ohtheguilt

Resurrecting this post because I recently moved to Maine (Portland) from Georgia (Atlanta). Needless to say, I'm looking for people to fish with and for any sort of direction on bass fishing in Maine. Would definitely love to learn from you guys, as it sounds like things here are a bit different than I am used to...

Sierra may have actually upped their shipping game recently...I received a rod from them this past march in a heavy cardboard tube, ala, Tacklewarehouse. Plus one for a legit website with great deals.

I just picked up a 7'2" MHMF Lux a few weeks ago for cranking. I've only had it on the water twice (it's been hot down here) and both times we were fishing cranks on a rocky ledge, just on the edge of the channel...15' to 20' deep. Despite its light weight, the Lux performed incredibly with the (medium) deeper running, heavier cranks. I have a reel made by that unnamed brand (it is grey in color and has a 6.6:1 ratio) matched up with it right now, and while it's not a bad setup, I really want to try something slower (think: Curado 200iPG or something similar). One of the main reasons that I picked this up is how it feels in my hands. I've got relatively small hands and the grips feel near perfect especially with a smaller reel (maybe that 200iPG isn't for me, afterall). Overall, the rod feels really solid (again for its light weight), and had no issues pulling 3- to 4-pounders out of those depths. I feel like it is plenty sensitive for my purposes and will likely try some of their other flavors. All that said, I have not thrown a jig or t-rig on it, and likely won't with this particular rod...

I use a MH/F Mojo for t-rigs and jigs (3/8th and 1/2). I had a Citica on it (which was great), but upgraded to a Curado 70 and absolutely love the rig...I reach for it more than any other setup now. I also have a bunch of the unnamed brand products, and haven't had any issues...but...I do really like the feel of the Mojos, especially for the price.

I've caught more on lipless than anything else...I guess my personal favorite found me.

Similarly, I picked up a new old stock TFO GTS dropshot casting rod and am waiting for my Revo LTX to arrive...a bit more on the budget side than an Aldebaran/Inshore, but should do the trick for the light stuff.

This. I like to change it up with poppers...both with retrieve and with lure weights. Slow rolls, burning, and jerking them have all worked for me. I haven't been using them much recently, but Hulas (and a few other poppers) were my go-to when I would go out just before dawn. I don't have a color preference for Hulas specifically...my box has 4 colors in different weights, but I used to gravitate toward the white belly frog 3/8 oz when I was out early in the morning.

You're going to think I am nuts, but I swear...I'm not. Do some googling for "Shimano Fightin' Rod" or "Shimano Bullwhip" This is some ancient technology compared to what is going on now, but back in the...uh, err...late '80s Shimano made these baitcasters (which were under 6'). They have short handles, and I have never seen a L or ML version, but my guess is they are out there...somewhere. I actually still have my original Bullwhip which is a 5'6" M (I learned to cast a baitcaster on this thing) which is incredibly sensitive and actually does throw 1/4oz pretty well (which is where it is rated)...I can't say I've tried to cast anything lighter on it in the past 25 years.

Similar to just about everyone above, I'm sold on Columbia and Huk. The Patagonia gear is also great, but I've usually found it to be pricier for similar fit/feel/protection. I do sometimes cross over into my mountain biking gear (don't worry, it's not the spandex and lycra kind, it's Club Ride), which is similar in weight and UPF but obviously built more for biking than fishing.

I do a good bit of hiking to get to most of my spots....not exactly backwoods, though. I live in a big city that is still skirted by large amounts of city- and/or county-owned greensapce; almost all of which have lakes and ponds that are rarely fished due to accessibility issues (i.e., old parks that have been neglected and old abandoned city buildings on large wooded properties with ponds). Luckily, because of the land ownership and the local laws, my hikes and fishing (with a license) are all legal. Tactics-wise, everything I've found was from google maps searches, followed by a bit more "interneting" to make sure that I wouldn't be trespassing. So far, I haven't run into any issues. I also carry tackle in a backpack that allows me to attach my rods (I like to keep my hands free in case I run into grumpy wildlife or grumpier urban-outdoorsmen). Some areas have required the use of 4wd to get close enough to hike to water, though. All that said, I've had pretty decent luck pulling out bass while fishing frogs and poppers around dawn, and various t-rigged plastics (mainly small stuff) at other times of the day.

We took my old man's boat out this afternoon near Chattanooga, TN to fish nice little shallow shelf that is known to produce decent bass...and (historically) only bass. I caught a 3-inch long bluegill on a half-ounce rat-l-trap (hooked in the mouth - not sure what he was thinking there) and my dad caught an 8-pound drum on a shallow crankbait. Odd afternoon of unintentional catches.

It seems like the Kastking and Abu Black Max are the clear winners here. I learned how to toss a baitcaster decades ago, practicing with sub-par equipment rigged with all sorts of weights in the (big) front yard. My old man used to say that the only way you could really learn how to cast a baitcaster is by tying a rope around a big rock and trying to throw it over your head without getting hit. Maybe that was the case then, but now...well...not so much... I haven't tried the Kastking reels, but the Abu Black Max has always been a fun reel (and rod combo), and I've been able to teach quite a few friends and my wife (all of which had zero experience with anything more than a spincaster) how to cast it with minimal backlash over the course of several outings. At your price point, the Black Max seems like an easy win. Crank up the magnets and practice tossing different weights in open areas. I hate to be cliche here, but in reality, practice makes perfect...it has taken me years...decades, actually...to hone my baitcasting skills, but the fun and enjoyment of the hunt outweighs the early frustrations....

This is tough. When I was a kid, my dad fished cranks, and he fished fast. I learned everything I know about bass fishing from the old man, but when the bite was tough on cranks, I had to learn how to work plastics. Given that background, and my..uh..general personality (think: caffeine + nicotine), I had to calm waaaaaaay down to make my plastics work. It's tough, but patience has been my key. I've landed some of my biggest largemouths from working a Neko or TX rig so freakin' s-l-o-w-l-y, that it is painful. I've had to learn how to enjoy slowing it down...it's done wonders for my fishing...and my blood pressure. I just enjoy where I am and what I am doing (i.e., not at work, not sitting in traffic, etc). I concentrate on the retrieve and take it slow.

Long-time lurker, first time poster, here...thanks for the great forum! After looking at all the fishing-specific options last year, I ended up retiring my work laptop backpack for use to haul my gear. It's an original "Surge" from The North Face (NOT the Surge II or their current offerings - this one is about 8 years old - 30 bucks will get you one off eBay). It can comfortably hold two 3700s (main compartment) and and a 1490 plastics binder (laptop compartment), with room to spare for tools, a few drinks, and a spare shirt (ancillary compartment and various little exterior compartments/pockets) . I have found that I can squeeze three 3700s in there with the binder and tools, but it gets bulky and is less comfortable. Since I live in the city, I usually wear it while fishing, and also usually have to do a bit of slightly strenuous hiking to get to the good spots near me. I have no problems loading it up with three and the binder if we are taking out the boat, though. I've also figured out that I can use the side straps and Lycra pockets to carry some rods...ultalight gear seems to work best, but I still have to be careful about the height of the rods (versus over-hanging limbs, etc.) and not breaking the guides while strapping them on. Obviously, this set-up isn't for everyone, but the pack, itself, is made to be comfortably worn for extended periods (which it is), and it just happens to fit the right amount of tackle (especially if I have a buddy or the wife out with me).