SudburyBasser

We have a smallish one up here. I hadn't been to it in years and went last summer and wasn't all that impressed. Outside of a Quebec company that made their own soft plastics -- and got my money -- the booths mostly seem to be boats and ATVs. I don't mind either but I'm not all that interested in them. I'll consider not going this summer if I hear it's much the same.

Sufix 832 low visibility green.

I'm assuming we're not counting lures and terminal tackle because that would be obvious. Outside of that: braid cutter sun screen camera licence pliers knife rain gear scale scent/attractant first aid kit

Single with no children so it was up to me to get SudburyBasser something for Christmas. Because he was a good boy this year he got a BPS Extreme Qualifier 370 tackle bag and some Megabass lures, among other more modest lures. Unfortunately he wasn't good enough for that Shimano Compre rod he was eyeing earlier in the fall.

Merry Christmas from northern Canada!

I've decided that this summer I'm going to create a dedicated crankbait rod and reel combo and that it may be a baitcaster setup. Here's the thing though, the only experience I have with them is quite limited and exclusive to an old low-end Shimano baitcaster (a Bantam Crestfire CR200A) my barber gave me because he doesn't use baitcasters. So here's my request: I'm not worried about the rod because I can handle that but I need a suggestion for something that a beginner could use that's not too expensive but offers decent quality. Or should I just stick with the Shimano I have and upgrade in the future?

For accuracy's sake: I have since found out that this is not, in fact, the double uni knot. In another video Grigsby demonstrates his favourite knot for braided line which is the double uni.

The next time my family complains I have too much gear -- and compared to the average I do -- I'll just need to send them the URL for this thread. I suspect they'll have little further to say on the topic.

That's good to hear. I'm trying out FC on one of my combos after years of being a strictly braid enthusiast and one of my fears was knot strength.

Hmmm, probably a shallow water crank bait, Senko worms, some kind of jig and a top water, either something like a Zara Spook or spinner bait. Kind of hard to answer without knowing what time of the year and day. As for type of rods...probably a crankbait rod and a worm/jig rod.

Tip of the hat to Maico.

River Monsters is about the only thing I regularly watch since I got rid of WFN. I do watch some Canadian shows which focus on fishing out in British Columbia.

Shaw Grigsby what I believe is called the double uni knot which he says is the best FC knot.

I withdraw my earlier sort-of wishing I hadn't ordered the BPS Extreme Qualifier 370 bag. Came today (and thank you delivery guy for leaving it wedging my storm door open during the worst winter storm of the year) and it is truly the bee's knees. Might be small for some of you extreme guys (it only holds five or six 370s), but it's enough room for me. At least for now.

Then you're already doing better than most aspiring writers. The key is to keep plugging away. Even if it never turns into a full-time deal it is a nice sideline. Plus, you're writing about fishing...life could be much worse.

If someone made $5K for an article in any mainstream publication -- outside of an exhaustive feature like you find in monthly magazines -- I would buy them champagne to celebrate. And those $5K pieces go to established and well known writers. I made a "living" as a freelance writer for several years writing for newspapers and magazines and I can tell you a few things: Get ready to hustle. If you're an unknown you will be writing articles on spec, which is essentially writing something on your own and submitting it for consideration blind. Most outlets do not accept on spec articles and you'll have to blanket the industry to get a few nibbles. For those who do not accept on spec, prepare to email or call every editor you can reach to propose article ideas. Prepare for rejection. Most publications pay anywhere from $50 to $500 for regular articles. Sounds decent at the upper range but you aren't selling articles every day...or even every week. Freelance writing generally pays worse than staff writing gigs. Writing about fishing may combine your love of fishing and writing, but remember you won't be eating well. Prepare for rejection. I made okay money as an occasional contributing editor but most of my writing was on spec. I approached dozens to over one hundred outlets with on spec work or ideas. The fishing news world has a lot fewer options. You will have a difficult time making a living unless you land a full-time gig (and remember, the average journalist pulls in about $35,000 a year, hardly princely wages). Prepare for rejection. Have I mentioned you should be prepared for rejection? My opinion and worth what you paid for it. I'm not trying to dissuade you from going down this route -- money isn't everything but it's a hard row to hoe. Might not be a bad idea to offer your services for free to a few publications writing some minor stuff to help them and seeing if you can build a relationship that will lead to bigger things. Good luck, I do wish you well.

I used to be a member of another forum that had similar patterns of "over-buying" and we used to start "MONTH No Purchase Club" where we would challenge each other not to buy anything during that month. I've been tempted occasionally to try the same thing here because as much as I promise myself not to buy anything, I have two lures expected to arrive from Japan next week. Do I need them? Nope. Bought them anyway. I guess I have that weakness as well, ha ha.

Like others, apparently, patience. That and not owning a boat.

I wish I had seen those Cabela bags before I bought one at Bass Pro Shop a few days ago. A large Advanced Anglers Pro Series would have been perfect...

Durp. I guess I should have mentioned that he doesn't bass fish much but that he goes after pike up north in a reasonably shallow lake and river system. Does pretty well judging by the pictures.

That's what I suggested to him but he's lazy. I think, however, he'll have to go that route.

Stick baits probably catch me the most fish but I do love crankbaits. Push comes to shove I'd probably take crankbaits over anything else...I just love fishing them.

On a bit of a mission for my boss and hoping you cats can help me. Need to find a source for jigs that come with a secondary/trailer hook, like how some spinnerbaits have a second trailing hook attached to the first. Can't say I ever heard of such a thing before but he swears by them and he'd like to find a steady supplier of them so he can stock up. Anyone know who sells something like this because I haven't had any luck finding someone.

I wholeheartedly concur.

Fish more. I had a good year -- heck, I even went bone fishing in the Turks and Caicos in August -- but I missed a few weekends and I always regret not going out every chance I get.