Master Bait'r

Ha!... Didn't know I was in the company of people who can't handle constructive honesty when they ask a question about it specifically. If you still think I was insulting Hootie, you're way off base and being more than a little too sensitive about it. Again, if you don't want the truth, don't ask for it. I don't sugar coat things nor did I insult Hootie, I simply identified the causation of something we all do at times in the hopes that someone would actually absorb it and realize how crappy it really is to do. Would we all like to save money? Sure! Should we do it in a way that endangers something we care a great deal about? NO. That's lazy, irresponsible and selfish! Pull on your big boy boots and deal with it. I can't stand needless complaining either, Hootie can take care of himself and in any case I'm positive he survived my *open criticism of anyone who chooses Lead over Tungsten fully knowing the dangers of Lead*. Have a nice day guys.

I'd go knock on your neighbor's door and let him know your concerns. A few cigs are easy enough to fix, and as long as they're being good sportsmen I don't see any problem with sharing a little. Just let the guy know you care and that you're paying very close attention, usually that's enough for people to tighten up their ship so to speak. Places that are well-looked-after are worth their weight in gold, and especially with him being the president he'll likely want to make sure his guests are respecting the place. I'd say play the part of the concerned but friendly neighbor that just wants to make sure things don't get out of control. I fish a private pond and I treat it like it's made of paper thin porcelain. I tread lightly, always be super polite to residents and would never dream of leaving so much as an inch of line in the water if I could help it. Those who would take advantage and be careless should be educated or removed and I agree that cig smokers don't think enough about where they throw those gross little trash heaps. Disgusting habit.

Well then tell me why someone would choose an known dangerous product when a known better/safer alternative exists at a few dollars more? It's cheaper and often easier to just buy the dangerous stuff of course! I will agree it sounds bad, but then hey- that's the inconvenient and unpopular truth. That's why we make decisions like that. Sure it doesn't sound nice when you lay it out, but that doesn't mean I'm trying to insult people, simply make them aware of what they're actually doing and thinking. It's an ugly decision to make, and it's motivated by ugly entitlements we all make at times. See, we all care about the waters we fish and with all the knowledge and experience here, there is no excuse for making irresponsible decisions over a few bucks. If you can't afford to be the most responsible sportsman you can be, then you can't afford to fish imo. But hey- that's just me and I'm not into making excuses- for myself or anyone else for that matter!

I don't think that's what kind of person you are, I just like to expose the underlying reasons for one making such decisions. By being made aware of why we may be motivated to do things we become more in tune with our "inner machine" so to speak. I don't think I'm a particularly cheap, selfish or lazy person but I certainly am motivated my those factors at times and I like to realize it when I am doing it. Also I consider it a favor to my friends that I don't mix words or sugar coat things. I tell it how it is. Those that can't handle the truth shouldn't ask for it imo.

Would you cringe if you thought that down the road that weight and the hundreds of others you'll no doubt lose over the years would play into overall levels of lead in water rising to unsafe levels? Do the math. A hundred 1/4oz weights is 25 lbs of lead just sitting there leaching into the water. Now multiply that times the dozens or hundreds of fishermen who fish any given place and the potential for serious problems down the road becomes all the more apparent. Just like they have eliminated lead from gasoline and paint because it's dangerous, they're TRYING to do it with weights. Lead in our water is not good in any amount and it's bad enough our oceans are teeming with mercury. The problem with weights? Cheap fishermen who are too selfish to pony up and do the right thing who can't be bothered to minimize their impact during their recreational pursuits. Not trying to say anything bad about you personally but it certainly does add up, and that is the cost of being responsible. If you can afford to take your boat out and fish 3-5 packs of bullet weights to the bottom on any given day, you can afford to do it with tungsten. Period. Yes, there's *some* lead in most baits, but I'm going to guess nobody is losing 15-20 of them a day either- weights are a much more valid source of concern in terms of lead content obviously. To me using lead weights and ignoring the dangers of them because you don't feel like spending the money on the safe alternative is like throwing your trash along the bank because you don't feel like picking it up because you pay too much for trash removal at your place. It's lazy and if it mattered to you you simply would make it happen. No excuses. To say you fish too much and can't afford Tungsten weights is just ridiculous beyond all ridiculousness to me and is a wholly hilarious complaint in and of itself, as you could cut a million other corners that would have no impact on the environment if you're hanging by a financial thread. (which let's be honest, you are not) Nobody's making you fish. The least you can do is be responsible about it when you know that being cheap/lazy can really screw the pooch down the road. Absolutely not accusing you of not caring or of being ignorant, as you are one of my favorite posters here but I think it's easy to look past WHY we should be doing things when it's not convenient for us to do so. Sometimes we just need a reminder that it's far better to go the extra mile and be the person we'd really like to strive to be rather than just let go and be whatever's easiest or most convenient. Also sorry for the tirade, I just had this conversation with someone this weekend who was using lead weights- which is illegal here in MA as well.

Most is from fighting with other bass. Find are pretty much the only thing they can latch onto so when they scuffle the fins suffer first. Seen it a thousand times in aquariums & other species.

Seriously. I don't even weigh or measure my fish, if I got the hook out fast I'll take a pic sometimes but my first priority is to return them to the water asap. It's just fishing. Making a science out of it is just too much like work, even for my inner enginerd.

This makes me wonder what the exchange rate is from the Dollar -> Mars money.

I always try to help my friends get to the next level if I can. Showing them rigs, how I assess and fish structure, etc. and the times of day when fish will be certain places- all that goes into making it more fun for others and when it's more fun, you're going to have a better time. Everybody needs a fishing buddy and nobody wants to hang out with a skill miser.

I felt the same exact way when I first looked at it. Then I thought about it some more... The center console is removable so you can handle the boat without it most of the time, then put it in when you get to the water. Still... It's heavy and big for sure no doubt. I've never been into gigantic kayaks but this one at least has a good reason to be so large and is still a very capable ride for sure. I just like seeing innovation. Especially marked improvements and big jumps in ability or equiement implementation. I'll probably never own this boat but It's still REALLY cool!

That's why I call my NRX "The Wonderful Curse". It truly is a great rod but it really makes you realize the faults with your others. It's the only rod I've used that I can't find a complaint with. I have a thing for extra fast tapers and light gear. I should have never gone down the NRX path, there is no going back.

As a kayak angler, I have been a huge fan of both the Predator series and the Ride 115x for some time. I love the full flat floor of the predator but always felt the 115x edged it out because of the availability for the central port for electronics. Well Old Town just went New Age... This thing looks amazing! Not only do you get center console port that handles electronics, but now a trolling motor too! Also with a central/front location, it will really act like a normal trolling motor, "pulling" instead of "pushing" as with other trolling motor setups currently available. Link with pics: http://www.***.com/icast-2014-old-town/ I am blown away. Sure, it'll be very expensive and heavy once you put a motor and electronics unit in it, but that is a SERIOUS rig that pretty much changes the game for kayak fishermen- in a really slick and capable package no less. Previously, one would have to deal with trolling motors, transducers, etc. all separately, now it's all in one easy console... On a boat that already has a fantastic layout! Man, I think I'm in love! I mean, that is seriously slick.

It really is a match made in heaven both in terms of looks and function IMO. I definitely have big plans for that reel, and it just flat out belongs on that rod. The whole package is just so incredibly light and palms so well... One-handed surgical strikes all day. Such a joy across the board. I seriously hope I will have that setup forever.

This is exactly why I use a MXF for my weightless and a MHXF for weighted plastics. Plastic weighs something too and while you can ignore it I prefer not to.

Probably frogs. I have a couple dozen for sure. After that it's got to be plastics. Roboworms are the majority but pit bosses, ol monsters, slug-go SS... Let's face it you need a few bags of each of your favorite color and before you know it you've got 20lbs of plastic haha

Or that brady guy, whoever he is haha

I would never use it for another application but for tight bank fishing or standing in the water it is the BEST. I remember seeing a really nice one at Dicks- Mossy Oak made it I believe? Couldn't have been more than $60 which is kind of a lot but it's less than a nice reg pack for sure. If you have a nice spot to put your pack though, this is a non issue and feel free to ignore me haha

I used to use a regular backpack, but then I tried a sling pack and I will never go back. I still use it along a few rivers I can't paddle, and I love that I don't have to take it off to access it all- just swing it around front, unzip, get your gear, zip it and let it go. Super convenient, plenty of space and when you're standing in a tough spot it's hard to find a safe place for your gear sometimes.

Well hey, it was worth a shot!

Rubbish! I know a guy who doesn't even have two nickles to rub together but he built a raft out of discarded wood scraps, styrofoam etc. He kills it while sitting in his lawn chair atop his raft, no lie! He made a crude paddle and takes his time... But he's out there catching big'uns at a cost of $0. It can be done!

Again, I'm so glad every time one of these comes up and I'm reminded that I don't have to choose just 3. My go-to's though for the big 3 are probably thus- t rigged robo fx frog/rat/mouse hollow weedless topwater snagless sally/wiggle wog/CL8 mighty mouse/supernato #1 rule though- has to be weedless.

What's that?

Any aggressive fish species is an opportunistic feeder. Yes they will eat other dead fish as well as whatever else is eating that dead fish if it will fit in their mouth. I'm kind of blown away that people are at all surprised at this. They'll slam any number of shiny clanking, rattling huge plastic things but a stationary source of nutrition and other foragers converging on it is off limits? No way man. If it's in the water it's fair game. The second a fish dies- and often before- it's already adrift in the food chain. Bass will eat it just like any other fish would.

Flip flops if I'm not concerned about extended sun exposure. Gotta love fresh air. My lightest and most comfy athletic runners otherwise. I like to be quick on my feet if I'm not hiking with a heavy pack.

Do want some pics of that KP reel!