K_Mac

You may be able to find the original post from several years back in which Roadwarrior said that night fishing is just like day fishing only darker, or something to that effect. I think this in large part true. Using what worked during the day is a good place to start. Conventional wisdom is that darker colors are easier for the fish to see in low-light hours. I love fishing a big jig or worm at night. Bouncing a single colorado blade spinnerbait like a jig, or slow rolling it just off the bottom has also worked well. A buzzbait, jitterbug, spook, or something else on top works as well.There is nothing like setting the hook on a big fish at night. The adrenaline rush is very cool. Good luck!

I have three BPS Pro Qualifier reels that between me and my wife get a lot of use. They have worked flawlessly since day one. At that price range they are a very good value in my opinion.

Because of ongoing medical expenses my disposable income is limited. For this reason I have to carefully weigh the benefits of quality verses price. Most of my gear is in the lower to mid-range on the price continuum. It is, I believe, a reasonable compromise that is "good enough". With that said, I have used enough high-end gear to know there is a difference. If I could afford to invest in better equipment, or made a living fishing I would have the best available. There are those who will argue that all that matters is talent and skill, and cheap gear is as good as any. It is not. There are others who will argue that high-end gear is necessary to be a good fisherman. It is not. At the extremes one camp says, "My Ugly stick is as good as your NRX, and spending that much on a rod is silly". The other camp says, "Fishing with an Ugly Stick is foolish and no serious bass fisherman uses anything but the best". Both of these views are egocentric. For most of us fishing is about having a good time. We come to this site to learn what's the latest and greatest in the world of bass fishing; what we do with that information is a personal choice...

SirSnook, I used to run around with a guy who was lousy at cards, pool, golf, darts, and anything else you could come up with. Funny thing was, he always seemed to win the money, drinks, or whatever was being wagered...some guys are just lucky that way.

People quit fishing for a lot of reasons, just like everything else I think. When my brother, who was my fishing partner, was killed in an accident in 1999 it took me a few years to find my passion for fishing again. During that time I found the game of golf. Like most of us 'all or nothing types' I did that with complete abandon for a while. While my wife kept encouraging me to get back to fishing (my first love), I just couldn't quite get past losing my brother. It took an invite from one of my co-workers to remind me how much I missed being out on the water. That simple invite and trip enabled me to get on with doing what I love to do. It is really easy to get into a pattern and not want to include someone new in our fishing time, but this thread reminds me that inviting someone new along can be a life-changing thing. Thanks for the reminder Glenn.

Great attitude Caver. Attitude plays a big part in my experience here. When I come here with a negative attitude, I can always find something to **** me off; when I come here looking to learn, teach, see what the latest buzz is or just hang out for a while, I always enjoy my stay. I have learned much since finding this forum a while ago, and am a better fisherman as a result. Enjoy! Thanks for the post.

Wed evening I was fishing at a local strip pit with a friend. I caught several good fish on a jig. The only indication of a bite was a slight tick when they picked it up. Had I not been there and done that before, I would have missed most of those fish. Yes, I have soft hands that are able to feel a subtle bite, but experience is what has taught me what a subtle bite is. I have fished with some though who wouldn't know they had a bite if the fish jerked the rod from their hand.

Excellent video endless. I have had great success with chatterbaits, although this year the chatterbait bite has not happened yet for me. I keep throwing them because they can, and will produce quality fish.

Catt you make a good point. Where, how, and why is more important than what. With that said, you use Tru Tungsten weights on your T-rigs. Many people would say that paying $1.50-8.00 for a weight is silly. Good hooks are now nearly a dollar, or more a piece. Quality jigs are $2.50-4.00 plus. A garden variety chatterbait or spinnerbait will cost $5.00 plus. A bag of plastics may cost $7.00 or more, with many individual pieces costing over a dollar. Shopping smart can save a bundle, but the days of cheap crankbaits, or gas, or cheeseburgers are gone. I've made real cuts real cuts in some areas to be able to afford to fish. Going out to eat has been one casualty, but I can live with that.

Looks like a good time was had by all. John 30s and rain is not any fun. I have done it as a younger man, but with age comes wisdom-at least that is what I tell my wife! great post.

Way to go BB. I am now going through the process with my grandkids. As has been said, time passes quickly...I will now sing a few bars of 'Sunrise, Sunset' from Fiddler on the Roof.

I am far from a crankbait specialist, but the last week or two I have done really well working a 100 series Bandit (1/4 oz) over grass. I use a med power rod with a BPS Pro Qualifier reel and 12# CXX for this. Any good quality reel and line will work fine IMO.

I'm with Catt. The med Carbonlite fishes much like a MH made by many other manufacturers (think GLoomis), and is heavy enough to get a good hook-set in most situations, IMO. The MH Carbonlite is my go-to rod for 1/2 oz and better jigs and large worms on heavier weights, or where heavier line is required. Good luck, and keep swinging! Edit: I don't know which Trilene mono you're using. XL is stretchier than the others...a good copolymer is my choice.

I don't own any Loomis rods. I have used many of them, and at the IMX/GLX/NRX levels they are fine rods; they just don't fit my budget. With that said, I would wear the hat, t-shirt, or affix a Loomis sticker without giving it a second thought. I would wear a Porsche or Maserati hat or t-shirt if I had one, and I ain't likely to ever even drive one of those...if that makes me a poser then so be it. FWIW I fish with several guys who fish a variety of great tackle including Loomis rods, and not one of them look down on my BPS gear. We catch fish and have a great time doing it. Buy what you can afford; wear what you want; life is too short to worry about the little stuff...

I know nothing about the rods, but I have a couple of President reels that are excellent values IMO.

It is easy to get stuck doing things the same way, esp when it works most of the time. Last year a friend was putting a serious smack-down on me, with both of us fishing essentially the same bait. I finally stopped fishing and watched him. He was letting his shaky head sit motionless for several counts, then moving it slightly and doing the same thing, over and over all the way back to the boat. When I slowed mine down and left it alone I started catching more and better fish. I have been fishing long enough to know not to get too locked in on any one technique, but I have to be retrained from time to time...

I do exactly the same.

Catt I've never been a big fan of the "leave everything else at home" school. If you cannot cover the entire water column you have arbitrarily limited yourself. Catching fish is far more about knowing where and why, than what IMO. FWIW if I had to fish only midcranks for very long (whether I was catching fish or not) I would find another hobby also...

I use copolymer (CXX) for everything. Works for me.

I think boat position makes the decision. Like Catt and J Franco, working uphill is often the better option and may require working all the way back. If you're in very deep water pitching to cover or working structure then maybe not so much. I have also been surprised by fish taking the bait in much deeper water than I expected. So in summary, it depends ...there are few absolutes when it comes to fishing. Good luck.

I don't know if the punishments fit the crime or not. I do think sending a message that rewarding intentionally hurting a member of the opposing team won't be tolerated, was the right thing to do. Football is a violent game, but physical injury is not the goal. We live in a culture that says winning is the only thing that matters. I applaud NFL management for trying to protect the integrity of the game. Many of us still think integrity matters.

Anyone "fond" of communal showers with a bunch of guys is a little suspect in my opinion. I do take an occasional shower at the gym, but I am not fond of doing so. I do not dilly nor dally while there...

As ww2farmer said, if you're flipping it really doesn't matter much. I pitch with BPS PQ reels with dual braking, and usually use no centrifugal brakes and have the spool fairly loose. I may add a little mag braking, but have found that I have better accuracy with less brakes; it will cause you to pay attention though... Stick with the 3/8 oz jig until you get comfortable, then you can start to lighten up. Pitching, esp when using a lighter baits, is a presentation that requires practice and attention to detail. I fish with a guy that makes it look easy. Watching him has made me much better. Try some different lines and diameters also. 12# CXX is what I prefer if I can get away with it. Really nasty stuff may require a little heavier. Good luck.

I love db. He sees things that most of us don't, and he touches his readers in a way that is not always pleasant or nice. He always make me think.

The fundamental principle here is I do not want to see your junk, and I do not want you looking at mine. While there may be circumstances where this can't be avoided, as a matter of general practice the Rule is sound in my opinion. And no, it has nothing to do with embarrassment or *** , just proper manly behavior.