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Another option instead of paying more for Zerust or special tackle rustproofing features, just buy some dessicant on Amazon in bulk, and just toss a couple into your Plano/Flambeau/anything you want to keep moisture down.

Get what you really want and not settle for something because it was on sale. Before you know it you'll have a whole bunch of mediocre stuff as opposed to a few top notch setups that you'll really enjoy using. A couple cheap reels equals a really nice one. Just my opinion though.

The fish don't care what the color is, you do.

Because it wasn't a fish. I've heard of people on rare occasions catching turtles, muskrats, and frogs, but it was the first time I had experienced/heard about this one. I was set up in about 4.5 feet of murky water fishing for perch and walleye. I was jigging a firetiger PK Flutterfish tipped with a minnow head in one hole and rigged up two deadsticks with minnows on bobbers in the other holes (3 lines per person in MI). I'd been doing well on perch that morning when one of my bobbers jolted in a weird twitchy motion. Something a perch wouldn't do. It's got to be a walleye I thought. I kept jigging my flutterfish, but concentrated a little harder. I then got a hard hit on one of the times I went to raise my lure. Before I could set the hook, the fish was gone. I kept jigging and probably 7 seconds later I felt another hard hit, but this time I was ready and set the hook. I was feeling pretty confident, thinking that I had a walleye on. I quickly realized that it wasn't the case. Up the hole came a big, black curled up creature. I wasn't quite sure what it was, but later looked it up and found out that it's a type of underwater salamander called a mudpuppy. This one measured just over 10.5 inches. I took some pictures, revived it, and later released it behind my house back into the river. I didn't weigh it, but it was a pretty fat salamander.

I had been doing some brainstorming for unique ideas that will allow guys to commemorate a catch, trip, PB, etc. My wife is a photographer and one of the services she offers her clients is something she's dubbed "print to paint" and after seeing her work on various portraits, it clicked that some guys may be interested in having this done to their own pictures. Replicas and mounts are great, yes, but this is another option that I feel is a viable alternative at a lower cost. She recently worked on a picture of my PB and went over the entire photograph with the technique. I just received the printed portrait yesterday and it turned out awesome! The final product arrives with raised brush strokes, just like a painting. Below is the original photo along with a pic I took of the finished product. I also included a close up of the brushing effect on the portrait. The example is 10X15 and other sizes are available. Framing and canvas print is also an option Let me know what you think! Feel free to message me for inquiries on having a picture of yours done. It's not just limited to bass either or even fishing for that matter. She can do this with ANY picture. Hunting, outdoors, anything. www.laurenrhcampbellphotography.com Thanks to Glenn and BR for letting me post!

Finally got to get out on the water for a few hours. Was hoping the fish were still stacked deep but the stretch of warm weather has them scattered around. Was tough today with only 2 fish for me (5lb and 3-1/2lb). Both were caught in 30ft on seiberts 3/4 football jigs and rage lobster in falcon craw. This lake has a very large population of big bass. No foreign boats only rentals....Fishing out of a John boat with paddles only is a pain in the rear but an anchor helps. My triton is getting jealous of the time I'm spending on a tin boat, lol.

This is making the winter go by fast. Hootie

3 of each color and type

They have too many levels. Look at Bionic Blades if you liked the Extreme. Very similar, and decent sticks for the money.

I'm with AJ when it comes to color selection. The first thing I check is the shade of the bottom, though, not the color as I'm partially color blind. Often times, in the same lake, the bottom composition changes from hard to soft, or rock to clay or sand. Aside from being great places to target, being aware of those changes and changing colors when you do can greatly increase your production. The other thing to consider is how pressured is the lake? Everyone, and I mean everyone, that fishes a private lake I frequent uses green pumpkin or water melon colored plastics. I've gone to PBJ and black/blue on tough days with great success. The other guideline i've always gone by is to show them something different and that goes for color selection, too.

Let's get technical, as there are in fact reasons, not just some lame holdover from days past that put the handles where they are. What will move the fish during retrieval is placed to the strong hand! A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish. Hence if you are right handed the handle is in your right hand. A spinning reel is designed to pick up unloaded or loose line, not retrieve the fish. Hence it is the rod that does the retrieval, so it is the rod that is in your strong hand. If you are right handed then the pole goes to the right hand.

I think it's the GY fat ika. Spring through early fall you just cast (and it casts far weightless) , then pull up and let sink... Some days it's hard to make it back to the boat.

Hola, bienvenidos a Bass Resource! The MBR 843C is a VERY versatile rod. The MBR-series rods have a lot of power lower in the blank, but have a fairly soft tip. So, they can be used for MANY techniques. They can be used for bottom-contact (worms, craws, small jigs, etc.), for single-hook baits like spinnerbaits, bladed swim jigs (chatterbaits), buzzbaits, etc., and can even be used for shallow to mid-depth crankbaits. The MBR-843 may not be the best, most optimized, rod for all of those techniques, but it is unique in that it performs all of those techniques very well. I always have at least one MBR-type rod with me in the boat because they are so versatile. Que te diviertas !

Where I fish in clear deep structured lakes color can be the critical factor and most of our lakes change preference seasonally. Several reasons for this, the depth the bass are at, the preferred prey at the time and angler preference. If the bass feeding heavily on crawdads darker colors work good, Shad lighter transparent colors work good. During the spawn color makes no difference. Pre spawn darker colors that represent crawdads work good. Post spawn Shad and greens works good. Summer everything can work, darker colors at night. Fall is similar to post spawn. I am a fan of purple or blue neon as accent colors year around because they have worked for me for decades. I also believe on color contrasts; lighter agianst darker. Angler preference is a big factor on smaller very high fishing pressure lakes where I fish. if everyone has been using a specific color like green pumpkin with red flakes I usually try to avoid the most popular color. There are only so many catchable bass on any specific lure and/or color combination before it becomes ineffective. I feel that making a change that is different from the 90% of anglers using a specific color increases my odds if that color has reached it's saturation point. Tom

Yes, lots of structure over there. I was gonna check out that area yesterday, but somethings going on with my trolling motor and giving my interference on my sonar. I got my Buck Perry book in Friday and started reading it Saturday. Now, when I look at a map or a lake I look at it totally different. so, I didn't fish Sunday and caught a couple the little bit I did fish Saturday around a creek channel in deep water that had breaks around it and breaklines where fish could move from the deep to the shallows. After getting off of the water Saturday and looking back at my map, I think I could've moved deeper than the 15' I was fishing in and moved closer to the creek channel and had better luck. All in all it was a good trip because I learned some knowledge I can use next trip.

I use a RH casting reel and LH spinning reel. I am RH. Did not have a good explanation when my son asked me about it.

I generally like to give a new angler a moving bait. I don't want them bored, or worried about setting the hook. Once they've become accustomed to feeling a fish on the line, and getting back to the boat, then I start with feel baits.

forgot to post my haul of the pit bosses and some gambler burner craws i decided to try out which were 2 bags for $10. so far the haul is 3 bags of Okeechobee craw 3 bags of blue sapphire 3 bags of vampire orange 2 bags of lime purple passion if anyone is looking for the junebug pitboss i know they had about 6 bags i might be able to pick them up for you if you want

ive never felt that my reeling hand (left) was lacking when reeling in a fish. i can control the bait much better and get better feel in all presentations since i switched to left reels years ago. i am right handed. its all preference. use what feels right.

I'm a believer in the spinnng guides but not sold at all on any advantage on a casting rod. I have no concerns quality wise and sure they'd work but doubt any real performance advantage exists

T rigged senko, 4", no weight

Why so many setups? Are you a regular tournament angler? You can pull double and triple duty with a few of them. Different strokes for different folks though.

I'll be missing it this year. My new son, Colton, decided to make an early entrance into the world and I'll be splitting my time between the hospital and home for the foreseeable future. Healthy little boy apart from being early and he's got a Ninja Turtle rod waiting for when he's ready to join dad someday. Best excuse possible to miss this really. Have fun, all.

I agree. I cast right hand and reel left hand both spinning and baitcaster. Never made sense to me people that cast right hand, switch rod to left, and reel right.

The final day of the Costa High School National Championship was by far my favorite day of fishing in 2016. My partner and I brought in 18lbs-9oz of Kentucky Lake bass to jump 8 places giving us a 2nd place finish only 12oz off the lead. We had 5 for about 10lbs and thought we were done for the day and had run out of fish. We had decided to just go try to catch a smallmouth on some rock bluffs for dun but had one last idea in mind. Went back to where we started, moved out a little deeper and I put a solid 5+ in the boat on a spinnerbait. 30 minutes later in the same area I land another 5+ on a drop shot and we were losing our minds!

doesnt matter. It literally makes no difference

Those Ribbit Double Take hooks are awesome. Hardly ever lose a fish with them & it's the only buzzfrog hook I use. I even use them on Horny Toads, although they are a bit finicky & it takes a bit more effort to get em to fit on the body. But they work & fit perfectly on the Ribbit Frog.

Amazing game. I thought they would go into OT but that ending was huge.

Dude ~ ! Packers. Wow. A-Jay

Very cool Speed. She managed to give you an "I'm Batman" look! I went to her site and could not find any info on this service. It needs to be easy to find for guys like me. Good luck my friend.

Here's your prize for the year and the following then. Enjoy the participation trophy winning the worst division in the NFL.

It basically is allowing the competitors to alter the field of play. I can't think of professional sport or competiton that allows that. Baseball players can tweak the mound or infield for better footing, but it still needs to stay within certain regulations. Same with the batters. Next thing you know, you will have football players deflating the ball...

I agree. People who leave trash ARE trash. I fill up my kayak often on our float trips. Pack it in, pack it out! I don't understand how someone can carry worm, brand new lures, beer pop, etc miles down a river bank and then just throw it in the ground. I run into this problem at every fishing access i go to and it absolutely infuriates me. I would absolutely say somthing and have done so in the past. I once was on a head boat in Calabasis, SC. The mates were throwing bait boxes, used line, pop cans etc. into the ocean 60 miles off shore. I mentioned something to the young mate. He said it's OK because we're "way out here, pop cans are dissolved by the salt water". I about blew a gasket. Instead of losing it, I told him it's not OK. My SnL was cut on the foot the day before by "dissolved" can. The kid was 15-16 years old and was obviously influenced by the older mate and the Captain so there was no getting thru to him. He had a smart ash answer for everything that I tried to explain to him. I spoke to another fisherman and he said the littering was the same way the previous summer when he fished on the boat. When I got home I called the owner of the boat. I explained the situation and he said they're actions were unacceptable and that he would put a stop to it. Hopefully changes were made but I will never fish with that boat again even though every body caught lots of fish. It's a huge pet peeve of mine and true outdoorsman would never do it and they would teach their children and others not to litter.

Ya, see, that's what happens when assumptions are made...especially when it comes to the "secret" world of sponsorships. (not really "secret", but few really know how it works). Fact is, many companies are heavily competing in the sub-$100 price wars right now for both rods and reels, and introducing new gear that is well-made and doesn't break the bank. Fact is, when it comes to sponsorships, you use what the sponsors want to push - usually their latest products, not necessarily their most expensive. And if they can get a pro to win a tournament on gear that's priced in that hot market....that's money baby.

The Waters I'm fishing in up here are seriously clear. My approach towards being successful when fishing it has many layers. Bait color is one of, if not the Last one. There are days when it's a big deal, but many days I could use 4 or 5 colors of the same bait / presentation with equal success. However, in many cases, my most productive approach when presenting bottom contact plastics is to choose a color / pattern that matches the bottom color as closely as possible. If it's a mostly open / bare sand bottom, that's what I'll go with. If there is a blanket of vegetation, on the bottom &/or extremely prevalent in the area I'm fishing, going with a watermelon or green something can be the deal. My thought here is that the bass know their environment and although big color difference can & does get bit, the bass's natural prey is almost always trying to avoid detection, so a camouflaging color pattern makes sense. A-Jay

Let me guess: Because it looked like something to eat? Roger

Caught this in the creek about a minute from my house. It fought like a spot, looks like a largie, but has red eyes. This Tennesee River area is ridiculous. If there is water over a foot deep there is a bass worth catching in it. Not sure why the picture is sideways but you'd rather look at the fish than me so it works out.

If I see something sticking out of a bass's throat, If it pulls out easy I pull it out just out of curiosity to see what it is/was. The key is if it pulls out easy, I don't go yanking on it. In a tournament situation I leave it alone..........you never know when ounces count, a lot of times they puke it up in the livewell anyways, and there is nothing I can do about that other than observe what it was.

2 reasons, identify the bait fish and remove it so it doesn't foul up the livewell. Tom

Assuming you mean suspending hard jerkbaits, the Luck E Strike RC STX is a good bait for a reasonable price. The H2O jerk shad is listed as a floater but actually suspends and only runs around $6.

Smithwick Rattl'in Rogue

What is your favorite rod and reel under $100?

If I was you I'd get a Heavy Fast Baitcasting setup to fish the jigs, frogs, T-rigs

Sounds like you made up your mind, Enjoy it!

I've noticed over the decades that BPS and Cabela's have moved more towards selling their own brand and stocking less of other companies brands. I still like to roam the aisles of both but if I'm looking for something special I will take a trip to an independent tackle store first. I can say that both BPS and Cabela's have sales that can't be beat at times.

Unless I need something that day, or want to see something in person for some reason I don't usually shop at either anymore.

My mechanical skills are horrible, but sometimes you get LUCKY. My Bass Boat. I could not afford to buy one, so I was sticking my toe into uncharted water. Here we go. You will see LUCKY a lot in my reply. I had some ideas, so I built my bass boat. The cathedral hull I bought at Sears. I think they wanted $400, but there was a chunk (more a gouge) on the bottom of the boat. I offered $200 and they accepted (LUCKY). I figured that I could repair it with fiber glass.. I think, not sure, I used lexicon. It lasted 16 years. A bare hull and little by little, the motor 25hp Evinrude advertised for $250---The thing was near mint condition. (LUCKY) . Again 16 years of use with little costly repairs. Installed adjustable front seat, back seat and a console seat. Put a steering wheel on console (treated wood) with push pull drum cables. (LUCKY). I laugh, turn wheel to right, boat wants to go left. Key start with key kill switch. (LUCKY) I got that to work after being jolted by 12 volts a few times. A Minkota 17lb thrust foot control. My guess was I had $500 / $700 in the boat. When I sold it I got $1600 after 16 years. The person who bought it offered 2000. lucky, lucky,lucky,lucky,lucky I believe this pic, boat was 10 years old and the value went way up when I had a RAY JEFFERSON Chart Recorder on it. It was a gift and actually a commercial fishing boat depth / fish finder.

In Mass there's some good spots down south. Plymouth and cape areas. See prior posts but Quabbin is #1 in my opinion. I also suggest Wachusett. Target gate 14 -24 But For smallies I go to nh:. Winny. Squam. Newfound. Maine is great from what I hear but I don't have first hand experience.

Going OT, but back then, I think "why" in regards to a lot of environmental questions was simply unknown. Not that they didn't want to explain why, but they actually didn't know. That said, Buck did always say that every time you caught a bass, you needed to ask yourself "why" that fish was there (more in relationship to how he got there though). Technology now allows us to dig deeper and get answers to a lot of these questions, but back in the 1950s and 1960s when much of Buck's theories were developed and shared, they didn't have readily available and affordable things like personal underwater cameras, tiny radio transmitters for telemetry tracking, lithium powered micro batteries and transmitters, etc. They barely even had depthfinders - lol. I don't think they could explain a lot. Instead, they used angling as the means to identify "what is," and then fit the explanation to the result. What else could they do? What amazes me is how well some of these theories still hold up 60 years later. I have to admit I get a big kick these days watching all these GoPro anglers, offering a host of explanations for why they're catching fish in their videos - "They're feeding on crawdads in the rocks, and my bait is a perfect match," or "The wind is blowing into this pocket stirring up the invertebrates and piling up plankton, and the shad are following," even, "These rocks are holding heat and making these bass more active," yada, yada, yada. Did you cut that fish open and see what it was feeding on? Do you somehow see these schools of baitfish in the water you say these fish are feeding on? Did you take a temperature gauge and test this rock heating theory out? In a way, things haven't changed 60 years later -T9