coots

I'm not sure if this is legal on the forum or not, if it's not please let me know and I'll edit. But KVD explains his color choices and some other parts of crankbait fishing in this article on bassmaster. I found it interesting and a little educational for me since I'm new to it. http://www.bassmaster.com/tips/vandams-best-6-crankbait-colors I was thinking that where we typically fish, banks shallow creeks, river openings into the channel etc. I'll probably buy around 6 or 7 of them... 3 in the 'natural' colors in the 1-2ft, down to 6ft and then a deeper diving one for when I practice that depth, 3 in the 'brighter' colors, char/black, firetiger etc. in the same depths and then maybe pick a couple of the bluegill looking ones up. From my understanding and reading it's natural colors during brighter sunny days and the brighter char/black - firetiger in the murky water cloudy days. Any other tips is greatly appreciated.

I am a semi-new serious bass angler. Fished most of my life but it has alaways been texas rigging, spooks, frogs in matted grass etc on Lake Guntersville. I am fixing to broaden my arsenal into the spinnerbait / crankbait lures and I have done a lot of reading here on bassresource and watched a bunch of YouTube videos from here and KVD / Mike Ic and other pros regarding the cranks. Looking around, it appears that Lucky Craft is the top notch 'mercedes' of the crank bait world. I am not willing to dump that kind of money into these portion of my tackle box "yet". Not until I learn more about them and how to fish them. Reading around there seems to be two really decent 'budget' cranks that I am looking into and wanted some opinions on each of those, or some you would say is better than these in this price range. 1. Academy Sports H20 Xpress CRS 2. Strike King KVD 1.5 / 2.5's Now I know bassresource video said to buy up 5-6 of different colors and run 'shallow' water cranks until you learn them. Which is fine because me and my boat partner usually don't go into deep water to often. We simply just haven't fished it enough to make an impact when it matters. We plan on getting out there and trying it out this year... but still. We love fishing banks, outlets into the river that have flats and grass just under the water surface, some shallower not deep creeks etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

My dad and I are looking to get some digital scales to use in the boat. We bought a $20 set from Wal-mart, the Berkley one and it took a dump on us about the third time using them. Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent set? We do monthly tourny fishing so they don't have to be the best, but not the cheapest either.

Hey guys! Once again I come to you with my hate in my hand. I have fished most of my life, however, I am just now getting into some 'serious' fishing. As you guys know I joined the bass club with my father and I am REALLY enjoying it. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had a link or knows of a post that breaks down what fishing line to use in certain situations. I've read a lot about 'good' braid to use or 'which of this is the best'. The problem is, I don't know which to use as far as braid vs. mono vs. fluro on certain rods and conditions. I won't lie, growing up.. I was taught that Texas Rig'n is the absolute gospel of catching largemouth on Lake Guntersville. Which is fairly true. I was raised using Stren 14lb Mono on all baitcasters for this application. Now that I am starting to broaden my arsenal into things like spinnerbaits, spooks, crankbaits, alabama rigs, jigs etc, does anyone have a chart or a post that shows which lines are best used for different applications? I mean I've read where Seagaur or Power Pro is the best braid, and I don't mind going and buying any of it.... but I don't know when and when not to use it. I"ve always heard that you can't use braid Texas Rig'n because you lose a lot of the sensitivity.... So do you use braid when using a spinnerbait? Jigs? And naturally I understand that the more cover you're throwing into, the higher test you would need. So if I'm throwing into heavy cover, I need something with the AbrazX on it.... but what about spinnerbaits running over top of grass? So much to learn! Any help is greatly appreciated!

He said I could come by anytime I wanted to check them out. He usually has 4-5 rods around to let people hold and if not he has some in his boat that he uses personally that will be close to what you're looking for. Try to go by there some time this week or weekend.

I called him up to talk to him. Extremely nice guy. Prices are really nice too. 7' cranking rod - $100 7' 10" cranking rods $110 6' 10" Medium Heavy Micro Guide (#5) size Texas Rig rod $135 7' footer in the same is $140 I am def. interested... going to go by his place sometime this week and look at a few. I'll probably end up getting me a Cranking rod from him.. maybe even the worm rod.

Pretty crazy that I actually LIVE in the exact same town he does. He used to be our baseball coach here in town. Isn't the world a small place... I may have to ring him up to see what he's got.

I apologize for saying it was $69. It is $69, but I just noticed when going to get the link that it's a lefty. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Johnny-Morris-Signature-Series-Baitcast-Reel-Left-Handed/product/1204240500473/

There will be absolutely ZERO Geaux anything being yelled out of our boat I am a Alabama fan, have been my entire life. Even through the Mike Debos / Shula days.. no bandwagoner here!

Hmm, I am pretty interested in this Lew's brand. First I've heard, def. going to do some reading on them. Most of the time all you hear is Revo this, Revo that...

I spotted that Skeet Reese rod at my local Wal-mart. It was the Crankbait / Worm rod they had I think.. it was around $89.99 if I'm not mistaken.

Thanks for the fast input guys! I am def. checking out the rod socks.... that is interesting.

Great to see some others from Bama in here! I won't start the Roll Tide or War Eagle debate... yet.

Hey guys, which budget reel would you go with for a budget friendly Texas Rig'n reel? I've read two schools of though, get something 'slow' so you don't overwork the worm / plastics... or control your tempo on even a 7:1:1... I think I'm going to go w/ something in the 6:4:1 range... but I am open minded and will listen to anyone about the subject, 1. Abu Garcia Revo-S $129.99 2. BPS Pro Qualifier $79.97 3. BPS Johnny Morris Signature Series - $69.99 Any other suggestions or help is greatly appreciated!

And for kicks and giggles I'll throw in the Shimano Compre - 7' 2" Medium Heavy / Fast $99.99

I am fairly new to 'serious' fishing. My dad and I are in a club now and as I get more interested in doing some 'serious' fishing. I want to upgrade some of my equipment, slowly and as most these days, on a budget. First, if you haven't read my introduction, please see this post on this forum. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/118453-hello-from-bama/ It may help you better understand one of my needs out of the rod, or if it will impact the rod selection. First of all, I will be using the rod for Texas Rig'n. Mostly 7" worms, senko's (maybe), that type stuff. Soft plastics, weight, hook. doing some research, the consensus is around a 7' rod, Medium Heavy, fast or extra fast. I am in line with all that, or something around that... 7' 1" wouldn't bother me, I'm a tall guy if that matters. So my budget is going to be around ~$100.00. I say ~ because if it $120 would get me a lot more quality of a rod then I am willing to dump $20 more into it. So far these are the ones that I have on the top of my list, any help is greatly appreciated! 1. *** *** - 7'1 Medium Heavy / Fast $99.99 Tackle Warehouse 2. Abu Garcia Veritas - 7' Medium Heavy / Fast $99.99 3. St. Croix Mojo Bass - 7' Medium Heavy / Fast $99.99 4. Falcon Bocoo - 6' 10" Medium Heavy / Fast $99.99 5. Bass Pro Shop Bionic Blade XPS Micro Guide - 7' Medium Heavy / Fast $79.99 I am open to anything else. Being I am sight challenged, one of my biggest questions is this. When the rods are in the rod locker or sitting around while fishing, it is very hard for me to look and 'find' which one I'm reaching for. The only idea i can come up with is for me to wrap a small piece, maybe a 1/2 inch thick piece of duct tape in the florescent colors.. neon green, orange, blue etc. That way I'll know that the neon yellow is for my worm rod. Thought about sticking that at the bottom around the handle on the blank. Will this affect the sensitivity of the rod any? The sensitivity of the rod is probably more important to me since I can't see the line for bites.. it's strictly on the feel of the rod.

I thought I'd stop in here first and introduce myself. My name is Brad, I live in North Alabama and fish on Lake Guntersville / Tennessee River. The most interesting fact about me is that I am legally blind. At the age of 12 I was diagnosed with a retinal degenerative eye disease known as Retinitis Pigmentosa. I try not to let the lack of vision hold me back from doing something that I love, fishing. Yes, it's hard to cast up to the bank when you can't see that tree over hanging the bank, or see the lure as it flies through the air, but we as humans have great instincts and with enough practice I am able to manage to do it. My father and I are members of a local bass club by the name of Outcasters. We fish monthly tournaments. Just had a few questions about some new gear I am looking into. Thought I'd join a good forum to be able to interact with some other fisherman! As for my personal life, with the technology these days, I am able to function on a computer at really high levels... so I am a webmaster / IT Analyst for a local newspaper. Cheers! -Brad P.S. If you're wondering how I am 'legally' blind and it raises some questions, check out this website... http://www.blindness.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=67