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I think each side gets worked up by the "extremist" in each side. I love to trick out my reels, buy expensive rods and have good equipment. I don't have a boat yet, but hope to one day. I feel that the better stuff helps me because I don't consider myself to be that good of an angler. Therefore, the better rods allow me, the less experienced angler to detect things that a MORE experienced angler would probably feel or notice even with cheaper stuff. As I have stated multiple times, there are guys here who could outfish me 20:1 with an ugly stick, mono and a zebco reel against my daiwas and dx's. What gets guys like me (Those who like expensive stuff) angry is when people speak as if buying expensive gear is a fools errand and a waste of money. That rods over $150 are a scam and catch fisherman yadda yadda yadda. If you don't believe in spending alot of money on a rod or reel, that's fine. However, don't bash those that do as either snobs or fools for how they spend their money. I don't have a wife or kids, I work hard and choose to put my money into gear as opposed to hunting, cars or any other number of hobbies I read about people here. On the reverse side, those who spend less get angry when they feel they are looked down upon by tackle snobs. There is a certain forum where this is entirely apparent. Terms like "refined", "smooth" and "crisp" get thrown around when speaking of high end rods/reels but not with moderately priced gear. I can see why this would get people upset especially when they are good anglers lol. It also is wrong to imply that only those who use high end gear can catch fish. Maybe it's because I have used a wide variety of brands and price-points, I find it very hard to bash anyone as I have been there at one point. On one hand I can appreciate the guys who spend a ton on gear I could only dream of having. On the other hand, I can appreciate guys who can catch fish with anything they use. In my mind, it is only when one side bashes the other that I get annoyed as I feel it is entirely unnecessary. Last comment, conflict also seems to arise from two differing points of view on fishing. One group views catching fish to be the only goal. Lines such as "the goal is to catch fish, bottom line" etc are what I mean. This comes off like a tournament mentality to me, which is fine. Catch fish using whatever you can in any way you can. The other view seems to be the joy of fishing both in the ACT and catching. Namely, the feeling of using a great rod, great reel, great line and the experience associated with it as well as catching fish.

So I just found out that for High School bass fishing the teams that place 1st and 2nd from each state go to the national championships in Tennessee (4 day event) ! This year we came in 3rd place in the qualifier for the championships and we had a bad day in the championships besides my PB smallie at 3.48lbs and came in 6th out of 11 teams in the championship which was pretty dissapointing. So the teams who finshed 1st and 2nd will be in TN for nationals this July, I know our team can win this! We need to look at this one tourney at a time, we need to qualify for the state championship, and then finish top two there... To be honest if we got dead last in nationals I wouldn't really mind, not saying we wouldn't be able to do good down there but the experience who be incredible! The winning team gets quite a bit of prizes from the BASS sponsors and scholorships from Bethel Universtity and even BASS. And one angler from the winning team gets a spot on the Bethel University Bass Fishing Team. I'm SO SO SO determined to make it to nationals! We have our captain from last year for the qualifier and Shane may captain us for the championship, I know we can do this! Fly Fisherman, our two other friends on the team and I are really gonna dig down!

Its not the $100K rig, its the ignorant owner/operator that stares down his nose at me as he flies full throttle square at me just about swamping me in my 12ft yak. Then goes about telling me I'm keeping him from his livelihood and that his snowbird butt is more deserving to fish the waters I've been fishing for the last 52 years. Its not the dirt poor bucket sitting hungry fisherman with the cane pole, it's his buddy sitting next to him who makes no effort to pick up his trash. Don't you see its not whats in your wallet, its whats in your heart that makes us hate you. (not necessarily directed to the o.p.)

Justin Bieber. Use him as an anchor!

I was looking for a topwater rod for awhile that could cast small skitter pops and also handle larger topwater like spooks and chug bugs. Many, many people on here recommended the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" MF. As some of you know, i pulled the trigger and ordered one. Last week I purchased a Revo-S to match with this casting rod. Today I was finally able to at least just cast this rod and see what it can do. WOW, I am more happier than I thought i was going to be, this rod slings that small skitter pop further than i thought and the revo that i matched it up with worked out perfect! I then tested out the spook jr and that casted a mile! I was pretty much casting that small skitter pop as far as i would have with a spinning rod. Im am absolutely happy with this combo and truly feel this IS the perfect topwater rod for me. And the balance with the Revo s is ridiculous, i could comfortably cast one handed and still get distance. Thank you all again for steering me to the Fenwick, although I have only tested the casting ability today with this rod, I can already feel how great this will treat me this year. Maybe by the end of season i can do a full review if I remember lol!! Thank you guys!

I've been around a while and I have never seen a post where someone was getting bashed for fishing with inexpensive setups, out of a tin boat or no boat, having no electronics or anything of that nature. On the flip side, if someone has a $100k rig, with power poles and side imaging, prefers $400 setups over $50 setups, or chooses to fish with $80 swim baits, then they appear to be open game for criticism. It is a bit of a double standard if you ask me.

Bass are the greatest fish - you can catch them with a cane pole or a $1000 japanese rod - a piece of bacon rind or $500 swim bait - they are so much fun who cares who has what - they've enabled me to make a simple living and have a huge amount of fun showing other folks how much fun they can be for anyone at any age at any income level. If you're enjoying the sport you're doing it right. If you can afford good stuff and a good boat take some one out who can't - take a kid, a vet - an old fart - share the sport - share the enthusiasm - have fun, go bass fishing - who has what is immaterial.

<-- TW fanboy

Jeff forgot the most important picture of the trip. Who's got 2 thumbs and is the 2014 Lake Baccarac Angler of the Week? This guy!

It bugs the crap out of me that people who graduated high school, and who claim to be gainfully employable, can fail to comprehend St Croixs warranty. What do you want them to do? You want the CEO of the company to personally build you a new one and hand deliver it? Do you want them to take an ad out in the local newspaper saying how sorry they are to have committed such an injustice to you? God almighty..... Give me a break. Is it the best warranty in the business.... Probably not, but it's one of the better ones. I don't know what is so hard about sending a broken rod in, and paying for the shipping on a new one..... But I guess some people like to complain.

Keep your dreams big NEjitterbugger. When I was younger I qualified as a non-boater to fish the regional federation fish off for B.A.S.S for a spot on the Classic. our state(Maine) finished 4th I contributed 2 bass for weight on what was considered the toughest fishing they ever had on the CT river (up to 10 inches of rain fell the week before) add to it being tidal and striped bass it was interesting. One week of fishing with the best 12 other states had and the fact everything was paid for made it memorable. I retired tournament fishing when my son was born but I still cherish my patch and memories. So remember the sky is the limit!

Nice Job ~ I went the other way . . . . . A-Jay

I’m a little late to the party here. Besides good times & great memories, I came home with a nice Mexican Head Cold that knocked me for a loop. Being mostly recovered, I’ll add my two cents worth. The March trip is always a bit of a crap shoot. Hoping for pre-spawn fatties was the plan. With a good majority of the bass population smack dab in the middle of the spawn, made for challenging fishing and a good show. Seeing so many true giants up shallow was both exciting & a bit frustrating. Still the 10 Amigos managed to take care of business and catch several Big Bass. I didn’t count/document each and every fish caught and some days were a little better than others. The catches were often in bunches as we would get on a certain bite for a while and then have to move on to something else. The 4 to 6 pound bass were eager, abundant and super charged. The afternoons seem a little better than the morning for Dwight and I, although some of the other guys found the reverse to be true. Flukes, senkos, top water baits, spinner baits, square bill crank baits and scroungers all took quality bass. My biggest two fish (a 7lb and a 10.3 lb fish) came on a 1 oz spinners bait deep and a jig and senko trailer off a steep bank. Along with the double digit bass, the high light of the trip for me was the opportunity to fish with a bona fide Mexican fishing guide Legend, Sixto. The man is clearly at the top of the game and someone I’ll never forget. Loaded with positive energy and always eager to show you how & what to do, Sixto is the eternal optimist. His reputation precedes him as he has guided several of the world’s best bass anglers. Our days in the boat were a combination of learning from a master, listening to stories of fantastic catches and making some of our own. It’s hard to ask for anything more. A-Jay

You could always throw down an anchor and crank up the tunes/go for a dip too haha

An old friend use to tell me all of the time, Get in where you fit in. I have been repeating this phrase for years. Every hobby out there has different levels from beginner to enthusiast, get in where you fit in. Fishing is about enjoyment if you can enjoy fishing on the cheap then do it, if it takes top end equipment to bring out the enjoyment, then do it. Cheap and expensive are subjective terms at best anyway.

And my other big fish for the week...

My entire hand is on the other, (tip end) of the trigger with my pinky resting against the trigger and the reel in the palm of my hand. I like to be in constant contact with the line, the whole set up balances better and it just feels natural. I couldn't hold the rod by the handle if I wanted to, it feels weird and it kind of looks weird when other people do it.

Yes! A 35 pound 8 ounce largemouth bass was caught at the back of the Barge Pit off the Historic James River today by Sayman R. Ukidden of Dry Prong, Virginia. Ukidden caught the monster today, April 1st, on a pink Banjo Minnow and a Shakespeare Ultra Light Ugly Stick using a special two pound mono from India. "I almost fell off the bank when he hit my Banjo Minnow," Ukidden reported. I thought I had another catfish or bowfin or Manatee. Oops. Not supposed to catch those Manatee's but they sure bar-b-q nice for a big party." The large bass caused Ukidden to have both a hernia and hemorrhoids when he pulled the giant fish out of the water. He had to go to the Hopewell hospital emergency room for treatment. "The hernia is OK. Had fun with the nurses checking me out. But those hemorrhoids are a bother. They hang out in my draws and it is difficult to sit down or ware my Speedo when I go fishing," Ukidden reported. Local Virginia conservation officers are now afraid that there will be a big raid on the Wal-Mart and Ollie's stores for Banjo Minnows and have called out the Virginia State Police to help with crowd control with all the Virginia bubbas heading to those two stores to get their Banjos. Just another day on the Historic James River this April 1st.

Simply put we had a great time. Fishing was a little slower than previous trips, but everyone caught fish every day, including new PB's and several fish in every category from 7lbs up to 10lbs. The biggest was caught by AnDDy at 10.3lbs. He is on a roll. He is now the only angler to DD every trip down, as I was unable to get it done this trip. So I am now 3 for 4, with my biggest this trip being 9lbs 5 oz. Everyone knows how well I keep up with numbers,so here are mine, and they are about average of what everyone else did. 164 Bass in 6 days of fishing with the biggest 9lb 5oz on a popper. That is an average of 27+ bass a day. I am sure everyone will share their stories here, so I will save you mine and just get on with the photos! Dwight: A-Jay: Topwaterspook: Chris at Tech: 00 Mod: Paul: And still to come - Dinky, Long Mike, Scott, Davis

WOW!

Dude, you're getting old. The old double zero dude would say that is blasphemous.

Your question may have received more/better responses had you not added part of the question which seems a bit ignorant overall to gun violence in general in the US. See throwing a blanket statement over a whole country usually means you are just trying to stir the pot not get factual information. I say (and never in lowercase) America is full of all kinds of folks from of the the most generous to some of the worst wastes of oxygen on the planet. I would also rarely go to a website dominated with folks form another country and ask questions that makes me look like Im speaking poorly of that country. Questioning the freedoms that helped us create this great country usually doesn't go over very well in most groups of Patriotic folks.

I enjoy baitcasters much more, and I feel I can cast further and more accurately with them. Baitcasting when I can, spinning when I must. If I could efficiently use a baitcaster for everything, I wouldn't own a spinning reel. But I can't, so spinning is pretty much relegated to light lures, dock skipping, and some deep vertical presentations. I feel it comes down to using what you enjoy, and using the right tool for the job.

I am a gearhead.. I love gear and gadgets and buttons with lights. but I have just as much fun, if not more with a bucket of crickets and an ultralight push button rig. so I agree with Red Earth and I would ask others, if the gear puts the fun in it, then why do you fish?

No wonder all of Jeff's fish look so darn big!!!

I’m a little late to the party here. Besides good times & great memories, I came home with a nice Mexican Head Cold that knocked me for a loop. Being mostly recovered, I’ll add my two cents worth. The March trip is always a bit of a crap shoot. Hoping for pre-spawn fatties was the plan. With a good majority of the bass population smack dab in the middle of the spawn, made for challenging fishing and a good show. Seeing so many true giants up shallow was both exciting & a bit frustrating. Still the 10 Amigos managed to take care of business and catch several Big Bass. I didn’t count/document each and every fish caught and some days were a little better than others. The catches were often in bunches as we would get on a certain bite for a while and then have to move on to something else. The 4 to 6 pound bass were eager, abundant and super charged. The afternoons seem a little better than the morning for Dwight and I, although some of the other guys found the reverse to be true. Flukes, senkos, top water baits, spinner baits, square bill crank baits and scroungers all took quality bass. My biggest two fish (a 7lb and a 10.3 lb fish) came on a 1 oz spinners bait deep and a jig and senko trailer off a steep bank. Along with the double digit bass, the high light of the trip for me was the opportunity to fish with a bona fide Mexican fishing guide Legend, Sixto. The man is clearly at the top of the game and someone I’ll never forget. Loaded with positive energy and always eager to show you how & what to do, Sixto is the eternal optimist. His reputation precedes him as he has guided several of the world’s best bass anglers. Our days in the boat were a combination of learning from a master, listening to stories of fantastic catches and making some of our own. It’s hard to ask for anything more. A-Jay

I can dig both major points here, the hostility toward one another seems like a waste of time.

There is no vs. They're different tools for different jobs. Each shines in certain situations and there is a good amount of overlap. You can get by with all one or the other. Being proficient with both helps fine tune presentations and enhances the overall fishing experience IMO. I also use fly and center-pin tackle for largely the same reason.

I hear ya. I have that happen occasionally, and I always just let them have the spot. The lake is too big and life is to short to let someone ruin my day. But believe me, I feel your pain....lol. Hootie

The same can be done with a spinning reel. A good caster can be just as accurate with a spinning reel. You just feather the spool to slow it down. I've caught 20lb catfish regularly on a 2500 sized spinner. There's no lack of power. I use both and enjoy both. I keep my spinning reels for windy days mostly. No fear of backlash at all. Don't know about the twist stuff, haven't had a wind knot in years; since I've started using better equipment.

I have always stuck up for the little guy who can't afford the expensive toys because...... Well.... I am one of those guys. Any time I speak up on this subject, it's just to say that you can be very successful with modest equipment if you know what you're doing. Also... No ill will towards guys with more than me.... You can bet your backside, that if I had the means, there would be a $70,000 ranger in my driveway, but I don't, so there's no sense in worrying about it. The way I look at it is, you win the bank account game, I'll win on the water.

I'm happy and I don't need to make excuses or apologize. Hootie

Here's a current example... http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/134254-interesting-observation/ This one will keep you busy for a while... http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130067-what-makes-a-reel-worth-600-dollars-i-speak-of-the-diawa-steez/page-1?hl

There is no such thing as a "starter" bait casting reel. There are different levels of quality. For your first bait caster, buy the best one that you can afford. If you go cheap now, you will have to upgrade later. Right now, Curado G's are being phased out and can be had for around $100. Some Shimano guys would argue that the G series was a reduction in quality compared to the E and D series Curado. And in some ways they have a point. The other side of that argument is that the G series is still a Shimano and it is several steps above a "starter" reed and right now it is available for around $100 give or take. If you are looking for the best value right now, that is the way I'd go.

Great group shot and a lifetime memory (awesome backdrop too). Roger

Bragging on how much of a deal I get on something is what makes me tick I buy good gear, not the very best, but choose that gear because it's the minimum level I need to handle what I put it through. It has nothing to do with one-upping anybody, never has. Not to mention, I refuse to pay full price for anything (unless it's discontinued or very rare) and buy bulk as often as I can. I'm a private person and don't flaunt my stuff, whether the stuff is good or bad, but I've never been jealous of anybody either. Work, save your money, and buy good gear if you're jealous. Better yet, don't get jealous because it's just some metal and plastic anyways. I'm jealous of you guys who have your dads to fish with. Now that's something worthy of jealousy! FL

Especially next to the 6'5" gringo!

Whoever thought it was a good idea to put the shortest guy in the "v" of the picture with no shoes on is stupid! Just sayin! Jeff

Group Pic: Anddy, Paul, Stitch, Dwight, Davis, Me, Dinky, Long Mike,Chris and Scott

How I imagine the guy with the $100k rig feels when people make fun of him...

Yes it was..

I guess I've never seen any of either on these threads. Looks to me like it's an effort to start a class war over bass fishing. Pretty dumb.

Old boatswain mates never smile!

It´s all about braggin´, one group loves to brag about how cheap they can go and the other loves to brag about how expensive they can go.

Good job guys. Andy if I caught a DD bass, I would smile in the photo

I called in sick this morning around 5. Then had already arranged for ALL of the guys that I supervise, (11) call in sick around 530-545. Boss man was going nuts. We were all sitting up the street getting coffee waiting... Boss man was calling me asking if there's anyway u can make it. Callin them...asking the same... Calling me asking if my guys had a party or something ... He never even realized the date. We all walked in around 605am... He was not happy.

Wow, I can not thank everyone enough for all the kind words. We truly appreciate it.

That list is an absolute joke. Basically, except Erie, no lake above the Mason-Dixon Line should be on it. Certainly nothing in NH! Haha! Yeah, like I'd rather fish Winni over O.H.Ivie, Tx, which isn't even on the list! The real list would hurt too many people's feelings, so it's not an accurate list at all.

My friend is actually writing a paper for English class about this topic, whether it is ethically correct or not. I know it's not the way I wanna see the record get broken...

this may be crazy but I actually catch a few on frogs... I don't fish on top in water that cold but every one and then in the warmest pockets on the lake I can find a fish or two back in thick weeds and if I fish a white frog super slow I can get them to blow up on them... I actually caught a 5 pounder in the very back pocket in 49 degree water last spring in a tournament. while every one was jerkbaiting and throwing a rigs on main river I was running the backs of super warm pockets, caught my limit and won.