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The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet!

For you guys/gals that are newer to bass fishing, I want to give you a little input. You absolutely do not need to have the best fishing equipment on the market to catch a bass. Instead of spending beyond your means, just get the best that you can afford. Most of the equipment made nowdays is pretty decent so you will be just fine. JT Bagwell @BagwellFishing

The best of seven. 4.2 lbs. Hootie

Another Curado joins the fleet.

Can't grow mine because of work. We can have mustaches, but I'm not growing the Farva.

you being a Mod on here , you would think you would keep it civil , lose the smart remarks please ....

Son & I caught over 60 a piece on frog. This was the biggest 5.5# according to the Boga Grip scale. I'll remember that day for a while. Hope my boss don't recongnize me.

Not a perfect day, but I ain't complaining. Hootie

That's the catch 22 with those shows. The goal is to provide entertainment to help push product. Luckily, we have he Internet and you can find almost anything on YouTube, including how-to videos and classic fishing shows. I dig th bassresource's channel a lot, but there are a ton of others, too (Lake Fork Guy, Jeff Little, tackle Warehouse's channel. Etc)

Not sure what that mark on the fish is? maybe a bird got it or something. Didn't seem to affect the fight in the fish. It took us straight into all kinds of heavy weeds. I saw surface activity and cast right into it and this fish hit the super fluke like a run away freight train Caught this at my fav pond This was a donkey

It's too bad if all the fishing programs are on a special sports channel. I already pay almost $100 for the Comcast package I have now... But is it just me or were the fishing shows back in the day much better? My dad has a lot that he recorded on VHS and watching them, they actually taught you something. The ones you see on TV now are all marketing. You got guys reeling in monster bass and then they go on for five minutes trying to persuade you to buy the lure they are using and that will catch you bass. Example, it HAS to be a Zoom purple worm or a Kevin Van Dam spinnerbait. What happened with actually teaching the viewer something important, you know, like how to find bass.

I've bought from Japan Lure Shop and JP Angler. Shipping is like $17ish and every package I've ordered has been at my house in 3 days. Exchange rate is in our favor and the retailers I've bought from have great service... Now is the time to buy from Japan . I'm actually pretty new to JDM tackle, just started this year, but it is much easier than I always thought it would be. The Aurora was from JLS. It looks even better in person, a work of art for sure .

Here's an article on thermoclines you might find interesting.... http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/thermocline.html

That's what I've been trying to tellya. Roger

I stopped at Cabela's again today this time in Richfield, WI and of course my wallet got victimized. This will actually be my last purchase of baits for a while. I am looking forward to seeing what I get in my upcoming MTBs I just signed up for. Cabela's brand Silver Glitter tube (crappie) Wingding jig 2 packs (crappie) Reality Shad 2 packs in chartreuse and chartreuse/pink (crappie) moving on to the bass lures... Cabelas brand RealImage swimbait in chrome shiner more shaky heads Strike King KVD Jerkbait Cabela's Fisherman series Scuttle Shad crankbait Strike King Rage Tail Structure Bug in Bama Craw Cabela's brand 5 inch chartreuse trick worm Cabela's brand fluke in white and chartreuse I am really liking this crankbait. I think the primary color will work well with some of the bait fish we have in my favorite lake as well as the chartreuse on it to perhaps get a little more attention Also i liked their brand of Flukes over the Zoom brand I have been getting a walmart and the like. Has hook slots on both sides of the bait.

This is the same type of discussion as with photography (another hobby of mine). A $5000 camera with a $3000 lens does not make anyone a better photographer - just as a $400+ rig doesn't make anyone a better angler. I take and sell some great photos with my consumer model DSLR, and I catch lots of fish with my $150-and-under combos. The best advice I ever heard when it comes to gear (for whatever hobby) is, buy the best gear you can afford. If you can afford top dollar gear, then go for it. If not, you'll catch tons of fish with the less expensive stuff. Either way, if fished properly, anyone can catch all the fish they want with anything on the shelf or in the catalog.

I think I have posted this before. It may have been the same day. If you notice in the first screenshot where the fish are under the depth readout on the bottom and then this one with the same thing. That is a sure catch when you see it. The ones that are suspended over deeper water are much harder to catch. When they trap baitfish against the bottom contour you know they are munching.

I've been using a $60 Black Max combo for two years. Still serves me well in the rotation. None of my combos cost me more than $130.

dropped in by the pond last night about 20 minutes before dark just to wet a line on the way back from cabela's.... 3rd cast with the zara puppy on the *** spinning rod, new sedona 1000 reel and 6lb yozuri

Still need to paint the seams, add eyes and epoxy. Going to rattle can paint and hopefully won't screw it up. I used decal paper and it was pretty easy. So far I like the look of them. Will look better once I add epoxy. Never painted a lure. Hope to catch a few on on these.

Today I took my next door neighbor out in the boat. This is the first time we had fished together. Toward the end of the day, he hooked a musky on 6 pound mono. She was way too big for my net. Her body length was 2 1/2 times the diameter of a 21" net. Which works out to 53". Anyone have any idea what it might have weighed ?...............watching his technique while fighting that fish was inspiring. He back reeled and kept tension the whole time. It was like watching a master. Had it been me, I would have probably have broken her off during the first or second run. After what seemed like an eternity, I got her head in the net but there was just too much of her. She flopped out leaving the small bass bait hung in the netting. We didn't even get a picture.

A 6XD on a ML rod? No thanks. I'm sure it can cast it, but cranking it back would probably be a serious chore.

I can't stand letting my neck and the corners of my mouth go unshaven. I've gone around six months with the rest. Do it.

Ha! You had to go there, hehehe. Those are freakin sweet.

$300 ish right now. Shipping is like $15? Something like that. I know Japan Lure Shop has/had one.

Pros travel great distances, most weekend guys travel less than 5 miles. Don't get me wrong, I value speed - that is a Bullet with Merc racing motor in my avatar - but that isn't the great advantage you make it out to be. To be sure, I did much better in my Xpress than the Bullet. skill trumps speed almost every day of the week.

These came in today from Surplus Fishing Tackle. I haven't used Storm soft baits before that I recall. I found it pretty nice they actually include 2 hooks with their baits. That would be something other bait companies could get in on even if it was just a couple. Since I dont live close to any real specialty tackle shops these long tube jigs that came with the 5" tubes are a blessing I can experiment with my baits the way the manufacturer intended a lot quicker. Then I can buy what I like to use later.

I bought a Ruger SR40 to carry and I absolutely love it. Great line of handguns.

Sorry Neil, but I have to disagree with you. I've fished a lot of lakes outside of my "Georgia swamps" and caught them in extremely clear, deep lakes way up shallow. I'm from Rhode Island and visit a couple times of year, and I almost broke the state record a few years back fishing a horny toad on a lake that you could see about 15' down and the fish was way up shallow in some reeds and buck brush.Also, to correct your Georgia swamps comment, our lakes here are not all shallow, muddy reservoirs like you'd think. We have deep, super clear lakes like Lanier, Alatoona, and numerous mountain lakes that are as clear as the water in upstate New York. On all of these lakes, you can always find quality fish shallow. I hope you revisit some of that shallow water on a day when you are struggling out deep and see what you can find. Maybe you will run into more than just a juvenile bass! I hope this post doesn't come across at all as rude or me putting your advice down. If it did, please know that isn't my intention at all.

20 - 30 ft and rarely deeper than 35 ~ A-Jay

To me cork vs. eva is irrelevant. I want the best blank possible for the money and a comfortable reel seat. I don't really concern myself with guide quality either because I can easily replace a broken guide. Lighter and more minimal build the better as long as its comfortable.

If I may make a suggestion, for anyone looking for a top quality spinning reel, try the Pfleuger Trion series. I've been using one since winter and I can't think of a single complaint. No twists and the drag is smooth as butter and strong. $40 everywhere every day. I'm going to buy another when my MH combo reel quits on me. It's an old BPS Viper $70 combo special that just won't wear out. I'd suggest it too, but they don't make it anymore.

His butt has a crack in it.

Abu garcia pro max and some other things ~Kevin

I'd like a reel that automatically allows for the wind.

Before anyone sends me hate mail, I don't really snag squirrels for fun.

I went to my first concert this year at 64yo. The Moody Blues were awesome. I enjoyed it. There drummer is 74yo. My misses got me the tickets for Christmas. One more thing off my bucket list.

Probably less expensive to get a package of J-Will heads and some Fat Impacts.

First thing I would do is test it on the water where you will get a retrieve with constant tension. The line should go thru smooth when kept perfectly straight. In any event IMO 14 or even 12 is too thick for 2500 spinning reel, it is possible the line is not spooled properly, try trolling out then test it.

I followed the Dead on the east coast leg of their 1990 tour. By far the best experience of any concert(s) I have attended.

Looks like he has some decent stuff Bill but I don't really know what I should be looking for and that was really the purpose of this post.

There is learning curve when you transition from the bank to a boat. Fishing mechanics are obviously the same however the difficulty of casting can change. For example, casting under docks or trees. That takes some practice. Look for places that look fishy that are not accessible from the bank. For example, pad fields, timber and grass. As far as electronics. That's your call. I have electronics, but the water's i fish are shallow, using electronics the majority of the time is not necessary.

I started with a $12 Shakespeare baitcaster and a cheap rod. The reel still works today. Try "fish n save" There's a $24 Shakespeare baitcaster. I used them.

Hahaha I usually forget toolame is even here.

Try throwing a hollow bodied frog over the shallow submerged weeds either early morning or just before sundown. Your bound to catch a lot of fish an maybe even weed out a couple big ones. Especially if you use a bigger frog.

Batson is right on. I'll just add a couple points. I've built dozens of rods and never used a power wrapper. I just upgraded to what essentially is a power wrapper base and supports without the motor/chuck. So it is possible to build great rods with homemade wrappers. If you decide to build, I recommend starting with a reasonably priced kit rather than the ultimate blank you aspire to. You will get better with every build, but will make mistakes, and better not to make the mistakes on a $150 blank. One of my first rods was built with the distance between the reel and the butt too long and I had to cut 1 1/2 inches off the butt of a St Croix SCV. Ouch! Still a great rod, but. . . Another good forum that focuses entirely on rodbuilding is http://www.rodbuilding.org/list.php?2. I suggest you get onto that forum and see what people there are talking about. It has a good search function so you can search for specifics easily. Do an internet search for "flex coat rodbuilding videos" to find some really good instructional material. Rodbuilding is very satisfying and if you enjoy it you will have found a lifetime hobby that will reward you with rods that exactly fit what you want.

St Croix sells blanks across their entire line up.

This is exactly what I'm doing. I want a Lund Pro V GL and am planning to wait till early spring of 2016 to pull the trigger on a leftover model. I'm taking the time now to do homework on the potential dealer I'm gonna deal with.

Hey guys I just moved here from colorado and I still don't know the area very well except I do know of the pond behind kroger/autozone. Its a pretty close drive to where I live now. Basically I'm just wondering if anyone wants to go hit a few ponds this weekend and show me a few places to throw a line in. Catch and release of course. All of my wife's friends husbands don't fish, so I have no fishing buddy's here. Sacrilege I know but in the future I'm hoping to change them of that habit.

what they didn't report, was that fish smokes 2 packs of cigarettes a day.