Leaderboard

Here is something to consider and this represents a bit of a reversal regarding your mindset when initially fishing a spot. I have changed my approach a bit when it comes to initially fishing a promising spot. Traditionally I would use "search" type baits to find biters and then slow down with a jig to find a bigger bite. But recently I have reversed the order and fished the jig first. Instead of initially beating the water to a froth by machine gunning a spinner bait through it for 30 minutes I spend some time sneaking a jig around the best spots. It's been a good deal for me and sometimes I end up never putting the jig rod down all day. A swimjig, worked a little slower, could be the ticket for you as well. A-Jay

Hey folks - If you didn't know it already, BassResource has a Facebook page! We polls and questions every day, people post their pictures, get to be the first to learn about new articles, and more! Check us out: https://www.facebook.com/bassresource

Couldn't resist. Bought the Chronarch 50E...... ......then went on eBay and bought a Lew's Tournament Pro. I'm gonna be in trouble.

Toga enjoying a birthday party. American BullDog

I am an exclusive shore fisherman and find that I like certain baits for covering water as well. a spinnerbait is my first choice, but you should also check out chatterbaits. they have a great action and throw out a ton of vibrations and flash. I don't usually use the big ones, however. if you can find them, I believe that the "mini chatterbaits" work better and are slightly more bite sized. I often have that as a search bait, and it really brings fish out from cover to hit it. many times, they will follow it but not hit it, and that's when I follow it up with a more subtle presentation, like a Texas rigged ribbontail or a creature bait like a baby brush hog. this system allows me to find bass quickly and if needed, slow down and tempt them into biting. if they hit the chatterbait or spinnerbait, which they often do, then that's a bonus!

For me spring and fall is the time I try and locate them on a spinnerbait and then I'll disect the area with something slower like a jig, tube or t-rig. In the Summer, I like to cast a spook type lure as far as I can and walk it fairly quickly until I get a strike. Once I get a bite, I make a mental note as to where the strike happened and I'll follow up with a slower bait to just beyond the area the strike happened. This follow up gives me an idea of a few tings: Water depth they are relating to, cover/structure and if the area is shaded or in sun light. It make not sound like a ton of information, but it's a start to the puzzle for me. A-Jay, I may have to steal a page out of your playbook this year. With your permission of course...LOL

Go to a fly fishing store or department and purchase the wax that fly fishermen use on their line. Put it on your flouro and it will float.

That works, but I buy aquarium aeration or surgical tubing and cut short pieces (quarter inch) and slide them over the R-bend in spinner baits. That leaves enough room for a snap (no swivel). Dos that make sense?

I use a 6' Medium G2. It really makes working the bait a lot easier

Don't make noise. Keep a low profile, no flashy clothes, move slow, walk softly.

You can't go wrong with the BPS Carbonlite the new model is a little softer than the previous but it is the best $100 rod in sensitivity, weight, and has a strong back bone in my opinion.

Just put money down on one of these http://youtu.be/KhSeiBB9-S0 Going to finalize everything on Thurs or Fri. Hull color is jet black with fancy graphics. and a dual console and looks friggin SICK!!! The video doesn't do the boat justice. Pics to follow

Took the wife and baby girl to the classic, we had a blast! Got to even meet some of my Saturday morning fishing favorites, i think i was more excited then most cause when I would see some on I recognized I would be like "Holy Crap it's Charlie Ingram" or "Hey Kim Stricker! man I love watching hook and look!" I think most got a kick out of how excited I was to see all them. One of my wife friends on Facebook said I look like a kid at Disney world with my big grin standing next to some of my fishing favorites. lol First pro we meet was Byron Velvick at the Duckett Rods Both. Really cool guy he loved my baby girl and i think he would have talked to us all day! Next we ran into one of my personal heroes... the KVD or the "other KVD" i should say! After that we ran into non other than Oklahoma's own Jeff Kriet! Very friendly and I told him I was pulling for him on the last episode of MLF, he said how hard it was to watch Denny just beat the snot of them in real time. Plus he said he fished the same spot Denny was at before he got there, he didn't do any good, then Denny rolls in and tears them up. After that I spotted Kim and his son Danny walking down the isles, I was like "Hey Kim! Man i love hook and look!" I could tell he got a kick out of how excited I was. Then we had to do the "hook and look pose" since we just did a photo we did "look" Finally after a long day and actually heading back to the parking garage after the weigh-in at the BOK center I spot another of my TV show favorites Mr Charlie Ingram from Fishing University I need to go back to get a pic with Ray too! One thing I can say about all of them was every one we met was very friendly and willing to give me a few minutes of their time for a visit and snap a picture, and that just really made my day. Charlie was really cool cause he had a hand full of boxes and after i yelled his name he already new the drill and began to sit them down as i approached and was ready for a quick pic. I really want to go back on Sunday and maybe see a few more famous faces!

All, I like to explore new lakes all the time. Even those I have no clue about. I generally fish slow from shore which is effective when I find fish but not good for covering water. Any thoughts on a search bait from the bank which works for you?

;-)

Your odds increase with every handle you purchase. Even if you lose you still win.

Here's to hoping it's been warm enought for Ike to suck a giant katydid right into the meaty part of his voice box as he's running down the lake so we don't have to listent to him scream and act like a classless bafoon. I was on a 25 acre lake and heard a 10 year old who just caught a 3 pound bass imitating him. What a jerkbait. Go anybody but Ike. Heck of a fisherman nonetheless.

Just Texas rig it weightless, perfectly centered. 4/0 or 5/0 EWG of choice. I use Gamakatsu. The bass in my profile pic was taken on a watermelon red. My favorite topwater bait.

Those are is the ideal rods to throw both baits you want.

With the spectator boats all monitoring the BASSTrakk feed, short stroking your weights a bit might keep the masses off your area a bit. However, you have to give it to Mike Ike, neither the growing crowd nor the busted boat has keep him from "Never Giving Up" and it looks like he's at or near the top. A-Jay

Ike caught one to move him back up. We'll see who's sandbagging at the weigh-in

I just use a 3 or 4/0 offset hook. screw locks would probably work too, but I would think that they would tear up the bait quicker

Double **

The Stanley Doyle take hook.. They're expensive though..

Ok well, thanks for the props but this is far from something that I would ever claim as being mine. But I'd encourage you to try it. You've got nothing to lose. You won't disturb the water, you can still go back over the area with any number of "Search baits" By choosing a jig as your choice to "Search", you could see the biggest Bite First. btw - this rig is quite effective especially from shore. A-Jay

Yes, one Idahoan that can catch bass.

I'm hoping Hank Cherry and Tracy Adams(two western NC boys) keep up they good showing and put themselves In a position to win!

1. Tidal rivers. 2. Secret ponds. 3. Lakes. In that order.

Take note of the profile pic!!!!!!!!

Monkey has got you in a stranglehold......

Never surf TW while drinking beer, picked up a 6'6 med kistler mag to pair up with my curado for $89... Ive officially cut off my fishing spending

Pretty hard to come back from 15lbs down. Share away! Jeff

X2 on the Carbonlite. It will suprise you.

This should help ya. https://www.google.com/search?q=Stanley+Ribbit+Frogs&hl=en&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=0NUoUYrGAZKJ0QGk6IGIBA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1344&bih=686

Go Ike! One of my picks to win.

The form is located here: http://www.bassresource.com/pickwick/RoadTrip-2013-Reg.pdf '

Speaking from personal experience, it is tough to keep a magazine profitable now. Notice how there is very little advertising from tackle and boat manufacturers in magazines? Except the ones with sponsorship agreements? It takes about 50-60 % of ad pages in each issue to break even. (Wasn't that high before.) Advertisers in the outdoor field pay far less per thousand circulation than other industries, but still buy less print ads. And the larger companies have their own TV shows and websites. And even the smaller companies are now content providers on their websites. They've taken over the role of magazines. Of course, the pro staffs are required to generate free publicity through columns, interviews, appearances, etc. Their content needs a good editor/curator however. Ok, getting off soap box now. Sorry.

A topwater like a spook or a popper if conditions seem remotely favorable.

Good color choices for wacky rigged Senkos would be the green pumpkin and watermelon types. They blend in well with their surroundings. The fish sees the movement, but cannot precisely identify it as fake. Which is why it is so effective. As far as pound test fluoro goes, I favor the 6# or 8# test leader. Reason is not for the pound test. Rather for the extra abrasion resistance the fluorocarbon offers when bottom dragging.

I think it's sad the way some really fine magazines have declined, even disappeared over the years. Fishing Facts was one of my all time favorites. I know it's still out there, but you can't even buy it in my neck of the woods. I have some old Bassmaster mags. that are a half inch thick. Now they aren't much more than a pamphlet. We used to have a magazine, Ohio Fisherman. It is no more. I know you can find more info on line these days, but there was just something magic about having a magazine in your hands at the end of a hard day, and drooling over the articles, even the adds. I guess this is just an old timer mourning the loss of the good old days.....lol Hootie

If you feel uncomfortable just exchange it. I personally would not return it, not because of any review, some will always be positive and some negative. Line is a nominal expense as compared to the rod and reel that you may put it on. If you dislike it you have gotten an education, and if you love it you have made a discovery. Either way it's win-win, you know not to buy it again or it may just be your new go to line.

Duke, pit/lab mix.

I use them on crankbaits. I stay away from them on soft plastics or finesse situations because they mess up the action.

I always start off with a rattle trap.

It all depends on the spot of course, but I like a spinnerbait if the season is correct. To be honest though I usually start out with a T rigged worm when I'm not on the boat. If there is cover or structure that I have access to fish, I will flip it to death with a jig and them with a soft plastic like a pit boss. After that I will toss that worm around and work the bottom near the structure slowly.

Last year was a bust for CNY. The weather was so warm that the fish were off and it became insanely difficult to anticipate their locations and feeding schedules. I am with the others who want a SLOWWWW transition this year.

You can read about this argument until the cows come home.

That's old news. They have the past two years.

68 for us. Memphis' power company MLG&W are known for high priced energy, and we do our part to stay below the average! Jeff

You like big butts and you can not lie