Hey Fellas: I have become a little intrigued how we have moved from the fun of the Pflueger Mooks and the Shimano Posse, to personal attacks and people feeling some kind of better than attitude based on tackle upgrades.

FIRST LET ME GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY: IT IS NOT MY BUSINESS OR MY INTENTION TO KNOCK PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFORD AND USE HIGH END EQUIPMENT, IT IS NOT WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT, IS PEOPLE WHO KNOCK EACH OTHER WHETER IT IS BECAUSE SOMEONE IS USING A BRAND THEY CONSIDER TOO EXPENSIVE, BUT HAVE NEVER USED OR SOMEONE WHO IS KNOCKING A MORE ORDINARY BRAND, NO MATTER HOW WIDE SPREAD THEIR SALES ARE AND HOW THEY STICK BY THIER PRODUCT, BECAUSE THEY LOOK DOWN THEIR NOSES AT PEOPLE WHO PREFER TO USE SUCH GEAR, AS MYSELF.

I would bet that most on this board, or in the fishing world do not fish every day and certainly most do not fish competition. There has to be a place for everyone from the caual weekday guys, to guys like me who get to fish around a 100 days a year all the way up to the pros and guys who fish daily and hard and need or want the expensive equipment. When I joined BassResource.com. nowhere was their a question about, what club or circuit do I fish for, how many countries did I fish in, how many days do i fish. It just said welcome to the best bass site on the NET, which it is by far.

After I finish my last course this wintr it is my goal to do some Bass Indusatry reseach. To find out what level of equipment America uses most. I will bet you that most comes from brands like Zebco,Quantum,ABU Cardinals ,Avocets etc. Why is it so bad for fellas to ask about this stuff, only to be steered away from it. Why must everyone fell the pressure to upgrade? Are we here for fellowship and information or are we here as a market for people who sell, make and service high end equipment?

Ghoti said something that opened my eyes. I was gonna dump somwe of my rods to go to one brand and price level, to revolt against my own participation in this madness. Now except I will move to all Pflueger Reels, because I really love them and USE THEM EXTENSIVELY, I am staying pat wioth the mishmosh of rods I have. Various brands, all from sales ofr the flea market. Heck I am catching fish and having a lot of fun. This may be my sanest winter, and I will stay pat!

I hope to see a forum here jsut for the every day guys using everything form blister wrapped off the shelf rigs from wally world or BPS and Cabelas and such equipment. I remeber my first posts about Cabelas reels I was aking about their quality, most answers had to do Do not buy them because you can not get them servixed, Which turned out to be hugely not true, they service their reels and readily stand by their products. What difference does it matter who wo where I send them for service, they still gotta get shipped. I have found BPS and Cabelas service and warranty backing to be EXCELLENT>

Whats all this got to do with BASS. Has anyone but me be noticing it may be dying. When I was a kid Ray Scott built a beautiful organiztion, names like Mann.Linder and Dance were easily identifiable and the everyday guy could think WHAT IF? It was an all inclusive sport , and I believe had a wider appeal for the everyday angler. All of us could be fishing from a shore, a jon boat of the latest Bass rig and think WHAT IF? I have never felt the urge to compete, as fishing for me is where I escape from the competitiness and nastiness of the out side world.

So now ESPN gets em, entry fees are through the nose, coporate prostitutes are putting decals and patches on everything but the fish themselves, and look at the weigh ins. Last years Classic(2006) weigh in was not at the water, it was in an arena, KVD was sitting in a chair waiting to be 'bumped off and there was theme songs and fireworks going off. Maybe McMahon will buy it nest and I can see it now

the FIRST FULL CONTACT BASS CLASSIC

The point is here, Has BASS moved too far from it's orginal fan base? Has BassResource.com moved too far ahead that everyday anglers, with limited funds of no need to purchase upper level equipment HAVE TO FEEL SOME KINDA WAY WHEN THEY ASK FOR ADVICE? Why can't someone get help without barbs when they choose to fish with a Loomis or a Ugly Stick? Both should have the ability to fish and have fun and communicate on this board without killin and flamin eachother! 8-)

Do not forget the everyday guys and show respect for the pros and the high end guys IF YOU DO NOT USE OR OWN what you are talking about thats an opinion not experience and we all know what they say bout opinons!!!!!

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.  

Muddy,

First I'll say, welcome back. Yes, we had a misunderstanding but I am glad you decided to return. I hope you also consider it water under the bridge... (am I still blocked from a PM?)

on to topic:

To find out what level of equipment America uses most. I will bet you that most comes from brands like Zebco,Quantum,ABU Cardinals ,Avocets etc.

I bet you are right, just keep in mind, most of the active audience here at BassResource.com is not America's "norm" when it comes to fishing... we are the obsessed and the obsessive. ...lol

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.

Agree 100% and couldn't have said it better.

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.

Great quote!

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.  

Great quote!

I think I may save that for future use.

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.

So true i love having a relax day of fishing at my nearby lake no boatlaunching etc>I can still have fun .hard to belive there are ppl out here that have 40 dollar bass boats and never even caught a 4 pound bass in there life.Bass really dont care how much you pay for anything you use to catch um .they dont go up to a TIKI worm and say nope not today ur not a senko or go up to a rapala and nope your side dont say lucky craft ill pass OR smack u in the face after u reel um up with your ugly stik and plfueger reel.Fishing is not about advertizing leave that to the companys .Its about having fun and only you can DO THAT

Muddy, i'm glad to see you back. (nice avatar by the way )

I put total blame on the bait monkey for this one.  I often find myself concentrating more on getting more fishing stuff than I actually do on fishing.  You can get caught up in this whirlwind and be trapped before you know it.

Great quote catt.

hard to belive there are ppl out here that have 40 dollar bass boats and never even caught a 4 pound bass in there life.

Where do they sell these $40 dollar bass boats? Do they have a website?  ;D

Back to the topic. I agree. You could catch the world record largemouth with a Zebco 202 and a 5' ultralight Ugly Stik if you are in the right place at the right time.  

Well my attention was drawn to the rod,reel,and line section for awhile.Thanks guys!I gotta good laugh or two or well...7 pages worth.To bad I didn't get to read to uncut version.

Some boys really know their toys!Some boys really like their toys.....and stand up for them too!

I agree muddy.People should just be more polite and less narrow minded.

Well said Muddy!! I couldn't agree more. But the baitmonkey does start screeeching whenever I see a bargain on better equipment than what I own. I fished with a buddy who wanted me to see the difference in some of the higher end equipment he owned and what I have. Cast like a dream and all that but I still out fish him on mine.  

But if anyone wants to know what I want for Christmas!!! :

It aint a quote, it's an original & I usually follow it up with  

If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got

hard to belive there are ppl out here that have 40 dollar bass boats and never even caught a 4 pound bass in there life.

Where do they sell these $40 dollar bass boats? Do they have a website? ;D

Back to the topic. I agree. You could catch the world record largemouth with a Zebco 202 and a 5' ultralight Ugly Stik if you are in the right place at the right time.

Im stilll looking for that website also all i can find are 40 tho dollar ones when i google it,Im at the end of the internet i think

I bet you are right, just keep in mind, most of the active audience here at BassResource.com is not America's "norm" when it comes to fishing... we are the obsessed and the obsessive.  ...lol  

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.

Agree 100% and couldn't have said it better.

My girl uses obsessed and fishing to describe me....Be honest i don't think i'm that bad IMO.Or it's just the fact i'm denying my addiction. :-?

hard to belive there are ppl out here that have 40 dollar bass boats and never even caught a 4 pound bass in there life.

Where do they sell these $40 dollar bass boats? Do they have a website?  ;D

Back to the topic. I agree. You could catch the world record largemouth with a Zebco 202 and a 5' ultralight Ugly Stik if you are in the right place at the right time.  

Help me out here Scott.  Do I understand you right, you're now dropping the price of your boat to $40?

Consider it SOLD!!   Give me your paypal addy again.   ;D

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.

Thats a good thing.  There isnt any density between my wallet folds but there is alot of density between my ears.

I agree with muddy many times too much equipment bashing going on. i understand higher end products may be better but then again theres people who cant afford a g loomis ( my dream rod) and get stuck with a quest med/hvy action for 25 bucks on sale. i really wish more people would let me know whats best to use in the cheaper rods from wally world or dicks sporting goods muddy,catt,and lbh and rw has been a awsome help in educating me about rods. even though i still use a med ugly stik for a cranking rod  ;D i do wonder if the ugly stik would be good for swimbaits?

I never get into those threads.    I do tell what lures and such, I say that I use Falcons as my primary rods, but rarely do I go to that section unless i want info.

When I want info, not direspecting anyone, I ask the guys who I have confidence in.    I don't blow anyone off, I just don't put much salt into others words.

I have respect for the Rolos, Catt' , Raul, Randal, Triton Mike, and others, didn't mean to leave some one out, there are lots of guys whom I respect their opinion.

  I also look at guys like Russ(LBH).   If I want some info on spinning rods and reels, Russ would be one who I would listen.   And he is an example and not the only one out there, but I have fished with him, seen a sample of his tackle, and know that his forte his spinning tackle, not saying he's not adaquate with a baitcaster.       I also look at LBH's area he lives.    His waters are alot different than mine, so I look to the guys who have similar waters in the south for info.

I use what gives me confidence, I can afford, and suits my style of fishing.  

I don't want a rod just to say I have a $400 rod and I own none either.

Also, I get enjoyment in seeing the 50k bass boat, mega dollar rods, and reels only to catch a few dinks, and me with my low to mid range tackle doing much better.  

    MONEY DON"T BUY YOU A BITE!!!!!!!    

Matt

theres people who cant afford a g loomis ( my dream rod) and get stuck with a quest med/hvy action for 25 bucks on sale. i really wish more people would let me know whats best to use in the cheaper rods from wally world or dicks sporting goods  

All you have to do is ask the question.  In fact, you (and others) have asked a couple of questions like that and gotten some good answers.  The problem is most of the time people don't specify "cheap." (your word, not mine)

The pus is behind the rod handle, it 's always been that way and it always be that way.  

I live in an area of this capitalistic country where the almight dollar rules. Who has the fastest most expensive car, Who owns the biggest house.

This is why I choose to take my $30 pflugar Gold medalist, and $30 Abu Cardnal rod fishing ALONE.

Welcome back Dom.  Are you telling us that you still frequent the Tackle and the Rods forums?  I got so sick of the same questions being asked over and over that I never go there any more.

Yo Mike good to talk with you before, call ya when classes are done

Watch out for a sun burn there Muddy.;D

The mood and tenor of discourse has changed since we joined Muddy, it is hard to lay it down sometimes and not get in the fray. I hardly post anymore for that reason; just mostly watch and interject now and again. I'm around though you hardly see me. I'm just letting the young bucks spar to their hearts delight. I get enough excitement at my other hang out!

Glad to see you Or most of you anyway.

:o ;D ;D ;D Yo Rocky!!!!!!! This is as good a place as it has ever been, There are times where i have been part of the mess myself, im trying to stay out of the way and avoid conflict and mind my own business. The key is not to respond, and that is sometimes difficult for me. So now i have a few people i really get along with, i keep my corespondec with them, and just leave the rest go.