Master Bait'r

This is actually a good thing to me. If it's bowed out like a hammock or a waterski it will pivot and slash on top of the water like a boat turning when it walks. If it was just like a uniform torpedo it might have had a tendency to go under. Also that curve will likely help the hooks find their way into that stiff upper lip once snarfed. I can't wait to get mine but I have a feeling it will be trouble... I have a bad habit of collecting hoarding hollow bodied frogs.

Love what they did with the green Crucials. Feathery light, super crisp and tons of backbone- they are truly the bargain version of the green NRX IMO. The black ones were good but the EVA I just couldn't get used to. Those green ones though... Oh yeah.

I'm thinking either dynamite or an electrofishing rig. Is an Apache Longbow a valid answer?

What's the one in the middle?

I don't like the clone fry. Bento minnows are superior in every conceivable way IMO.

Hakusei bass Rainbow trout Pagani raigyo Gill pattern No way I'd ever limit myself to 4 but those are my favorite eyeball ticklers.

I've always said I don't understand why people can't just turn the handle slower if you want it to run slower... Having the ability to pick up slack very quickly is huge for me though, especially from a kayak when you are planted and can't use posture, movement or stance to your advantage.

I don't like them. If you're looking for a minnow, the bento minnows are where it's at. I've been through several different kinds and the bigger bentos just crush it. The little reflective fiber strip in the middle not only looks awesome but when you put a hook through it that mutha is flat out not coming off. Great on t-rig, great on drop shot, Ned and pretty much anytime you want that baitfish pattern.

Hey all, the little dude is 9 now and I'd love to find him some fun and informative reading material about fishing. Anybody got any recommendations for a younger audience that could help him learn and stay excited in the off season? I know, Google is my friend, but I'm just wondering if anybody has something they really like rather than throwing a dart at a wall and hoping to score. Thanks in advance and cheers to a killer '16!

Nice! I like how clean it is and that front storage is pretty cool! Nice work on the brackets. I just want a small ~5hp motor though, that 25hp would straight up flip my boat haha- That white would have me in tears though, my eyes are too sensitive to light for a color that bright inside. Check out the full build thread I made when I was doing all the work to my boat, I think you'll appreciate the details that went into it for sure! I love projects. making something amazing from something neglected is always a rewarding feeling. I may not be able to afford to buy a nice bass boat outright but I can sure make myself a sweet one! http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/155730-its-official-i-have-a-project-the-dream-12er/

Money saving tip #1: Block BR, 'that auction site' and all international storefronts from your browser haha Really though, elaztechs whenever possible and mend-it for all the other soft baits. Plastics are often overlooked in terms of expense, but the longer they last the less they cost. One would be wise to squeeze every cast possible out of a bait before you retire it. I throw all my broken plastics in a ziploc bag and go through them when I get home to see if anything is salvageable, there always is. In terms of hard goods like rods and reels I enjoy having nice things so I patiently watch and wait until I can find a really good deal on something. I'm honestly not willing to skimp on any link in the rod-reel-line Holy Trinity so I have to make up ground elsewhere, be it a reel that needs repair or one that has a bit of age, etc. I am pretty much maxed out for rod slots right now too, so I have to sell something to get something and rolling the sale money into the purchase of the next item helps take some out-of-pocket sting out. Also I've recently developed a way to help my passion pay for itself. I originally got a cheap aluminum boat for the simple fact that I couldn't afford a bigger better one. I've been a custom metal fabrication guy pretty much my whole life, so it obviously ended up turning into a project that spiraled into an actual long-term plan after I experienced nonstop positive feedback everywhere I brought it. Long story short, in the past year I've started plucking cheap but solid aluminum boats off CL and stockpiling them over the winter. Come spring I will have a couple fully rebuilt like the one I made for myself (shown below) so I can sell them, reinvesting the cash threefold: a ~5hp or less gas motor for my boat shown below (I want to Quabbin seal it this year), a new kayak and at least one more project boat to rehab and flip to keep the work/gear/cash/fish/rinse/repeat flow alive. See, I may not *have* the money for much of what I want, but with hard work and some determination I know I can work my way into where I want to be over time and that's important to remember. Having a side gig does help compartmentalize the cost of fishing though too. My PayPal is almost like my ghetto fishing/business account lol. I mean, who wouldn't want one of these little guys? Full custom configuration too, imagination and money are the only limiting factors for a buyer. So yeah, it's all about examining your strengths and developing a plan to get where you want to be. There's always a way, even if it requires a lot of effort, time, research and planning. Anything worth having is worth earning though IMO. I don't mind spending dough because I like nice things, but I do need to feel like I got a good value before I will spend my hard earned cash, that much I will say for sure.

Oooooh Mex XG & an Onimasu!!! LOVE that brown trout pattern on the Onis, but that perch color is really cool too!

Definitely a must-have. I don't use it so much for soft plastics (only certain expensive ones) but it is a life saver for hollow body frogs. My favorite kind are expensive and I fix them again and again. Toothy critters be damned!

Whoa. Got the Stella today. Holy smoothness Batman!! Put it on my 7'1" MLXF new rodand whaddaya know- the balance point is literally as perfect as it could possibly be!! Color me stoked, this is going to be a KILLER combo!

Bah, I'm just good at having a good time. Fishing I'm ok at but it's all about having a good time and getting away, enjoying the little things and being thankful for the day and the ambition to enjoy the hell out of every second of it.

Entry level Dick's kayak. I think its it's a Future Beach 126 or something like that? I've added a bunch of accessories though. Someone will be happy with it but I've outgrown its shortcomings after 3 seasons in it.

Huh. Guess I was wrong then. Good to know!

Just wanted to say that if you're out to try a DC reel you can get the same I-DC+ system in the Scorpion DC and DC7, and in more useable gear ratios of 6.3 & 7.1 (I think) It's a bit more practical although it only gives 3 settings and is a bit more set-it-and-forget it. Lighter too I believe. Or so the Bait Monkey tells me- pass it on!

2015 was my best year ever by far and it just scratched the surface. I got really dialed in a bunch of different disciplines and it paid off in a really big way. I was able to locate and catch bass unlike any other season but I feel like I've still got a long ways to go. I also got my 4-rod quiver set in both physical and mental terms, but I'm making some changes for Sweet '16. My goals for 2016 are mostly thus: 1). Get my tin boat's trailer all set and registered for the season (never got around to it last year) 2). Get my MH setup flipped and replaced in glorious JDM fashion before the ice melts 3). Get some electronics. It just flat out takes too long to map out water without them let alone the fish locating abilities... 4). Sell my kayak and get a FeeFree Lure 11.5 5). Catch a DD largemouth 6). Kind of a tertiary desire but if I could flip my 2nd "project" tin boat and get a~5hp gas outboard for my other one I would be really stoked. I'm a pretty simple guy so my goals are pretty simple. I just want to fill my very limited slots with as sickeningly high end gear as I can manage and just be ready for anything. No huge crazy boats or international trips or anything like that though.

There is no such thing as getting carried 'away', it's more of a homecoming IMO. Nice trick darters too!

Its true, love the grand siglett. Nice mix of manufacturers too! Never been tagged before that's pretty cool! Do you just put the @ in front of their screen name?

I feel the spros are a far better value than the ragos. That said Bettencourt makes a handmade rat that's insanely detailed and works great. Either solid body or jointed. I have one and it's awesome. The spros are likely more durable but the Betties are just gorgeous and completely handmade for the same price.

I can't wait to find out, I just bought it today.

Not to me, I can only afford to buy carefully once they are old and used. For what I paid though, I feel it's a good value.

Big day today for the bait monkey! The mighty Stella now resides in my collection Also grabbed a gill 110 +1 because the bait monkey said so, and I'm putty in his hands.