Crestliner2008

I've been using Gamakatsu's Inline Circle hook size 1/0. I prefer the one with the turned up eye, which I snell onto the fluorocarbon leader. I've caught a lot of bass on that hook.

Interesting. Talking with a guy I know who works for the marina I usually buy at, he gave me a comparison. He pulled out two deep cycles; one 24 and one a 27. Now, as I've said, I'm kinda getting up there in years and I found no comparison between the two sizes - weight wise. The 27 was a heck of a lot heavier. Now I know.....it'll last longer, right. But, the trade off is indisputable for my purpose. I think I'll go with the 24 for this season and if it doesn't pan out, I'll reluctantly go one size up. Believe me folks.....getting old is no fun! LOL!

I use the same rod for trout as I do for all my crappie fishing. Namely a 7' B n' M Sam Heaton Super Sensitive.

I've been using the Alberto knot for many seasons now and have experienced no problems. However, with this knot (which is actually a braid and not a 'knot' per say) you have to gradually snug it up, with saliva wetting the joint as you go. If you just pull it up tight, friction is built up and you could experience a failure.

I dislike PP mainly because the 'sound' it makes bringing in fish. Very annoying, to me anyway. I've switched my main line to Fireline Crystal in 6# test with a 4 or 5' section of fluorocarbon for the business end of the same rating size. No problems....no worries.

Since you've already located the fish, I'd be armed with 3 baits. A bladed jig, a blade bait (i.e.: Silver Buddy) and a spinnerbait.

Did any of you catch this past weekend's show? Phenomenal smallmouth fishing. Aaron Martens walked away with it with 54 lbs. of smallmouth bass! Incredible!

Let's see here... Being retired and getting up there in years, I still manage to get out at least twice a week in either my boat or my buddy's boat. Between those "on the water" trips, I'll run the bank just about every day it isn't raining.

I have a couple of "fanny" packs and back packs and find that I always end up carrying them in my hand as oppose to strapping them on. So get something you feel is comfortable to carry by hand along with one rod & reel set-up that you have the most confidence in and you'll do just fine.

I've even caught them on 8" Believers trolling for pike! And my wife has caught her share of big cats on spinnerbaits. Go figure!

Thanks for your input! I really appreciate it. I try to keep myself in pretty decent shape, so I'm going down to the marina tomorrow and check how much a 24 & a 27 weigh. I think I can manage 50# with little difficulty, but we'll see. Thanks again.

Well, some of you folks know me well enough by now that you'd expect a response. I happen to be a long time fan of Ambassadeur line of BC reels. Started using them in the early 70's. I've bought 6 over the years, most being variations on the 5000 size; but one exception that I really love is the 6500-C, that casts 1 - 3 oz. swimbaits like a dream on an old Cabelas "musky" rod. Two of my earlier models have been handed down to my grandkids who use them regularly - and just as effectively as I have over my many decades of use. Still have/use 4 of them, one being the 6500. I don't know, you can spend a awful lot of money on "higher-end" baitcasters, but I do not believe that I am limited in any way, performance wise. I've fished with a lot of guys. Many scoffed at my old reels. But they never showed me anything that they could do, that I couldn't do equally as well. Now that being said, if you using one of these higher end reels gives you the confidence to fish better, then by all means, more power to you. Confidence is the name of the game. BTW, they ARE built like tanks too!

I'm picking up a MK 40# thrust TM, with transom mount. I'm planning on using this small motor between two boats for side pulling and trolling. Not looking at running all day long. Thinking about 2 - 3 hrs. run time on mid speeds at most and I'll be happy. Because I'm planning on moving this motor (and battery) between two boats during the season, I'd like to get the lightest battery possible - weight wise. Besides, at 73, trying to move a 60 lb. battery back & forth between the boats is not a viable option. I'm thinking something along the lines of a series 24 or 27 deep cycle, but I'm not sure of the weight of these batteries. What can I get away with and still have enough juice to run this motor? Thanks for your input folks!

I've still got 4 Ambassadeurs. Two older ones were handed down to my grandkids, after I showed them how to use a "real" baitcaster (LOL). I don't use them much anymore however, preferring spinning tackle and finesse presentations over "powerfishing" these days. Maybe it's the arthritis and old age, but I can still catch them pretty well. Guess the other baitcasting rigs will go to the younger "whippersnappers" in my clan.

I've relied on Fleck spinnerbaits for over 3 decades now and will continue to do so for the next 3 (LOL). Reliable, well made and cost effective. They do make some "prettier" spinnerbaits out there. Some have very neat materials and blades. But fishing side by side with some of fine bass fishermen, I do just as well.

The only time I use a swivel is when I'm deep jigging for lake trout. They tend to spin a lot when bringing them in. Other than that, I've learned to tie the Alberto knot to my main line braid. And I keep my leaders (fluorocarbon) to about 4 feet. This way I can re-tie without having to replace the leader entirely.

All I know is that I believe what Buck Perry said.....in that he wanted the fish to see his line.....so that it would direct them to his lures! I use a fluoro leader with braid mostly for the abrasion resistance and as a shock absorber. Right, wrong or indifferent.....it has worked for me for many decades.

Maybe it's just because I'm just getting too old, but I actually prefer spinning to baitcasting. Unless I'm flipping or pitching to specific cover. 90% of my fishing can easily be handled with spinning equipment and there are so many good quality rods out there today, that it is probably more of a budget consideration than anything else. Rarely have I found a "bad" rod these days. BPS or Cabelas brand rods should suffice nicely in the med-heavy range of actions. You can find some heavy action spinning rods, but those are usually used for catfishing or musky type baits. A good med-heavy fast action graphite rod should fill the bill nicely.

"I think that locking up/binding problem most occurs when the reel get soak in water. I have symetre the gen before they stop production but so far no problem(cross my finger)." Simple fix. The problem is the fiber arbor friction ring that deteriorates over time. Cost a couple of bucks for the replacement ring and you're good to go. Shimano must have gotten deluged with service complaints because of this design issue. They also went up in price considerable for all models. Very disappointing. Switched to Pflueger myself. Better reel in my opinion.

Thanks so far guys.

have a 40 lb thrust Minn Kota that I want to use as a side pulling, secondary electric motor. Don't want another heavy deep cycle battery in this 16' tracker. Saw this one on Amazon: Light 12V Battery Would this be a waste of money, or would it work for slow side pulling this boat for a few hours? This battery had some great reviews. It also had some not so great. Not looking to run all day by any stretch. Thanks guys!

Regular candle wax has worked for decades for me.

Funny thing about Megastrike; it flat out works, regardless of flavor. I have a couple of tubes of the original in different tackle bags and I keep one of the crawfish for when I am targeting crappie. For whatever reason, I get better results on panfish with the crawfish scent.

Old school here as you know. I bought my first spinnerbaits back in the early 70's. Fleck was the No. 1 manufacturer of them back then. Been using them successfully ever since. Inexpensive and effective. Being as they are still produced today, makes you wonder how far off can they be, right.

The BPS store here in MA, is right next door to the famous Fenway Park. Last time I took my son to BPS we shopped around for a bit and bought some stuff. But - on the way out, the game was getting out at the same time! Took me almost an hour to get out of the parking lot! Last time I ever went there. I do frequent Cabelas (in CT) once or twice a year, usually around March or June, to use up all the gift cards I am given for Xmas, BD and Father's Day. But the prices there are just so much higher than you can get from other online retailers. I cringe when I have to pay over a buck more per bag of whatever there. It's a good place to visit to get a "hands-on" on some major items you are planning to buy; like a sonar, new outboard, or a gun you have in mind. But not a great place to buy unless you are pretty well "heeled".