HoosierHawgs

You have to pay Bass Pro Shops a sum to be in their stores. These companies have not negotiated with BPS, and thusly, they are not in their stores. Question, what was the story on why they don't carry Lew's?

A good flat sided crank is also a good way to go. A flat sided rattle bait will emit a lot of sound, being able to alert the fish to where your lure is and the tight wiggle is good for lethargic bass.

Bass Pro Shops XPS Square Bill or other XPS Series crankbaits. $4.29 a pop or $15 for a 5 pack. Good quality baits. Durable, good action, and they catch They have everything from Wakes to Flat Sided Deep Divers. They are good baits for a store brand.

Team Lew's Pro W/a Team Lew's HM85 Casting Rod. $500

All of the Lew's rods are good products. They're are some different rods that aee in your price range and have the features you want. The Custom Speed Stick and David Fritt's series are good rods

Booyah Flash Mob Jr w/3-5" Dean Rojas Cane Thumpers Booyah 3 Wire Rig (same baits as above) Berkley 5" Hollow Belly on a 1/2 to 3/4 oz internal weight

Sound advice. I'm afraid of going w/my 4.7:1 Shimano Corsair because I don't think ill be able to keep the bait off the bottom/ or take up slack on a hookset from a distance.

Do you guys prefer a lower ratio reel or a higher gear ratio for swimbaits/ARigs?

Ie.. The Booyah Pikee Spinnerbait

Pike/Musky Gear w/a wire leader and a big Pike Spinnerbait. Throw it everywhere.

I wouldn't say that its a new technique. If there is a true 'new' style of fishing, I would say its Finesse. Not because no one ever did it, but because the advancements in Bass Spinning Gear, Braided and Fluorocarbon Lines, and Plastic Lures, has caused it to be a much more popular technique.

There are so many darned choices!

I wouldn't start them out w/that. A 303 starter combo is a better choice. Still reasonably priced.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I have checked Indianapolis area craigslist, and found an outfitted NuCanoe for $1800, but that is slightly out of my price range. There were also some Jackson 12' SOT Recreational Kayaks. they came w/the added seat (which is a must on my features list), but they are orange and not outfitted for fishing. Thinking about buying the 2 of them (one for myself, and one for my dad), painting them, and outfitting them for fishing/hunting, or other outdoor activities. Seems like a good summer project. Worth a look?

Ok. So my last question is w/leaders. If I am fishing braid w/the rig do I need it? I'm worried about knots breaking and losing about $20 worth of terminal when I do....

This is A great topic. If anyone finds any new information, I'd love to know. I am as confused as you guys are!

I would choose the Pflueger for two reasons. 1)I have a trust in Pflueger and have heard better things about they're reels compared to Gen 3 Revos 2) I'm not a fan of the paddles on the lower end Abu reels. I prefer the EVA foam. That is my personal preference, yours may vary

I generally fish a chatterbait around grass. I choose to fish a spinnerbait around grass as well, but less than the bladed jig. I prefer a spinnerbait around other types of cover, and when they're is more light penetration.

That is a new concept! Do you sell these anywhere?

Why? It's easier (IMO) to get a jig along wood and laydowns. You can put it in more places, and that generally equals better fishing. Just my 2 cents. To each his own.

So i would be ok w/a lighter rod? I would like to fish a lighter rod if I could.

What setup do you guys fish A Rigs on? I was wondering if I could get away w/throwing it on my Fliping/Pitching/Frogging Setup (7'6" Heavy Berkley Lightning Ros Shock, 7.1:1 Lew's Reel, and #50 spiderwire braid)? The reel seems fast, but could I slow down the retrieve enough to make it work? Also, should I fish w/a Fluorocarbon leader?

Could be clearing out for other stuff they are making. Yum (another pradco brand) is doing the same thing. They also just bought Bandot, so they may be changing the lineups there brands carry. Or it could just be a local availability thing. Time will tell.

Forage bass and water color. If fish are finnicky a swim jig is the way to go. Also, around wood cover a spinnerbait or swim jig is going to outfish a bladed swim jig plain and simple.