fishballer06

Here's an example of the hook I mentioned.

With your very budgeted price range, you're not really going to find anything that is drastically better than anything else. I would recommend getting a rod rated to at least 1.5 oz (preferably 2-3oz.)

If you purchased it new 6 months ago, you should still be covered by the 1 year warranty from Shimano. I'd contact them about it. I'm sure they'll take good care of you. http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac-fish/en/home/customer-service/rod-service.html I own two of the rods you mention and I've had them for probably 3 years now and I've never had an issue. Unfortunately, sometimes you get a lemon.

Unfortunately, soft plastic swimbaits aren't the most durable baits, but their very soft characteristics is what gives them that great action that draws so many bites. Below are a few other similar baits worth checking out. As far as rigging, I recommend using a keel weighted swimbait hook with a screwlock. Gamakatsu and Owner both make great options in these. Reaction Innovations Big/Little/Skinny Dipper Keitech Swing Impact Fat (probably least durable bait in this category) Strike King Rage Tail Swimmer Berkley Havoc Grass Pig Yum Pulse Minnow

Sadly, the more weeds, the better it is for the bass. Even though it can make the fishing tougher, you will end up with bigger, healthier bass most of the time. They have done this to some lakes around me in order to cut down on the hydrilla. It generally leaves a nasty green slime on the surface and makes the fishing bad for a while afterwards. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about it since they are the one's that maintain the lake (whether good or bad in terms of fishing). Most public waters like they are maintained by people who care more about the aesthetics of the pond/lake, rather than the fishing.

I would say 3-4 years until the fish start getting to that keeper 12" size, unless the lake was restocked with adult fish from another location/fishery.

There are times where the fish will suck the entire bait down their throat the second they get to it, and there are other times where they will just grab the tail and swim around with it. Generally if you feel a "tap tap tap" it's a smaller fish trying to get the entire thing in it's mouth (or a panfish). For me, whenever I feel a bite, I will reel up any slack line and slightly lift my rod tip in order to try to feel the weight of the fish. If I feel the fish swimming off with it, or if I feel the weight of the fish, I will then set the hook. Most of the time this is successful for me. Other times, I have a ripped in half bait or a bait that is almost pulled off the hook. This will let you know that the fish didn't have the hook in it's mouth.

One of the guys finally sent me his pictures from the trip. This was my biggest smallmouth from the trip. I caught this fish on an Evergreen CH-1 crankbait.

Our bass goes out of season on the opening day of trout season (second Saturday of April), and then doesn't come back in until the third Saturday of June. The fish commission says it's so the bass can spawn successfully, but it's really because all they care about is trout season and forcing guys to buy a $5 trout stamp on top of their standard license.

Rinse the spool really well after you're done fishing. That spool is not designed for brackish/salt water. If possible, I would use a different reel.

Is this for Conneaut? Let me know and I can make some suggestions.

Went out on Saturday morning for the first day of bass season here in PA. My partner started out hot in the morning throwing a 7" MS Slammer. He caught a 3-4 and a 4-9 in the first 15 minutes. I caught all my fish on a frog and flipping.

Glad to see he's still out there having fun with you on Father's Day. Nice fish!

Bass season opened up on Saturday here in PA. I was flipping a 7" worm up under overhanging trees into the shade.

From what I've read, the Chronarch G is just the MGL but with a saltwater safe spool.

You can't build a pyramid unless your customers will pay for it!

I really like the Molix Lover spoon. It's got a dual hook design that really helps with hookup's and doesn't foul up on the line.

I've found that certain glide baits react to jerking and fast retrievals differently (some good, some bad) than others. So experiment with the baits you have and see if it works for the bait you're using. As with any type of fishing lure, try various retrieves and techniques and find out whats working best for you on that particular day.

I just bought that same reel for my father a little while back. It's an awesome reel for the money. Highly recommend it. He is running 20lb. PowerPro braid on his without any issues.

I am not overly brand loyal whenever it comes to hooks. I buy the best quality that I can get for the best price/availability at the time I need them. Owner is a company I've started using in the past 2-3 years that I've been very impressed by. All of their hooks are top notch quality. Their treble hooks are the best I have found. However, I also use Gamakatsu, VMC, Mustad, Eagle Claw, Trokar, and Daichi. Gamakatsu and Trokar are both top quality right up there with Owner. VMC, Mustad, and Eagle Claw are more middle of the road, and their pricing reflects that. Generally, my tournament equipment gets Owner/Gama/Trokar and my pond fishing equipment gets the mid range stuff on it.

And this is the exact reason I change mine every 2-3 months...

I'm a like minded fisherman as you. Things like jigs, texas rigs, drop shots, shakeyheads, etc. leave me with little confidence and very seldomly produce for me. However, a wacky rigged Senko like you mention is my confidence lure whenever I can't get a bite on anything else.

I'm sure it will work in a pinch... Surely someone in your club has some line they could lend you at the ramp in the morning. I know I keep a spool of 14lb. mono and 40lb. braid in my bag just in case something goes wrong out on the water during a tournament.

I must be in the minority. I change mine out about every 2-3 months.

10 years ago for me. I was in college at this time. BassResource is going to start it's own band.