Scott F

Really? A rod and reel that look sexy? Ummm, ok, whatever turns you on.....lol!

I buy cheap towels at WalMart then add a grommet so I can use a shower curtain ring to hang them from my belt when I’m in a boat or from my pack when I’m not.

Tackle companies are finding that guys will spend more money on gear than they used to think. The huge profit margin on a box that will only cost a few cents more to produce than the other boxes has to be very attractive. I doubt you will see many brick and mortar stores stocking them. I’ve been buying Plano utility boxes at their outlet store for years and have never paid more than $2. The new boxes look nice, but not enough for me to pay twenty times what I’m paying now.

I like marker buoys a lot. A lot of guys won’t use them because it shows everyone on the lake where the fish are, or at least where you may be catching them. I have my “spot on the spot” marked on the gps, but the buoys give me a reference on the water that is much easier to use when casting or repositioning the boat.

I prefer sling packs that go over one shoulder. You swing it around to the front to get in it, then swing it to your back to get it out of the way while fishing. I carry a small clamshell box for my hooks and a few weighted hooks, a couple packs of senkos, some pre-rigged Ned rigs, and another bag or two of other plastics. I'll also carry a small utility box with a couple topwaters, and maybe spinnerbait. In the pack is a camera, a measuring tape, a hook sharpener, a Leatherman tooI and a small, waterproof box with my fishing license and a couple of band aids. I have a hemostat that clamps to my shirt to remove hooks, a boomerang cutter is also clipped to the pocket flap on the shirt and a towel that clips to the pack for wiping my hands off

Anytime I was on the water during the summer.

I spilled a bottle of scent in my boat years ago. The smell should go away any day now......

If you are new to fishing, I’d recommend going straight braid at first. Bass aren’t line shy, so the leader isn’t going to make a real difference. If you find that your line breaks from abrasions, a leader might help because it is a bit more abrasion resistant. Tying leaders on properly takes some practice. I wouldn’t make things more complicated until you find a need that a leader will fix. I’ve been using braid for twenty years and I haven’t felt the need for a leader yet. Others, due to local conditions, find leaders necessary. Don’t makes things more complicated than they need to be.

15lb braid will work just fine. Why are you choosing to use a leader?

I recently tied on a new bait and let it hang over the side of the boat while rigging another rod. One hit the bait hanging over the side. I’ve also gotten bit when speed retrieving a worm after giving up on the cast.

If a big wind comes up and rocks the boat a lot, won’t the power poles bounce off the bottom and let the back end swing around?

For those that aren’t picky and have to have cable steer, the Minn Kota Terrova has spot lock, a choice of voltages and shaft length and is a little over $1500. The auto pilot is also a great feature.

Actually, when I use the same dock every day on vacation, I tie them to the dock so I don’t have to mess with them every time I tie up or pull away.

I use them when I rent a cabin for the week on vacation. The boat is tied to the dock and the fenders keep the boat from rubbing up against it. On day trips, I don’t use them.

While it's in the driveway, pull the drain plug, and raise the front end so the water can run out. Other than that, you'd have to spend the time to try and seal the under the seat compartments.

Have you checked with local state conservation biologists? They often work with hatcheries. They’ll also tell you why bass populations are down. If a situation occurs because of low oxygen, lack of food, disease, or pollution, it may not be wise to spend a lot of money for fish that may not be able to survive the conditions. Whatever the case, working with biologists prior to stocking is always a good idea.

In my area, near Chicago, we have several multi-species clubs, many tournament bass clubs, and my club, the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. I’ve never been in and have no interest in tournament clubs. The multi species, and my club generally have regular meetings where they get together, maybe have a guest speaker, organize fishing outings, and often leave time just to socialize. At the meetings, you get to know the other members and just talk fishing. The important thing about joining a club is that you’ll get nothing out of it if you aren’t active. Make the time to attend meetings and as many events as you can. It’s the only way to really get anything out of your dues.

I belong to a fishing club (non tournament) and I’ve met and fished with a number of really good fishermen. I like doing road trips to go fishing and thanks to the club, I have a number of guys I can call to set up a trip. There have been a few that I choose not to fish with again, but for the most part, a great group of guys. Next month, I rented a home on the bank of a top notch smallmouth river for a two week period. Over the course of the two weeks, 20 of my friends and I will share the house, 6 at a time, to float, boat and wade the river catching big, hard fighting smallies often right out the back door of the cabin. Fishing is only one part of the adventure. Hanging out, sharing meals, and talking fishing around a campfire in the evenings makes this a really fun time. If you are looking for fishing partners, joining a fishing club is in my opinion, the best way to do it.

Sorry, but mono does suck.....?

By “popular” opinion, do you mean popular with those here on BR? Popular with the kids who make fishing videos for YouTube? Or popular with the pros who are trying to sell me something? I’ll stick with the popular opinions from here. I don’t agree that you need a special rod, reel and line for every technique. I don’t always agree with “match the hatch” I don’t agree that you shouldn’t use braid with treble hook lures I don’t agree that you should use a leader when using braid.

You sure can wear a spot out. Give it a rest for a week or so.

2003 Ford F-150, 106,000 miles. Nearly all of it's miles were put on traveling between home and a fishing destination.

I have a couple rod racks such as these.

Why are your spinners causing line twist at all? Only the blade is supposed to spin, not the entire lure. For me, spoons will often spin which is why I use ball bearing swivels with them. If your spinners aren’t running right, don’t blame the line.

If it doesn't bother the fish, you should be getting something besides dinks.