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Here I lay in my hammock on the hillside in the woods behind my house. Watching my 2 red headed step children playing in the leaves. Life is good. I know its only for a short while. For soon it shall be time to me to return to Bowling Green for the week. I have been blessed with a wonderful family, great job, best wife in the entire world. I wouldn't trade this for anything. And most importantly. RAIDER NATION 4 LIFE!

Casting distance has much less to do with the reel than you think, especially when comparing reels of somewhat similar quality.

Could be worse. Could be fat and bald like their step daddy

I made the long journey this morning from Vermont to one of my favorite fall fishing spots in New Hampshire. The forecast for the day was chance of showers with a high of 50 degrees ( I don't think it ever did get above 45). I was on the lake and making my first cast at 11 am. Within minutes it started to pour. It wouldn't stop raining until 4 pm, an hour before I left. My game plan was simple. Go to the best spot on the lake and never leave it. It is a rather large offshore rocky hump I am very confident in this time of year. It consistently has been a good late fall fishing spot for me. I targeted 15-40 feet fishing a silver buddy. I was mostly making long casts and slowly hopping it back to the boat. I did catch several fish "videogame" fishing. I would mark a fish on my down scan and drop my silver buddy on their head. I caught several fish doing this. In 6 hours I caught 10 smallies and 7 largemouth. The average size was good. My biggest smallies were 4-1, 3-11, 3-4, 3-3, 3-2 and 3-2. The biggest largemouth were 4-0, 3-9 and 3-0. The biggest 5 fish went 18-9. It was a cold rainy day. I glad I toughed it out, it was worth it. At only 17 inches the 4 lb 0 oz largemouth was a bit fat. Looked like he had been eating well. Lunker smallmouth of the day at 4 lbs 1 oz I have all day to fish tomorrow. I will be going somewhere else and hunting trophy largemouth with a jig.

Water temps here (90 miles west of the Twin Cities) was between 50° and 52°. Cloudy, little wind, rained off and on all day yesterday... Yeah, I know it's not a bass, but it was 40" long, and it did hit a bass bait...

Day 1 – Got to spend 5 days in Minnesota and had a blast. A very cold blast as well. Day 1 was great. Water temperatures were 51-53 degrees, 0-5 wind, and outside temps up to 55 degrees. First half of the day was rough. Spots that did well last fall were not producing, which had me a bit flustered. I decided to junk fish and hit a ton of spots until some type of pattern held. All active fish were in the 2-5 foot range. Had a great day for numbers and size. Here were my 4 pounders not in the top five: 4.1, 4.1, 4.3, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.12 and 4.12. My top 5 were 4.13, 5.6, 5.10, 5.12, and 6.8 for a total of 28 lbs 1 oz. I only caught 3 other fish that were not 4 pounds. The northern pike were very active as well. Every time my bait was too fast, the northern would let me know. I kept trying to make my Swimjig work and the northern would keep biting it. Finally, in my last attempt (definition of insanity), I was trying to cover water my last half hour of light with my Swimjig and then caught another stinkin northern that had most of the Swimjig down it’s throat. Took me 20 minutes to get the jig back without ruining my jig, having to retie, and clean up the boat. It was miserable. The 6.8 came from casting into weed pockets. Hard to fish this way since you only get a drop or two, but it can really pay off. 4.13 lb and 5.6 lb (with the serious face) 5.10 lb and 5.12 lb 6.8 lb Day 2 – Started with the trolling motor not working. Finally fixed the receptacle to the trolling motor after tearing the old wires out and installing a new one from fleet farm, I was on the water by 1. Only caught 5 bass the whole afternoon. Biggest two went 5.5 and 5.6. Both at random places and not at the places they were supposed to be... This fall fishing really keeps me guessing. 5.5 lb 5.6 lb Day 3 – Was unbelievably cold. Day started off at 35 degrees and 10-15 mile per hour winds which made it feel like it was 0 degrees. After fishing 8 hours straight, I only caught 5 fish again. 5 fish limit was around 22 pounds. Top three were 4.13, 5.3, and 5.4. The other two were ~3.5 pounders. Might be the coldest I have ever been fishing. 4.13 lb and 5.4 lb 5.3 lb Day 4 – Was cold. Started at 28 degrees but got in the 40s. No wind though so that made it much easier to fish than the previous day. It was freezing last night and I suspected this might affect the movement of the fish on this lake. Water temps were 49 degrees. After an hour, I was able to see that they were in the 5-8 foot range and stuck to that range for most of the day. Had another good limit. 27 lbs 6 oz. Fish not in the top five were a 4.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.1, 4.6, 4.7, 4.11, and 4.11. The top 5 were a 4.14, 5.2, 5.8, 5.14, and a 6.0. Lost A LOT of lures to northern today. They were so active it is unreal. 4.14 lb 5.2 lb and 5.8 lb 5.14 lb and 6.0 lb Day 5 – This was my last day. The night before, the car wouldn’t start at the ramp so I had to phone a buddy to help jump the car. So I spent this morning going into town and figuring out what is wrong with the batteries/terminals. After this was done, I only had a few hours to fish in the afternoon. Fishing was super slow. Worst night of the week, but still fun to get out. After a well-rounded week, I decided to head home. Daughter wanted me back to watch her in her church singing program. Was too adorable to say no, so off I went. Tight lines! Shimmy

I think I have come to a decision! I will follow Gary's advice (from tackletrap) and get the following combo: * Reel: Daiwa Zillion SV TW * Rod: Megabass F5-72XX Diablo Spec-R * Line: 30 pound test Sufix 832 Braid Lo-Vis Green (I will attach a Fluro leader if needed) I think I am getting most what I want from this combo. Robust set up, Distance, good warranty and versatility for the set of applications that I am looking for: (Spinnerbaits, lip less crankbaits, small swimbaits - 3/8 - 1oz). What ya thinking?

Pappy is fantastic, as is Lock Stock & Barrel, Whistle Pig, Michters, Blanton's and Hirsch. I have a few of each at my bar at home. Lately though, I've been on more of a cabernet sauvignon and Pinot Noir kick. I live close to Napa so make trips a few times a year and stock up.

i went a little "hawg wild" on some handle purchases here lately! These 3 are for a curado 51e, core 51mg7 and aldebaran mg7. The one with the cork knobs is going on the curado.

The number one river crank for the 4' to 6' depth is the Bomber 4A and 5A. The 4A will get down to around 5' with 8lb line and around 4' with 10lb. The 5A is small but it is probably the best craw imitating crank I ever used, it deflects wildly and has a body shape that seems to really appeal to fish, especially smallmouth. Another that I've been liking besides the DT-4 and 6 is the Bagley Sunny B, the deep diver is listed as diving 6' to 7' and on 12' line I just barely tick bottom in 6' of water so if you fish it on 14lb or 15lb line you can make it run in the 4' to 5' zone and so far for me it has worked but I haven't used it long enough to be considered a go to, at least not yet but it may end up there.

Good going buddy..glad your happy. Why am I not surprised that you have red headed step children..

My partner has been before but, this was my first time. All fish were caught in two feet of water with bass tackle. Catching 20-30lb. fish in shallow water will make you rethink bass fishing. Man I want to live in Houma, Louisiana. The first pic is a 39", 27# red, the second was 32". Best fight I ever had as we had a double hook up and this fish ran through the guts and cuts on the bayou taking the tops off the marsh grass. (I lost complete site and just kept pressure)

I haven't been on forum in while but got some bites today and soaked! Fat papa 55 killed it, every cast for an hour, then couple on siebert jig

My partner and I planned a redfish trip in Houma, LA. over a year ago (another story) Since we weren't going to drive 20 plus hours from MD all in one trip, we wanted to stop and fish. We decided on Guntersville and called a guide. He said he couldn't, and recommended we call Derek Remitz. Yep, this Derek Remitz. http://www.bassmaster.com/anglers/derek-remitz He is taking a break from the Elite Series and now guides full time on Guntersville. He is a proud, new dad and talked about his little man a lot. We fished with him on a Sunday (on the way down) and Saturday (on the way home) What a blast. We fish the tidal Potomac River and this was different for us. The fish weren't big right now as the weather is just too warm and the fall pattern hasn't started. We also both got a spotted bass, which neither of us had caught before. He was a blast to fish with and caught on quick to our sense of humor and joined in the fun. He is not pretentious despite his accomplishments. Just like fishing with a friend. Both evenings at the end, he had a few beers in the parking lot and hung out for a while and talked. He knew we were headed to Louisiana and mentioned that he'd love a redfish filet. We just happened to catch a few. After talking about it, I think we have him talked in a redfish trip to Louisiana. He recommends fishing Guntersville in May. We'll most likely never make it back but, if you're thinking of a trip to Alabama, book Wolverine.

I took the day off and got out after sunrise. I caught several smaller bass on the Pop R and the morning bite ended. I went home and had a sandwich and went back. I was halfway around the reservoir without a bite and I hooked into this big gal on a white spinnerbait. The old cheap BPS Uncle Buck brand spinnerbait. 6.75 lbs. It doesn't get me into the monster bass club yet, but it's bigger than the 6.5 I've been stuck on for a decade. I will continue my quest for an 8, 9 or 10 pounder.

Well, I learned a lot, does that count ??? LOL! WOW !!! What an experience that was, 150 boats, 300 anglers, on a 9600 acre impoundment, pretty big event for my home lake, in hind site I let the emotions get to me, I got flustered and lost sight of the big picture, started the morning boat 69, first stop, fishing a large flat, noted a lot of bait in the area but not much in the way of activity, first indication of life came about 15 minutes into the event, water conditions, stained, surface temp. 65, worked my way off of an old concrete bridge piling to an old boat ramp with lots of chunk rock, made a handful of casts before an angler pulled in beside of me and started fishing ahead of me, not upset but meh, ok, first experience with this sort of thing, first fish came from an area they had just passed, just barely legal but a keeper non the less, little boost of confidence that we were on the right track, the little guy came from a spinner bait slow rolled over some old road bed gravel, then, nothing, hit a couple of areas in that large flat that had some bird activity but nothing, moved to an area that had a little bit clearer water but couldn't find any activity, this area had a high concentration of anglers in it already, well, I decided to hit a couple of areas that I had known of and again came up empty handed, probably should have fished behind some of these guys and tried my luck anyway, I didn't even think about already following up with one angler, anyway, to make a long story short, I finished up with 2 little fish that weighed 1.8 pounds, combined, winning weight was just over 12 pounds, actually 12.55 won the event, seems as though I fished behind someone all day long and in hind site I probably could have / should have fished some areas that I know better but didn't even try. It was a lot of fun having you guys along, I did pay attention, I kept it simple, I fished my strengths , didn't let the ones who cut in front of me have too much of the pie so to speak, I weighed in when a lot of others didn't, not much but meh, a little success is always a good thing, in my case, very little LOL !! I wish to thank all of you for the advise it means a lot !!! The experience was great, I ended up with a few offers from some pretty good guys to go out with on the water, and I even met one of our members here who loaned me a measuring stick, didn't know who he was until about an hour ago LOL !! Thanks FishnFritz !!! There is always the next time, next year, who knows what the future holds but I am looking forward to future endeavors on the water, continuing and learning as much as I can from you guys and gals and putting what I learn into experience, hopefully someday passing some of that experience along to others. Guys and Gals, thank you very much !!!

I think the meat comes in a colostomy bag, just add water and heat.

I actually sent that contraption back. It was way too big and bulky. Can't actually remember the last time I had some taco bell. That's not real Mexican food. Hell it may not be real food period.

I'm not much of a white wine drinker myself, but Grgich Hills makes incredible chardonnay, as does Pahlmeyer and Jayson. Meiomi is also a very good Pinot Noir, and not too expensive. I'm literally surrounded by amazing vineyards north and south of me, so choices are abundant.

Pig whistle is what happens after I eat Taco Bell.

Fished Sunday out of Lake Ridge and had a decent but relatively slow day. We spent too much time in creeks and caught about 8 fish total with the biggest at 2-12 and another at 2-9. Found fish in the reeds on secondary points, on main lake points, and on main lake wood. Green pumpkin creature baits were our main producer, also caught fish on an underspin with white fluke and a small swimbait on a slider head. Couldn't buy a bite on a crank or chatter but the water was really calm most of the day which probably played a big factor.

When your used to manishevitz, it's not tough to move up.

I remember years back when my wife (girlfriend at the time) would make bourbon pumpkin pies with Pappy 15 and 20. lol

@Thefrog22 and I returned from our East KS Bassmasters club championship at LOZ this weekend. Went out of Red Oak, an area that neither of us had fished before. I've fished up from 15mm-4mm and he's fished the opposite direction. We got up there Friday and had the afternoon to pre fish. Didn't really put anything together, it was a weird day but still caught a few fish. From what another member told us it was definitely a morning deal. To make a stupid long report short, we weighed in 4 fish on Saturday (Keith carried us), for around 10 1/2 lbs. They were pretty deep in the brush. I just couldn't catch a keeper. Sunday was the complete opposite-I had our first keeper within 30 mins or so, and two more before 11:30. Right around then, the cold front started moving through and the bite shut off like a light switch for us. So all in all, we finished both days with about 16.4 lbs, which was good for 6th place for both of us (boater and non boater) out of 15 teams. For the entire season, our first year fishing with EKB, I think Keith will end up 5th or 6th for boaters, and I'll be 8th for non boaters. Not too shabby of a season with a top 10 finish for us both. So true.

Yep..the mental abuse is so much worse.

As Bluebasser86 said their value is minimal at this point in time, and I have had a similar experience with catching no bass on these baits (and not from a lack of trying). They looked so good you would have thought they were a fish catching machine, but just never had any luck on them.

Something for you to consider. The Minima seat, mounted a very small diameter blank, may well prove to be the most uncomfortable rod you will ever have in your hand.

I'll usually spool twice off a 150 yard spool of braid. Nowhere other than an alternate universe should I need more than 75 yards of braid to land even the largest bass swimming in my state.

I've seen the pure albinos from this lake and they do have pink eyes like you're saying. This one wasn't 100% white (the adipose is nearly black), but it's easier to call it an albino than a white blue catfish or a white cat, which we have none of here (despite lots of river rats calling our blue cats "white cats" or "Mississippi white cats" due to their washed out look in the muddy water). The piebalds, or holstein catfish as they're sometimes called, are pretty wild looking fish. I'd like to catch a big one of either. Kansas' state record blue is over 100 pounds and the lake record for this lake is over 80 pounds, so catching a huge one isn't out of the question.

I just have to keep making sure it's still there

Jack plates can be risky business without a water pressure gauge so I do hope you have one. If not, I strongly suggest you get one before you fry a power head. While you are installing a water pressure gauge, you can also install your tach. It's pretty hard to get one setup without one. A good stainless prop is another must have if you want top speed.

Fished grindstone this morning for a while. Solid jig bite on the rocks but that's all that was going on. Managed a few keepers. Had a lot better morning than the duck hunters around there

Daiwa Tatula CT

Gizzard Shad.I have caught many gizzard shad over a pound on small swimbaits.They make good cutbait for catfish.

Daiwa Tatula rods or Daiwa Tatula XT casting rods. For fluorocarbon I would go with either 12 or 15lbs test depending on the cover you are fishing.

It doesn't sound like a high end reel is for you. As Hogsticker pointed out you're looking at it wrong. I'd stick with lower priced reels and just buy 3 of them.

A 7ft rod m/h action with lures 1/2 to 1oz and robust reel around 9.2 oz abu 4600 size its all about balance.plus the reel will last about 100 yrs. .

Ah - casting distance from the bank. Been on that quest myself. After purchasing reels like the Calais DC, Antares 12, Conquest 00, Conquest 14, etc., etc., and matching them with typical bass rods of fast, moderate-fast, and moderate actions, in medium and medium-heavy powers, and lengths up to 7'11", here is what I found: Distance is more about the rod than the reel. Ultimate distance from the reel is not necessarily found in any particular brand, or model within a brand. The farthest casting reel is often the one that has the freshest servicing, with the cleanest bearings, (and sometimes the best bearings), and having a braking system with which that particular user has the skill to manipulate to have the least amount of braking without backlashing. Having said the above, there are reels that allow a user to, PERHAPS, extract more distance, easier, and with less chance of backlashing - the Shimano digital control reels, specifically the Calais/Antares models with the 4x8 DC system. So, if ultimate distance is a primary criterion, then one possible solution would be: Shimano Calais DC - used (however, only available with gearing giving 31 IPT - may limit your bait selection / presentations) 8 1/2' to 9 1/2' salmon/steelhead rod braided line (because with nylon mono, copoly, or flouro you may outcast your hooksetting range) The Calais is high-end, robust, long-casting, BUT, not too light. However, I'm only 64 years old and I can handle the weight of my Calais OK - I can't speak for others... Now, with reels and rods covered...about those baits. Depending on what swimbaits that you are talking about, you may be able to get considerable distance out of those. However, spinnerbaits are not known as long-distance baits - too big in form factor and catch too much wind for their mass. So, going for uber distance equipment with the intent of tossing spinnerbaits may not add up. In other words, as "Hogsticker" mentioned above, if you REALLY want to keep spinnerbaits in the equation, you might want to give up the "light" part of your reel criteria, not pursue ultimate casting distance, and concentrate on the robust part the equation. For instance, a spinnerbait with a factory weight rating of 3/4 oz will actually weigh 1 oz or more - something to consider before considering the "light" reels....

If you were not impressed with the Steez or Metanium, you won't be impressed with anything. Again, you were using reels that have passed through many persons hands. If you can't appreciate the finer machinery from a company that doesn't mass produce reels for every company that wants to jump into the game - if you can't appreciate the tighter tolerances and increased connectivity, or don't think the price is worth what you experienced, then my advise is to stick to your BPS reels. If you're under the impression that a reel exists that will cast twice as far as your BPS reel, it does not exist. It doesn't work like being you're paying 3 times what you bought your BPS reel for it should cast 3 times as far. A light reel is generally not used for 3/4 oz spinnerbaits - a heavy resistance type bait. I wouldn't throw that on the likes of a 50 series Shimano / Daiwa Alphas. Light reels generally have shallow spools. A shallow spool weighs less allowing greater casting distance within the parameters of the reel. I'm assuming you will be using heavier test with these baits? I think you're going about this all wrong. The Alphas SV is a robust aluminum reel, but not what I'd consider a workhorse which is what you are after. The SV103 would be a better fit.

Went out today and the wind was definitely going after about 10 am. We hit the mouth of the creek and I caught 2 and a bowfin. I missed one early on a frog. Only thing I got bit on was a senko.

I haven't kept track of the exact recommendations, but on your other recent thread ( With which reel would you treat yourself? )...you had MANY recommendations that just about covered most of the higher-end reels from the major manufacturers. On that thread, you also had some very sage advice from member "bassbassontherange" about what to expect from higher-end reels: Now you have a new thread with the added parameter of "robust, light reel with distance." Taking your additional criteria into consideration, I predict that you will most likely get the same recommendations on this thread as the other thread (since most higher-end reels indeed try to be robust, fairly light, and have good casting qualities). SO, my recommendation for you is to, given your $350-400 budget, purchase either 4 or 5 (depending on whether you can catch the periodic sales), BPS Pro Qualifier reels in the various gear ratios. You will have a battery of excellent, serviceable reels that will give yeoman service for the next few years. Sometime down the road, perhaps there will be technology advances that will then make the next purchasing decision easier... AND, since I ran a FIVE-YEAR test on the BPS PQ and reported the results on this board, and own 6 of them myself, I have indeed taken my own advice...

You shouldn't spool your reel completely with braid anyway, you should fill it up with a fair amount of mono and tie onto your braid. 125 yards will be fine, don't buy 300 yards right off the bat if you haven't tried braid on your spinning reel before. I personally love braid for my drop shots, shakey heads, and other finesse presentations. I think you'll like it a lot on your reel too, 10 lb powerpro will cast a mile and is very sensitive.

Over the years I have been lucky to meet other anglers that shared their knowledge and experience with me. I enjoy doing the same. One thing about rods and reels is specs only go so far. It is a hands on thing really. You have to cast a few to decide what you like and what they will do for you. My arsenal has changed and morphed over 45 years, if I can help someone key in on what they like. I can help them not make the mistakes we all make to begin with. My wife and I have been addicted to this hobby for decades, and yes the bait monkey and his cousin the equipment monkey have regularly stopped by. I own some $300 G Loomis spinning rods which are fantastic, and then right next to them are some very sensitive rods I fish with just as often and they cost less than 1/4 of that price. There are lots of good rods at reasonable costs, but you need someone to help you weed through the junk sometimes. I find most equipment is like that. In this case, we happen to be located close enough to get together. I would rather be taking him out on my boat and we could accomplish the task even easier, with a few interruptions of course. It is fall striper feeding time here on the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, I am recovering from some foot issues, so casting will have to do. Darn, those interruptions taste so good! LOL

I've got quite a bit of use on them now since I have 4 and all but one of them jumped straight into the starting lineup. They've been very impressive so far. Very smooth and solid feeling and they cast a mile. I've been using 1 to fish a Whopper Plopper 90 and it will launch one out of sight, which has been important in the clearer water I've been fishing them in. I used one for flipping a little when I first got them and it did just fine there as well. They also come with some nice rubber/silicone grip covers (although the grips are fine by themselves). I think they're going to be exactly what I'd hoped for (and what the spinning version is already known as), a dependable, workhorse type reel. I've become pretty biased towards Pfluegar though I guess. I've sold nearly all my Shimano reels and bought Pfluegar or Okuma and been very happy with the decision. My only gripe so far, they only come in a 7.3:1 retrieve speed. Most of the smallmouth in this video were caught on it.

Got out on a local lake this afternoon - water temp went from 54 to 45 in 9 days. Jerkbait was hot today - clown color shined in the slightly stained conditions. A-Jay

I saw some of those shad too in Veach. I I ended up finishing 5th in the Keith Combs tournament today with 24.05lbs. Had 30lbs on, but lost a 7 at the boat and had another huge fish break me off. Fish are scattered everywhere, but all my weight came deep.

I have been reading a thread on another forum that I'm not a member of and it's about whether a 20 lb bass could be taken from a Texas lake. While I'm reading this a lot of people are commenting about how the trout population is why the bass get so large out west! I agree 100% about the trout! IMO I think the chances of catching a 20 lb bass in public waters in Texas are slim to none but not completely unrealistic! Me and a buddy of mine were fishing this past Friday and starting seeing these huge schools of something, couldn't get close enough to see it! Then off in the distance a huge bass comes out of the water busting on these schools, we put the trolling motor on high and head over to see if we can hook this giant! So when we get over there we start cast at this school of something and then I snag whatever this school is! It's the biggest gizzard shad I've ever seen in my life! They are huge! I just wanted to share this with y'all to see if I just seen something amazing or over exaggerating, but to see a bass feeding on these giants!

100% Gizzard shad. One that size on a circle hook would probably find one of the bigger largemouth in that body of water.

Ya IPT is more important to me than gear ratio. You want something with a high IPT for topwater, pitching and flippin'.... however Aaron Martens is one of the best in the game and he uses high Ratios for everything.. and I absolutely agree with him.. why not buy all fast reels and slow down your retrieve? I'm done buying slow reels... 7's and 8's for me from here on out.. people like 6's for cranking.. but I prefers to slow myself down and speed up as I please... higher ratio equals more control heres a link to what im talking about