription) ----- the owner is a Dr. of Optometry so my guess is their prescription lens would be pretty good (but I have non-prescription so I cannot speak to that personally) ---- I was able to purchase mine during sales for right about $100 per pair (and they came with a "free" pair of safety glasses and a hard case --- not sure the current sale would offer that) Solar Bat - Eye Care Professionals - Sunglasses Men & Women ***looks like the current sale might be up to 50% off I also have a pair of Oakley Half Jacket sunglasses that I have owned/worn for 25 years -- they have inter-changeable/replaceable lens (I am on a third pair of lens only because of lens getting scratched /dropped, not bad for 25 years) -- they have been used constantly over those 25 years (I used to work year round outside) -- survived travel to many different parts of the world, blazing hot/brutal cold, saltwater, freshwater -- and the frames are still going strong -- not sure what they cost now a days. I find the Solarbat's to be better fishing glasses -- but I wear the Oakely's for everything else.

@HawkeyeSmallie - I could have used that thing a few times this summer ! - Several times this past summer I wielded my oar like an axe to knock down branches to get the lure back I am learning what does and does not work as far as lures go - for sure I have purchased some lures that looked great/sounded great but just do not work well in my area (so I will look to sell them or give them away) - and my hope is in the next year or two to be similar to @gim and using 40/50% of the lures and just replacing things that are worn out/broken/stole by Mr. Pike/ect.....

I am going in to year 4 of boat fishing (spring of 2026) -- I have tried to stay "within budget" but have not always been successful (which means trimming down something else, I love to enjoy live music yet a few times I have passed on buying tickets as I spent a bit too much on fishing gear) -- year one was the used boat/motor purchase, which meant the budget only allowed for yard sale/Goodwill rods/reels/lures -- year two I tapped in to the used rod/reel market and upgraded to a few mid-tier rods/reels (and my shoulders/elbows/wrists were very happy about that) and expanded the lure collection (mostly bought during sales, I have learned that most everything fishing wise goes on sale at least once a year, including BOGO's that are budget friendly) -- year three (this past season) was more of the same with adding a couple of used rods/reels and a variety of lures (at least 80% from sales/used, some from Japan before the tariffs kicked in) -- I would like to add one or two more rods/reels and will look to stick with the used market if possible, but then should be all set with rods/reels -- I am still experimenting to find which lures (sizes/colors/actions/ect....) work best in the waters here yet I have a much better idea than I used to -- I believe in year 5 (2027) I will slide in to what many of you have said, just replacing lost/damaged/plastics/line/terminal tackle and will probably sell some lures/baits that I bought but have found are not useful in this area (Fire Tiger/Bright colors, some larger lures, ect.....) -- the boat itself is in great shape but at some point the motor (1993 2-stroke) will probably need to be replaced (I would look to go used and most likely a 4 stroke but $$$ will play a factor) so I am considering starting a bank account with an auto withdraw to build up a "motor replacement budget"

Hello @Goby --- yes --- I use 91 octane/NON-ethanol fuel 100% of the time (highest octane I have access to) --- I put the Ethanol Shield in the tank for my last trip or two in the fall so that the Ethanol Shield is in the tank/hoses/engine --- then when I winterize the boat I fill the tank full of 91 octane/NON-ethanol fuel and add in an appropriate amount of Ethanol Shield to the tank to help keep moisture out of the fuel/tank because here in MN the boat is "winterized" from November to April --- again, 100% of the time I use 91 octane/NON-ethanol fuel

"With the possibility of targeting bass earlier next spring due to a change in regulations…" Yes, I hope this comes to fruition @gim I wish my boat would fit in the garage but it does not....so I store it outside under a VersaTube boat/carport (it has a roof and partial sides, longer term I hope to enclose the sides and use wind screen on the ends to allow air flow but keep snow/sleet out, it is tall enough so I can stand up in the boat and stay out of the elements when working on it and wide enough that I can put the truck under it as well.....I still put a cover over the boat to keep leaves/ect...out of it)......someone had ordered the VersaTube and then cancelled it so I got it for a decent price.....and when I looked at the cost of indoor storage/shrink wrap-outdoor storage I felt within a few years I will be saving money having the VersaTube and the VersaTube is used all year to keep sun/rain/sleet/hail off of the boat

I have an older boat and motor (1993 LUND, 1993 Evinrude, two stroke) that I have had now for three years - so far I have winterized it myself (with support from a friend, easier to do the engine fog ect.... with two people, I help him with his boat at the same time, I would say it is less than an hour of work, some Fogging Spray, some grease/grease gun, some wrenches, new spark plugs, Ethanol Shield for the gas, remove the batteries, ect....) - it is pretty straight forward (I am not inherently mechanically inclined, but I have done quite a bit of work on the motor with the help of the motor manual/YouTube and some wonderful people here on Bass Resource) - if I had a newer 4 stroke I might opt to have a shop do the work (or have them check the motor out every other year) - I know some shops around here (a lake filled area, many hundreds if not thousands of boats) charge different rates for the "winterization service" - ie, if you have them winterize the motor only it is XXX dollars - if you have them winterize the motor and shrink wrap it then it is XXXX dollars - if you have them winterize the motor, shrink wrap it and store it then it is XXXXX dollars (and their hourly repair rate is less for those that do the full monty - $175 an hour --- that rate jacks up to $250 an hour for those that don't have their boats winterized/shrink wrapped/stored there) - I have enjoyed the challenge of learning how to do the winterization/work on the motor - yet I fully understand why people would opt to have a shop do it

I have a P5 Windbuster (bought used at a very good price) --- a super versatile rod ---- these rods are a work of art

@WRB-2.0 Yes.....I will call first to see if the rods are in stock....thank you for the reminder !!

@A-Jay @Patrick Oliver @GetFishorDieTryin @Big Hands Thank you for the replies and sharing information on your experiences with these rods. I will look to get to my local (45 minute drive) tackle shop this coming weekend and see if they have any of these rods in stock (they carry Daiwa, St. Croix, some Shimano but not Megabass). The closest BPS/Cabela's is 1.5 hours away and Omnia/Thorne Brothers are 2 plus hours away so I would check their inventory first before making a trip there. I have winterized the boat and will be lucky to get back on the water before the end of April - so I have time to search. The information you provided will shape my search, thank you !

Hello All - I just finished year three of fishing - learning a ton and looking to potentially add a rod to the mix. With the holiday sales coming up I figured I would ask people for recommendations now - so when the sales come I will be armed with information. At this point I am looking at: -Shimano Zodias - 7'6" - Light/Mod-Fast - 1/16-3/8 - 4-10lb (I have grown to like Mod actions rods as I seem to land more fish with them) -Shimano Xpride - 7'6" - Med-Light/Fast - 1/8-1/2 - 4-8lb -Daiwa Tatula Elite - 7'6" - Med-Med/Light - 1/16-1/2 - 5-12lb -Megabass P5 Flyssa - 7'6" - Light/Fast - 1/16-3/8 - 4-10lb (would have to get at a discount/discounted gift card type price or if one were available used as this is a very pricey rod) If you have had any of these rods and can provide some information on your experience with them that would be great (both pros and cons). I would like to try throwing hair jigs - yet I don't necessarily want/need a rod that can only throw hair jigs - ideally the rod would be able to throw some other baits/lures as well. Thank you in advance for your time and information.

Went out today (Sunday) for 4 hours - wind was strong and limited where I could get to and stay without getting tossed around too much - temps were good (high 40's) - water temp was 48.4 degrees - for the third day in a row I did not see any fish or any bait fish - I followed a few otters to see if they would show me where the fish were - in the end I had one big bite (whatever it was took both claws off the craw bait) and that was it - I tried a variety of lures (slow, fast, shallow, deep, hard plastic, soft plastic) but nothing came of it - It was only the second time this year that I was skunked - My heart says "Go out again and end the year with a catch" but my mind says "The temps are going to be in the low 20's starting on Friday and you don't want water freezing in the motor" - so I will most likely winterize the boat this week

I just watched a YouTube video by Bassniper (Eng) titled - Buying Tackle from Japan 2025: Every trap you need to avoid ! (And how to maximize saving $$$) It has some good info. - he shows an example of a mistake he made in ordering, how the process currently works, maximizing the Yen/US Dollar exchange rate, ect.... - I found it a well worth while watch

A cold, raw day - air temp was about 35 with very moist air - @gim water temp was 49 - I think the cold sleet/rain yesterday impacted the water temp - I didn't get a bite for about 4 hours - and I was ready to just head in - I grabbed a rod I had not used today, it had a football jig head with a Berkley Pit Boss on it - I felt like I would give it about 6 casts and then head in - on the 5th cast I caught a 15 inch LMB (pictured) - quite literally my only bite of the day ! - I might go out tomorrow if the wind is reasonable (the forecast says 20 mph plus gusts, so we shall see) - it warms up this week into the 50's, but I have work each day and with DST change I would not have time to get on the water -- next weekend looks like 30's and sleet/rain - so I will either go out tomorrow and winterize the boat during the week or if it is too windy I will just winterize tomorrow (Sunday)

I was able to get out today (Friday)- the weather was rough - cold (36 degrees) with wind/rain/sleet (see picture) - since I had the day off I thought I would go for 6 hours - but after only catching two pike and getting thrashed by the weather I came in at the 5 hour mark - I will go again tomorrow (Saturday) - temps and wind will be about the same but no rain/sleet forecast - I tried shallow but no bites at all, then tried deep (20 to 25 feet) still no bites - the two pike were in about 8 feet of water - Any suggestions for what I might try tomorrow ? - Saturday will most likely be my last day on the water as Sunday is supposed to have big/strong winds

@FishTank - I agree (although I do not have the Bassday, might have to try it, and the 110 JR +1 has been more productive for me than the regular 110, MB Super Z3 has worked best for me) - and I would add the Megabass Griffon (in all it's forms - MR-X/SR-X/BFS/Baby/Zero/6cc), Megabass Cyclone, Imakatsu Geisha Shad and Imakatsu Wasp 55 - all four of those have been good for me/fish catchers (thus I deem them "worth" the expense)

I am less than 10 minutes from the ramp of an 8000 plus acres lake with smallmouth in it - yet they seem to top out at about 19/20 inches (looking at the past 20 years of DNR fish surveys that seems to be the top end on this lake, certainly there maybe be larger ones, my largest is 19 in., I have spoken to several people who have caught 20 in. smallmouth on the lake) - and within an hour there are a half-dozen or so lakes that have potential for smallmouth in the 20 inch range - I would have to drive to Mille Lacs (2.5 hours one way) or Leech Lake (3 hours one way) to find citation sized (my guess is that means over 20 inches/over 5 lbs ?) - For that type of drive/trip I most likely would look to leave early/drive up and fish all day/stay overnight/fish another big day/then drive home - Someday I will do that, but only being in my third year of fishing I feel like to need to get better at fishing first and then I will make those longer trips to find the bigger smallmouth

@MN Fisher - here in west central mn we only climbed to 44 - with big winds and rain, blah ! My hope is to get out on Friday (31st) and Saturday (1st) - and then Sunday (2nd) winterize the boat - it looks like this weather pattern (low 40's, rain, wind) is going to carry on this week so it will be unpleasant at best when I venture out, I just need to gear up appropriately for the conditions - I would like to keep going out yet with DST on Sunday there will be less daylight and colder temps, and I do not have a heated garage to store the boat in (I have it covered (roof) but not enclosed/heated) so once the temps are consistently below freezing the risk of engine/water freezing/damage becomes too much - someday I would like to live where I could go out on open water for 8 to 10 months of the year (if not all 12 months) #DreamOn

Mr. Torpedo Fish (aka, Northern Pike) and his extended family have a nice collection of my lures from this year - mostly in the $15 - $18 range individually, but total about $170 - I have 4 inch long steel leaders on most of my rigs now, yet they still find creative ways to saw the line off - looks like 6 to 8 inch leaders are on the list to purchase this winter........ @Micro Module Police you've got this, get back on the water and haul in a PB !

Went to my local big lake today - this guy (boat in picture) was in front of me (21 foot Skeeter, 200hp) - he and his buddy looked at the waves/whitecaps/wind - and said "Let's go to another lake" - that is a big water boat so if he was not going out on the big lake neither was I - so I went to a smaller lake - wind was still high 20's/low 30's but some shelter - trick was trying to launch the boat, with 30 mph winds blowing directly at me, with no dock - it was a logistical and physical challenge due to the wind but I got it done - didn't catch anything for 4 hours, just got tossed all over the place in the wind - then I threw a Megabass Magdraft (5in.) in Perch color - 6 pike, 6 bass grabbed it - none very big, but no complaints - it might be the last outing of the year - we will see - hopefully Halloween Day and Nov. 1 will provide decent enough weather to get out

Cold, raw and windy today (Saturday/10-25) -- not much luck -- 3 pike (plus one that sawed off a nice square bill lure despite a 4 inch metal leader) -- and one 17 inch LMB -- I never felt like I was around fish, didn't see any bait fish at all -- tomorrow (Sunday) the wind is supposed to be 30 mph plus gusts -- so I might try and get out early if it will be less windy or I may try a smaller lake near me (the negative is they have taken the dock out so it is tricky to launch/land, especially if the wind is howling) -- then I will try and get out Friday/31st (I have the day off) and Saturday/1st before winterizing the boat on Sunday/2nd -- If I had a heated garage with enough space to put the boat I might try and keep going out, but I don't have either of those and once temps are consistently below freezing at night, it is unfortunately, time to winterize

@Swamp Girl - travel safe, positive thoughts being sent your way I will have to purchase a buzzbait, you are certainly catching good ones on them ! Beautiful pictures ! Yes, fishing days are numbered, yet my hope is you have the opportunity to get to 1500. I will get out today (cold, 46, but much lower winds than the past 3 days) and hopefully once or twice next weekend - if I get really luck with weather maybe the first weekend in November - but that will be it. Sometimes you catch the fish, sometimes the fish catches you