Tanner1Wilkerson

I’m 22 and have lots of friends/mutuals fishing the collegiate level and I just don’t understand how they have their own boats. I live alone and make around 2,800 a month and am nowhere near being able to comfortably afford a reliable nice boat like I see people in. And my passion and love for the sport is just flying past me as I write this.

Sameee. I’m in NE Texas though and am usually fishing stained water with soft silty bottoms which I think plays a big role in my struggles with it Umm jerkbait. Man I’ve tried and tried and have never gotten on a pattern with it. And a shaky head maybe I haven’t thrown them enough to gain confidence. Side note, I’ve caught more fish on a Texas rig than anything else. My go to plastics are a rage menace, baby brush hog, and prob a ultravibe speed craw, casted a speed craw out one time for a girl I was with and she pulled in a 7 pounder.

Thank you for your advice. I’m pretty consistent with what I have now and I’m glad to know that having a large assortment doesn’t make or break you. There has been times where my friends aren’t getting anything and I’ll suggest where to cast and they’ll get something so I understand what you mean with that. It seems that fisherman seem to just get a sense of what looks good and where fish are likely to be holding and it seems to be something that can’t really be explained but just learned from experience. I have a hard time explaining to people that hey it’s not all just luck and that it has to do with tricking the fish on stubborn days. Thanks again for the info and “good luck” man!

So is it possible for a 20 year old on a college budget to have anywhere close to as much gear as a pro or a guide? A bass boat is a whole different story but I see the guys that make a living off of fishing with a box designated to only flipping baits with multiple colors of one style or a few cranking boxes with different colors of multiple depth/size/bill style just for example and man I wish I could get to that point just to be more effective as an angler. I take the sport and my desire to improve more serious than what my age and budget allows and it’s really frustrating. I will say that since I’m limited to the bank it is rare that I throw deeper diving hard baits or a rigs and things like that. But man I recently ordered 300$ worth of tackle and when I got it I was just like wow this really isn’t even that much I understand that the guys that are fortunate enough to do it for a living are making justified investments for their source of income, I totally get that. I’m just so ready to have the time and money and a boat to get into the tournament scene but I literally only have like 5 chatterbaits, maybe 10 jigs and like three boxes of soft plastics just to give an idea. I’d feel so unprepared if I were to start dropping money on entry fees and start really stocking up on gear. I guess my question is for you guys older than me. I’d like to know if everyone starts out in this position or if I’m just way behind. Thanks if you made it this far.

So I’ve got a Shimano Stradic Ci4+ in the C3000 size paired with a 7’0 Shimano Zodias Medium Heavy and I’ve tried 8-12lb mono and 30lb braid to throw shakey heads/wacky rig/ned rig pretty much a finesse designated rod and it refuses to cast more than 15-20 yards. Does anyone know what I need to change to get to at least 40 yards or is it simply just an oversized combo for the technique I’m trying. Any smooth braid or mono brand suggestions welcome, a lot of the resistance seems to come from the ridge of the spool when the line comes off. Thanks.