Little_Minnow

Welcome to the board....there are professionals here who can help you:)

Just curious what your favorite bass fishing magazine is for actually learning stuff. It seems so many magazines have turned into just one big advertisment with almost no real content. Even the stories are just filled with guys saying the rod or bait they use is the end all for whatever your particular fishing woe is. I want a magazine that actually teachings me something. What do you guys think?

My AS68MXF and AC68MXF arrived today....I can't wait. I am hoping Santa will bring a couple of nice reels that will do the rods justice:)

I am a new guy as well and have already recieved some great information from these guys...this site is really top notch. Welcome to the group.

I am putting the boat in the water tuesday and will check the mode. I looked at the trasducer and it looks clean. Thanks for the input.

I am a marina owner in Texas, and I know that people keep receipts from gas purchased at the marina to claim the $0.42 per gallon highway tax back. It IS a tax for repairing roads so if the fuel is not used on road this tax does not apply. This is similar to the red dyed deisel fuel they use on farms that you may have heard of. It is easy for people to claim the receipts from here because it says on the receipt it is from a marina. I do not know how you claim a reciept from a regular gas station, but I would be curious to know. Josh

It was on the water that this happened. I tried it in the driveway and did not think anything of it not getting a reading because I was not on the water, but when I got on the water it still did not pci up the bottom. As I said, it powers up and looks like it is fine, but it says that the water is 59 feet deep and does not show the bottom.

Don't know if this goes here or under another catagory, but here goes. I just bought a used boat and it has a brand new Garmin 240 on the trolling motor. The guy I bought the boat from said he did not have a chance to take the boat out again after having it installed. The installation looks fine and it powers up, but I have no depth reading. It says 59 feet deep all the time. According to the manual it should automatically pick up the bottom and start displaying. Is there something really easy that I do not know about before I take it into the shop to be looked at? Josh

New to this but already have an embarrassign moment. I was test driving a used bass boat that I was thinking about purchasing and although I am new to fishing I am not new to boating...I remembered the straps....I rememembered teh plug....boat started right up and we idled out fot he marina for the test drive...we cleared the rock wall...I asked if he was ready as I turned my hat around backwards so I wouldn't lose it....he knodded....and tehn I slamed teh handle forward and braced myself........nothing...he looks over at me and points to the floor and says...."its called a hot foot...like the pedal in your car" he still agreed to sell the boat to me lol. As a new guy I am loving this post Josh

My report: The score is large mouth bass 1.....fisherman 0. I caught three small sand bass early in the morning on a popper close to the shoreline. After that I went into a cove and tried throwing a jig and pig with no luck. Finally I moved to a long rock wall surrounding a marina and tried throwing a worm onto the rocks and jigged it back to the boat...again with no luck...at that time the wind was picking up pretty good so I moved inside the marina and tried throwing a jig up into the boat slips with no results. I have to say being new at this is very frustrating when you really have no idea where to start or what to do. I can also say that it was still a really great day with one of my friends on the lake. We had a blast and can not wait to go back to it. I told him about this website and we are both going to be reading up and asking questions until the next time. I really appreciate everyones input here and thank you fro all the kind words. God Bless Josh p.s. Any advice for next time would be greatly appreciated:)

I am about to walk out the door to my firts "real" bass fishing trip in years. I amjust coming back to fishing and have not seriously gone in over 20 years. I have been reading up on this forum, my gear is ready, and I am beyond excited. I will let you know how it goes. Josh BTW I am going out on Eagle Mountain Lake in Fort Worth Texas. It is 40 degrees but supposed to get into the mid 70s. I am going out on a boat and the weather is supposed to be clear with just a light breeze. Thanks everyone.

Speaking from experience.....go to college. If you are not SERIOUS about being a professional fisherman and it is a hobby...which most would have to admit as much as they love it they can not make a living at it so it is a hobby....you need to go to school. I took a year off...then two...then three...I am 34 now and just graduated from college three years ago. The difference finishing school has made on my career is amazing. Now I have the time and money to enjoy my HOBBY. Getting the mindset to go back to school after being off is very difficult...that is why so many people that take the time off never end up going back. All that said...if you are SERIOUS about being a professional fisherman....that is how you want to earn your living....then I agree with one of the previous posters that you need to chase the dream while you are you ng and your responsibilities are minimal. Congratulations on graduating high school...that in itself is a great accomplishment...I recommend keeping the momentum and knocking out college. Best of like either way. Josh

Matt, Eagle Mountain has been on several of the tournaments lately. It is a pretty nice lake and not as crowded as some others. Don't get me wrong, we have our share of skiers, but you can find lots of water were you are out of the traffic. I think I sent you a PM yesterday with some basics on the lake, but let me know if you have anymore questions. Which tourny you in in June? Josh

Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate it. Josh

New to bass fishing. Live on Eagle Mountain Lake just north of Fort Worth. Looking for fishing buddies. Josh

If you are still looking for ponds I know some north of downtown Fort Worth. Josh

Matt Fly I am on Eagle Mountain lake. I am very new to bass fishing, but grew up on this lake and can give you some detail about it if you come this way. Josh

Saw your posting for the crankbait rod and did not know if you had seen the posting for the sale at www.reedssports.com They have St Croix Avids on sale for $96 Good luck Josh

I know you said you already have an Avid, but RoadWarrior told me about a sale that an online place is having www.reedssparts.com They have avids at $99 US right now so it might be good to pick up another even with the conversion. Good luck Josh

I guess I should say I know how to use both Spin and BC reels. I just have not had the opportunity to really fish seriously before and now I can, but I am starting from scratch. Thanks for the feedback. Josh

Ok guys and gals...here goes..first post. I am just gettting started in bass fishing and need some direction in rod and reel selection. I have read many of the posts, but want to present my question directly. If you had $500 to spend on rods and reels and you currently had NOTHING...what would you buy. Thanks for your help. I really love this site and look forward to learnign a bunch from all of you.