alabamabassmaster

I am in the process of buying a new boat and I am in a pickle not being able to choose. My options are Triton and Blazer. My primary needs are speed and stability in rough water. The two boats I have picked out are the Triton 18X3 (TR-186) with a 175 ProXS and a Blazer 190 Pro-V with a 200 Optimax. The Blazer will run about 76mph where the Triton will run 64mph so Blazer wins the speed. The Triton will handle rough water excellent as my partner has one however the Blazer I was told handles it "fair" but not as good as Triton so Triton wins here. I need suggestions/comments from owners, which boat would you buy or recommend for a $33k price range?

I tried a slower retrieve but when I did this the lure didn't have the action it did when retrieving a little faster. I will say this, this Sebile Magic Swimmer should be a killer in clear water.

Right now I'm using a Abu Garcia Tournament Grade 7ft Medium rod with 14lb Trilene XL. I can cast it smooth about 30 yards but my partner cast his reel about 50 yards smoothly. He uses an older reel I can't find but I need something I can cast 50 yards smoothly. Where were fishing is 800ft below the dam, we can't go any close or else we'll get DQ'd so we have to cast as close as we can and I need something that will cast farther than 30 yards with a 1oz. crankbait.

I need suggestions on a new crankbait reel. I currently use the Abu Garcia 4600 C3 (5:3.1) for a crankbait reel and it cranks pretty good however I can't get it to cast far enough without a backlash. What reel under $100 can you guys recommend for shallow to medium cranking? (Bandit 300, 1oz. Rattletraps, Deep Little N, Mann's 15+)

I finally got a chance to use my first Sebile yesterday and it wasn't good. I was throwing it on 12lb fluorocarbon, the action was awesome but the dang thing doesn't sink fast enough. Where I was fishing was below the lock and dam, there are rocks about 2-4 feet under the water and the this is where those big spots are. The current, choppy water and this slow sinking lure didn't work together. First how can I make this thing sink quicker? Second, I hate this fluorocarbon line, I got it hung up on small limb, I could see it sticking out of the water, I pulled it moderatetly and snap. I said "wow" this is supposed to be strong than mono, well I learned quickly it wasn't. I had made about 10 cast when this happen, I checked for weak spots about 2 cast prior to this and my line was smooth so I don't know. I do know that I will not waste another $20 on this mess, I'll stick with my Trilene XT and XL.

I'm gonna fish it a few more times before I put it down. We got a big tourny coming up so maybe I'll bring it along. With the water temp. around here getting into the upper 80's I'm going to have to fish it deeper so maybe I can hook up something big.

I purchased one of the Mattlure Baby Bass swimbaits and haven't caught anything just yet, do you guys think the Bluegill would work better? I'm fishing the Alabama River near Selma, AL and Shad colors have been producing lately but I'm curious if the Bluegill would work better than the Baby Bass. I've been fishing the Baby Bass swimbait on structure in deep water and points.

Thanks guys, I'm going to order me two of the 7' M/H rods. I've never used the Crankin' Stick so hopefully I'll like it. I wish we had a BPS nearby so I could avoid all the shipping and handling mess. :-/

I can't decide which of these two get the #1 vote so I'll just list both.

I just saw those, the 6'2" seems short to me for cranking? The shortest rod I use is 6'6" medium. I also see they have the Berkley Bionix Crankbait rods on sale but that big rod will wear you out if you throw it long. I think I'll try the Crankin Stik and see how I like it with 12lb flouro.

Anyone ever used the BPS Graphite Series Trigger Rods? I was thinking about the "GS70MHT". It's a 7' M/H rod and it's only $30..

What's a good crankbait rod for under $50? Looking for a 7' Medium or Medium/Heavy. Primarily going to be used for medium cranking (Bandit 300's).

What rod's do you guys use for wacky rigging?

Thanks for the info, that's the way I spool my spiderwire braid reels because that stuff is high too. I'll probaby spool my t-rigged reels first and see how they fish and go from there. I'm also thinking about changing my SpiderWire Green 50lb braid to that new Invisi-braid Spiderwire has out. Ever tried it?

Well, since this Fluorocarbon line is so expensive I can only spool probably one reel with it. I got the 12lb Clear, 200yd for $20. (errr) Which reel would you choose first to spool? (Need help making the decision,lol)

I'll use a Berkley Cherrywood 7' Medium Action until I can afford a better one. What is recommended for Finesse Fishing like Shakey Heads and stuff? I use a M/H 7' Rod now, what do you use?

Hey guys, I found some deals at our local Academy, I got four Abu Garcia 7' Medium Heavy Rods for $6.99 a piece so I had to buy a few. Would this be a good buzzbait rod?

How exactly do you fish this, do you cast it out let it sink and twich it or cast it out and twitch it back to the boat or just cast it, twicth it and let it sit and twitch it again? Thanks for the replies by the way.

Where can I buy the Gammy Octopus Hooks 3/0 at?

Thanks for all the replies, I have an idea of the colors I'm going to add to my collection. I was thinking that a color like "Blue Pearl Silver Flake" would do well wacky rigged because it will imitate a wounded shad.

I'm about to purchase several packs of Senko's, getting low and would like some input as to the "hot colors". I use the 5" Senko's in the basic colors. I have Black/Blue Flake, Green Pumpkin/Blake Flake and Watermelon Black/Red Flake. What colors are good for wacky rigging? Also, any other recommendations for hot colors? THanks!!

I use them as a Jig trailer primarily however you can fish them anyway you want. I caught a 6 lber on a Watermelon Red Baby Craw T-Rigged back during spawn. These craws are killer baits during the spawn in any color. If you want to fish for big fish use the regular size craw on a t-rig with braided line and flip/pitch into treetops and such and you'll be surprised. I know I have been surprised with the bites I have gotten flipping/pitching into treetops and such.

Will those small hooks hold a 4-8 lb fish?

Oh! I thought "Jig & Pig" was a brand or something LOL! I use a custom made jig with a netbait baby craw as a trailer.

What is a good Buzzbait/Top Water Rod for under $50? I currently use a Berkley Lightening Rod but I need another rod because I need this rod for a new jig rod.