Ultimate Fishing Show question...

[Rugerdog]

Hey folks...This will be my first of what is sure to be many questions I have for all of you here this year. You see, I am getting into fishing for the first time, after saying for years that I would never do it...(And I'll never get married, either)...I am an avid hunter, mostly upland game birds, with my two GSPs, but I digress...To my question:

Every year, I go to the golf show (early March, same venue), so that I can stock up on gear, and see new technology. Can I expect the same type thing at the fishing show? Ailes upon aisles, loaded with gear, at a deep discount price? Will I be walking out with my hands full, like I do at the golf show?

Knowing that I need well, basically everything to get started fishing, I've been saving my duckets, and hoping to get geared up at the show this weekend. Will this be possible, and do you have any gear reccomendations for someone getting into bass/walleye for the first time?

Thanks gang...I hope to see you at the show Friday...I'll be the big guy, with a confused look on his face, carrying (hopefully) a ton of new gear...

Lon

[shametamer]

http://www.showspan.com/psb/index.html This about sums it up..... DECIDING 'how" you want to fish(trolling,casting,stillfishing.big water,inland or stream. boat,wade,drift or shore) will assist members here to offer advice on tackle and equipment.

[Rugerdog]

Thanks for the reply...

I will target bass, first and foremost. The times I have fished for walleye were on the St. Clair river, and it required a different set-up, which I have covered already...

I'm looking to fish inland rivers and lakes for bass, mostly. I don't own a boat, but have access to one. So, it would be safe to say that I will both shore and boat fish, casting as I go.

Also, my question was moreso about what will be there for purchase. From the provided link, it seems like everything. I have no problem finding my own way from there, or asking questions at the show. It's how I learned about hunting, after all. Still, if you have a killer piece of advice, I'd take it.

Thanks, Lon...

[Ninja]

Rugerdog,
Welcome to the world of Fishing!!!

I will be at the show, please stop by my booth and I'll see if we can get you started in the right direction.

I am primarily a bass fisherman, along with one of my employees who fishes a lot of tournaments as well.

Let me know if you need free passes for the show, hope to see you there.

[shametamer]

d.j. Kimmel, bassinthepads,waterfoul,bassmasterGM and a few others would be the guys to get in touch with for expertise on bass fishing..maybe even ESOX..........Although Paul prefers buglemouth bass!:evilsmile ....perhaps even Can't touch this he's pretty handy and down your way more or less/// Mark(bassinthepads) belongs to a group that tourneys around here(a friendly,less competitive,but yet very knowledgable bunch) if you wanted to learn before taking on any big cash tourneys. Mark lives in the area as well

[waterfoul]

Wow.... got mentioned as an "expert" on bass fishing... I'm flattered! And embarrased I guess.

But I guess I'm fairly good at it... not meaning to brag! LOL!!

All I can say is fish as often as possible. Fish as many lakes and rivers as possible. Pick peoples brains, watch how others use a particular bait (watch BassSaturday on ESPN2). Pick a couple methods and try to get as much information and practice as you can. I started out as a crankbait throwing fool as a younger man... more recently I've graduated to soft plastics (there are a TON of methods to fish soft plastics) and jig style baits. I'd say I've about mastered the Senko!! Now I'm trying to get back into some crankbaiting after seeing a couple teams absolutely thrash the competition this past summer at a few tournaments I did O.K. in but didn't place in the money.

As for tackle... start fairly simple. A couple spinning rods and a couple baitcasters should be enough to get a good start. When I fish a tournament I normally show up with 5-7 pre-rigged rods (I have a small boat so more rods isn't practical). One for surface baits, one dedicated senko rod, one rigged texas style for creature biats, one crankbait rod (which is a new rod to me), one rigged for spinnerbiats or chatterbaits, and one rigged for finesse worming (shakey head jig worms mostly). Prefishing is a must for tournament fishing. Practice Practice Practice.

Hope this helps. I'll be at the Ultimate Fishing Show this Saturday... I'll be hooking up with Lakeerierobalo and a few others at some point... probably going to go out and get a bite after the show... you are more than welcome to join us. Shoot me a PM with your number if you plan on being at the show.

Mike

[Rugerdog]

Thanks, Mike, very generous of you...I will be at the show tomorrow, unfortunately.

Having fished now 5-6 times last year, all I threw and fished were soft plastics. I have to tell you, looking at the other options, this set up is the most appealing to me. Something about rigging it up, and the way you have to fish it (or the other ways it can be fished) that struck a chord.

In fact, I really never liked fishing until I tried this method. I was in a drift boat, in Maine, fishing with a good friend who is a professional guide. He showed me how to fish tubes and plastics, where to look on the river, and how to cast into tight spots.

Once I realized that it's like hunting, I was hooked, pun intended. Damn good clean fun.

Anyhoo, I had the supreme pleasure of meeting Ken out at KD Outdoors this morning. He gave me some great advice (passes to the show!), and some schooling on other baits out there. Funny thing is, he prefers tubes, too...Seems I started at the right place?

Thanks for all the help, gang. Maybe all the years of me guiding first time grouse and woodcock hunters has given me some kharma for my new venture.

Lon

[MT.Angler]

Ninja, are you going to be at the ultimate fishing show Jan. 12-16th? i will swing by.