wet_dream

I fairly new to jig fishing and freshwater bass fishing in general. I grabbed a bunch of Strike King's bitsy bugs when they were a $1 each at Walmart to start. I've had the most success on the green pumpkin/brown jig. It can get overwhelming with all the color combos, but stick to the basic colors that a few have already mentioned: -Green Pumpkin/(Brown/Purple) -Black/Blue Once you have those base colors, you can experiment with different trailers to add colors. Much cheaper way to try different color combos is to buy different color plastics at about $3-$5 a bag, than to order jigs in different colors and sizes.

Yes, just don't place the order. I've been applying the code to other items to see if certain products are applicable before deciding on what to get. For example, I found out that Navionics+ for my fishfinder is excluded from this promo.

Yeah, the other ratios are priced a little bit more. I might pull the trigger on the 7.3:1 lefty for $144. Or a Chronarch MGL for $170. Decisions decisions....

I would love to use this to add a Tatula SV to the arsenal. I wish I used a right hand reel. With this discount code, you can get one for $125 shipped!

St. Croix has an awesome warranty program and service to match. I broke a saltwater spinning rod last year, due to user error, and was shipped a new one at a discounted price using their Gold Star Service Plan. I'd look into that unless you bought the service plan through BPS.

Here is my 2500 loaded with 15 lb Suffix 832 and a 4000 loaded with 20 lb Suffix 832.

If you get a Tatula rod AND reel you can claim 2 shirts.

This is a refreshing thread to see, especially as a beginner. I'm on the other end of the spectrum and I don't have that much tackle (yet). While I am tempted to buy and try every lure in every color, I've tried to stick to the basics. And a lot of the decisions I've made are due to a lot of reading on these forums. But experimenting and figuring out what works is part of the fun. Catching a fish on a new lure or technique always gets me pumped. I know my tackle collection will only continue to grow and one day I may have the same thought of starting over. I don't see the downside of having all these things at your disposal. Like others have said, you might end up buying some of the stuff back. But I am just getting started, lol. So I guess the thought of starting over really doesn't apply to me.

A buddy and I just got into kayak fishing a couple years ago. That was actually his first kayak. He ended up upgrading within a few months. We also fish in saltwater, and while that kayak should do well in freshwater ponds and lakes, it wasn't geared towards the other types of fishing he wanted to do. It did well in calm conditions, but he felt a little unstable when there was a little chop on the water. Also, we had to cover a lot of ground, and it wasn't the best paddling/tracking kayak. Keep a look out on Craigslist and other sites for used kayaks, I believe you can find great value that way. But then again, for $200, I guess you can't really go wrong because you can probably recoup your money if you do decide it isn't for you. Naturally, you'll find better deals during the off season as more people are looking to unload unused gear when they are not using it. Buy the best you can afford, and budget accordingly for accessories (PFD, paddle, rudder, crate with rodholders, etc). A kayak is great fishing investment and it opens up more water to fish. Good luck on your search!

HAHAHA! I agree, it was a very thorough post.

Thank you fishnkamp for taking the time with such a detailed and helpful response! It's quality suggestions and tips like these that made me sign up for this forum, and all the help and information is much appreciated. I'm enjoying the process of trial and error in regards to learning how to fish, specifically for largemouth, but tips I get from you seasoned vets are irreplaceable. To answer some of your questions: I have a ton of spinning combos that I use primarily for saltwater but a couple should transition well into freshwater. 1 combo specifically is a 7'6" ML Avid Inshore paired with a 2500 Stradic. I've been throwing keitechs on a 1/4 oz jig and have caught decent numbers the past few outings, mostly smaller fish though. I am confident in this combo for the techniques you listed. I will give your some of your combo suggestions a try. A lot of them were on par for the intended uses I had in mind. I've been slowly expanding the techniques I'm using on the water, and try to put in an honest effort with a particular lure before giving up and throwing something else. I've also been playing with different types of line (braid, mono, fluoro) to see which I prefer for each application. Probably should have included this in my original post but these were my intended uses for each combo and what line I have on the reel currently: 1) Jigs and T-Rigs (Red Label Fluoro, it was on sale at Walmart so I figured what the heck) 2) Light Plastics and Plastics on jig heads(12 lb mono, came with the reel, bought lightly used) 3) Small crankbaits, jerkbaits (20 lb super slick, came with the reel used) 4) Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, topwater (no line on this reel yet, suggestions??) 5) Heavier Jigs and lures in general, this is my heaviest set up currently. Would like to fish frogs but not many pads in the water I fish (30 lb braid) This really is the extent of what I throw currently. I'm trying to take it slow and put in my time with each lure. Thanks again for the tips! And any other suggestions are welcome.

So that escalated quickly, I went from buying my first freshwater baitcasting combo 6 weeks ago to now owning 5 baitcasting set-ups (1 combo I already had for use in saltwater, flounder fishing). Thanks to Craigslist and some trading on different forums, I've accumulated some combos (at great prices, or so I tell myself lol) for different applications but need help pairing the rods and reels. I'll be doing a lot of fishing from the kayak this year and the convenience of having specific rods for their own applications will definitely help with less time spent tying and rigging on the water. Also, I know a couple of the rods might overlap in their intended uses, but I will also be doing a lot of pondhopping. Naturally, I gravitated towards versatile, do-it-all rods for times when I only want to take 1 or 2 rods with me. REELS: 1) Tatula CT Type-R (8.1:1, 33.9 IPT) 2) Fuego 100XSL (8.1:1, 33.9 IPT) 3) Lews LFS (6.8:1, 28 IPT) 4) Tatula CT (6.3:1, 26.3 IPT) 5) Quantum Accurist PT (6.3:1, 26 IPT) **this last reel is the flounder reel, John Skinner sold me on this after I watched him slay fluke on bucktails with this reel** RODS: 1) Zodias (6'10" MHFast, 3/8 - 1) 2) Mojo Bass Plastics (7' MFast, 1/4 - 5/8) 3) Premier Crankbait (7' MMod, 1/4 - 5/8) 4) Tatula (7'2" MHRegular, 1/4 - 1) 5) *** *** Green (6'8" MHFast 1/2 - 1 1/4) ***** green is marketed as a saltwater rod, which I've found to be a rating heavier than their freshwater counterparts. So this is probably a heavy power rod for freshwater use** I've listed the rod and reel with the corresponding numbers as I plan to pair them. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Tell me what you'd do differently. Thanks Bass Resource! /rant

I went with a Tatula CT Type-R and a Tatula 7'2" MH, this is a very nice combo. I just picked up a used 6'10" MH Zodias in the fishing flea market forum, and that is a nice rod as well, but pairing that with the Tatula will bring you a lot closer to the top of your budget.

No problem, and I was thinking the same thing. I really enjoy the versatility of the jig and have gained some confidence fishing it. I just have to decide which colors and sizes to get. So many choices!

Their football, finesse, and brush jigs are $3 each. I believe their "chatterbaits", or vibrating jigs are $6. But after inquiring, they also offer bulk discounts and get it as low as $2 a jig. Just looked into the sponsors' jigs, the Siebert jigs look nice as well. I'll consider them if a buddy of mine doesn't want to go in on the Toad Candy Jigs with me and split one of their bulk deals.

Thanks for the tip! I'll look into both of them as well.

Oh no!! LOL Atleast you were in the driveway and not on the water when it happened. I've done that with another reel, accidentally getting caught in a tree on my back cast. Had to pick at the spool for 15 min while watching and hearing splashes on the water of bass feeding. Longest 15 min of my life!

Hey BassResource! My tackle is pretty limited and I've been concentrating on jig fishing mostly. Wanted to try some different jigs in different colors and sizes. All I've throwing are the Strike King Bitsy Bugs in 1/4 oz (they were a $1 each at Wally World a couple weeks ago so I picked up a bunch of different colors. Came across Toad Candy on Facebook. Looks like very nice, quality jigs. Anyone have any experience with them? Or are there any others I should be looking into?

Hey guys, New to the forums. I'm from Atlantic County and have been doing some pond hopping in the area the last couple weeks. Here's my personal best in my young freshwater career lol. Caught on a bitsy bug jig w/ a havoc pit boss jr. I've been throwing the jig exclusively, trying to concentrate on learning one lure at a time. Hopefully, I can fish with some of you guys sometime. My PB on a Jig

I am just getting into freshwater fishing and made the transition to Lefty baitcasters pretty smoothly. I use spinning setups with a left hand retrieve on the surf and kayak, and find it much easier to work lures with my dominant hand (right) while reeling with my left. I do have conventional setups (saltwater baitcasters) with the crank on the right side, which I use for bottom fishing. I'm basically dropping a bait down vertically with these setups, or casting a very short distance. I actually prefer cranking with my right hand in these situation as you are "winching" the fish up, and my right hand arm is a little stronger.

Considered both and went with the Tatula CT Type-R. You can still get them for $119.99, which is partially why I went that route, and don't regret it at all. The Curados 200s are on sale for $129.99 too, and the 70s can be had for $150. Cant speak for the Curados but am loving the CT in the limited time I've had it. Haven't had a terrible birds nest with it, and after having it dialed in, I can cast it without even having to thumb the spool.

PM sent. They had Stradic FKs for $125 at the end of last year. Just keep your eyes open and they have great deals, both on their website and fleabay store.

No problem. The offer is good til the end of May on Tatula rods and reels bought between February-May. I just sent the rebate form in last week. Still waiting on them.

I had the same budget for an all-around baitcasting combo a couple weeks ago and went this route. I went with a Tatula Type-R and Tatula 7'2" MH. Total came in at about $220 free shipping. A regular Tatula CT would have you closer to the $200 mark. And Daiwa is running a promo for a free Daiwa Huk performance shirt with Tatula rod and reel purchases so I have 2 shirts on the way!