ford4wd08

Understood on the comment. Best thing about this team is it is brand spanking new. All the kids will be the first team together. The coach is my neighbor behind us. Just a good ole boy from East TN. I don't expect any issues.

Understood. Thanks for the feedback! ? Thank you all for the comments. I'll put him on the videos tonight!

Hi J Francho, actually my questions were not exactly the same. One was specific to tackle, the other was specific to gear (rods and reels). The forum has two dedicated sections, one for rods and reels, the other for tackle. That is why they were posted in two different areas. If you feel they needed to be merged, that is fine, but they were in the correct sections according to the forum.

Thank you all for the replies. I am thinking of starting him on soft plastics as the learning curve is pretty sort. I am stoked there is a middle school team. I think it is a great start for young men and women into fishing.

Thanks for the advice. That is kind of what I was thinking.

Hi all, my oldest son is joining the middle school BASS fishing team. What do you all recommend having in a tackle box for him to fish? He is new to bass fishing, so I would like to start with some pretty simple baits and lures to master. I am thinking some spinner baits, texas rig worms, and a few crank baits. I haven't bass fished in a while. What suggestions do you all have to put in his tackle box?

Hi all, My oldest is in 7th grade and this year they are starting a BASS fishing team. I'm beyond excited that he is joining and has already found who he wants to be his partner for this years tournaments. My neighbor is actually the guy heading it all up and I'm glad he is letting middle schoolers join. So this brings me to my question, I fish, but I haven't targeted bass in a while. I've been fishing for crappie and rainbow trout quite a bit, but I can see myself getting bit by the bass bug again. I need to start him with some of his "own" rods and reel combos on a budget. I am a fan of Abu Garcia reels, so I am gravitating towards some black or silver max reels for casting. He already has one Flueger President spinning reel. For rods I am thinking some Berkley Cherrywoods or Lightning rods and maybe a Ugly Stick or two. I am thinking he will need to have one spinning rod set up (which I think we have covered) and two or three casting rigs. Are there any offerings by Lew's or anyone I am over looking? I don't have much experience with their reels or rods. Obviously I am on budget, so I am ok with the low end stuff and understand there can be trade offs. What do you all recommend?

Thank you all for the responses. I believe I may just stick with what I know on a 30 series reel. They have become my favorite spinning reel for the price.

Hello all, I have a quick question. I am a budget weekend angler and have found some low cost rods fit me just fine. I have two of the 7" foot medium 1 pc cherrywood spining rods. I originally had two Pflueger President 30 size reels on that I have recently moved to a 7 ft light micro series by shakespeare and a 6' 6" wally marshall rod I've had for quite a while for trout and crappie fishing. So this leads me to my question, I am looking for two replacement reels for the cherrywoods. I am completely content with buying two more president reels, but I am not sure what size. With the 30 size on the 7 ft rods, the rod balance was all the way in the tip. I am debating going with the 35 size to see if I can move some of that balance back to the rear or balance the rods. What are everyone else's thoughts on this?

I just bought a Lowrance Elite TI 5 with the downscan only. It was 299 from GPS City. It is a smaller screen, but I can use it on my Samsung tablet which is 10" anywhere on the boat. I love that feature. Just got it hooked up yesterday and did some minor testing, but it seems very user friendly and it came with maps. Just an option. You could probably bump up to a 7" for your price range. I saw Dick's had a 7 inch model for $499 at the Classic Expo this weekend.

After looking around some more, I found this elite TI on ebay... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lowrance-Elite-5-Ti-Touch-Combo-with-CHIRP-Sonar-HDI-Transducer-000-12421-001/173417987251?hash=item2860847cb3:g:BZwAAOSwWcdbT31a It appears to be the original TI without the total scan transducer. I'm thinking this would be a good unit for the trolling motor, as I probably would never use the side scan capabilities up front. Any thoughts?

Don't discount the Garmin Striker Plus for your needs as well. I personally think that an EchoMap would be a waste for your application because I doubt you will be able to buy any maps for the lake in question. The Striker Plus has the same abilities as an EchoMap (minus more expensive stuff like livescope) but without being able to load maps from a card. It has the create your own map feature as well as side vue with a Striker Plus.

After fishing Saturday and using my old graphs, I think I've zeroed in on a plan. I'm going to move my current console humminbird up to the bow. It has down imaging. Then get a good unit with side imaging to the console. I'm going to aim for 7 or 9 inch screen. I would also like the unit to have mapping or be able to create it's own.

I'm debating moving my humminbird 597 up front to the trolling motor. I believe it has DI capabilities. That could buy me some time and let me get a better unit for the console....

Hello all, I own a 19 ft fish and ski with two older humminbird units on it (586c and a 597 ci HD). I know these are old and outdated. I have had a busy couple of years and haven't been able to get out and fish like I've wanted to, but that is going to change this year... This is where I need some advice, I'm familiar with most of the options in fish finders out there. I am trying to decide on what I actually need. I am on a budget (who isn't right?) and would like to upgrade my equipment at some point in the next few weeks. What are the must haves on a fish finder? Do I really need side imaging or down imaging? I fish in Tennessee River Reservoirs, I don't think they get that deep... Also, it GPS mapping required? Has anyone bought the versions were you can create your own maps? Is that effective if you primarily fish one body of water? I also have Navionics on my Samsung Tablet. My thoughts of now are the Humminbird Helix 5 or Garmin Striker 5 with side imaging as a possibility with both. I have also considered the Hook2 as well. Sometimes there are just too many options...

Does anyone have a good tutorial on using backing? I'm sure it's not difficult, I just have never used it before. BTW, this site is great. Never had this much feedback on my first thread before.

I guess I should consider using backing then..... Too many decisions in fishing anymore, maybe that's why I don't catch as much as I used too lol. I might just run with Big Game mono as I like it a lot. I want to start my son on fishing texas rigs and soft plastics. That's what I started on if I remember correctly.

So I know I may be opening a can of worms here.... (fishing joke) What braid would y'all recommend for my setup? I am thinking 10 or 15 pound test. Any brand outshine others right now? One last thing how much braid will a 30 president hold? If i buy a 300 yard spool would that be enough? I prefer not to use anything for backing right now.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll get them spooled up this weekend for some fishing next week.

Thanks for all the comments. He wouldn't be using it without my supervision. I have used Big Game almost exclusively for years. I might try some mono for him to begin with, at least I won't be in too deep ($) on the line. I might spool mine with braid. It has been a very long time since I fished with braid, as I recall spider wire and such was really getting traction back then. Guess the biggest point is don't over think it and get out on the water to get the boy fishing.

Hello all, My name is Jordan. New to the site. I have an 11 year old I am starting out on bass fishing with me. I fished a lot as a youth, but haven't done so much in the last few years. I have ordered him and myself a couple of budget rods/reel combos that I think will do us fine (I have other bait caster and spinning reels, but I want him and I to use the same set up for now). I ended up going with Pflueger President Reel (30 size). My question is what type of line should I start a youngster out with that is easy to manage and won't twist up on him (problem in the past)? I am leaning towards braid as it should be easiest to use, but I don't want him trying to yank on things if he is to get hung up or whatever. I would like to stay on a little bit of a budget, was thinking of braid or flouro, any suggestions? PS: Most fishing will be soft plastics like texas rig or weightless worm set up.