Crestliner2008

I just picked up (about 4 months ago) a new Epson WorkForce WF-3620. Just an incredible machine. And yes, I have it wireless to my router. You can't imagine how fast it prints and copies. Envelopes too. It takes a larger supply of paper (almost a whole ream), so you can forget about running out all the time the way the cheaper printers do. The machine is a little on the large size, but it fits well on my desk here with no problems. I think it's pretty compact, considering all it can do. The one drawback was inadequate set-up instructions. I must be getting old! LOL! Anyway, I called their "Help Line" and they set me up in minutes with no problem. Also, you MUST set it up wirelessly.....unless you have a spare USB cable kicking around....one isn't supplied in the box. But I see no reason not to set it up wireless. Less is better! :-) I got this machine on Amazon.com for around $125.00. This is a LOT more than any other printer I have ever bought before, but those "el cheapos" (+ / - $50.00) only last about 2 years anyway and I got sick of replacing them all the time. They seem to always break down when you NEED it most! Add to that that they are usually slow and use up a ton of ink cartridges. I also bought a bunch of "re-manufactured" ink cartridges (recommended by Amazon as well) for back-up. Can't remember the price, but it was a LOT cheaper than new ones. However, I've been using this machine for a full 4 months now and haven't had to replace a cartridge yet! It has some kind of "ink saving" device built in. I haven't printed out a lot of pictures yet; maybe only about a dozen, so this may be why the ink is lasting me so long. I do a lot of monthly budget work and printing though, so I'm perfectly satisfied. Oh....and you can set it up for faxing too. I haven't done that, but if that's your thing, this printer will do it as well. Actually, there isn't much this printer won't do! I love it.

I read that back in the late 70's and have always admired Mr. Perry and his teachings. Best gift to give to any young fisherman today.

I bleed most often when landing lake trout. They are constantly squirming and moving and slippery. More cuts from the gill plates than any other species.

30 years ago, you had to be very picky about the hooks you selected. And I remember hand honing each and every hook every time I tied one on. These days however, I do not believe there is a significant variation in quality control amongst the major hook manufacturers. If there was, they would not be in business long these days! Competition in the angling community is intense, especially on the tournament circuits. I am still a fan of the Gamakatsu brand. Have never had them fail me and the sharpness is just fine. Day in and day out, they get the job done. Trokars are suppose to be "really" sharp. If you say so! I've tried them and cannot see the difference myself - especially at twice or three times the cost of a Gammy! I guess I'll stick with my Gammys that have served me so well, over many, many years of hard angling.

I agree with most of what's been said. A 10# braid (your choice) as the main line, with a 4', 6# - 8# test fluoro leader is hard to beat. Just make sure you join it with an Alberto knot!

Big Game is pretty tough stuff.....and pretty stiff for lighter applications such as what you are trying to do. I'd suggest you tone down the toughness a bit and try some XT instead. IF you are dead set on using mono. If you want a better spinning experience, try some 10# test Power Pro instead, with a 10# test 3' fluorocarbon leader. You won't go back to mono after that.

The "Rig n' Hook" (4/0 is good) seems to work best for me. I rig it backwards with no weight. It's plenty heavy enough for casting or pitching. Just make sure you are using at least a med-heavy rod and some stout braid (with a fluoro leader of course). This is one of those special baits that just has to be in your arsenal.

You really should learn to drop shot. What is preventing you from doing so?

Another vote for the Pointer series here.

In my opinion, MLF is definitely the best competition series there is. Love the penalties!

Back in the early 90's when Fireline first came out, in "smoke" color only, I noticed the fraying. I called Berkley and talked to a tech rep there. He convinced me that it was only the color coating that was "fraying" and it had no detrimental effect on the pound test rating. Since then I've fished Fireline a LOT....and have not noticed any line breakage, regardless of the test rating I've used. The other thing is that this slight amount of -what appears to be - fraying, actually defuses the line in the water to lessen the outline - if that is of any consequence at all! For me, Fireline is tried and true over many years of hard use. I'll never switch.

I always tend to go smaller/lighter with a reel match up. I find the smaller reels do just fine for most bass fishing applications (especially if you are using braid as your main line) and balance better on most rods. Any Shimano between 1500 - 2500 size should do you just fine. For a medium action 7' spinning rod, the 2500 is more than adequate and is my preferred match up. I'm going to be getting a couple of the Pflueger Presidents this season. I've had a great season with one bought in the spring of 2014 and the cost break is much better than the Shimanos as of late. Not sure of the size compatibility between the two brands, but I would assume a size 20 President should be just about ideal.

Welcome aboard! There are a lot of great folks here that can and will help you. However, there is also a lot of great reading to be had here, as has been stated. One thing though, do you have a sonar on your kayak? If not, you may want to invest in one. This way you can verify structure positions, find baitfish (which will direct you to the best fishing), and actually find fish at times to target. From what you've said, it sounds like you could be dealing with a deeper population of bass than where you are currently fishing. But you have to have the right tools, set up the right way, to be able to find them. Again....WELCOME!

And don't forget, you can order online and pick up your order at the store without paying shipping. For you, that's like having the complete Cabelas catalog in your back pocket!

Just one additional comment on "suspending" type jerkbaits. The rate of suspension is determined, in great part, by the temperature of the water. I usually carry a small spool of thin lead solder with me (to wrap around the front treble), so that I can adjust it, according to the conditions I'm facing. Suspension is usually best when water is the coldest (and "thickest", from a technical standpoint). This family of baits actually has a tendency to sink the warmer ("thinner") the water is. To many fishermen I know, a very slow sink is actually preferable, allowing the bait to kept more precisely in the water column between active twitches. No bait company can predict, with accuracy, just how the bait will perform each and every time. I've tried a lot of them and found this to be case. A slight variation is not necessarily a bad thing. JMO!

I just posted this comment in another post response above, and I stand by it: "I've always been a big Shimano fan. I own several of the Sahara & Symetre models. However, since last purchasing a Pflueger President, I'm changing my mind. The Shimanos are becoming increasingly expensive. The President can be found for under $50.00, which, to me, is simply amazing. The reel is extremely smooth (you just cannot feel any gear teeth on retrieve) and the drag is excellent. I've only had it for one full season, so I can't speak for it's durability - yet. I do believe I will be picking up a couple of more of these Presidents this season."

I've always been a big Shimano fan. I own several of the Sahara & Symetre models. However, since last purchasing a Pflueger President, I'm changing my mind. The Shimanos are becoming increasingly expensive. The President can be found for under $50.00, which, to me, is simply amazing. The reel is extremely smooth (you just cannot feel any gear teeth on retrieve) and the drag is excellent. I've only had it for one full season, so I can't speak for it's durability - yet. I do believe I will be picking up a couple of more of these Presidents this season.

Not yet, but his books are definitely on my "bucketlist"! Just saw the Fox movie on Killing Kennedy. Excellent!

Love the Shadalicious soft bellies. Have killed the smallmouth with the 5" in the spring on the river with this bait. Works well slow-rolling it along the bottom in summer as well. I've also had a great deal of luck on the BBZ1-Jr. I have a collection of Hudds as well. I like the action of the 8" over the 6" though, but have had little success with either.

Great read! Read that late in 2013. I have no particular genre, I just like something captures you so that you do not want to put it down! Some good suggestions here....I will certainly look into them. Thanks!

Awesome smallie for any body of water. Congrats!

I enjoy "entertainment" type reading to try to help me through the hard water period of the winter in the northeast. I like detective/suspense type novels and have just finished "Fear Nothing" (paperback), by Lisa Gardner, featuring her Detective D. D. Warren character. Great read about this detective and her efforts in tracking down a serial killer. If this is your cup of tea, Garner is a fine author.

Happy New Year to all on this fine fishing site. God Bless!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone and God Bless.

Toward the end of February, I'll riding by the ponds almost daily, hoping for ice out conditions. But usually that doesn't start to really get going until mid-March around here (MA). I'm not a fan of ice fishing, but as soon as open water occurs, I'll be out there for sure!