papajoe222

I'm always checking out prices on fishing gear at any store that sells them. I get some great deals at the Meijer here as there are very few lakes in the area and the only items that sell at retail are catfish and panfish. I did get a great deal on Bill Norman Middle N's for $1 and Deep Little N;s for $1.50 off the clearance rack at WalMart today. They were regular price in the sporting goods dept. but for some reason those six were reduced.

Other than catching a new PB myself, introducing someone to fishing and being with them when they catch their first, is one of the most rewarding things there is for me. More so if it's a child. I've had that experience numerous times and it never gets old. Seems those relationships never get old either.

Evidently, you like to fish, but aren't passionet about it. Nate's suggestion is the perfect answer. What I always do is look at what may need my attention and decide which is more important to me. Unless it's family related, fishing ends up getting it.

Thanks everyone. Looks like the mods I want to do I'll be able to afford for my other two reels. Another wintertime project, if I can wait that long.

I recently got a great deal on a Sol with a ton of modifications and absolutely love it. My question is; Where can I purchase the gear and handle upgrades? I like the swept star drag and 90mm handle and the gearing is so smooth, I have to check that the drag isn't completely backed off when I first pick it up. Some may feel investing cash into mods on this reel a bit of a waste, but I'm not one. Thanks.

Great job on the video. Me, personally.....I would have used the time to get some more fishing in, but I do recognize talent when I see it.

Most often, since I 'discovered' the stupid rigging it's the one I use most often. Many will rig a tube Texas style, but to me, that just kills the action, so it's internal jig, or weight of some sort. If you're looking for a great hook that's designed for tubes, check out the HP hook

Welcome. You are right on the money when you say there is a wealth of information on this site. From the videos, to the articles, to the forums if you can't find it, just ask. The group here is both knowledgeable and willing to share.

First thing you need to decide is the control color, the one you'll be comparing the others to. As stated, you need to compare them side by side and the only true comparison would be to offer the same fish both colors and note its reaction to both. Great idea, but gathering the information is going to be a challenge. If I may offer a suggestion, you could do a comparison project of colors at various depths or light intensity and relate that to lure colors.

First off, thanks for your service. What will matter more than the cooler temps. at that point will be how long the weather will be stable. When there is a drastic change in air temps. in a short period of time is when the fish react negatively. Once things stabilize, their activity level should return to normal. Just think of it as a front that moves in to an area. Post frontal conditions can be the toughest, but a few days after it passes, not so much so. The same situation applies to a front that stalls out over an area, things stabilize. Ask around about water temps. and if there has been a significant change you could be in for some good action. There's no better welcome home than family, friends, home cooking and good fishing. Enjoy

I was thinking MH also. HXF on that rod, you'd better be throwing 1/2oz. or better the majority of the time. Either that or only flipping with it.

It depends on the depth of the water, but normally that'll be 4ft. or so and I'll go with 1/8oz. unless it's windy then I'll go up to 3/16oz. You can likely get away with something lighter on spinning gear.

The wife recently had surgery to repair her hiatal hernia as her entire stomach was above her diaphram. Scary when you think about it. I was never one to go to the Dr. for every ache and pain, but ignoring them isn't the answer. I lost a good friend that ignored lower bowel discomfort only to find out too late that it was cancer that could have been successfully addressed if he had only seen a doctor early on. We only have one body and all too often, like so many other things, we take it for granted.

For ease of skipping, nothing compares to a tube, IMO, even when rigged with an internal jig head. BPS tender tubes have a small profile and the BK Tube is a big fish producer. I like to lengthen the skirt by an inch or so with my scissors. Awesome action and it doesn't take anything away from its ability to skip easily. As for targets, I like hanging tree limbs that almost touch the water, especially an isolated one on an otherwise treeless shore. Docks are great too, but get a lot of pressure. You can easily skip a tube well back under a dock, more so than a jig.

Unless I missed it, I didn't see an Original Floating Rapala mentioned. This is the one that got me hooked on topwater and when I learned about what a bait sitting motionless can do to a bass' state of mind.

One word...............Braid

I wear both. The conventional when I'm running the boat and the auto inflateable when I'm on the front deck. The only time I don't have either on is when I'm anchored and there is someone else in the boat. I've fallen overboard a few times and I can tell you from experience that with no one else around and your boat floating away faster than you can swim 'dead in the water is your first thought. Well maybe not for you young studs that can swim a mile or two, but this old fart is smart enough not to rely on swimming to shore as the only option.

I have both within easy driving distance and BPS is the better of the two for fishing gear. For an all around sporting goods store, Cabela's gets the nod from me. Gander Mtn. is the closest to me, but unless I go in for one of their sales, I don't visit it.

Just read through this thread for the first time. Laughed so hard I farted and almost soiled myself. Thanks"......I think. Oh yea, been there and done that. Never became addicted.

I like to match the trailer to the jig skirt and give the whole package darker or lighter 'highlights' A different color head or dipping the tips of the trailer in a contrasting color.

Basically it's a membership they offer that entitles you to discounted pricing. For an occasional, small purchase it isn't worth the cost. If you are contemplating a major purchase, or shop on line a lot, you will save some cash. I purchased a generator and it was priced over $60 less for members. The membership costs like $29.............. No brainer.

As far as glass, graphite, or composite is concerned, you need to decide what you want from your cranking rod and base that on the type of cover you crank most frequently. I prefer a rod that transmits a lot of information back to me. I don't bottom bounce cranks much, so it's important to me to be able to feel the line going over a tree limb, or a hook catching the first weed top. A glass rod won't do that as well as a graphite one does and even a composite rod can loose a lot of sensitivity depending on the formulation of the blank. Yes, there is such a thing as too fast when cranking. You'll know when you've reached that speed as the lure will 'kick out' or spin and you'll feel the loss of vibration when it does. Some baits don't handle fast retrieves well and for others, there isn't a reel fast enough.

Tom is right on the money when he talks about green weeds and fall bass on lakes without shad. The farther into the season, the more important green weeds are. Come winter time, the deep weeds that haven't died off will be the home of the forage and the bass and other gamefish will be close by. Generally, this is a shallow to deep transition, but don't give up on shallow weeds as long as they're holding baitfish. Shad, minnows or bluegill, the bass will only abandon shallow water if there is no forage there.

My best success slow rolling has been at night with a short arm spinner working up a drop. I don't do it often enough to work it from shallow to deep.

What BobP said about the fish nipping or just swiping at the bait. Sometimes the fish will change their mind and turn away or not attempt to inhale it after making a commitment. A color change or speeding up your retrieve can make the difference. If this were your first outing with your cranking gear, I would suspect either it or your hook set. It sounds like this is not a common occurrence, so I woulndt recommend any drastic changes maybe upgrade your hooks if it'll make you feel better.