Texas Hawg Hunter

New2BC4bass, what do you mean by "the rod's reversal"? I guess I just have a smooth cast, I don't know. I played several years of baseball and also trained in japanese sword work for several years so maybe that helped, I don't know. I do get a couple backlashes when I go out but nothing major. When I do, it is because my timing was off thumbing the spool as the lure slowed or entered the water.

I was just curious how many of you start out a fishing trip with "searchbaits" that cover a lot of water quickly to locate the fish (e.g., spinnerbaits or crankbaits) then switch it up with finesse lures once you find them? How does this work for you during the winter months? If you don't do this, what is your typical starting lure?

From what I understand the thin wire is good as it helps with vibration...or something like that. I think I saw a Jimmy Houston video talking about it somewhere.

I subscribe to the "fish a few lures and fish them well" perspective. My go-to bait year-round is a spinnerbait, after that it's plastic worms and jigs. I have historically avoided crank baits but I'm starting to learn them.

Nice, I've been spending a lot of time there myself!

I just got turned on to baitcasting a few weeks ago and love it. Here's a tip: use heavier line at first (20 lb and up) which will help with backlashes. The key to using a baitcaster is your thumb. Feather your thumb when the lure slows down on the cast and definitely when it hits the water. As long as you do that you will have no problems. Try taking all the breaks and tension off too, that will help if you are having trouble with light lures. Personally, I don't see why they even have breaks and tension. As long as you use your thumb correctly you are good.

We bought a three-person canoe in January and have fished from it several times this year at Lewisville Lake (Pelican Dakota 15.5 ft.). We are keeping it simple -- paddles and no electronics -- the way it was done for millennia. I'm curious -- what do others with canoes, kayaks, or jon boats, do for the livewell situation? Tow a stringer behind the boat? Five-gallon bucket?

because it's not just about catching fish, it is about relaxing. Fishing is also a giant game of strategy so it is very intellectually stimulating even if you don't catch many for a while.

Just wanted to say "hi" as I'm new here and from Denton, Texas (DFW area). My wife and I do a lot of canoe fishing mainly on Lewisville Lake year round. Starting to see the fish jumping this week so it looks like they are becoming active again. My go-to lure is a spinnerbait and I was just recently turned on to baitcasters and love them. If you are on the fence about them just get one. They are really easy to learn and you don't even need the fancy brakes that these reels have on them these days...that's what your thumb is for