xtraorange

I've PMed you my exact area.

Thanks all for the feedback, I really appreciate it!

Hi all! I'm a relatively new angler (really only got invested in the spring). I'm interested in picking up a boat to expand the areas I can fish. I live on the Mississippi river, so there's a lot of backwater options in addition to several no-wake lakes. As far as type of fishing, I primarily am after bass. My budget is under $1,000, and I'm really hoping to pick something up for a lot less than that. Obviously, I'm most likely going to be shopping craigslist and such for something very used, so I'm hoping to catch a deal as we approach the end of the season. Here's my question: It's just me most of the time, though I do occasionally take a friend or two along. Assuming I plan for just me (capacity for 2 being a bonus), and assuming that I would at least like a trolling motor (yea, I know, I'm lazy), what would you recommend? I'm thinking I might want the ability to stand up (sitting for hours sounds like it would drive me crazy), but I'm flexible on that. Suggestions for things to look for as I hunt used equipment? Thank you!

Hi all, I'm from Winona, MN (South-east MN, right on the Mississippi). I am land-bound for the summer (maybe next year I'll be able to buy a kayak), and trying to improve my fishing skills from the shore. All of the lakes I have visited are full of vegetation or algae on the shore lines, which makes fishing for a beginner a little tricky. I've been using the Texas Rig, and have had some success on good days with that, but the last three times I've been out I've gotten skunked. I know the Ned rig is supposed to be a good "the fish aren't biting" go to lure, but casting from the shore, even with a weedless setup, is pretty weedy/gunky. Other than the Texas rig, what else could I be learning on to have some options? I have lily pads I can fish in some of the lakes (which is where I've been throwing the Texas rig), so I've thrown some frogs, but I don't have the right rigging to safely pull those in, so I've been avoiding them. Thoughts? Thank you!

Thanks! I actually have cleaned, greased, and oiled them, and refreshed the line. Presently I think they're both on either 6 or 8 lb mono. I will follow your advice from there! Also, I love Nick (the informative fisherman), I've been watching a ton of his videos... love the way he teaches.

Wow, phenomenal information! Thank you all so much for contributing, you gave me a ton to think about and some great options to choose from. I honestly didn't expect so much friendly help! It sounds like a lot of recommendations in favor of focusing my time on finesse fishing. I'll keep an eye out for some of the deals mentioned in the thread, and in the meantime focus my learning there. I just received a box of lures from monthly lure site (I think I read we're not supposed to name things like that?), which included several pieces I can use to start that process, so I believe I'll begin tomorrow. For those of you that asked (@GrumpyOlPhartte), my hand-me-downs are: 1. Berkley Cherrywood HD, 6'6" Medium with a FX 1000FB reel. 2. "Guide Series" (Gander Mountain?) Pro Select IM8 Graphite, 7', Medium Light, with a Abu Garcia AG2F reel. I feel stupid for having never looked on the rod for its action, I've wondered what exactly they were... Thanks for all the advice!

Hello all! I've been fishing for less than a year now in Minnesota. My dad gave me a pair of spinning reels I've been using for some pan fishing (I'm afraid I don't know much about them, but as I understand it, they're pretty middle of the road). Lately, my buddy has had me trying his bait caster with some frogs and such, and I'm really enjoying it (although I haven't caught squat yet). I'm interested in shifting my focus onto bass. I mostly shore fish, but occasionally can get out on a boat with friends. So I have a very tight budget, and I probably have around $100 or so I could spend toward fishing gear. Is there anything, as a beginning fisherman, that would be worth getting in the bait caster arena, or should I just invest in more tackle and focus on getting better at finesse fishing? Thank you so much for the advice!