CybrSlydr

I went to WalMart and picked up something similar to this in all-black. https://www.walmart.com/ip/OP-Women-s-Aqua-Beach-Shoe/54790945 I think it was a whole $10 for the pair and they're great - sole could be stiffer so you feel less of the rocks but they're comfy. Bought some non-cotton socks to go with it so my feet don't stay too wet.

It was brought to my attention by another member that the maps I've been using from ODNR might not be the best available and has provided me with a link to some very detailed bathymetric maps of lakes in the state. Coupling this with Google maps I can, hopefully, better recognize the features and things so that my brother and I will find some d**n fish! What I'd like to know are some links to threads/articles on here dealing with reading bathymetric data and what to look for when fishing for bass. Just for S&Gs, here's Senecaville Lake, the place we most recently visited. https://webapp.navionics.com/#boating@10&key=}_rrFptxoN And here's the Google Maps satellite image https://www.google.com/maps/place/Senecaville+Lake/@39.9098594,-81.4221663,11625m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x883636d456cfb97f:0x437c4633f88d9577!8m2!3d39.9056698!4d-81.4031707 Appreciate the help folks - Always Forward!

I'm almost a full year into my fishing hobby - with varying levels of success. I'm now doing research on my first baitcaster so I can utilize heavier/bigger lures like simwbaits and the like. Here's my question - my spinning setup covers the 1/8oz-1/2oz range. What range should I look for in a general purpose baitcasting rod? 1oz? 3/4-1 1/2? Thanks!

Do the Keitech's work well as followers on a jig? I've got a 1/2oz rod - what jig would you suggest for a Keitech? Something in the 1/4oz range I assume? The support person over at TW suggested Revenge Swimbait Hedz with a 3.8" Keitech.

Congrats on making it!!!

Well, weight is a bit of a concern. Not to mention mounting. Do any of you know of any mounting solutions for a fish finder to a craft like the Salt Fork?

Took a look in the Cabelas ad and saw they're having their Father's Day sales. Also noticed that the Deeper fish finder is on sale for $119.99, normally $199.99. That's a helluva savings. The main use something like this would see is attached to my brother's inflatable pontoon. I could also use it from shore attaching some 550 cord and chucking it (then I wouldn't need to get a rod that can hurl 3.5oz). So I guess my main question is, looking at the Deeper's original price-point of $200, what kind quality fish-finder can you get from the usual companies for that price or a little more (+$50)? Obviously if we went with something from like... Lowrance or the like, we'd need a separate battery to go with it since I doubt any of them are self-powered like the Deeper. Would we be better off with the Deeper or something else? Thanks folks!

Not that I'm aware - I can ask around and see if any of my battles heard of 'em.

Might be a silly question, but why not just wear whatever you want and goop up with sunblock? That's what my brother and I do - and sunblock is quite a bit cheaper than a new wardrobe for fishing.

So I think it's time to upgrade my sunglasses to a truly polarized set. I've got a cheap pair of smoked plastic eyepro from our local shop and I love them - but I think I want something a bit more. What resources are out there to help me find the right pair for lake fishing? I've done some cursory research and apparently lens color makes a difference and some are better suited for offshore/inshore/lakes and rivers. I'd also like to not break the bank if possible. lol

We actually have a few of those and they work great - I love hooks with the corkscrews on them. Unweighted for senkos (sometimes weighted) as well as creature baits, soft craws, etc.

How do you prefer to rig them? I assume Texas-rig? Unweighted?

Would like some suggestions for a 1/8-1/2oz rod. I've used Zoom Super Flukes and Biwaa Tail Gun-r without much luck. What about Keitech Swing Impacts? Any others to consider?

Lake Erie on the Northern Ohio coast is also one of the prime small mouth fisheries in the United States - if you're heading up around that way. https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Lake_Erie.html http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/story/news/local/lake-erie/2015/06/18/lake-erie-named-one-top-bass-fishing-lakes-us/28952241/

Color me jelly, Mr. Pedal Drive.

Thanks for the tips! Currently, I have two rods but I only ever bring one with me. I also share a large tackle box with my brother, so I'd only have one or two trays of lures/baits. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Plano-Molding-Storage-Case-External-Dimensions-18-Length-X-9.5-Width-X-11-Height-Tackle-1-728000/41256795#about-item So I wouldn't even have a milk crate or anything to bring along. I'm currently a pretty minimalist angler. lol

Thanks for the suggestions - though I'd have to go for something a bit bigger. I'm 6'1" and about 280lbs, so 325lb capacity just isn't enough for my big butt. I'm looking at Kayaks with a minimum 400lb capacity just for safety sake, higher/drier ride and cargo.

Well, I won't be purchasing one until probably tax season next year, so everyone has time to come out with a new design for 2018. Glad to see my reasoning hit on a few good boats!

So after all the reading, I think I've narrowed my choices to my top three. In no particular order... 1. FeelFree Lure 11.5 (or 13.5) 2. Wilderness Systems Radar 115 3. Wilderness Systems Ride 115 They all meet weight requirements (at least 400lb) and are appx. the same price ($1300ish). I think I'm leaning towards the Radar for it's expand-ability: easy to mount fish finder (eventually), potential for a pedal or motor (doubtful due to price...), and a hand-operated rudder lever. It's also rated at 450lbs, so plenty of room to add bits and bobs (and me). It's also 11.5ft, so it's a bit shorter and would be easier to rack on my car. It's also 82lb vs nearly 100 for the others. I would rate the Ride higher, but it doesn't have the pre-built fish-finder spot. It's also rated at 500lb which is even better. If they made a Ride 115 with the pre-built electronics console, I think that would be my choice. The Lure 11.5 has from what I've read, the most comfortable seat on the market. I'm just concerned that it also has the lowest capacity rating at 425lb. However, it does have the pre-built electronics pod the Ride doesn't - and I could go with the 13.5 since it's load capacity is higher at 500lb - but it's also 2ft longer and that much harder to rack.

Looking at my car, I'm not sure I could do it. Not a whole lot of distance from the trunk to the back of the front seat (and I can't put that down since my brother would be sitting in it). I have a feeling it would be sticking out way too far.

I'm almost to the point where I'll see if my back seats folded down offer enough room to have the thing sticking out my trunk a reasonable distance and then bungee the thing down.

Is that rather than opening the doors and closing them on top of the straps? I won't ask how much the window replacement set you back. lol

No kidding! I saw $229 and figured, "Well, more than I'd like but it's doable". Then you find out, oh, that's just the BARS. If you want to actually MOUNT the things, you have to buy the clips. But wait - there's more! On top of the clips, you have to buy the base mounts too!!! Highway freaking robbery. I might just put a couple pieces of foam rubber on my roof and tie it off through the doors...

Why are roof racks so d**n expensive??? I'm looking at nearly $500 for Yakima!!!! Good God. Do I really want to fish this badly?...

It looks like the biggest issue I'm going to run into is finding a roof rack for my car.