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I'm not going to continue to beat the dead horse about my eyesight anymore. I did at first so it would help others understand why I ask questions that I ask. As mentioned by a couple of the other memebers, that is why I am asking about colored rods. I won't watch my rod in particular while I am fishing like another poster asked. However, considering my condition. The carpet in the boat is Greyish / Darkish charcoal color, so all the rods blend in if they are on the deck. So something that is white / orange / yellow will appear as a straight contrast will allow me to find the rod on the deck quicker and easier. Going back to when I'm fishing.. I can't just look up and spot the line.. .so being able to find the white blank against the background to follow it all the way to the end so I can at least try to see my line will make it easier for that too.... My apologies for firing up a "who cares what color it is", I didn't know it was a man card issue.

ST CROIX

The op mention in one of his first posts that he is legally blind. He is looking for colored line & rods to help him with visibility. I'm sure he has the feel aspect down pat just wants to help with the visibilty aspect.

19 inch 18inch 21 inch, sorry about the quality I had it out the water for a long time and rushed the shot 3 fish totaling 58"

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/119465-i-need-your-help-with-a-color-issue/#entry1306303 He's got a reason for the visibility of the rod. Help the guy out as he's not looking for your personal opinions on color. He's trying to get a selection useful to him.

I care less what the color of the rod is.

Some hardbaits just have that "it" factor. No tellin what it might be, i have a chug bug that i just cant replicate no matter how many of the same color i buy. I dont really recall ever being super surprised to catch a fish on a certain lure but i have been amazed at the size of fish that will hit big lures. Once caught an about 7 inch bass on a 12 inch worm. Greedy little critters

I've been catching fish all day on a 6" zoom lizard that was black with a blue tail. Before this, I have never caught fish on it. I was so surprised. Are there any lures y'all have been surprised to catch a bass on?

I have a 1996 Nitro 170TF with a 115 Mercury. I don't have a lot of experience with boats but I have noticed that it runs along okay at idle or slightly above idle. it runs fine up on plane. Anywhere in between and it feels like it's pushing water. I suppose that's by design and is the norm with any bass boat. Is there anything that can be done to make it flatten out and run better at speeds in between idle and on plane?

A-Jay, you are an inspiration to us all. Every time I get on the Forum the first thing I check is this thread to see if you have posted another update. I sincerely hope this journey takes you where you want to go, but I think the journey itself is the adventure.

This morning is the first time I have been on this thread, as I don't do a lot of bass fishing. I have to say it has been an encouraging read and I commend you on your efforts and your dedication!!! I must say as I am returning from a 2 day Musky trip myself (that was also Jumbalaya) and sharing the North East Blow with you here in Southern Michigan,,,,,(can't always plan a trip with another guy and guarantee the conditions), and we can't head at the drop of a hat as he still has to work around a job. But You do bring encouragement my way!! Just as you, I have made a self pack this year also, mine is to target bigger Musky, I cast trolled and worked my rear off both days, determined to get that one big bite, and not caring if I caught anything if I couldn't hit that 50" mark. I wanted to go to some #'s spots we knew on the Lake but stayed fast, 13.5 hrs. Thursday and 10 hrs. Friday. On the way home I questioned no bent rods and if we should have given in a little and tried for the lesser fish, or even taken a break and tried for Largemouth, as they do very good on this Lake for them also. I don't really think it would have mattered as 10 to 15 sustained and gust to 20+ NE blow was the weather pattern, and cooler than it has been looking like rain 50% of the time, but not getting any. But I generally over the years stay flexible, and if the species I'm after is not willing, will go after another, just to catch fish, Pike, Musky, Walleye, Small Mouth and Large Mouth I enjoy fishing for them all. But My Musky fishing has never granted me a 50"+ fish and this year, when we hunt the Musky waters, I have made my own pact, that it's big fish only, and don't settle for anything less. But like I say what doubt I had of sticking with my goal and techniques for this year, are now gone again!! You have a way in this thread of instilling that dedication of sticking with it come hell or high water,,,,,THANK's! You are on a mission and are putting in the time, I have to travel to hit the Lakes that produce the bruisers I am after, so my efforts won't be a daily diet of frustration. Over the years have I given in to the baits and tactics required to get the bigger fish in favor of catching more fish, even if it meant they would most likely be smaller or going after other species. So after reading this and being encouraged by your dedication, I am back on track and will stay the path I set out on a month ago. Every trip for Musky we make this year I am going to check in here and get my dose of encouragement. Hang in there and keep it up, as I am sure with your determination you won't only be successful, but you are fueling the encouragement, I need and I am sure there are others!!!! BEST OF LUCK!!! and I can't wait to see the results!!!!! even if it is only in knowledge, which is inevitable and sure to come with your efforts, but hope to see them monsters you long to master also!!!!

Where are all the big fish you guys are catching. I hit Tower Hill Pond and only caught two tiny bass. Also hit Scobie Pond, Massabesic and Island Pond with no luck on anything over a pound. Although I am shore fishing because I don't have a boat just yet. Don't laugh at the huge bass in these photos...lol

I use the alberto as well. Took me some time to get right, but now I can tie it quick and small and i am horrible at knots.

How is that a deal when Wally World has them for $2.50 all the time? Furthermore, Sexy Shad only? Pass.

To quote one of my favorite movie moment of all: "Your arrogance blinds you Master Fstr385!" It's on!!! This time I'm going to all my super-secret-pig-filled spots!!!

All I had to read was the the opening line NE winds 10-15 & NE 7-14 and I knew the results. That makes for really tough fishing. Hope mother nature gives you a break in the near future.

It really is a great fight from flatheads that size. I was only using a 7' MH rod with 14lb Red Label fluoro and there are several brushpiles close by, so it was a fine balance between putting as much heat as I could on it to keep it away from the wood that they love to run to so much and not popping the line with too much pressure. I've caught bunches of them that size while fishing for flatheads but it seems every year I catch a few while fishing for bass and 99% of the time it's on a jig. I've caught them on a little bit of everything though, even had a 5 or 6 pound flathead suck down a buzzbait one night, that was a shocker. It isn't an extremely long fight like a big blue but the power that big, square tail can produce is incredible and the bite when one inhales a jig is unmistakable.

On most all the frogs out there hook up ratio depends on the guy fishing, not the frog.

No problem. And again, there's no need to remove attachments or use Photobucket if you don't want to. Just click the "pictures" link in the top nav and start a Gallery. You can then embed your uploaded pictures in your posts by clicking "My Media" just above the text area when you're creating a post. You don't need to sign up for anything for this - you already have an account here, and it's included in your account. Hope that helps! Glenn

Anything I throw I am still amazed that they hit it.

Same.

If you are aware of their locations in the river system, then it's just a matter of getting them to hit. A vibrating jig and/or spinnerbait are good choices. You want to focus more on the "attraction" qualities of any lure, vs. the "triggering" qualities. Notice I said "more", not "only". The suggestions I've made not only have the former, but the later as well. But you still have to put it where they are, which is your primary task.

One rod is not going to fish all of these techniques well. You might want to add a cheap setup in there and use it for your topwater and cranking techniques, and throw that $200 into a nice bottom contact rod. That rod should be able to cover your spinnerbaits and buzzbaits as well. If it were me, I would go with a Phenix Recon 715c. They have a slow enough taper to cast a wide range of baits decent, are very light and should cover the techniques mentioned. Another good option would be a gen1 Cumara. They float around at some very good prices and they are high performing rods.

Can it ring a doorbell? Or is it going to have some kind of bell/whistle/alarm to let you know it's there? I'm not standing outside waiting for it to get my pizza, that's why I ordered delivery, so I don't have to get up off the couch except to pay and get my pizza. On a side note, how long before some hillbilly starts shooting them down to steal the pizzas??

Some of the best smallmouth streams here in Missouri are stocked with trout. That means most of them have special regulations on them on what you can use to catch any species. Those regulations include no plastics or live bait. So that means no tubes, plastic trailers, or flukes to fish for the smallmouth with. It's really funny that conservation departments don't want invasive species to invade their waters, but yet they'll stock a non-native fish for sport reasons. To me the trout in these streams are a detriment to the small mouth population as they both compete for similar foods (e.g. minnows, shad, hoppers, crayfish, etc). I'd rather they just stock them in the trout parks and Taneycomo. And if the trout get down into downstream parts of the rivers and streams so be it. If you catch them you can keep them without needing a stamp. They don't need to be stocked in every cool water stream though IMO.

Sucks to be you

back when i was little i put a hook through a cigarette butt and slayed sunfish on it in a neighborhood pond.

I use both, however, I have found that I had to get a couple of left handed baitcasters to properly "walk the dog" ...I apparently am not coordinated enough to work the rod with my left hand and reel with my right while "walking the dog"...I can, though, and it has been witnessed by others...walk and chew gum at the same time :Idontknow:

beside the bar.

I might have thought different about this with 10 or 15 years experience, and with a few dozen companies under my belt, and an, I know what I'm talking about attitude, but adding another 30 or so years to that line of thinking, and having used most worthwhile brands out there, and dealing with those companies and others who have commercially, in all honesty I have to say St. Croix, year after year. As DVC stated it is more like a "replacement program," as warranty items cover you" If a rod is truly defective it's going to break right off the bat not weeks, months or years down the line,." I mean heck Wally World will do that with any rod they sell, at any price even a $15.00 dollar one!! But St. Croix goes one better with their premium lifetime rods and offer an upgrade or trade in for an old or abused rod,,, to the newest, finest, highest tech rod's they make, or anything in between!!!,,,,,,,,NO QUESTIONS ASKED!! That's why they would be my choice.

Went out today and caught a 18", 19", and 21". Caught the 21" on a 10" worm in June bug. The other 2 on a strike king swim jig with a KVD coffee scented rodent. I will upload pics when I get to my computer So my total being 58"

Please, anyone new to fishing; remember that professional anglers are paid well by their sponsors to advertise their products. I'm not saying that that those products are bad, just consider that when pushed by the guy wearing the company shirt, it's not exactly an objective opinion.

South side! Southern born and raised. I really cant imagine living somewhere that i cant fish year round

Pretty much all the major players have lifetime warranties which usually consists of mailing it back with $50 or so and you get either a fixed rod or replacement. I have used the sage warranty quite a few times on my DS2 and am about to on my largemouth bass II.

Silicone the hook hole in the butt, and drill a hole in the top, near the rear. Works on Spros and Yum frogs.

We should all chip in a bag of baits or something and winner takes all, just a suggestion though

You guys are freaking out of control. We have five full time employees here and you can all get a job working here LOL. Ok most of you have pretty much nailed it. I have been diving watching the "stick bait" since it first came out-I mean probably before 99%of the anglers didn't even seen it yet-I noticed that wacky rigging seemed to trigger more strikes. One of the issues was at times the bass would grab one of the two ends and swim away with the bait before engulfing it totally. It just depended on their aggression or mood. We know when we feel a tap(bite)or see/feel the bait swimming away we set the hook. What happens underwater is the bass just has a part of the bait-not necessasaryily the hook in the fishes mouth. It could be just a half inch to one side or the other. What happens is you pull the bait away from the fish resulting in a lost fish and usually a ripped bait. By centering the egg sac/ creating balance and coloring it gives the fish a focal point to attack. RIGHT WHERE THE HOOK IS. How many times have you seen chartreuse colored tails on lizards or worms being attacked by the bass first. I have seen it hundreds of times. By weighting the center , it will fall like a flick shake-(Im still playing with density of it-faster /slower fall rates) it could possibly induce or provoke more strikes. It depends on conditions and the fishes mood again. Using denser material-you got it-displacing energy to the sides for more action. Again less ripped baits The purest megastrike infused into the baits for attraction and retention purposes. Colors- Think about it -black sides with a red or hot pink center. black sides with blue egg sac--I will be developing some really good /proven fish catching colors.. They will be packed in a clamshell and not a bag for reasons obvious -don't want them bent. So theres more to come Play with that a while and yes of coarse I will be doing giveaways

The dark side !

I have the same relationship with the lake.

Are you sure there are big fish in there? If your only fishing small ponds, there may just be an overabundance of small fish. I'd say try upsizing your lures. Most guys on here are gonna say a big jig/craw trailer. You could also try a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait or a big worm like the 10'' Rage Tail Anaconda. I've heard that bigger lures will help to weed out the dinks but that's not always true. Caught this little guy today on a jitterbug that would barely fit in his mouth and the second one came on a little 5 in lizard a couple weeks ago. So it's not really set in stone.

NO YOU DON't! Are you setting the drop rate (free spool) before you set the block/mags, if you are your ass backwards. Turn the brakes/mags off, then set your drop rate. This is old school....... . Then set your blocks, last your fine tuning the cast with the mags... You also need to check the balance of your system. Line rating, lure rating, all within the rods ratings Now if you think you know it all after 2+ yrs, then I guess what I know after 30 yrs (I get some of my best BLs when I think I know it all). I love novice anglers that cannot get the hang of a bait caster and ALWAYS blame the reel for their lack of practice or out of balance rod/reel systems.. Good luck to you & tight lines! OH practice, practice, practice, every day!

Berkley 100% isn't bad at all and can be purchased at Walmart. I love my sniper FC though. It's hard to best especially when they do buy 1 get 1 deals.

I have dealt with St. Croix a couple of times, I have no complaints. Received replacement rods, no questions asked. Upgraded on one. Deal I couldn't refuse.

Actually, for "feel" presentations (jigs,t-rigs...) the rod is a more critical component. For deep cranking you might make an argument for scewing the budget toward the reel. There is no "garbage" in the choices of reels in the $125> price range. You almost can't go wrong. Now if focus is put on the "for the money" part of the OP a Pro Qualifier on sale is really hard to beat. Pflueger, Revo S, and Citica (E or G) are good workman like reels as well and are good values, even more so in gently used condition.

I have had no problems with z-man chatterbaits but I haven't tried others to tell if they're better

People will disagree with me but I feel like $120 is about where you need to start to get a quality rod OR reel, not both. There are exceptions but not many. You will find more for your money on the used market.

Uncle Josh/Seizmic grass stalker. Does great in wood and vegetation. I lose so many jigs in rock and dont throw them there any more.