Avalonjohn44

+2 on the mend it. I just finished repairing my small bucket of baits from last year. Have to buy a LOT less this year to replace. Like 18-20 bags of various frogs and senkos.

What does unskinning them entail? They have an outer layer you can peel off?

Well no boat. There are stress cracks on both sides of the transom and a bit of flex when putting my weight on the motor. Not much, but enough to put me off. Trailer was in sad shape too. The search continues, thanks for all the advice guys.

Red Eye Shad is just about all I throw anymore. Great bait.

Not at all, I appreciate any advice. I do have my doubts, but will need to know this stuff for the next boat I find.

I am going to look at a fiberglass 1990 Nitro this weekend for around $2000 and wanted some pointers on what to keep an eye out for. I already know that th motor is shot, needs a rebuild, but all of the lakes around me are gasless, and since this will be a starter boat for me, I don't care much about the motor right away. I really want it to practice the basics on - using a trolling motor, reading electronics, casting from a deck, etc... The Electronics and trolling motor are relatively new (2012). If the trolling motor doesn't work, I already have a replacement that I got for Christmas a year ago. My main area of concerns: 1 - The owner says the gel coat needs to be redone, it's crazing. Is this something I need to even worry about? I don't care how it looks, I just need it to float. Will it cause the boat to leak or is it just aesthetics? 2 - How do I check the transom? I've heard leaning against the motor and seeing if it flexes was the way to go. How much flex is too much? 3 - Dings in the hull. If there are any is this a deal breaker? 3 - Trailer - Brakes I can check, but I am unsure about bearings on the wheels. I suppose any rust spots would be major concern. 4 - Anything else? If I decide to buy, it will be contingent on him taking me out on it for half a day to prove that everything he says works actually does work... Thanks in advance guys!

He's open every day 10-5 except Sundays I believe.

They are a bit fat in the middle which might make it tough to set the hook. I use the Ribbit Double-Take Hooks for my other frog baits and that has worked out very well. It should do the trick with these too.

Just got some too, but I'm still iced out on my favorite pond so won't be able to try these for a couple of months. PS, I love the smell, they seem to have gotten the Berkly powerbait smell figured out...

I didn't know my town had a local shop until just recently. Since then I've gone through them for just about everything I need. Winchester VA - Jake's Bait & Tackle: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/

I've lived in my town for 17 years and had no clue this shop was here. I've been stuck with a few lousy Walmarts and a Gander Mountain that has been in decline fishing tacklewise for several years... I stumbled upon this tiny little bait shop packed to the gills with premium lures as well as local bait manufacturers. If you live in the WV Panhandle or anywhere near Winchester VA, a trip to Jake's Bait & Tackle is well worth your time. Plus, they rent out the local Ruritan clubhouse every so often for pro seminars, fishing clubs, etc. They have had a fishing vender fair in their parking lot with a couple of dozen vendors coming. I wish I'd have known about this place before sinking so much of my $$$ in Gander... http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/

I dunno if a lot of people do it, but I do it all the time and it works great for me. Also makes the bait easier to skip under things like docks or willow branches. If you don't separate the front claws, they have a good gliding action that is hard to get with other baits.

Any number of ways. Weightless, T-Rigged or as a Trailer. Fun bait.

LakeForkGuy is pretty cool, always has some good videos.

The Megabass Griffin might be a bit smaller (not sure) but it is a superb bait. They are only a 1/4 oz though... The bill isn't square, but it isn't quite round either... They are worth the money. There is a Griffon 6CC that is 3/8oz, but I've never tried it. I don't think you can go wrong with Megabass though... The Strike King KVD Square Bill has a 1.0 that might be worth trying too.

Megabass Cyclone. It sat in my tacklebox for years, decided to try it from my kayak and just had a ball with it last year.

I have an old unidentified black and herringbone popper that is my standby, but Live Target Field Mouse Ribbit Frogs are awesome too.

Comes in all sorts of colors and sizes too: http://www.lunkercity.com/grubsterindex.html

Thanks, tried Costa but I prefer Oakley - never had a better lens than the polarized G30.

Has anyone tried the Prizm Polarized lenses, either shallow or deep? Any reviews? I can't find a pair anywhere to try on, and reviews online are usually from fanboys for or against brands, not too much meat to them. Any info is appreciated.

Top one is an ABT X-2 DD crank. Never seen that bottom one, but after googling it, agree that it's a Matzuo Hayate.

http://www.another site/bassfishingforums/showthread.php?t=37906

Its an old Spro Prime Fat Crank series crankbait. Before the Little John's and Aruku shads ever came out.

Excellent product, it will pay for itself in a few weeks. It works best on plastics with less salt. Mend It isn;t like superglue, so no crusty seams and no accidently sticking your fingers together... Mend It is a solvent that temporarily liquefies (re-catalyzes is what the bottle says) the bait where it touches. Press the two halves together and it congeals just as fully as if the bait had never torn after a few minutes to set.

Sluggos, Helgies, Ribsters and Salad Spoons for me. Thanks for the heads up, gonna stock up!!