The Best Of The Best

[JWOA]

Guys what worked for you? Got a gift card to academy $550 and I want to know what to get. What works and what doesn't

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Can't go wrong with the h2o square bills. Also If you want to get some gear they have excellent clearance sales.

[Raul]

Well I hate senkos but I admit they catch fish, GYCB brand & Yum Dingers is what I use ( even though GYCB are quite fragile )

Zoom Trickworms, Baby Brush Hogs, Centipedes and G-tail ringers

Bill Lewis Rat L-Traps have worked for ages ( the hooks are junk )

Rapala´s original floating Minnow, Shad Raps

Heddon´s Torpedo ( hooks suck too )

Fred Arbogast Jitterbug ( hooks suck )

LC Sammy

Man, now that I look at it, 550 bones isn´t enough.

[scaleface]

I dont think Bomber has ever made a bad bait.

[roadwarrior]

[1234567]

Wow, with that kind of loot I'd invest in a nice rod/reel combo. I've been using the Gen 3 revo's now the last few times out and love them! There on sale too at certain e-tailers. A nice rod to go with it and you're covered. The small purchases like cranks, jigs, etc you can get anytime!

[Arv]

Ditto what 1234567 said. I'd get a new, shiny rod and reel. With what I had over, some nice line, a bunch of NSCB jigs, craw style plastics (RI Kinky Beavers and Rage Tail Rage Craws), some worms of your choice, and appropriate hooks and weights.

[Darren.]

WOW. I'd definitely look at a great rod/reel combo that I'd never be able to buy otherwise. But that's me :-)

[Goose21]

My suggestion is use the suggestions you get in this thread and experiment the different combo s on the water throughout a season. After a while you will find a hand full of baits that are most productive for you or that you simply enjoy fishing.

10" t'rigged worms and 1/2 jigs are two of my favorites.

[Bluebasser86]

Wow, with that kind of loot I'd invest in a nice rod/reel combo. I've been using the Gen 3 revo's now the last few times out and love them! There on sale too at certain e-tailers. A nice rod to go with it and you're covered. The small purchases like cranks, jigs, etc you can get anytime!

X2, get a couple nice combos and worry about the small stuff later.

[LgMouthGambler]

Yeah, get 2 nice rigs. One for light baits, and one for heavier applications. You can easily spend $500 for 2 decent setups. Then get some line, hooks, and some baits.

[Ratherbfishing]

You need to be more specific. Do you mean baits? If so, my advice would be not to sink all 550 dollars at once. In addition to being more enjoyable, if you spread out the cost some, I think you'll find you'll make purches that are best suited to your taste and style of fishing. If you buy it all at once, you may find yourself with a large handfull of baits you don't like and/or won't use. This is especially true depending upon how broad or limited your access to fishing lakes/ponds/rivers/streams is likely to be. Buy, maybe, 225 dollars worth of baits and try your hand. See how you do, what you (and the fish) like, and what you/they don't like. Then, you can always keep your eyes open for sales, etc. You might be able to stretch that last $225 a lot further (and get better use out of them while you're at it). i realize my answer isn't very specific either but there'll be plenty of others to offer suggestions in that department.

[JWOA]

well guys umm i was going buy a bew rod and reel. On the way the got me into bass fishing called me. He had 2 rods and reels. The Abu Garcia Winch and the Shimano Citca. Both withg loomis rods. Gotta say God has been good to me.

So should i buy a kayak or something?

Keep Lines Tight- J.W.

[Arv]

well guys umm i was going buy a bew rod and reel. On the way the got me into bass fishing called me. He had 2 rods and reels. The Abu Garcia Winch and the Shimano Citca. Both withg loomis rods. Gotta say God has been good to me.

So should i buy a kayak or something?

Keep Lines Tight- J.W.

He gave you those rod/reels???? Dang.

A kayak might not be a bad idea. It also depends on what the specs are on those rods. I'd get a spinning set up for finesse applications. You might still have enough left over for a kayak with that budget.

[scaleface]

Definitely get a water craft if you dont have one.Where I live ,there are many small public lakes that have great bass fishing but little fishing pressure within 50 miles. All one needs is a small boat to experience bass fishing the way it use to be. .A kayak would work great.