Big Bassman

I like the colors, eyes & hooks and have used them extensively last year. Caught alot of fish on them. That being said, I did break three at the bend in the wire. I'm not used to breaking the shaft wire on spinnerbaits. I'll keep using them though as long as they catch fish.

I'm easy, I'm in. The Bait Monkey is prancing on my head as I post!

Probably another buy-in like the Berkley Sick Fish/Trash Fish. I checked and the USA distributor doesn't offer the "Whacky".

I hate to say it because I'm old enough to know better, but I take every bait I can put in my boat that will still allow me room to fish. If I don't, I always seem to want something I don't have with me. The "Bait Monkey" just torments the heck out of me all the time (he's been doing this for over 50 years) so I have plenty of assorted baits and tackle, why not use'em. I've been doing this for alot of years, and using an assortment of baits is part of the fun. All that being said, I could and would if I wanted to do exactly what Warmouth stated, but why? That is why I have a bassboat, so I can take my arsenal to the fish. It's all part of the experience! I realize I'm Bass Crazy!

I ordered a bunch, hope I like them as well? BB86, thanks for the fishing reports on this bait, I have heard so much talk both ways it leaves a guy scratchin his head. It's nice when somebody can speak on a topic from actual usage. I gotta feelin they will be just fine though, particularlly considering they copied Beanos.

Thanks fellas. The fishing report is a nice report and current, not like some of them that don't stay current! I'm taking the family down to Tablerock for spring break in two weeks and the fish should start turning on by then if it continues to warm up. This will be our second year and most likely starting a new tradition. As stated above my Texas trip will be this December, but I like to plan early. When I was a young man I fished Lake O the Pines and really loved it. I was thinking maybe Palistine might be similar?

Thanks W601, is there a good fishing report available to keep me up to date?

Welcome aboard from the "GREAT STATE OF IOWA"!

Welcome aboard from the "GREAT STATE OF IOWA"!

Welcome aboard OA! You will love it here.

Welcome strikequeen from the "GREAT STATE OF IOWA!" Sounds like that bass wasn't the only one who got hooked that day.

How is Lake Palistine doing? I'm thinking about fishing it in mid to late November.

My original Big O's were stolen back in the 80's by kids that probably never knew they were of value. I had left a small tackle box of test lures in my boat by accident overnight. The rest is history. Had many original baits in this box, Heddon, Bomber, Bagley, and others less known including regional makers. Sure wish I had them back for my collection. That little box was packed! To this day I don't know why I didn't have those baits put safely away? When Big O's hit the bass fishing scene they were nothing but gold and Fred Young made them to order. The repos you have ghost are really cool though, I would keep them if I were you, they are a fun thing to have. I still have some of the old plastic ones.

I'll just wait for TW as I have plenty of tackle anyway. For me anything I buy is a want and not a need! Please keep me informed bass 1980 if you find out when they have their next sell. I always stock up on certain items when they are on sell for a great price. Like the "Bait Monkey" motto, "You have to spend money to make money". Isn't bass fishing grand!

Remember Mike, what you see above the water often relates to what is under the water. Also, per a couple of previous posters, if you can fish with someone who has bass fished for awhile do it. Some of us here have fished for 50 years and still learn everytime we go out. Go as often as you can, learn and enjoy. I fished a long time before I had a sonar unit and still caught plenty of bass. Trust me son, if you love to bass fish and put your time and effort into it, you'll be just fine. Read about bass fishing and go bass fishing as much as you can. It is like anyother sport, practice makes perfect! You will get out of it what you put into it!

They have more sales than carter has liver pills! Probably will have a "Presidents Sale", if so that should be February 18th. By the way, they are a good quality supplier!

When I was young I always brought home a legal limit and we had fish frys all summer for our family. Once the tournaments started growing popular and B.A.S.S. came along I started C&R. Nowadays me and my boys keep a few to eat but rarely. I may rethink this after reading this post? As far as bass tasting good, we all think they are great, but it makes a big difference how you clean them! I think I need to research this topic more thoroughly. Compliments to the poster and all posting.

I spend a little more on the reels because they WILL last me for a very long time if not forever, while I do break a rod once and awhile and don't believe anyone will give me a replacement rod at a total n/c if I have used it for awhile? This is a personal choice question. What a great post/topic. Everyones opinions are not only fasinating but right on. This site is loaded with quality fishermen that know their sport and how to share this knowledge with other members. This place is a gold mine, all the way down to "bling-bling"!

IMHO if you plan on using your reel for salt water I would go with the 5500C as it is a beefier reel. However, it is bigger than a palm reel (PQ) and may not be comfortable for you? They are basically two different reels so as someone suggested in a previous post, probably should go with the reel that you like the best for what you will fish the most. Unless of course you can afford to buy both?

PQ is a pretty decent reel for the price!

The knock on these reels is the longevity issue for sure. It was on the previous model as well. All I know is I purchased 3 of them for my sons and myself. We all bass fish as much as possible, because I'm older and semi-retired I am able to fish several times a week. One son says they are ok and one says they are not as good as his Pro Qualifiers. I happen to love the one I kept for myself. It's smooth and I really like the thumb button, just seems to fit my hand. I have many rods and reels so this reel probably doesn't get used as hard as someone who only uses two or three when fishing, so I might not be a good source of info? But the way I currently feel about it is I would buy more if they were on sale. Over my many years of fishing I have been a Abu Garcia fan and believe they are a pretty darn good bass fishing reel. These Cabelas are a good reel too!

For me it will vary each year depending on where and when I am fishing. Last year it was a spinner bait, and some years it is the jig&pig or worm, but most years it is probably a crank. During the course of a season I will use many different baits, again depending on time of year and body of water. Always searching for the one bait that will give me the best results. Sometimes I am looking for numbers of good fish, and sometimes I am looking for big fish, that to will make a difference.

What is this world coming to? I do believe our politicians are getting dumber every year! I guess it correlates to our US education going in the pot as well. If what is going on in our Country wasn't so sad & terrible, it would be hilarious. Some of the things they come up with leaves a man speechless!

Thanks cal, I nothiced yesterday our Walmart had items on sale and discontinued including rods. Our deals were not that sweet though. BuCoo rods were $99.99 plus they had scents and hooks on sale, but more like 20-30% off. The deals you mentioned may come so I'll have to check back daily!