K_Mac

I was much overweight a year ago. Weight loss, working on core strength, stretching to improve flexibility, along with weight training 3 times a week and regular aerobic training has made big difference in my ability to fish for longer periods without fatigue and lower back pain. Strong is good, but it is only one part of the equation. Good luck. Not being able to fish, or only fish for short periods of time is tough on guys like us. EDIT: For the record I am 5'11" and 205 at this writing. I still have another 20 lb to go to make my target.

If a guy limited himself to only the baits listed in this thread he would be a very well equipped bass fisherman. I do not currently own any high-end baits, including swimbaits only because they do not fit my budget. I also do not have an A-rig-just haven't had the need. I try to use whatever works though. If big fish are biting on $25 swimbaits, or the A-rig, I will probably find something else in my boat that will work instead. If not I will break a piggy bank and buy one or two.

Avalonjohn44 has a fine list. I would add some RI Sweet Beavers in in California 420/Hematoma in both sizes and some Netbait Paca craws and chunks in similar colors. Leave everything in the original bags, and use a gallon zip-lock bag for the overflow!

I could not agree more Traveler. I fish with guys who could not fish with another guy from the front deck, no matter how big. Some fishermen just don't have the skills and focus to do it. As you say, when both know what needs to be done and how to do it, you can cover the water much more efficiently.

1. No 2. Depends on the boat and the bait. On my boat 2 works for pitching, but it is a little cramped. On my friends Z9 we almost always both fish off the front deck when working slower baits. One big advantage is you don't have to pay as much attention to boat position. If you are both working from the front and the back swings out, it is less of a problem. With reaction baits it is less of an issue, but still works better with both on the front deck unless you are working off-shore structure that allows for a bigger target zone.

180!!! Good grief, I thought 10 years was nuts. I guess me and my old tin boat will have to make do...I really do like the Ranger Zs though.

Jeff I'm told you can finance one for 120 easy payments!

There are times when it will work better than anything else for me. I also fish football jigs often in places where I used to throw a C-rig, but have much confidence with the C-rig based on many years of success using one.Tungsten definitely gives more feel for the bottom-whether it is worth the cost depends on how deep your pockets are and how heavy a mainline you use. I use 15# CXX and don't lose too many.

No one "needs" a boat that big, but what does need have to do with it? Most of us have more stuff than we need. My disposable income is limited, so what might be excessive for me would be very basic for some. I have friends though that think my collection of gear and the money I spend on fishing related stuff is silly. I grew up in a culture that defined excess as anything more than we could afford. I have since spent time around many that base their self-value on the worth of the stuff they own. Either extreme puts an unhealthy emphasis on money. Within my financial limitations, I spend my money on what I consider important and what makes me happy. That is way it is supposed to work in my view. God bless America! The tourney guys are limited by horsepower. If they could run bigger motors they would run bigger boats-at least much of the time when conditions and locations would allow. Redline what is the difference in the "C" designation? I looked at the web site. Is it just subtle differences in rigging and high-end fixtures or are there major differences in construction and materials? Maybe for a little extra coin you could have them customize one for you?!

At the price of tungsten weights I wish there was a simple formula to determine what weight for any particular bottom bouncing bait. There is not. As with many things fishing the answer is it depends. I use from 1/8 -1.5 oz depending on (in no particular order): 1. The size of the bait (a bulkier bait will require more weight to get a given rate of fall [ROF]) 2. Depth of the water (deeper water will sometimes require heavier-although this is not always the case) 3. Clarity of the water (clearer water will generally require a little faster ROF) 4. Wind (stronger winds will often require more weight to keep contact with your bait) 5. Type of cover and where in the cover the fish are holding (sometimes when fishing grass a lighter weight will keep the bait higher in the grass and work well; other times a heavier weight is needed to punch down into the grass) 6. Mood of the fish (this is the most important of the bunch in my opinion. Sometimes a bait worked quickly near the bottom will work well; other times slowly, while maintaining contact with the bottom is necessary. Sometimes a bait pitched to cover and very slowly falling through the strike zone will kill; other times a fast ROF will work best.) I have had days where the the difference in catching or not is very small. Last year we had a day where 3/16 oz T-rigged beavers pitched to cover worked well. 1/4 or heavier caught little. 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, and 1/2 are what I use most. Good luck.

A-Jay I am only too familiar with the Gun Gorilla. At current prices he has less influence on me than he has had in the past. Still, like fishing gear, I have a very long wish list! And like fishing gear, I really don't need anything...

A-Jay I have a Mossberg pump with an 18" barrel and a choice of a couple of handguns for home defense, depending on the situation. My first choice is a 9mm semiauto. I have trained with both, and I am more comfortable in tight quarters with a handgun. I was shocked at how small of a pattern you get with a 12 ga loaded with buckshot at SD distances, and how easy is it to miss when moving and shooting in a hurry. It is a formidable weapon though, and if I am hunkered down waiting for help to arrive it will be the gun in my hands. I like the 870 a little better than the Mossberg, but I got a good deal on the Mossberg. I also hope you never have to use it for its intended purpose, and if you do that it serve you well.

Great looking boat! They have come a long way in making aluminum boats suitable to bass fishermen. The big deck, storage space, and high-end fixtures makes your boat a fine choice IMO. Lund makes a quality boat that should serve you well. The ProXS is a beast! A friend has the 250 on his glass boat, and it really performs well. Congratulations.

I also wish you guys a fast and uneventful recovery. My prayers are with you.

Hootie I think the answer is yes. I am a big fan BPS PQ reels. There are a couple of others in their line-up I might try, but probably not. The PQ fits my needs at a price I like. Does that make me a BPS loyalist? Or just PQ loyal? If they change the reel and make it less desirable I will find another to replace them when the time comes. That decision will be made based on hands on use of other reels and information received from trusted sources. When I decide to go with a Shimano I will seek LMG's guidance...

Model loyal is a concept that makes sense. I am loyal to gear that has met the test of time. The problem is even models within brands have a way of evolving over time, and sometimes the changes that are made are in the interest of saving money rather than maintaining or improving quality. I have very limited dollars to spend on tackle, so I am always looking for the best bang for my buck. "Good enough' is often my creed. When I find something that meets that standard at a reasonable price, I am good to go. I guess at the end of the day, my loyalty is primarily to value. The problem is my standards often change over time; the rod or reel that once was once 'good enough' may not make me as happy today as it once did. I think for many of us there is as much joy in the process of getting the right tool for the job at the best price, as there is in using that tool.

With no disrespect to Bantam1, I have used Yozuri Hybrid over a couple of years (one year exclusively) and I can say without reservation, based on many hours of use, Line and Lure works very well with it making the line much more manageable. I do not know or care what happens at the molecular level... I would agree with LMG that 12# is a better general choice on a MH rod. fl-bass these are all just details that you will work out in time. Enjoy your new set-up.

I think you will be happy with that set-up. If you have a couple of dollars left, buy a bottle of KVD Line and Lure to apply to the line. It will make the line more manageable. Either way you will be good to go!

"I did not have sex with that women." "Read my lips: I will not raise taxes." "No, I did not eat any sprinkles." Maybe a future in banking, if the political thing doesn't work out?

That is a technique I have not tried, but would really like to! This Catt has caught more fish in grass than many of us will ever see...good to hear from you Catt. While I am much more inclined to fish a slower moving bait any time of the year, a slow rolled chatterbait can be a very effective bait this time of year. Mix it up until the fish tell you what they want. Good luck.

Yep. I really like that when you call them, you will talk to someone who actually knows what they sell and can offer suggestions on similar products and better prices. I am a fan.

I hope it is a straight-forward fix, with no surprises For the last several years money has really been tight in my household, yet I have decided that the only thing worse than spending money on boat maintenance, is not having a boat to maintain. I will do without many things to be able to have my own boat... Good luck!

Step 1: Acquire knowledge. Step 2: Trust the knowledge and skills you have honed in the off season, and from experience. Step 3: Go catch some fish. That pretty much sums it up.

I think the lesson is there is no 'one size fits all' answer to bass fishing-regardless of the time of year. Last week a friend and I fished two days here in So. Illinois. Water in the lower 40s, air temp around 50. The first day we fished jigs, catching a couple of decent fish. The second day a slow rolled chatterbait was the clear winner in both size and numbers. The water temp was 41 degrees for the biggest fish of the day, a couple of degrees cooler than some of the more shallow water. Reading and learning from more experienced angler's experience, studying maps, baits, and techniques are all part of the process, but there is no substitute for time on the water putting all those things to the test. As the commercial says, "Just do it."

Beautiful fish. It looks like you crushed your old PB with this big girl. Well done!