JT Bagwell

I fished a bunch of events as a co-angler several years ago and it is definitely worth the experience. While you run the risk of getting paired with some guy that is a jerk, the vast majority are great people willing to help you grow as an angler. I learned to be more effective with a Carolina rig and some great Swim jig techniques during my time as a co-angler. I would recommend giving it a try.

I use the 5" most of the time but I actually really like the 7" Yamamoto Senko a lot.

Thanks guys, it is slowly getting better. I just don't want anyone else to have to deal with because it is horrible.

If you follow me on social media you know I frequently talk about how important it is to wear good glasses for both polarization and more importantly, eye protection. I never leave home without a pair of Wiley X glasses on my face. Something that is also extrememly important is sunscreen. I took the kids fishing this week and decided to take my shirt off but didnt put sunscreen on. Needless to say, I got really sunburned. Besides that pesky skin cancer chance, there are other issues related to sunburn. Starting yesterday I began dealing with what is commonly called "Hell's Itch" seriously Google it. My back and chest itch like nothing I have never felt in my life. It is my skin trying to heal itself but in the meantime it feels like 10,000 needle pokes that only stop for a little bit at a time. All of it could have been avoided if I would have taken the 20 seconds required to apply sunscreen. So with that being said, don't be dumb and lazy like I was this week. Put on the dang sunscreen. I can promise you, you do not ever want to have to deal with Hell's Itch. Plus it would suck to lose a BassResource member to skin cancer because they were to lazy to apply sunscreen.

Have any of you used this website before? I just joined today because Yamamoto has linked with them and all of us on their team were asked to join. So far I don't really know much about it or how I can get the most out of it. Supposed to be a good way to link with potential sponsors and keep track of your activities for your sponsors. If you have any experience with it please let me know so I can shorten the learning curve. Thanks

Some really good comments on this thread. I agree with what several people said about some of the super cheap stuff being a pain in the butt. For conversation sake, I would say $100-$200 is a good entry level combo and $200+ would be what I would start calling higher end gear. Most of mine retail for around $300 each. Prices now days can obviously way higher than that.

That was hilarious. It really made me laugh.

There was no specific experience that made me think of posting this (I often just have random thoughts). What was kind of the catalyst is I was looking at some new equipment online and I was looking at the cost. For several years I was sponsored by Pflueger and All Star before they were bought out by Pure Fishing so I literally have a hundred rod reel combos they sent me. As a result, I have never had any reason to buy a new one and I have never really looked at getting a new sponsor. When I was looking at the new equipment I kind of wondered if it was really any better than the 4 year old stuff I have now or if the entry level stuff of today was the same as the "high end" older stuff I currently use. It just kind of had me thinking. lol

For you guys/gals that are newer to bass fishing, I want to give you a little input. You absolutely do not need to have the best fishing equipment on the market to catch a bass. Instead of spending beyond your means, just get the best that you can afford. Most of the equipment made nowdays is pretty decent so you will be just fine. JT Bagwell @BagwellFishing

My 8 year old has been using a couple of Pflueger Spinning rod/reel combos for a couple of years and they work great for him. I spool them with 15# test PowerPro and that really helped reduce the issues he was having with knots in his monofilament. My 4 year old is using Pflueger spincast rod/reel combos also with PowerPro and they work great for him as well. I really think switching to the small diameter braided line was a HUGE performance booster for both kids. JT Bagwell

When I posted the question I was thinking about specific techniques and things of that nature. But I have to say, some of the answers so far are pretty funny. I posted this same question on my social media and got some interesting responses there too. It just kind of makes me think about how to get better and help other people get better.

What is the single aspect that you struggle with the most in regards to bass fishing? Mine would probably be fishing deep, clear water.

The one tip I would give you is if you have any specific questions, ask them on here before you sign up for a tournament. Example: How much gas money should I give the boater (assuming that you are going as a co-angler at first)? How many rods should I bring? Things of that nature. Get them all out there ahead of time instead of finding out too late.

Most of my fish this month have been on Senkos and Square bills. Fishing in IL this time of year can be rough but they can still be caught.

I got the new PSE Stinger X ready for the field package last year and I have nothing negative to say about it. I can't remember exactly what it costs but it was a decent price.

My favorite bait for fishing grass is a Lucky Craft lipless crankbait. Normally I throw the LV500Max.

I don't know if I have 1 person that I would call a mentor but I have learned from dozens of guys. I will say though that I loved watching Hank Parker growing up. He was definitely my fishing hero. Hank turned pro the year I was born. As an adult working in the fishing industry I was able to work with him on some articles and one concern I had was that he would be a jerk and totally destroy the image I had of him in my mind. Luckily, he was one of the nicest people (he even said I could call him Uncle Hank lol) and he is still my fishing hero.

Mike is a good dude and the Bull Shad is an awesome bait.

I don't have of these Under Armour boat shoes yet but I heard they are super comfortable. http://tinyurl.com/qgetrhx Looks like they are $20 off right now too. I personally just wear some Under Armour tennis shoes.

That was some funny stuff. lol

You are correct, I do use their BC reels too. I have used them all from the first Trion to the Patriarch and I have honestly had very few problems with any of them. I have used the Supreme the most and it is a great reel but I think my favorite is the Patriarch.

Between my two boys, we are at baseball 4-5 nights per week. This is really cutting into my bass fishing. I know they will be grown soon and I will miss all of this but can't we just have 1 game per week, per kid? I am going through withdrawals. Luckily 1 of their seasons ends this week and the other in 2 weeks.

I like the Lucky Craft G Splash popper.

I have used nothing but Pflueger reels ever since Davy Hite turned me on to them about 12 years ago. The President is an excellent reel and now days, it is tough to beat that price.

Here you go... http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Bagwell/how-to-get-sponsors.html