adempsey

I think that's a great idea! Purchasing a kit or the components separately both have their benefits. A kit obviously makes things easier and is a great way to learn what you need. Probably a good place to start if the price is right. Buying the supplies separate gives you more control over quality and selection of course, but can be more expensive [but not always]. The components also come in various stages of "completeness". For example, you can buy the spinner bait forms (the wire) and mold them yourself or buy them pre-made - both painted and unpainted. Same thing for the silicon skirts. You can buy them pre-tied or do it yourself. Too many options! If you're handy with an air brush, you can open up a whole world of options by simply just custom painting blades and spoons. Luremaking.com is a good place to start. They have some guides online and sell various components. The do sell a spinnerbait kit that makes three spinnerbaits for $7 to $10 depending on the size. I have not ordered from them myself but I am pretty sure others on OFC have. Once you get into it it's a lot of fun.

I wonder what they use in Japan? Imported Rapalas?

It's obvious you want a baitcaster, so go for it. The issues everyone has brought up are valid, but we also need to be realistic. Not everyone can afford the higher end gear. So, you can either live without it while you save up until you can afford it, buy something used or get something new that will make you happy in the meantime. Since you have gift cards it sounds like new is the way you're going to go. That BPS combo on sale is probably at a good price - my guess it's even half price. It's not a regular stock item so you probably won't find it in their catalog. Will it last you 2 years? 5 years? 10 years? A huge musky might blow the drag apart on your first trip. Who knows. It's not like the reel is going to fall apart in your hands on the first cast. As long as it works and catches you fish until you can make that nice upgrade, again I say go for it.

Interesting enough. People are such hypocrites though. I think the documentary "Food, Inc." is more relevant. Although, I am always skeptical about these types of sensationalized journalism. Still, it's good to be informed and be able to come to your own conclusions after some follow up research.

1) Location. Somewhere easy to get to and near somewhere I can drop off the wife to shop. Those types of stores I visit more often. For example, I go to BPS more often than I'd prefer since it's in the mall. Most other stores are visits I make by myself. Which isn't bad, but I just don't visit them as often. 2) Ample space. Small walkways and crowded aisles are an inconvenience. Especially when you get guys that just want to hang around and chat with the store clerks/owners. 3) Clean. I don't get a good impression with those stores that are a huge mess and have stock that's older than I am. 4) Bargains. Can't get enough of those bargain bins! It's good to rotate your stock anyway. 5) Fair prices. I don't expect to get everything cheaper at the smaller stores. However, I don't want to pay double the price either. Bigger ticket items need to be very competitive as well. 6) Less common stock. Items I can't find at the bigger stores will make me come to your store. 7) Variety of stock. It's nice to have a good variety of items. Having half the store full of musky lures and the other half for salmon fishing is probably good for some people, but not for me. 8) Local products. I love to see local products on the shelf. They are often unique and of decent quality. 9) Friendly and knowledgeable staff. I think that goes without saying. 10) Good website. There is no excuse for not having a decent website these days. An online store is nice, but just being able to see what you have and how much it costs is good for me. 11) Availability of currently popular items. By this I mean whatever product is currently the hot lure or piece of gear. For example, I would have purchased a Tica spinning reel if I could have found one locally. These reels were talked about a lot on many different fishing boards, but to get one I would of had to order one which costs me more money. I do order online, but it's not my preference unless the shipping costs are low. Probably difficult to meet all those requirements, but you said ideal =).

Wow, so much hate for the Ugly Stik, lol!! I caught plenty of fish on mine when I was younger. Anyway, sounds like you made up your mind D_paluch. I hope that combo works out for you!

I am surprised there is actually a book dedicated to Nightcrawlers, let alone three!!!! I have to check these out.

Are you in the US or Canada? If the US you can try here: http://www.vadosbait.com/ Otherwise, just call your outfitter and ask them. They should know where to order them from.

Rat-L-Traps are considered one of the all time best lures! Another quality crank I don't use often enough. IMO any crank will fail and others succeed in a given environment. That particular time and place the spinnerbait was the ticket. Some other day it could easily be a lipless crank,a jerk bait or just meat.

Lol. When I went to a fly-in lodge last year I brought in about 120 worms. To do so I picked up a Frabill Worm Habitat and some worm bedding. The bedding is basically shredded paper that you add water too [you must squeeze it out so it's just damp, not soaked]. Some people like the Fat & Sassy bedding since you don't need to add water. I researched a couple of bait shops that were on my route, stopped in and bought some worms [although, I am sure it's cheaper to order a bunch ahead of time]. Removed the worms from the dirt or moss they were in and added them to the container containing the prepared bedding [i prepared my bedding in the hotel we stayed at overnight en route to our fly out location]. Taped up the sides of the box with packing tape and labeled it with my name. Stored it overnight in the fridge. Took what I needed for the day each morning and returned what I didn't use at the end of the day. They were still fat and juicy at the end of my trip. I still had at least half the worms left at the end of the week and donated them to the lodge. Returned home with an empty container and half my bedding for next time!

I know nothing about this group but read a customer report recently. Here is the link: http://www.lakesimcoemessageboard.com/index.php?action=view&id_dbase=142616 Keep in mind, it's only one side of the story. The quinte forums might also be a good place to look for a guide service as well.

Nice videos. Thanks for linking them. Never seen them before. It was almost like watching an episode of Human Planet! I don't really fly fish, but I do fish for pike with flies. Tied a bunch recently and really looking forward to trying them out. Cheers!

Things seem worse now than they were 1-2 years ago when things were supposed to be at their worst. I noticed everywhere I shop the prices are going up very quickly. Salaries definitely are not going up that fast....if at all. I've seen more lay offs, forced time off and pay cuts than anything else. Those Fat Cats have been sitting quietly in the corner waiting for things to seem like they were improving to jump out and start clawing at our money again. I think that's now. I don't see how this is sustainable. Are we just going to end up working to live? Some won't even be lucky enough to do that. IMO that's where most of the middle class is headed if things don't change.

I think that reel is a daily special?? So Friday March 25th only. Most likely you would have to be there right when the store opens as well.

Actually, if you compare the flyers, some prices are the same, some are lower and some are even higher in the US.

What's your budget? It's very important to know this since what is the best value varies a lot across price range. If your budget is tight, definitely stick with spinning reels unless you can find a good deal used. For ~$100-$125 I like the Shakespeare Ugly Stik as a good inexpensive rod that will last a long while. Probably 6'6" Medium action covers all bases. For reels, take a look at Abu Garcia Cardinal series (100i or 300i), Pflueger President ($60 in BPS flyer), Shimano Sedona, Daiwa Regal XiA. I have all those reels (most are for ice fishing) and have no problems with them at all. The door crasher BPS spinning reel ($30 on March 27th) might be worth looking at, but I am always skeptical about BPS products. I recently bought one of their reels on sale though, but have only used it a few times ice fishing. I also bought a Medallion GT combo from BPS a few years back. Great rod IMO. It came with a Shimano Sedona, but the current combo comes with a Medallion reel - not sure who makes those, probably Pflueger: http://www.basspro.com/Browning-Fishing-Medallion-GT-Rod-and-Reel-Spinning-Combos/product/10205104/-1665088 LeBaron sells Pflueger Trion, Daiwa Regal-5iA and an Abu Garcia 400i combos that might be worth looking at as well. Good luck!

I am no fly fishermen, but I do go to a lot of angling shops. Angling Specialties on Highway 7 carries a lot of fly fishing materials - not sure about rods/reels/waders etc.. He even has a tying station set up in the back so I assume he uses it. From the few times I was there it looks to me like a lot of float fishers buy bait there. Store is in need of a serious clean up though. BPS also seems to have a fairly big fly section with a dedicated staff member in the "mini store". I have also ordered online from Reelflies.ca. Not sure if they sell materials or only pre-tied flies. Not sure if that was helpful, but that's all I got!! Cheers!

I looked into that lake last year for a week trip but decided to go somewhere else. I had a hard time locating much information. I believe there are three lodges on the lake. I could not find a free map, but I believe you can purchase one. I cannot comment on the quality of the map though so I suggest, if you decide to purchase it, you contacting them first to be sure what exactly it is. http://www.worldofmaps.com/search_results.cfm?keyword=mattagami&x=0&y=0

Yup, Eppinger makes a spoon called the Evil Eye.

Nope, but I have stayed here: http://www.millerstimbersands.com/ if you need an alternative. I thought it was called Jacks Lake Lodge though

I thought they were....or maybe that was the past flyer?? I know I saw the frogs on sale in the flyer that goes to March 10th [or perhaps it's an intro price?] and they have an end display of these lures. Anyway, are you referring to a new flyer or the one that goes to March 10th????? Oh, one thing I was wondering is that since the US sale is before the Canadian one people knew in advance about the really good door crashers that weren't even published. I was at the store the day they had the HDS5s for a crazy price and was wondering how all those people even knew about it. Well, I guess they all had US friends?? =) Anyway, anyone have any inside information they'd like to share?!?!?!

Sure do! Have a whole bunch in various sizes and models. I also love my Len Thompsons and Williams!! I don't know what it is about spoons, but even though I probably don't throw them enough, they are still my favorite lures.

Well, I don't have a dog, but I have a wife. I tried it and got punched. So much for that experiment.

Don't be a victim of the marketing machine. You will not catch more walleye using these cranks. Just like you won't start dating five supermodels if you drink Bud Light.

Ok, I was confused. We actually stayed at Miller's Timber Sands. For some reason I thought it was Jack's Lake Lodge.