K_Mac

A great post Tom. Some fine suggestions closing with the best of the bunch. In my experience when I relax and enjoy, my fishing (and catching) improve!

Mike at DVT is a site sponsor. He is good guy who has done great work for many of us at reasonable prices. He is always willing to answer equipment questions. Give him a shout.

I have not yet mastered skipping, especially with a baitcaster. I do know that just like skipping a stone, speed and angle are the essential elements. Of course you then have to add spool control...good luck!

Nice fish! Congratulations on the new PB.

Good man! There is little more aggravating than having a trolling motor that doesn't have enough power to allow you to fish where or as long as you want to. 80 and 24v would be my minimum.

The last couple of years the RI Sweet Beaver or Smallie Beaver have been my go-to pitching plastics.

Gabriel I do agree with one thing in your post: "This is terrible advise." You may be be joking or just trolling, either way this attitude and behavior costs honest fishermen. After being asked for forgiveness a time or two land owners often have little trust of sportsmen in general. It is easier to just say no. Some folks feel very strongly about their "sweet honey holes" and the law might be the least of your worries. FWIW I don't find find any part of your post funny.

Catt I don't think that selling swimbaits is Matt's primary concern in this thread. He has dedicated himself to catching big bass and has come to the conclusion that swimbaits increase the odds. Sure he is going to advocate for their use. Big O has come to believe, as you do, that the right plastic in the right presentation can be just as effective. Is selling Rage products his primary motivation? I don't think so, but one could cynically draw that conclusion. I have said for a while now that I target bigger fish. My average size caught supports this claim. Could I improve my percentages by throwing quality swimbaits? I don't know because I haven't made the commitment to do so. I think Matt and others make a compelling case that I could. Catt could I improve my percentages by spending more time with a jig learning to better understand structure? Based on my history I know the answer to that is yes. I think this is a fascinating and informative discussion with some really good big bass guys offering their honest views. Success, confidence and ego are all part of the ingredients here. Good job guys! Thanks for the thread Matt.

As flyfisher mentioned, you will have to do your homework to find the owner. Homeowners Associations in housing developments are usually the owners of "common" property. In industrial developments that can be a little less clear. Go to the courthouse and ask to see the public records or ask around at the surrounding businesses. The public records will probably give you a better chance of getting in touch with someone with the authority to allow you access. Good luck.

I agree that it doesn't hurt to ask. I have fished and hunted some great spots over the years because I politely asked the property owner for permission. Doing either without permission is illegal and many property owners have no reluctance to press charges. I don't blame them.

I think it is very cool that your wife kept her head and her sense of humor during an uncomfortable and dangerous event. My wife loves to fish and is a very good fishing partner, but she would've been completely spooked by the hail and lightning. Looks like you both made the best of a bad situation. Well done! It is days like this that make us appreciate the really good ones. Have a great day tomorrow.

I think the graph is a good representation of the way it works for most of us. I have several Extreme rods tha I use regularly. I don't like them as well as I once did, but they get the job done. The subject of warranty always comes up in this discussion. I would rather pay for a quality rod with no warranty than pay extra for a free replacement when I step on it on the deck of my boat.

Whether I am pitching or casting the natural rotation of my wrist causes the reel to rotate 90° with a baitcaster. I remember back in the day when I learned it was suggested for the reasons given above. For me it is just what works best.

I'm with Dwight. Those two would be my choice.

I have it on several combos, both spinning and baitcast, in 8, 12, 15, and 20#. I like it. My only complaint is that it does not have great abrasion resistance, but I retie often and it has not cost me a fish. I have fished it since early in the year and will be buying bulk spools for next year.

That's a great answer Roger. I completely agree.

I use one brake for pitching most of the time, especially with lighter baits. When casting I usually use two or three.

Yep.

*Hootie I agree with all three points. Number two is certainly also true in the greater St.Louis area. As I get older and in less of a hurry l am much more likely to slow a bit so the €£¥₩% behind me who is desperate to find the front of the line can pass. I would rather the knot-head be in front of me than trying to drive into the bed of my truck.

Like most of us, I have read, studied, and watched others to learn what best works for me. That has evolved over the years as I've learned more about bass and what I enjoy. There is no substitute for time on the water. As BrianinMD said fishing with guys who are better will save much time, effort, and money. Taking all of that and making it your own is what separates the best from the rest of us.

That is funny-and possibly true! She quite likely has a better beard than me. Mine is maybe a little better than Raul's, but still looks like I could have mange. It is not a good look.

I think 40 lb braid should work well with that rod and reel. I don't use braid enough to really compare it to mono or fluorocarbon. My guess is a quality mono or fluorocarbon will out-cast the braid; just a guess though. On my dual brake reels I usually set one or two centrifugal breaks and add mag only if needed. I would also agree that a rod that loads properly is probably the most important part of the equation. Hang in there. Some of us have been doing this for a very long time, and still don't always get the set-up right every time. Good luck.

You do not mention the line you are both using. Line can make a big difference. One of the big reasons many of us use combos dedicated to specific baits is that it enables you to have the right balance of equipment for optimum performance. Sometimes that takes a little trial and error, which is part of the fun of fishing IMO!

That was hilarious! He is a very funny guy and a marketing genus. Thanks for the link!

Lonesome Dove.