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As I sit here tonight, in the warm comfort of my man cave ( it's -5 outside with a - 25 wind chill) and a little bit of sippin whiskey left in my glass, I am starting to realize how little I know about bass fishing. I've only been on this hallowed website for three years. ( I'm retired ) Slowly, I have began to realize that the bass fishing I knew 20, even 10 years ago has gone way over my head. I have a 15 year old bass boat, a 10 year old truck and the last rod and reel I bought was the year I retired. My graphs are 10+ years old. I have spent the winter going through the many $1000's of dollars of tackle I have stupidly purchased of the years. 300+ cranks, 100+ spinnerbaits, 1000's of hooks and sinkers, God only knows how many lbs. of plastics and up until this year, every " new and improved" lure they thrust upon us. I read what all of my fellow BR members post and I realize that I just enjoy fishing and will continue to chuck my #200 Bandits, my Zoom u-tails, my Terminator spinnerbaits, Gitzit tubes, and Chugbugs. All of my BC reel are Shimano "greenys" over 10 years old and my spinning reels are Shimano Stradics that are the same age. They work as well as my 69 year old body does. I'm not done though, I'm leaving on March 18th for a 2+ week trip to Guntersville. I just can't keep up with all the "new and improved" I really did catch a bass one though.

LT frogs are my bread and butter for frogging. They can be worked in various ways. I will say that learning to walk a LT frog is a little bit more challenging than other frogs in the market today, but it can be done with lots of practice. I would not be too overly concerned if you can't walk it however. Popping them in thick to sparse cover is very effective and easier to do. Here are some tips i give to rookie froggers: 1. Don't be afraid to throw the frog into nasty cover. The frog can handle it. When a bass takes a frog, be sure the bass has the frog and set the hook hard. Let your rod work with you. I cannot emphasize this enough. 2. Be patient and methodical on your approach. Look for cover that has the highest probability of holding fish. 3. Take quick mental notes of what approach is illiciting strikes and stick to that game plan. 4. Lastly,make sure you are properly equipped. Make sure your rod and reel are up to the task. Frogging is a rough and tough technique. 5. Enjoy the experience. Once you get your first explosion you will be hooked forever. Good luck.

Ordered on Sunday from Japan and arrived today.

Arv, I will try to answer your question based on what you say you want. Not economics, not how many kids you have or how big your mortgage is....lol. So you want an NRX. Great choice. 893 or 894. Since you are leaning towards the light end of the weights, I would go with the 893 that you really want. It will handle those half ounce jigs just fine. I have the 3's and the 4's and I can tell you that there is not a dramatic difference. It's more of an either or situation. Get that NRX and ENJOY! Hootie

We call that shooting a rooster tail or doing the orangutan hang off the back of the boat I've been unfortunate enough to see it done once. My second tournament I ever fished, I was 16 and my boater was probably around 70 and came off kind of gruff. Despite that we had good conversation on the way to the lake (Table Rock), and I was excited for the day. I hadn't seen Table Rock since I was 5 and I was shocked how clear the water was. I don't think we caught a fish until noon. I started seeing fish on beds everywhere when we got back into a cut where it was calm. My boater didn't have the patience to fish for bedding fish and after I caught my second keeper he turned to me and asked if I knew how to run a trolling motor. Thinking he just wanted to take a leak or eat his lunch I told him I did, I shocked when he said "Well get up here and run it then. You have a chance to win this thing and I'll be lucky to catch a fish all day if this is how we have to fish, doesn't make any sense for both of us to do bad". So I walked to the front of this guys brand new 20' Ranger and proceeded to put enough fish in the boat to finish 4th that day. Ol' Mr. Wyatt was one of my favorite guys in the club after that day and was always very nice to me the whole time I fished with them.

I work in the fishing department at Cabela's for 5 years. I didn't like the company but enjoyed the work. Getting paid to BS with other fishermen and teach people about fishing all day was like second nature to me.

Wow ~ Hope you're OK A couple of pieces of advice for you. 1) while on the water definitely wear a life jacket. 2) while in your drive way, wear a flak jacket & a football helmet. A-Jay

I hit up the surplus store tonight on the way home from work. 2x6 sheet of pegboard and 10 hooks ran me $12. Cut it to size and screwed it to the side of my shelves. Got some plastics out of a milk crate on the floor. I needed to crate to make a lid for the crate I made for my kayak. Looks a little better this way too.

Ms American shad. I could put a turd on a hook with an ms american shad paint job on and catch fish

Just got these today.

Also, I agree that the likelihood of catching that fish again is very slim. I GUARANTEE that the chance of catching it again is ZERO if you kil it. I'd rather have some odds than none.

I don't know that I'd release it for anything other than the personal satisfaction of doing so. I figure a Northern LMB that has grown to 10+lbs deserves to live out the rest of her days where she started. She was kind enough to let me take her pic, I'd feel bad killing it.

This winter I've employed a new tactic. Ship everything fishing related to my work.

The three big fish that we caught and put in my neighbor's pond were uncatchable with hook and line. You could hand feed them live frogs, though.

Funny thing I can remember talking to a biologist that my buddy had hired to assess & shock three ponds down in south Georgia. We were talking about catch & release fishing as it related to pond fishing & fishing in general. He made the comment if we catch a double digit out of those ponds it would not hurt to keep it for a trophy mount. He further stated that the chances of catching that same fish again if released were practically nil. So his comment was don't release a trophy with the idea that it will be caught again because it probably will not happen. Keep in mind these were two to five acre farm ponds.

Me Too ~ as an Emergency Anchor Line or Ski Rope . . . . A-Jay

Just like working any Bass bait, on any given day, fast slow & even dead stick will work, so don't get all crazy with what retrieve to use. Simply moving the bait a few inches and then letting it sit for a few beats and then doing that again will get you bites almost every day & on every body of water. The frogs position in the environment & the fact that it looks like an easy meal is where the magic lies (notice I didn't say anything about color or type of retrieve). For me frog fishing is about patience - first to work the bait slowly and secondly (and Most Importantly) on the strike, regardless of the ferocity, one must wait just a tick before setting the hook to ensure the fish has the bait. Some like to wait to feel the bass's weight on the line and that works too, I just can't seem to wait quite that long. Good Luck A-Jay

I'll try and answer this for Dwight, because he has a lot of preparing to do for this upcoming Spring Smallmouth Extravaganza he is going to put a whoop down on. I have both the 853C JWR and the 843 MBR. The 843 MBR is a fast action rod (as opposed to the extra-fast action of the 853C JWR). This slightly slower action seems to open to door to techniques like crankbaits, jerkbaits, topwater and other treble hook style lures (as a side note, there are a lot of guys who like an extra-fast action rod for jerkbaits & topwater, but I am not one of them). Also, the action and power of the 843C MBR is just perfect for Spinnerbaits. As for the 853C JWR (and other in the JWR series), these are really geared towards jigs and plastics. That extra-fast action really allows for working those bottom contact baits and the little more stout blank of the 853C is good for pulling fish through any type of light cover. With that being said, if you fish plastics & jigs like 90% of the time, then I would be looking into the JWR line-up as it will fish other techniques. If you want just one rod to really handle a lot of situations, then the 843C MBR would be my choice. As a Disclaimer, NRX rods are very addicting and you may say you just want one, but you will never be able to limit yourself. You will feel the comfort and sensitivity of that 853C JWR or 843C MBR or whatever you choose and say, "Maybe I'll just get one NRX finesse set-up?" With that you'll get the NRX 852S JWR. Then you'll say, "You know, there is some heavy cover I really want to get that frog through or a punching rig in," and you'll end up with the NRX 895C JWR or NRX 916C UBR. Then you'll say, "I really want a NRX jerkbait rod," and realized they don't make one, so you go and buy a NRX 843C MBR and take it to a professional rodmaker to modify it to get the action you want. It's just a never ending sickness. I just want to warn you before you get into that "gateway" NRX rod. Good luck in your search.

Right now, I can't count how many different sized tackle bags I own, most of them picked up as close outs from Walmart, Cabelas, where ever. That isn't a bad size bag. And it is kind of on sale, which is a plus. Not being on sale is never a reason not to get something. The best rule of thumb is to get the size you want when you want it. If you can afford it - get it - or wait til you can. When I was fishing tournaments, I carried a couple of smallish day bags for tournament day/practice days, filled with stuff I was planning/ might use that day. One bag had hard baits, terminal tackle, spare reels and I was pretty careful where I put it in the boat, usually strapped to the back seat with several heavy duty velcro straps. The other bag carried soft plastics and stuff that didn't matter if it got stepped on and that got shoved up under the console. I found that carrying two bags minimized the time I spent looking for something compared to having all the stuff in one larger bag. I knew lots of guys who got by with one bag, but I couldn't bring myself to do that. In my fishing truck, I had two Cabelas Magnum sized fishing bags and before that a couple of larger sized gym bags. This carried all of the back up tackle that I thought I might use or need to restock between fishing days. Another option for back up tackle storage is the soft sided airline carry on bags, which go on sale at Walmart for around $10 or so a couple of times per year. These stack better in the fishing truck, compared to the Cabelas Magnm bags. No matter which of these soft sided bags you use, when you first get them, it is a good idea to use skotchguard inside and out and then give it time to air out. They will be a little more water repellant and stain resistant after the treatment. Hope this helps.

I did that pairing twice - on the 893C and on a 852C - it's an attractive color combo. These photos of the 893C are actually older file photos. The 893C now has a Met XG on it...

Powerball didn't hit.

Not....Yet. The struggle is real.

Well I will go against the grain taking into consideration what you want to do with the your potential NRX. I would recommend the 803, now granted it is a 6'8" rod but it will handle your needs with no problems. In fact I even find myself using the 802 more and more over the 803 when fishing within your needs.....This little sucker was caught on a weightless senko using the 802 with plenty of backbone to get it landed.......

I have the 893C adn am a huge T-Rig fan and use it for that as well as 1/4 & primarily 3/8oz jigs. I haven't throw 1/2oz so I can't comment on that, but to me that might be pushing the upper range. I got it later in the season last year so I haven't had too much time with it but it's a heck of a stick. I don't mind/notice the extra length but it is something to consider. I've also used it for weightless senkos and Ikas and it preformed great. I can't speak on flukes/soft jerks but see no problems. Mine is paired with a Core 50 and it is a sweet combo. The rod really is on another level and whatever one you choose I know you will be happy. Matt

WOW, that'll get Tinberg juicy!

I fish both the 853 and 894, Personally although the 893 gets talked up more I dont care for the extra length. I pitch jigs in boat stalls and and around lifts a lot and I find the 7ft.5 cumbersome and I just like the way the 7ft 1 handles. Really depends on how and where you fish. The 3 power works fine for 1/2oz and a trailer but thats as heavy as I would go. I've always found the 3 power to be quicker than the 4 in general. If you want to throw senkos and flukes I would stay with the 3 power... Give the guys at American Legacy a call and see what they can do for you...

Well I finally got my boat back from getting a bit of routine maintenance done and a hot foot installed and had a chance to get it out for the first real fishing trip on Friday. I think Lake was a little disappointed when he found out he couldn't go. I met Sam (G_money) on the way to the lake and we were the first boat on the water, man was it cold! I forgot my full fingered gloves and my fingertips were so cold after about 10 minutes I could barely stand it. It started out a bit slow but thankfully the fish started to play a little bit to help keep our minds off the cold. The official first fish in the new boat I was having issues hooking up with a jerkbait for some reason. Fish were getting it good it appeared like but were still pulling off. I got a couple on it though, a custom painted bait by our own Doc-Drew! I was also trying out a new color bladed jig, which the fish seemed to approve of, including the biggest smallie of the day and probably my biggest smallmouth on one of my bladed jigs. The fish seemed to be more on the shallow, clay bank side than the rocky side for some reason. I'm guessing it was the wind blowing into it though. Sam never asked me to take a picture of his fish so I got one of my fish with him fighting a fish in the background. Several other boats on the water, but other than 2 little white bass, we were the only boat either of us saw catch any fish. Felt really good to finally get some slime in the boat

Jeeez #60 for bass fishing? Where's the fun in that? Haha! All my bass rigs are with #20 or less. If you work em right you can catch almost any bass on 10lb braided with a 20lb leader. Y'all just want to haul them right in, half the fun is the fight.

When you get the hang of it, pinpoint accuracy at 30 ft is no problem with a fluid motion in the wrist. Longer rods help.

Everything I use is a clear water lure, that is where I fish! Tom

Why is there an expiration date on sour cream? ------------------------------------------------------------- Shouldn’t hemorrhoids be called asteroids? --------------------------------------------------------- One nice thing about egotists, they never talk about other people -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is there another word for “synonym”? ------------------------------------------------- Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I asked the woman at the bookstore: “Where is the ‘Self-Help' section?” She replied, “If I told you, wouldn't that defeat the purpose?”. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What was the best thing before sliced bread? ----------------------------------------------------------- Roger

Most of them are either sinkers or floaters.

When I first started to fish in Canada the locals used the term reef to discribe shallow underwater rock structures that could damage your prop. Some reefs had bouy markers and you need to know what side of the marker the reef is located. If the "reef" was deeper than a few feet it was no longer considered a reef. Local definitions of terms differ, a reef can be a shoal, bar, rock pile or solid structure that raises above the bottom. Rogers definition is good. Tom

Three sisters age 92, 94 and 96 live in a house together. One night the 96 year old ...draws a bath, puts her foot in and pauses. She yells down the stairs, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?" The 94 year old yells back, "I don't know, I'll come up and see." She starts up the stairs and pauses, then she yells, "Was I going up the stairs or coming down?" The 92 year old was sitting at the kitchen table having tea listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get that forgetful." She knocks on wood for good measure. She then yells, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."

It is tackle. You don't buy reels at bed bath and beyond.

To heck with the pros, we need to wear warm clothing just attending the event.

Got It Sam, thanks! I'll be sending mine also. It'll be great to meet you!

If you mean a carbon or texalium tube then no don't fill it with epoxy it will weigh a ton. 3-4 on a 10" will hold fine. By arbor less reel seat do you mean exposed blank seat like acsm? You'll need an arbor/shim between the seat and tube.

That's all I was interested in was a cross patern

I can't imagine using a line that I felt like I had to change after every tournament.

60 percent

Yeah ill give it a try. Just was wondering. And to see what everyone else used or prefered. Thanks for the tips great help

I use 50# Braid (12# equiv). It's way too much strength, but I like how that size handles.

What? Wow, I don't think that is necessary at all, even if you are sponsored. Back to the OP, Why not ask or look through a few pages in this section before buying an "unknown"? There are a lot of good, better and great fluorocarbon lines and I don't know that your choice is one of them. I have never heard the line mentioned or recommended.

Absolutely,.... better color, better scale formation, a more distinct lateral line. I couldn't list all the benefits of fishing with a Loomis rod. Hootie

when i was much younger, i lucked up on what was considered the holy grail of fishing tackle at the time - a boron rod at a ridiculously low price at a store that was about to go out of business. to this day, i was more giddy over that purchase than i ever have been over any other expenditure on fishing tackle. and why not? i got a rolls royce for the price of a bicycle. boron rods were the "members only" jackets of the fishing world. and man o man did that rod ever catch fish. very quickly i became convinced that there were magical powers contained within that lightweight super sensitive boron awesomeness. sometimes i wondered if the rod was even crafted by human hands at all. perhaps it was left here by aliens who were watching from afar, conducting a bizarre experiment to see how a bumbling human would react to their advanced technology. in retrospect, i wonder if it could have shot lasers or somehow teleported fish out of the water into my waiting hands if i had only been smart enough to figure out how to harness its full potential. i cherished that rod like it was my only child, even down to polishing my fingerprints off of it after every outing. and i never, EVER let anyone else touch it. it was only natural for me to begin wondering if its powers extended beyond fishing. one day i decided to find out. i had met a girl that i was crazy about. and the kicker was that she actually liked to fish. i decided that she was the only human on the planet worthy of sharing a trip that included my precious magic fishing wand. this was the perfect storm. the girl of my dreams and the rod of my dreams on the same fishing trip. perhaps the rod's powers and luck would extend beyond the realm of fishing. initially, that hot summer day's trip exceeded all expectations with big fish after big fish reeled in, admired, and released. in my delirium, i proceeded to do the unthinkable. i handed her the rod to reel in a fish. biggest fish she had ever caught she said. she offered to go to the store to buy us a couple of cold beverages to celebrate. i wouldn't hear of her buying me a drink. "hold on, i got it, let me give you some money," i said. i laid down the rod and walked to the car, wallet in hand. "be back in a minute", she said with a smile that just made me melt. she turned the car around and headed for the store. too late, i saw it happening like it was in slow motion. she ran right over my precious boron rod!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! i screamed in a pathetic wail that was probably heard in the next county. not knowing what in the world she had done, and probably more than a little freaked out herself to hear a grown man scream like that, she slammed the car in reverse and headed back towards me at the speed of sound trying to figure out what the commotion was about - BACKING RIGHT OVER MY BORON ROD A SECOND TIME!!! i just fell to the ground beside the shattered rod and shattered dreams lamenting this horrible, sadistic twist of fate. why couldn't she just have run over me instead? it was over. it was all over. the mojo was gone. i just knew i would never catch another fish again. i have never felt such rage and betrayal. this woman deserved a fate worse than death. there was no choice. she HAD to be punished for committing this unspeakable act. so i married her. she has been paying for that rod for the last 25 years. and neither one of us could be happier about it.

Add in the Mardi Gras color to the flukes and Plum Apple to the worms. A big ribbon tail worm on a Carolina Rig or texas rigged is doing well. Put a green pumpkin or black/blue trailer like a craw on the jig. Throw a 1/4 ounce swim jig slow around the grass lines and reeds and a heavier jig or senko near them as well. Black and blue Mega daddy craw or River Bug is doing good for the ones that want some bulk. Not sure about guides for artificial

Padding the post count to get there numbers up. See, I have over 7500 posts. To the new untrained BR member, I look like I know what I'm talking about....

yeah, I don't see why it matters. texas or weightless Texas. Seems like Franco is just being anal (no offense)

The SK bait shined early season for me. By using a slower reel (cranking) I was able to work the bait at a speed that was good for me & the bass. A-Jay