ChicagoEd

d**n, can't wait until I can claim one of those.

You know, my initial mindset was go big or go home. Ive thrown the big swim baits, big cranks, just about all my tackle is setup for various big bass bait techniques. I started out with the big lures, always looking for a 5+. But after being skunked so many times I figured maybe I should downsize and learn to catch the small ones. Getting skunked I couldn't learn how to detect a bite, set the hook, fight the fish etc. So I guess I sort of gave up on finding the big ones and focused more on learning how to bass fish. Obviously my PB shows I have a long way to go but at least I'm starting to get the bites now. But I do agree with you, big lures catch big fish. Hopefully I'll catch enough of the little guys and be rdy for when the big girl hits.

Thanks fellas, definately looking forward to more success!

Well after a couple seasons of bass fishing I finally scored a new bass PB of 2 3/4 lb. I know it's nothing to brag about but for me it's a fun accomplishment. Was able to lip 11 largies yesterday with most between the 2-3 lb mark. Next milestone is a 3lber. Hopefully it doesn't take me another two years! Oh, and no pics...I was too embarrassed to take pics in front of real bass'ers ;-) Oh, all caught drop shotting a worm.

What is the benefit of fishing a hinged vs traditional jig?

WTG! Can't wait till my PB gets up there. I'm still sub 2lbs....I know, miserable.

Saw that BPS has their fluoro XPS on sale. Anyone use this line? Is it decent? Looks like a great deal but I have no experience with this line.

My feelings exactly! Doesn't matter where or when, if I land it...time for a happy dance.

To the OP, I have that exact box. It is amazing. Very very tough. Also has a ton of padding that you can remove or keep depending on how many and type of reels you put in there. Very rugged box. My reel collection is pretty pricey and I wanted something that was durable...this box is great. It's what I use when I travel to northern Canada. Great value great box. Oh, and I get to put all my cool decals on it! TW, B.A.S.S., Daiwa, etc. love it.

Interesting topic, I guess I never really thought about it that way. I just focus on fishing strategy. What depth and structure am I fishing, what's the best line, reel, rod, and lure presentation to get the bite. Do I chuck, skip, flip, pitch the lure. And when I finally do get the bite my focus is landing the fish. It's not until after the fish is boated that i allow myself a fist pump and reflect on the epic fight or easy landing. I get more satisfaction successfully boating a fish (of any size and species) than I do planning for the fight. A successful landing, measurement, and release is what really gets my motor going.

I've tried uploading a picture from my camera roll on my iPad. I keep getting a size error. Is there anyway around this? Can't seem to get my profile pic to load. Thx

Hey all, I need a little advice on putting together a jig set. Here's what I'm thinking...there are so many jig manufacturers that a rookie like me gets easily turned around on why one is better than another. I've tried a few brands and frankly I like them equally. Now I'm wanting to put together a set from one manufacturer. I never remember which co made whatever jig I happened to be throwing. I'd like to find one company that is my go to for jigs. Which jig co. do u guys recommend? Specific reasons? Im thinking My set will include 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4. Skirt wise I'd like 4 main color patterns consistent with each size. For Type I'm thinking football, swim, and shakey. So I guess that's 48 jigs. I know there are other style jigs out there but these three are what I want to learn first and then expand from there. Any thoughts?

IL and Canada. Wow you all make me want to explore new waters. I need to find some fishing buddies for some road trip fishing adventures. Jealous!

That could have been my exact post at the start of summer. Unfortunately the addiction only gets worse! If you havent done so already, check out Gene's how to videos...the guy is top notch. Welcome to the forum!

Kudos to you for the determination! I would have called it a loss. I'm not big on jumping in the water. Glad you got the HUD back.

Congrats! You're in for such an amazing experience. Tiring and with road bumps but ultimately it's the most rewarding and fulfilling experience you could have ever imagined. Cheers to all the great dads out there! If I knew how to post a picture I'd post one of my four year old lippin' his first bass. Awesome moment.

I tried my luck at a third BPS and no luck on the 78sc. So I couldn't get to physically see the unit. I had decided to just order it online but the sales rep introduced me to the Montana 600. This unit looked great and I was eyeballing it originally bc of the big touchscreen color display. I assumed it wasn't right for me since the unit wasn't specific for fishing. After talking to the sales guy I guess te only major did is that the Montana doesn't float. I took a look at the functionality and decided to give it a shot. I must say I'm really happy with the unit. It can do a ton. In really diggin the big color touch screen. The waypoint marking is a snap and the user interface in general seems pretty easy to use. Now I have to buy some maps. Anyone who uses this unit for fishing recommend any in particular? I was thinking the garmin inland lakes or maybe one of the landvu or vision versions.

Wow great site! The timing of this post couldn't have been better. I just spent an hr on YouTube looking for a vid the shows the Albright. Lets just say I have to respool my braid and buy some more fluoro for my leaders. After checking out this site I got it right the first try. Thanks for this resource.

I've heard of those mythical days. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe next season...my time will come!

Roadwarrior, that vid doesn't work for me. Is it on YouTube? I would love to check it out.

Well I just got back from BPS. And just my luck they don't carry the 78sc in stock. I'll have to order it from their website for a smacking $449. At least they have free shipping. I'm a little disappointed as I wanted to actually hold the unit and mess around with the interface before I committed. Oh well, going blind on this one!

Well after a ton of research I finally decided which unit to buy. I'm going with the Garmin 78sc. While it doesn't do everything I was looking for it should provide most of what I need. Stopping at BPS tomorrow and should be tinkering with it by tomorrow evening. Can't wait.

Thanks guys awesome advice. I really do appreciate it when you take time to provide input, so thank you! Ok I am mainly going to use this unit for on water navigation. So Traveler and Brian, I'm a little confused with your post. You mention using them for land travel, which is great but do you mainly use them for land destinations? My main purpose is to use them for fishing adventures. For instance, my Canada trip, I want to mark the dock so I can find my way back. Then mark a successful fishing spot and be able to give it a name, pike, walleye, etc. I also want to categorize the file mon, tue, wed, etc so I can keep a fishing log. Does this exist? Also, My buddy's garmin will only route a straight line. So lets say he starts at the waypoint for the dock and wants to get to honey hole A, the GPS will only mark a straight line. It doesn't overlay a route based on the layout of the water. Plus he can't label desired info like Monday file, with let's say 8 waypoints where we caught fish that he can then label pike walleye etc. I was hoping I could find a unit that can help me navigate from fishing spot to fishing spot using a cartoony or satellite map. Plus be able label and categorize the locations and files. Hope this makes sense?

Very nice, definitely something I will consider. Decisions decisions...

Great news! It's nice to here the manufacturer stood behind their product. It's always a fight trying to get something covered under warranty, glad Merc does it right. On to fishing!