bassin is addicting

this is what i found to help me the most..when 1st learning a BC.....concerning backlashes/birdnests.. this i would definitely recommend...at least IMO... i would spool it full as you would normally. and then walk out about 50 yards of line, put a small piece of white medical tape across the spool, then reel in the 50 yards....that way the backlash will only go that deep. i own 2 BP PQ's...since the PQ has 2 sets of brakes, i would put 1/2 of the brakes on the inside set and then put the outside brakes at 8 to start. that is just to get you started on the brake setting.....work from there.... others may have a better way for them....that worked for me

i totally agree....pet peeve...dipsticks leaving trash behind. from time to time...i'll take a 55 gallon trash bag and just walk the bank and pick up trash it is crazy what people leave behind. it is nothing to see a spot where people have fished at night, prob for catfish, and there will be 10-15 beer cans, chicken liver containers, etc. i could not imagine leaving that much crap behind. one thing i learned about picking up the trash and a trash bag. don't start picking up as you 1st get to the bank and walk away from your vehicle. walk to the farthest point you think you may go and then pick up the trash as you walk back. seems like a "mr. obvious" now but i learned the hard way...that bag fills up quick and can get heavy and then i had to walk all the way back with it...lol...

LC Pointer 78...so...just under 4" for me if i had to pick just one size

i can see a menace on one of Siebert's shakey heads.... might be a good setup.. how about Redbug as a good color?

we can do that... that is another thing that is great about this trip. everyone has no problem telling what they use to catch them with. it is not a "double secret". the whole trip/idea is to have fun and everyone catch as many fish as possible. i am heading to BP this weekend. if anyone wants/needs me to pick anything up...let me know.

i'm in for the banquet also... and thanks Rhino....now the baitmonkey is sending me for grubs, menace(s), and weighted wacky hooks... can i get some suggestions on colors for the plastics?

i've been working on my "things to take list" for a couple months... and already done some preliminary packing....

i cannot wait!! i too am hoping to hook up with a big smallie.... i'm sure this is gonna be another great time.. papajoe....did you mention a "little blue pill"?.....thinking about this trip....works just like one....or so i am told how one is supposed to work. (i couldn't resist)

i own a MH Veritas. it is a very light rod. i think the action is good. the power rating to me seems closer to heavy...BUT i like that. i throw anywhere from 1/4oz to 1/2oz on it with no problems. i throw a lot of jigs on mine. i would go with the MH.

DT's Norman Bomber Fat Free Shads (my favorite for over 10ft) Bandit (8-12ft) Strike King all priced within where you want to be..

Zoom Speed Craw/Rage Craw Yamamoto Hula grub 7" Powerworm

mike's jigs are by far the best i have ever used. they are top quality in every way. and his customer service is 2nd to none. he will respond to an email in less than 24hrs....many times in much, much less time than that. and he will make a custom order if you want...there are no negatives at all. plus, isn't it pretty cool to catch fish on a jig that has been made for you, by someone you know.

now that, i could go for...

red earth.... you are way off base. 1st of all the X10 was not for my own post. i quoted another post and it was X10 for that post and to all the others who posted the same. and you speak of "tick and moan" say what? and a "douchey post" ? your attitide proves my point. i simply said i don't play music and i have zero desire to hear yours. the fact you say you would turn your music up "to tick me off" truly shows the type of person you are. total lack or respect for anyone else. i don't care if you or anyone else listens to music, i just don't care to hear it. so have a little respect if you are around fisherman don't have it turned up to annoy others. it is called respect. pontoon boats and party boats usually aren't an issue and aren't in the same area. but if they are, i certainly would never say anything to them. ever. they are there to have a good time. sometimes i like what they are playing. my point is, i don't play music, i enjoy all the sounds of nature and being on the water. and my preference would be not not hear your music either. no "tone" to my post. as there certainly is tone to your post. can't say i've ever met an angler i don't like...but if we ever met, you may be the 1st, based on your post and the attitude you expressed. kinda mean and hateful. and vindictive. for no reason.

no, never seen a snake eaten by a bass... but.. one time i was fishing from the bank, standing on top of a metal culvert with some rip rap on either side. i caught a small bass, about 8". at i was lifting it out of the water it came off.... just at the edge of the water, in the rip rap. all the sudden BOOM...at freakin' snake came out of nowhere in the rip rap and bit the bass...striking it 3 times. it was freaky scary. the bass flipped around a little bit and got back in the water and swam off. it was a water mocassin, about 3 foot long (no,maybe 10 foot long...lol). i watched that snake slither back in the rip rap, right on the edge of the water. i was throwing a pop-r, the next cast that snake came out and started following the pop-r. what is scary is that i used to fish right down next to the water and stand in the rip rap in that exact spot until i go the nerve to go stand on the culvert, which sits about 6 foot out of the water. i haven't been back since. but i did buy a snake bite kit...lol...i joke with my son that if i get bit, they'll probably find that kit in my backpack, never used....i'll have died from a heart attack after getting bit... lol..

None and I don't want to hear yours, either!!!!!!! X 10

spinning...

"Blade bait" recommendations....please... for me.. 1st tourney is this sunday. ice just melted off about 10 days ago. forecast high of 45 (and thats not until 4pm). ugh!! i'm going to be using.. LC 78sp pointer hair jig w/pork craw trailer rubber skirted jig w/3" damiki air craw or Power Team craw d'voure Norman thin-n Rapala dt-6 Spro little john lipless crank... and hand warmers!!! lol...

Jigs suck in those conditions. An unweighted or lightly weighted soft plastic is going to be a better option X2

i'll be there....last year's soiree got me hooked on garlic stuffed olives!! nice pics glenn....dang that hammock sure looks inviting... lol... if anyone is getting there a day or 2 early and has room in their boat...and a couch to sleep on...until my cabin is open on wed. i'd like to fish as much as possible. if you have room.....please let me know....i'll be glad to pitch in for the cabin those nights...

sounds like i need to get it... now....of course...i need a reel to put on it.....

i've got a chance to pick one up from a buddy. it is about 6 years old. 6'6" heavy. i know it is shorter than what i would like but i can get it for $80. is it worth it? i've never had a GLoomis rod before and don't know much about them...except they are too high for me new..but i don't want to drop $80 if it is not worth it..

don't be aftraid of the righthand reel. i had used spinning reels (left hand) for over 30 years and bought my 1st baitcast last year. right hand reel. it just didn't feel right to reel it right handed. something about the motion didn't feel right reeling a baitcaster left handed. at your height, i would go with the 6'6". nothing wrong with that at all. imo. on the line...get some chaep mono to start with. walk out about 40 yards of line, put a piece of white medical tape across the spool. this will keep the backlashes from getting too deep.

When spooling a reel with fresh line I make x amount of turns with the handle and spray l&l. Then just continue that process until it's full of new line. Then spray it down the night before I go fishing X2 i tend to drench it....i don't think you can use too much...it absolutely works.

i will be fishing cover but not too think or nasty...thanks for the replies. sounds like 12lb would be the choice..