tander

2015 was a great year. I started back fishing after years of not fishing. Also bought a boat. Being retired, I got to fish a bunch. Some days I caught some, some days skunked but all of them was good !!!!

Roll Tide Roll !!!

Hi and welcome to the forum. Here is you an answer. Get a Lew's David Fritts Perfect Crankbait rod ($79) and match it with any Lew's reel you can afford. I would go with the BB1 if you can.

My deciding factor would be if you fished tournaments. If you did, I would go with the larger boat. If you fish for the fun of it like I do, stay with what you got and upgrade the electronics.You say you would upgrade the trolling motor, what #thrust is yours, not powerful enough When I bought my boat, 17 ft. Lowe, I was not really looking for a large motor, maybe a 40-60. The boat I bought has a 90hp Johnson, It will run fast but most of the time I am at 3/4 throttle. I launch close to where I am going to fish. Have you priced a new boat, sure you have, they are proud of them, couldn't believe the price but then again I cheap.

Happy New Year everyone!!!!

If you need anything boat related, Overton's has 15% off any order over $100 with free shipping. http://www.overtons.com/

This was my first years to fish in many years. I really don't have any goals for the coming year except just to fish every chance I get. Maybe I will get to learn my main body of water better and to try more ledge fishing in the summer. I also started fishing the Ned Rid and I am hooked on it. Maybe to learn it better. It is really a great method to catch fish. Hope everyone has a great 2016 !!!

Any of the Smithwick Rogues, to me they are just as good as the high price jerkbaits.

Yep, that's the one I got also. Must have had it 20 years.

I have used a lure retriever for years because I throw a lot of crankbaits. I don't know the name of it but I believe Lew's is bringing it back to the market. I saw David Fritts talking about it at ICast. I have saved a bunch of money with mine. Found the name: Get It Back Lure Retriever by Lew's. Not sure it is on the market yet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNyDiVtFh1I&spfreload=10

Same here, love Sniper !!!

Most of my rod have been leaning against a wall for 20 years, all in great shape. I believe you can store them any way you want to without any damage.

I am probably in the minority but I guess I am brand loyal. I use Falcon rods and Lew's reels on all my baitcasting gear, My theory, no matter which combo I pick up, it is basically going to feel the same. Too old to change.

I let it go this year, not excited about any of it. Besides, ordered a bunch on Black Friday.

Never owned a newer style Abu but I have 5 Lew's that I love. I don't believe you can go wrong with a Lew's.

I still have a Lowrider Falcon pistol grip. Still use it from time to time. When I started fishing that was all you could buy and mostly used 5'6" rod. Now you will lucky to find a 6'6". I still like the pistol grip for jerkbaits.

Maybe just a bad spool of FC. I have used FC for the first time this year without problems, using Sunline Sniper 20# test.Try Sunline, little more expensive but I believe you will like it. To me, it throws just like mono.

I use the Sniper because I can get it in 7# test, seems 6 is too small, 8 too big, OK I'm strange.

Keep throwing it. I will fish a spinnerbait year round, though I admit, there are better times to throw one. I really like them spring and fall. My favorite is a chart/white single spin with a copper Colorado blade. If the water is still warm, work it where you can barely see it.

Glad every thing turned out OK. Not a bad idea to have extra bearings for such emergencies.

I also think you should got lighter on braid. I have a St Croix ML using 10# Power Pro yellow braid with a 7# FC Sunline leader of about 6". I join the two with an Albright knot. This combo works great for me.

Merry Christmas !!!!

I have always used Dr. Tichenor’s antiseptic for sore throats. Just a little bit with water will wipe out germs. This stuff is strong !!!! Don't shallow this stuff, just gargle.

I agree with Joe, I don't think it will hurt your new motor. Even if you added some oil, all it would do would be smoke some but the gas left in the tank will be so little, I don't think it will smoke any. Fill it up and gas it !!!!

Merry Christmas to you !!!