J. M. Richardson

That's a good size bass for the fella's first fish. I think my first bass was only about 10 inches long (and I caught it while trying to catch gills).

The middle yellow one looks like a pike or walleye style crank (older model). Not sure how well it would work for bass, but I know some lakes where the pike would that up if it ran true.

Great looking paint jobs.

Thanks guys, that's what I was thinking but wasn't totally sure.

Hey guys, I know the forum is about to get hammered with some jerkbait threads, but I have had a question on my mind that maybe some of the more knowledgeable anglers here can answer for me? When do so called "ghost" colored jerkbaits make more sense to use? I tend to stick to the basic colors with my jerkbaits, throwing mostly chrome/blue, clown, and black and gold color combinations. I assume the ghost colors would work better as a more subtle presentation, but I am not sure. Thanks, Justin

Nice fish, I am not a fan of carp (would rather bowfish for them) as they tend to stir up a lot of the natural lakes I fish here in Wisconsin. Nice job though.

I tend not to trust to many IT guys from stores like Best Buy. I have had similar issues with the so called "Solution Center" on my college campus. Awhile ago, I was having trouble getting a program that helped with remote connection to linux networks working (yeah, I study engineering and realize that I am kind of a nerd, but hey...). Took it into these guys and had them look at it, told them exactly what it was and was not doing, and what I needed it to do in the most explicit language (even referring to some of the computer terms) and the guy there proceeds to ask me if I had done all the stuff most people nowadays no how to do (like google the problem). Anyway, I don't take my computer back to them now as I can get the same information and fix it for free myself. IT can be frustrating, and I am fairly sure the Geek Squad only exists to make lives miserable for those who don't know much about computers (think teenage city girl with no knowledge of cars going to the mechanic..similar idea). I know enough now to take care of the majority of issues I have, and now I am the go to person for installing/fixing anything technology related with my older relatives.

Love the second one with a hint of purple in it.

I can speak for the fun of electric trucks. I raced an Team Associated T4 for awhile at a couple of local tracks. Same thing though...the plastic parts kept breaking, it was more expensive than buying new fishing lures all the time.

Sounds good guys. I am just getting into so don't know any of the details on how to do the technical trails yet (and my bike isn't as good as some of those mentioned here), but I am sure with a little perseverance and some practice (sounds similar to fishing actually), I will tearing up the trails in no time. Also, the first two accessories I bough were a helmet and a high quality bike lock (got to chain this thing up when on my college campus).

Just picked up a mountain bike today. Took it out for a ride on the streets. Can't wait to hit up some trails. Definitely can see this turning into a great passion

Looks like an awesome clearwater pattern for up here in wisconsin. Where do I get one

To be honest, I like chatter baits better for catching northerns (that what I catch when throwing them more often than not). I have caught some good bass on them though.

Awesome as always Big M

I like the mustad hooks mentioned above for my tubes...extra wide gap to hold the thick body of the tube better.

I catch more Pike on Husky jerks than anything

If i can't hook a gill it's usually because it's too small for me to want to catch it. Also, if you are using a grub that hangs past the end of the hook (as most do) the small gills will just nip at the tail, causing you to feel a "bite" but they are nowhere near the hook. I once had a bluegill attack the dressed treble on the back of my x-rap near the boat, they will hit anything with flash.

Thanks guys. I have been checking out fishingskirts.com and definitely when I get some more funds (Christmas maybe) I will be ordering a bunch of gear from there. I think I may need a new jig rod and reel though to go with it before spring fishing season...but thats a whole nother topic.

Being a young guy...i actually listen to those who have more than twice (or three times) as many years as me. It may be advice from someone stubborn, but if it's the way they do something it's probably because it works.

I throw soft plastics the majority of the time and use a medium action rod for senkos and just about every other kind of "finesse" technique you can think of. I don't drop shot much, but a good quality medium rod has always been plenty sensitive enough for me. Pair it with some 8 or 10 lb flourocarbon line and you will be set. I have pulled bass out of thick lilypads on medium action rods, but I think a medium light rod would not quite be stiff enough for fighting larger bass (and the occasional nasty northern pike if you are in my part of the country). Just my 2 cents though, it really is up to you.

I didn't know where to put this so I figured I would start it here. I have a suggestion for a new forum topic: College Bass Anglers. I know there are quite a few of us who peruse the site frequently and are members of Collegiate bass teams, or people who are looking for ways to help start up a bass club at their school. Collegiate bass fishing has exploded in the last few years (which is awesome in my opinion) and this would be a great place for those of us who are younger anglers to share ideas and information. Just a suggestion, but one I am hoping you will take into consideration. Thanks, Justin

Hey guys, Question for you. Has anyone tried the living image skirt kit from do it molds? I have really gotten into jigs this past year and want to make my own custom ones using this kit. Looking for reviews on the skirts in it if possible. http://www.do-itmolds.com/prodplasticskirts.aspx?c=364 Thanks in advance

Any Popper Style baits (hulas, frenzy popper)...probably just not enough experimentation with these Soft plastic swimbaits lipless cranks - no success yet (always lose 'em) going to try the Xcalibur one knockers next year though Used to have a lot of trouble with tubes until I found an awesome local guy who makes some sweet ones (now I catch a ton of fish on 'em).

If the fish are holding tight to cover, I like to give them small quick "hops" with my rod, bounce em up, lower the rod tip real fast and hang on your line will be slack if they hit so pay attention, reel down fast and set the hook. If they don't hit on the first fall I usually get 'em this way. When I was first learning jigs I thought you fished them like a worm (let 'em sink, lift it up, let it sink etc...). I figured out though that I get a lot more strikes on a jig if you kind of pop-drag it along the bottom. Instead of lifting straight up on the rod, pop up at about a 30 degree angle, this causes the head of the jig to stir up the bottom before coming off of it. Also, try the Booyah Bed Bug jigs, I love these things and have success on them year round (not just in beds like the name suggests). My personal two favorite colors for these are the brown/purple (with blue trailer - I know it sounds like a mismatch, but they hammer it) and black/blue with blue trailer. Overall, just keep trying different things with the jig. I would try switching colors or downsizing as well (smaller ones I found were easier to learn on). It took me about 3 months of consistently jig fishing to get bites everytime I took it out.

Speaking from personal experience I wouldn't use Fireline on spinning gear. When I tried it, it made a lot of noise through the guides and had a ton of friction. I normally do quite well with spiderwire on my spinning gear (as does my uncle who uses it for just about everything). I also don't like the way fireline transmits bites back, harder to feel than spiderwire in my opinion.