hooked@2

RM, I live in Wichita and work in Valley Center. Do you have a shop in Park City I can visit?

I have a Pflueger Echelon reel that is about 3 years old. The levelwind gets stuck when it reaches the left end of the worm guide and won't move back right unless I push it with my finger. I've tried basic cleaning and lubrication and that doesn't help. I've had baitcasters for 30 years and never had this problem. Any suggestions? Thank you any and all for your ideas. Brian

Thank you, all. I will be researching Bob Lusk's site this weekend. If things go well and you are ever in the Wichita, KS area let me know.

Thank you, all. I will be researching Bob Lusk's site this weekend. If things go well and you are ever in the Wichita, KS area let me know.

Thank you, all. I will be researching Bob Lusk's site this weekend. If things go well and you are ever in the Wichita, KS area let me know.

I guess I should add that it's less than 1 acre now and I'm considering enlarging it to about 10 acres.

I guess I should add that it's less than 1 acre now and I'm considering enlarging it to about 10 acres.

I guess I should add that it's less than 1 acre now and I'm considering enlarging it to about 10 acres.

I'm moving out to the country soon. There is a small, spring-fed pond on the property. I've gotten permission from an adjacent land owner to enlarge it. Where can I get information on doing this? What about stocking it - what fish besides bass, etc? Thanks.

I'm moving out to the country soon. There is a small, spring-fed pond on the property. I've gotten permission from an adjacent land owner to enlarge it. Where can I get information on doing this? What about stocking it - what fish besides bass, etc? Thanks.

I'm moving out to the country soon. There is a small, spring-fed pond on the property. I've gotten permission from an adjacent land owner to enlarge it. Where can I get information on doing this? What about stocking it - what fish besides bass, etc? Thanks.

Needemp - Sounds like you had a great time! I remember learning to fish a worm as a 12 year old. Took me what seemed like forever. Sounds like he's really hooked. Great job, Dad. I have 6 boys and so far none of them like fishing. I'm not giving up though. My tourney is this weekend. Can you share what lures/colors were working for you? PM me if you like.. Thanks, Brian

Anyone have an update on fishing at Lake of the Ozarks? 10 days and counting to my trip!

Thank you, Everyone! There are tons of great ideas here. Now to get out and try them!

I'm going to Lake of the Ozarks in 3 weeks for a company tournament. I've read everything I can find about the lake. Everyone says it is the greatest "dock pattern" lake there is. I'm used to tube fishing farm ponds. Just exactly how do you fish a "dock pattern?" What other differences do I need to be aware of based on the size of the lake? I don't think I've ever fished anything over about 50 acres in size. Also, I've rented a boat since I don't have my own. I've fished from a boat once in my life, but I was only 15 and not in charge. It was a guided trip on LOZ as a matter of fact. Any tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks to all of you for your help and advice.

6-inch Creme Scoundrel in purple/fire tail. works in any lake any color water for me. Very close second - junebug salt craw w/chartreuse claws.

Never lost one, but had a close call once. I was 13 and just learning to fish a baitcaster. I had a horrible backlash. My father gave me his all-time favorite rod (Fenwick w/an Ambassaduer 5500C) to use while he worked on my reel. Well, I forgot to punch the button on a cast :, the rod hit the water, my life flashed before my eyes and I was out of the boat and in the water to grab it just as the rod tip was sinking under the surface. I must have leapt a good 15 feet to get to that rod. My dad still says that is the funniest thing he's ever seen in his life. He heard the splash of the rod and before he could turn around I was flying through the air.

Thanks for the input everyone! See you on the lake!

My local Wal-Marts have the ABU Black Maxx reels selling for $49 and the Silver Maxx reels for only $35. Everyone I have talked to says the Silver is a step up from the Black. If you're an ABU fan and looking for a good deal on a Silver Maxx check out WallyWorld.

Gander Mountain is having their "First Cast" sale right now. Pretty good deals on everything. Bait Monkey bought a 6'6" All-Star rod paired with a Pflueger Echelon reel. The combo usually sells for $119. They had it marked down to $79 and I got a ticket at the door for an extra 10% off. Having not bought a new rod or reel in 30 years I am unfamiliar w/All-Star and Pflueger. Is this going to be a solid combo for the next 30 years? The rod felt good in my hand, was well-balanced and fit my budget perfectly. Thoughts on the quality anyone?

I did a search for LOZ on this forum and came up almost empty, but now that I have time and can browse through the pages I see that there are many threads about LOZ. Not sure why the search didn't find them. There are several good pointers just on the first 4 pages. Good luck with your trip. Please post about your successes. I'm going there myself in late April. Trying to learn all I can.

I'm fishing my first tourney ever the last weekend in April in the Niangua Arm of LOZ. Any pointers? I've heard that fishing the docks is really the key at LOZ. What baits? Are topwaters any good that time of year?

I have to spend under $100. That's why I'm looking at Wally-World. My Dad and I have threatened for 30 years (since I was 10) to fish a tourney. We are finally getting our chance in April. I'm wanting another rod for crankbaits, spinners, topwaters. I'll keep my LR for worming. We will be stopping at the BPS Mothership in Springfield on our way to the lake so that's a possibility too.

Need some impartial rod and reel advice. I have fished a Berkley Lightning Rod, 5'6", Medium action since the early 80's. It's paired with a Shimano Bantam Magnumlite baitcaster. I love this combo! I'm looking to add a new setup but I'm on a VERY limited budget. Looking at WalMart and found a 6'6" Berkley Cherrywood graphite. Anyone have any experience with this rod? If I go that way I'm going to pair it with either a Pinnacle or an ABU Black Max. I've also looked at Gander Mountain. They have a store brand combo for $60 (on sale). Was told that Pinnacle makes the reel. Any thoughts on that one too? Thanks for helping a guy who started fishing at 2yo, but has a job that didn't allow time for fishing for the last 5 years. I'm looking forward to this season when I'll FINALLY have the time to get my kids out and hopefully get them hooked too.