Hello everyone!

I am Leslie and my husband's name is Jeff. We live in Mid-western Lower Michigan. Jeff has been running an NBAA divison for about 4 years, and has been fishing roughly for about that long. Myself? I have been fishing since I was old enough to hold a fishing pole, and I am nearly 33 years old. This year is the first year I have ever fished for Bass. Starting because my husband didn't have a partner. I am known for catching the first and the biggest fish no matter when we go out. Hence the first cast I ever threw landed a 3.5lbs, 27 inch largemouth bass. This season is now over and its time to concentrate on next. And frankly I am tired of being skunked by a team who is just bearly old enough to be my sons.

Now here is where the advice is needed, Jeff is pulling out of his division as a director. We are going to just fish for fun. Here in lays the problem: Jeff has become heavily reliant on the Yamamoto brand of lures, double tailed grubs at that. And with this season being my first I had to rely on his collection of lures, which isnt much. Are there any suggestions out there for me to start my own tackle box? Lures for water clarity verses weather verses early and late season?

Poles.... Who can forget about the angler's best friend. Jeff says I need to use open face rod and reels. Frankly I despise them. I have never been able to control my cast with an open face and end up with a large birds' nest just outside the reel. Anyhow.... Any suggestions for moderatly priced reels, rods, or combos that aren't open faced?

Next year I want to be able to say we won! I am looking to the gurus who patrol this forum to help me-----er.... us out

I appologise for the long-winded intro, but I am sure I have a ton more questions as the next season gets closer.

Leslie

Welcome to the site! My advice is start looking through our site,I think you will find everything you need.Good Luck.

Welcome aboard!

To address a couple of your questions:

First, you need to learn how to cast a spinning reel.

With just a little practice you will do just fine, there

is really nothing to it. The exact model will depend on

the price you are willing to pay, but a Shimano 2500 Symetre

is probably the place to start.

http://www.***.com/Shimano_Symetre_FJ_Spinning_Reels/descpage-SSYFJ.html

Your first rod should be 6 1/2' - 7' Medium Power/ Fast Action.

The price you are willing to pay will determine which rods will

be recommended. The St. Croix Avid AVS68MXF is my general suggestion.

http://www.reedssports.com/Product/product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=13224

Line: Yo-Zuri Hybrid #6, .010" diameter, 11.9 lb breaking strength.

Hi and welcome to the site

Hi, and welcome. If you have the time to practice a little, get a baitcaster. You have a lot more control when casting. Also a quieter entry into the water. You can usually get a Berkeley combo pretty cheap. After learning to use it, you won't regret it.

WELCOME.

Welcome to the site!

As far as a reel....I'd go with a baitcaster also. They aren't that hard to use. I teach ladies and anyone else often at Fisherman's Headquarters how to use one. The chore is to set the bait drop. I'd be glad to try to answer your questions.

I'm currently out of town fishing a ladies tournament. Send me a pm and I'll get back to you when I get home.

Again, welcome.

Welcome, I reccomend a Pfleuger president spinning combo around $80. As far as lures i reccomend the following: white strike king spinnerbait, a black and blue strike king jig, rage tail craws, zooom super flukes, zoom finesse worms, some 1/8 oz bullet weights and some 4/0 and 5/0 Gamakatsu Ewg hooks, oh and for line i like trilene xt(very tough line)

Thank you so much everyone for the kind words of welcome and encouragement. I am going to try and get my hands on some of the suggestions that have been made. I have lots of down time at work so I can practice in the parking lot with my casting with the new reel and rod.

I promise you! I will have some wonderful new pictures next season of me and my fish who skunk the compitition in the tournies... maybe even making it possible to make it to the out of state Championships!

I am even looking into seeing if there are any LBAA divisions in Michigan now that would make my day!

Welcome................

I agree with learning to use spinning gear as step one to getting a baitcaster. If you and control a spincaster the spinning rig should be a piece of cake. I lived in S.W. MI for years and have fished many of the lakes.

Welcome Home!