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mhilgtx, I found your original post very interesting. I enjoy looking at the transition in fishing tackle from then until now. I doubt if more than a few of the old timers on here have a bigger collection of old, and antique fishing gear then I do. The improvement in technology, in reels is awesome. Rods are spectacular. If you doubt that, pick up one of my old “whippy” steel rods of the 40’s, then pick up my NRX. Garbage?.... “I don’t think so Al.” How about the old “handle spinning, knuckle buster” reels. This is what I fished with as a kid and it worked. Would I want to go back? A resounding...NO!! I love experimenting with the new stuff. I fish, primarily Loomis and Shimano. Yeah, I guess I’m a “Shimano fan boy”. I have also used St.Croix, Falcon, Berkley, BPS, Duckett, and yes, SenkoGuru, “them ol’ Dobyns.”...lol. Reels?...Heddon, Southbend, Langley, Pflueger, Abu Garcia Ambassadeurs, the list goes on and on. The fact that someone would make such a blanket cover all statement calling everything else garbage is absurd. It’s all good, and an enormous lot of fun. If you enjoy, and prefer what you use over what I use, that’s great. But why knock everything that everyone else is using. As we used to say “WHAT’S IT TO YA!” Hootie

What an active day today for the fish. I hit up one of my holes and threw swimbaits, swimjigs and weedless worms. Water temp was 52 and they were not sluggish. There are alot of areas I never fished on this body of water and today I hit some new spots and found some fish I didn't know were in here. Yellow perch and loads of crappie. They both were nailing the swimbait like crazy. Ended up catching atleast 25 bass, about 10 crappie, 1 yellow perch that got off and 5 pesky pickerel that bit off a few of my lures. Still no sign of the 5+ lbers.The biggest were around 3lbs. Not sure if they would be in the area where the crappie are plentiful or somewhere else. A dozen or so fish including all species got off as soon as they hit the swimbait. I hope it stays this good or even better right before spawn. My left thumb is abused lol. I think he wanted it. I'll take this in March in Delaware.

I don't like to admit it, but stupid people scare me. Hootie

The prespawn has taken some time to arrive, and lakes have only recently iced out. Got my first fish on a spro aruku shad in perch just burning it under the surface. Felt so good to have a New York bass on my line again. I also caught a yellow perch on, ironically, a yellow perch rapala jerkbait... how funny.... and even the front hook was in his mouth haha More fish will be coming soon for sure!!

I don't understand the defensiveness from some older anglers. Nobody is arguing that older equipment doesn't work or hasn't caught fish. Not one person has made that statement. Abus, calcuttas, bantams and the orginal Lew's have a massive following for a reason, they work and continue to work. Nobody is arguing that shorter and older rods don't catch fish because they did and continue to. What people are arguing is that a blanket statement saying new gear is junk is wrong. Supporting newer gear does not automatically mean we all think old gear is ineffective or junk. Saying modern reels are smoother doesn't mean older reels aren't tanks. Saying newer rods are lighter and there is a greater availability DOES NOT mean you cannot or didn't catch fish on older rods.

Vision 110s aren't suspending baits, they are slow rising, and most suspending bait really are slow rising or sinking but the test I use is different. I call a bait suspending it is stays at least 1/2 the diving depth at 2 minutes, the Vision 110 will float to the surface in less than 1 minute. A bucket with cold water is not a very good test, the first problem with it is there isn't line attached, the next problem is you are only putting the bait in 1' of water or less, and then there is the temperature, you need a thermometer and even that way doesn't tell the story. I'll give you an example, we wanted to see how well the test worked on a bait that I know for a fact suspended so we took my Super Rogue Jr to my buddys place and I tied it on and made a cast to his pond, I reeled for 5 cranks and gave 2 jerks and counted, it took 4 minutes and 39 seconds for it to hit the surface of the water. We took the Rogue inside and filled the fish tank with water and ice until we got it to 44 degrees, the temperature of his pond, we put the Rogue in and it floated up in about 20 seconds, and after seeing that I don't believe in testing out suspending baits in buckets of fish tanks, I just don't think they are anywhere near accurate.

That's a shame. Bet you can't wait to fish it. Maybe the guys in customs are test driving it for you...lol. Hootie

WoW, A thread may get locked that I was not a part of.....I can't have that so I will just say....um,......Hi. EDIT...................Dobyn's still suck's.

I've got a whole box full of XCS's and another box full of XR50's and XRK50's. I'll sell every single one of them if I can get $10-$15 a piece. They are great baits but c'mon.

. Goose your intruding into my space. I had him down for a Calais DC , Conquest 100 & Conquest 50.

Andy - I'm starting to loose track...but I think this would be the 4th entry in my will for you, after the Morrum, Conquest 100, and Calcutta TE-100GT

Finally!!!! After a couple of months of cabin fever and sick of watching DVR'd fishing shows, I finally got out on the water. Went out with my dad last Saturday to fish the strip pits - surface temps were below 50°F. Fished 3/8oz. jig & craws and it was painfully slow, not that I expected it to be on fire seeing how the ice had only been off about a week at most. Did manage to stick this 4lb 5oz later in the day. It hit on the initial fall, as most of these fish typically do. I believe the air temps were in the upper 50's last Saturday and I'm planning on going back to the same pit today - highs aren't supposed to get over 40 today, so we'll see if the insulated bibs still fit and if Mrs. Fatbottom is in a mood to tangle with Mr. Jigncraw or not..... Pics:

What happened to your lil feller?

On my annual trip down to FL my Dad and I got out to do some fishing and well things went pretty well for him!!! 9lb 5oz big o girl. For those curious it came from Lake Kissimmee in Jacks Slough area. She was released healthy and lively after a quick photo shoot!

Says the guy buying brand new gear from Japan and upgrading all his old reels with brand new components. Give me a freaking break. Nobody said the old gear wasn't good. All of us older than about 20 have fond memories of the gear we grew up using and still use today. But to say that the old stuff is better than the new stuff and the new stuff is "garbage" is plain silly. Gotta have something to complain about though, right?

No one is arguing against effectiveness of the old tackle. I am so surprised how 0119 got so defensive. You have to expect to take some shots, if you make such a blanket statement saying most of people's gear here are crap.

Finally had a chance to get out this morning. Started off at Black Hills but was way more stained than I prefer so went in search for some cleaner water. Ended up at Baker Park, and despite the cold front, managed 2. First went 3 and the second went 4-8. My drought is finally over!

And while this is going on. We are ignoring the real "reel" tragedy. My Conquest 400 has been stuck in customs for week

Guys I just have to say how pleased I am with Hawg Tech! They were great from answer all my questions, to ordering, fast shipping and a superior product! This was my first order from them, and wow what a shock, I was not expecting there bearings to really perform like the video.... But what's craz is one of my reels out performed there reel, and it was a reel of 1/2 the price! Tell me how sick is that! I have been playing and have noticed less backlashes as the reel is smoother. I am kinda new, only been using baitcasters about 2 years, and I will say I am no KVD! Most days are off days.. Lol but it seems things are gonna be looking up now! Thanks Hawgtech! Thanks Bass Resource for all the info! Thanks to all the folks on here the post! God Bless!

Check out ollies for $2.00 zoom baits.

Interesting post and opinions offered. Here is what I think: With so much competition and money on the line in the tournaments each rod and reel manufacturer wants their best products on the market. The big companies have put millions into their Research and Development and are trying to produce the best products that they can with no "planned obsolescence" needed for many years. To achieve this goal new materials are being used to replace the old metal gears and rod guides. In fact, selecting rod guides can drive you nuts with all of the new materials out there. What was simple when mhigtx and I grew up is no longer simple. In fact, with all of the engineering going into today's rods and reels you have to do research to figure out what was best. Ah yes, the good old days. When selecting fishing and sporting goods was simple. Basic products from a few manufacturers along with Sears offering their own brand for just about everything. OK, so Sears is a little older than mhigtx but look at an old Sears catalog and you can see what I mean.

LOL ~ You guys are The Best - And Just for the record - your book keeping is Perfect ! A-Jay

Sounds like Andy is trying to double dip............... ..............................................................................smart man !

Uh, Frostbite? Lol...

And the countdown begins. People disagreed with you just like you disagreed with them. To call us defensive because of a disagreement is to me a truer act of defensiveness. The OP provided an opinion with reasons for his points. Your response came off merely as retaliatory. To then use military service as a "get out of jail free" card comes off as holier than thou. If anything, you should understand that you served to protect the ability to have very disagreement which you are now bashing others for. Rant over.

And least two of those Long Runs have REALLY Paid Off ~ ! So Thank You. A-Jay

That color theory has caused me great financial distress. I almost always have to have duplicates of certain colors in hardbaits.

Took some time off from chasing those dam eyes and went after some hogs

Quantum fans are Quantum fans. Those of us who fish them love them, those that don't bad mouth them and tell us to buy other brands. I fish many of the PT reels (Accurist, Kinetic, Smoke 150's, EXO, TourMG) all of which I still fish even though I've moved to the 13 Concepts, none of the Quantum's have EVER have given me an issue with line getting caught between the spool and the frame and that says a lot since all are filled with 20-40lb braid. Cheaper reels will eat line, (sub $40) including Quantum reels that you buy on that combo for $50 when you don't know any better. But quality reels the only way you are going to get line between the spool and the frame is if you have your spool tension knob loose causing spool slop which will let line get between. This would not be the fault of the reel, but the fault of the USER.

Just gotta say, wish I have a good friend like you! That's really great that you doing that for them. Best wishes for your friend and hope ya'll bring in a lot of money for them.

Those fish are fairly dark, better record those results!

Better pic.

How many more Jackall rods before you're single?

That's a pretty general statement and even might be true comparing ten years ago. I doubt it though, but hey maybe you like the way paint used to fall off our trucks before robots started painting them with electrostatic charged particles that leave almost zero orange peel effect too. Heck 30 years ago the understanding of how light the formulation of these modern day resigns (sp) was almost non existent. Go check out some of the stuff they are doing with carbon fiber in F1 or the fact that we have street cars with carbon fiber wheels. Think of the strength and forces that wheel goes through. Then you have c n c machines laser cutting cfd or computational fluid dynamics along with a type of 3d printing using silica and a laser are used in designing and making reel rods lures and lines today. Check out this to see some cool stuff http://www.infiniti-redbullracing.com/video/how-make-f1-car-design-and-rd-part-1

Ignore ignorant ignorance. Hootie

Maybe because you have not used GYCB Senkos? That is, if I have interpreted your post correctly. If so, don't judge a book by its cover, they don't exactly look special, but they have special action that excels where other baits struggle.

Took her on her maiden voyage this week. She's an Emotion Mojo 12'5". I don't have her accessorized yet. What do you guys consider to be the most important additions/mods?

My trick for preventing backlashes on very old, sentimental baitcasters is to put them on display on a shelf in the house and leave them there. Seriously, you may learn a lot about how to use your your thumb effectively, but imo, not worth the trouble. The mechanics have improved so much that even if you have a very solid old piece, it is going to be much harder to work with than a late model.

Probably not super common even though there are a few center console bass boats out there. When it comes to things like what kind of boat you're fishing out of, don't even give it a second thought. It's not the boat that catches the fish it's the fisherman inside it that does. As long as it keeps you afloat, get's you to where you're going and back, and keeps your fish alive it's good enough to fish out of.

I think I'm gonna go with a tournament pro, a bb1, and 2 tatulas, or maybe one tatula and one tatula R. In getting the tatulas for $130 so I can't really go wrong as from what I'm hearing they're well worth the $200. Thanks everyone!

This is blatant baitmonkey Propaganda!!!

kinda funny you say that every time I go in I always find stuff on sale or BOGO deals

^^^ this X 100,000,000 Flippers should take a long walk off a short cliff! I've been amazed at how people in the swimbait world pull together to help someone in need. It's a brotherhood and sadly there are people who just want to make money off of a bait. I sold my extra gill for cost to someone who didn't get in on the pre order. I could of made profit on it by putting it on eBay but that's not my thing. I'm preaching to the choir though. People will continue to flip for money and not bat an eye.

Find what works for you and fish it. You really don't need hundreds of baits to catch fish.

You can't kill a quantum. They are built like tanks. I have had many and have never had one fail, including a couple KVD models. I beat the daylight out of them and they still work like they did off the shelf.

I have & fish a full arsenal of Quantum reels and have been for several years. This does include several of the KVD Tour Edition casting reels. I'm not concerned with what's the best or who fishes with which brand. I like them and they work well for me. As far as the tolerances & if they hold up, I take care & maintain my tackle and there have been zero issues for me. The man's who's name is on the gear reportedly fishes them fairly hard. Finally, as for the effectiveness of the reels, All the fish I am pictured with below were hook, fought and landed with a Quantum KVD Tour Edition reel. Seemed to hold up OK for me. A-Jay http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/gallery/album/369-a-week-on-lake-erie/ http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/gallery/album/682-lake-baccarac-march-2013/ http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/gallery/album/530-lake-erie-october-2012/ http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/gallery/album/1014-magic-in-mexico/

Like the title says, that's my new game plan. I've been hitting this site almost daily for the past year but I haven't posted much. As much as I like taking knowledge from u guys, I should probably chime in more and share my knowledge and experiences as well. I've been fishing for over 20 years and have caught tens of thousands of bass. I reside on a private lake in Indy, work full time in IT (network security), am a BASS and FLW member, and fish every chance I get. I even talked gander mtn into letting me work a day a week so I could get stuff on discount!

gorgeous pics. man after a long winter it's good just to get out there and make some casts. judging from your pics, you are a guy who gets it. this ain't always about the fish. for folks like you who just learn to appreciate the day and whatever it brings, there will never be a bad day of fishing.

A-Jay, Those look very cool and worth a try. I fish the Kietech baits on a plain ball head and slow roll across the bottom and they are killer. The tail swims with so little action or current required. I use a fair number of weighted hooks and "Rage" rig a lot of different plastics, not just boot tail/paddle tail swimmers.

Take a look at the Freedom Tackle Hydra Hybrid Jig & Stealth Hybrid Jig. It's a very effective rig for many applications including soft swim baits. Allows an effective swim bait presentation in virtually any cover. This rig also will accept almost any hook the angler desires. (Doesn't have to be EWG - think about that) This hasn't been used mainstream yet but the flexibility and weedless factor on this one has been killer for me. A-Jay