lineslinger

You might also check out Cabela's Bargain Cave for the Quantum Catalyst. They're on sale now for only $59 and that's a bargain. I love the 20 size I've got and it's as smooth as silk. They have a good warranty, lifetime on the bail, and the bail system is magnetic, which, to me is soooo easy to use. Just my thoughts. I also have Sahara's and a Daiwa Xia I really like. It has a really large spool for longer casts and faster line pickup. Really a smooth reel,with 10 bearings, and I think they're on sale at BPS for about $40! Check 'em out.

Can't help but mention the ole South Bend Nip-i-di-dee and spin-i-didee. Hand 'em for years and they still catch fish! Just pray I never lose 'em cause I don't think they make 'em anymore.

I've been using it for about a month now and it has increased my hook up ration by about 50-60%. A friend and I were fishing West Point and I was using it, he wasn't. I out fished him 4 to one and the next thing I heard was "let me try some of that stuff!" I've always used Berkley scents until now and they help, but you have to spray way too often. With the Megastrike I only apply it about every half hour and I no longer go fishing without a tube in my pocket. Excellent product in spite of the fact that Rolo marini endorses it. I love it!

Kept seeing KVD catch all those bass on the Strike King Burner Spinnerbait, the bait monkey bit me and I had to have one. Took it out to one of my local small ponds and figured the fish would be up closer to the bank in the shallow water so cast it out parallel to the bank and BAM! Caught a 4 pounder! Thought that was too good to be true. He really snockered it! Wasn't a few minutes later and WHAM! Only a 3 pounder, but it sure made the day worthwhile, considering I only had about an hour and a half to fish. Called it a day and left a winner! Hope ya'll have as good a luck! Now this ain't no hawg tale, but when you're confined to bank fishing and working under such time restraints, it just makes the trip worthwhile and fun!

Been using the twist locks for a while now as I got tired of re hooking worms. They're a little tricky at first, trying to get them exactly straight but I caught about 12 fish on one worm using them. I use small zoom worms and either the 1/0 or 2/0 and they work rather well. Use the 1/0 most as it allows the bait to fall slower. Hit the jackpot the other day and found a bunch of them in one of my fishing shirts! Good Luck and hope you feel the jerk you are seeking and are able to bring it boat.

Looking for a couple travel rods that break down into manageable sections to just keep in the car. One spinning and one baitcasting. Would like to be able to use them for everything, and they don't need to be top of the line. Will pair w/catalyst 20 pti and quantum burner. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Just want to be sure I have something to fish with wherever I go. Thanks.

I've actually gotten to the point I enjoy fishing in the wind. Not only is there NOT a crowd on the lake, but the fish like the wind! I utilize traps, spinnerbaits, and carolina rigs. Just need to use a heavier weight to keep bait where you like it. I've even used topwater and found it effective. Methinks wind and light rain affect the fishermen more than the fish. Fish has gotta eat, and it's my job to feed 'em! Good Luck!

I've got the Catalyst 20 pti and just can't seem to put it down. Use it for on several different rods and it seems to excel on all of them. Never had any high line reels until I bought this one and for $55 I couldn't pass it up. Once I got it, tried to order another one and they were already sold out! Wish I had a couple more! Thought the bail system was a gimmick, but proved to be way better than others. Good luck and think you'll love your new Catalyst!

Just got a little unexpected windfall and giving serious thought to acquiring a couple new rods. I know this is not an easy question,but I would like to get one spinning and one b/casting that will do most everything well, not perfect. Will be putting a catalyst 20 on the spinning a quantum energy pt on the baitcaster. I've got so many rods and reels that it's become difficult for me to decide on what to use when, that's why I want to scale down a bit. Want to keep prices below $100 each. I've currently got a BPS extreme baitcaster w/extendable butt section and really like it. Got a Okuma guide series spinning in medium w/fast tip, All American worm rod & crank rod, couple of bionic blades, etc. Am thinking about trying St. Croix, but don't know anything about them and was hoping you guys could give me some insights and possibly some sale items I might not be aware of. Oh yeah, Guess I want medium action with "semi" fast tips. Thanks in advance for all your help!

Giving serious thought to getting a Tracker 19' pro team and needed some suggestions concerning the power. Don't want to go overboard, but want the most economical size that will move the boat using as little fuel as possible and don't want too little or too big. Also, I'm tending toward 4 stroke. Know it's probably not as fast and heavier, but they tend to be a lot quieter and I don't like having to mix oil/gas. Just need all the input I can get cause I don't want to make a mistake and want a rig I'll be satisfied with for a long time. Thanks in advance for all your input. I've found this site to be a gold mine of knowledge and the willingness of all of you to share your vast experience and knowledge is PRICELESS!

I've been using with Net Bait paddle tail and really like it, not to mention it's quite a bit cheaper!

Hey Rand, should you ever need someone to fish with, let me know. Had to sell my boat recently due to divorce and haven't recovered enough to get another one. Never fished Varner, but will next chance I get! GREAT specimens.

Bought a BPS pro tourney or something like that, and believe it or not, it's one of my favorite spinning rods. Really fast tip and has plenty of backbone. First day out with it caught an 8 1/2 pounder and have caught several nice stripers on it and it's really performed beyond my expectations!

NIIIICCCCEEEE TOAD! Congrats! I've had some of my best luck fishing in the rain, and one good thing about it, there's usually not a crowd on the lake. Job well done!

I would consider the Frog Toggs! You stated you needed something to protect you from the rain and these will do that well and not drain your pocket book. Should you need more protection from temperature, I usually just put on some lightweight fleece under the Toggs. I'm not a big user of the Goretex and coated nylons as I don't really think they breath nearly as well as the Toggs. Give them a try with some fleece and use the rest of your money on fishing equipment! Good luck!

You haven't said brand, etc. There are so really good ultra-lite spinning reels on the market relatively inexpensive. You just have to evaluate whether or not the reel is worth putting any effort and/or money into it.

Nice toad!!! What'd U catch it on?

Got a couple of the Guide series rods and really like them. Reason I got two, first one had a break 1/2 inch from the tip and they just sent me another rod so I just retipped the broken one. Use the broken one for jigs and heavier baits, the other is good for just about everything. I was also lucky enough to get it for about $20 and assure you I've gotten much more than my money's worth! Good luck with yours.

Got some kind of contraption from BPS called line zapper or something like that and it really works great. In the field it might be a little testy and time consuming, but use it prior to fishing to re-rig everything and it works great. It's similar to the Berkley, but I think it's been around longer. You'll have to look in the salt water section to find it. Cuts all kinds of lines and leaves a little ball on the end. Uses one AA battery.

Them Darn Spots sure do taste good in that Zatarains! There are usually so many of them down here you couldn't harm the herd if you wanted to, less you took out the toads, and they ain't that good to eat!

Yeah, I, too wonder what some of ya'll do for a livin', especially Floridabassin. Old man once told me the difference between happiness and contentment: Happiness is gettin' what ya want, contentment is wanting what ya git! Lord knows I've got enough equipment and it's probably been to the point of committing idolatry, but I've come to learn that people are far more important, entertaining, and enjoyable than "things," so guess I'll go with I got!

JMO, seconds to Ghoti, the rod is more important than the reel. You really don't have to mortgage the house to go fishing. I've got an extremely OLD shimano bantam on a medium/fast rod that will work wonders down to an 1/8th of an ounce! If you have the opportunity and the time, just try different outfits in your price range and when you find the one that fits, get it. In truth, there's a lot of quality equipment out there that's more than adequate, but of course, there's gearheads like me that think they have to have the latest and best of everything and keep the credit cards maxxed out! Good luck with your endeavors and just remember, tomorrow, whatever you have today may very well be obsolete tomorrow! God Bless!

Could that space with the three holes be where the bilge pump was located?

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm pretty well sold on the tracker, UNLESS I can get a real steal on a fiberglass one fully outfitted. At least I have time on my side and I can take my time and wait for just the right opportunity. Thanks again for all the help!

I had a pro 165 w/merc 40hp 4 stroke and it was a great boat. I would think twice before getting a 25 hp. Also, mine had a 30 gal tank I think. I weigh about 220 and when fishing with someone else, it was adequate but no a lot of room. I'm on a real budget, but am not going to get anything less that 17.5 or 18 foot on next boat. You'll be grateful for the room as well as added width. If you can find a used tracker with merc and are able to transfer and/or extend the warranty on the motor, you should be able to able to find a good deal. I'm hoping I can! Just my opinion, that 25 hp motor probably won't be enough. I used my 165 on local electric motor only reserviors and got a 50 fp trolling motor. Good luck in your venture!