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I don't like the term reaction strike. Primarily because of the fact that all bass strikes are reactive. They're reacting to their instinct to feed, plain and simple. Regardless of moving bait or bottom contact, their instinct tells them that they can't afford to pass up an easy meal. Ralph Manns wrote a great piece about it in In Fisherman a while back. I don't subscribe to the theory that there is any difference in any feeding behavior other than in a competitive situation or in a situation that the fish has more time to inspect the bait. I guess the way I look at it is like this. The theory of a reaction strike is that even if that fish is not interested in feeding, by putting a bait in front of them, you can get them to eat it. You can't. You simply can't force feed fish. By defining a difference between conditions you define the correct timing for use of a moving bait versus a bottom contact or stationary bait. There is no singular defining factor, either. You have to let the fish tell you what they're after. You have to experiment with presentations based on an educated guess to make a decision on what you will have the most success with. Moving bait- generally more active fish; those willing to move to chase down a meal. Many times in dirty water a moving bait can be more successful simply because of the ability to cover greater area. Put a bait in front of more fish and you are simply upping the ratio in your favor. A jig, for instance, is generally a little more methodical and allows you to pick apart a given area. Often not putting the bait in front of as many fish, but giving those fish present greater opportunity to find and inspect that bait. Primary forage is as much a consideration to make as anything. There are many that will argue this point, but far too many biologists point the other direction, in terms of a reaction strike. When you read information from those whom have studied it closely, they agree on one thing, and that is that the term isn't entirely correct.

Finally I can put some fish on the board. Like I mentioned on Fri, went to the Glades yesterday and I managed to catch these fish. Pretty tough day considering how high the water was. In order of appearance. First fish, 16.5", 2nd 17", 3rd 16", 4th 16", and 5th 15". Total top five so far in June 80.5"

I've been meaning to post this since Halloween:

I agree that Sierbert and Northstar make a good quality jig at a good price. However, you can buy painted heads and skirt tabs from places like Barlows and make your own for $1.50-$2.00 Buy in bulk and even cheaper. Just an idea to consider

Even though you want to save some money, quality jigs will out last a cheap jig. Skirts last longer, hook and paint will lasts longer too.

Get a 7'ft MH fast action rod and you can do anything you need to do with it.

I'm sure this will take many tries to upload these but might as well get started. So i just finished my annual spring trip to MN to rip some lips with my brother, brother in law, dad, and uncles. Opening day was the 25th and we really had no idea what to expect for the water temperatures. As we emailed back and forth, we decided that if the water was in the mid 50's, we have a chance at fishing a prespawn pattern which rarely happens opening day in Ottertail County, MN. We thought, if temps were right at 60, it might not be as good as if it were in the mid 50's, so we hypothesized. So we arrive and sure enough, the first lake we launch it is 56 degrees. Wow, i have never fished a spring where the temps were this cold. So, prespawn pattern it was. Of course the jig rods stayed on but that meant we switched to a lot of jerk baits and weightless senkos and suspending whatevers. The whole time we kept thinking, man, this could be a great trip for big bass and terrible for numbers. As tradition held out, the first day of the trip, the monsters started coming out of the woodworks. Started off with an obnoxious 10 pound northern to get big snake of the trip, aka, BSOT (not a coveted award). One of the days during the week we had a fun 6 fish 30+ lb stringers. So, as tradition held out, within the first hour, one of us hooks into a monster which happened to be my brother in law. Sure enough, tipped the scales at 7 lbs. 4 oz but weighed in at Ben's Bait Shop at 7 lb. 3 oz six hours later. We knew then that we were on to something, just not quite sure what. We figured we would live off of priority spots and avoid cove fishing altogether with these temps for this lake in particular. We just rotated back between 5 or so points and rocky ledges and just kept rotating to get lucky. About two to three hours later, i hook into a giant at a point with my jiggly piggly wiggly coming in at 6 lbs. 7 oz. One thing i noticed immediately was that these fish were so dense! My goodness, they were weighing heavier than they should which i was not used to here since we usually catch bass spawning with their busted up tails and less full bellies. As you can see from the pick, they were big, but my 6.7 just looks small. Weird to hook into that and have it not be the BFOT (big fish of trip). My brother in law shortly after hooks into a 5 lb. 0 oz on the dot. This was perhaps the smallest looking 5 pounder i have ever seen in a photo as it stands next to the seabiscuit. As the week went on, we caught many 5's and a ton of 4's. However, we actually did not catch that many 4's compared to years past which was due to the colder water temps. Then later in the week, i strike again. Was busy workin the jiggle me timbers piggly and hooked into another bassquatch coming in at 6 lbs. 13 oz. As always, had the camera rolling when i hooked into her making some great new footage to watch on a rainy day. It got me thinking about that state vs state thread. My two biggest would put me at: 6.7= 103 ounces and the state record is 8:15=143 oz. So 103/143= 72.02% & for the 6.13 = 109/143= 76.22% putting me once again in 2 out of the 3 years for that dang state vs state thread barely second behind the Dwight himself. But as we all know, we are competing for 2nd and Dwight cheats. Anyone that fishes MN has an unfair advantage of winning that competition but Dwight messes everything up. On my last day fishing, i caught 27 fish and had six over 4 pounds with nothing over 5 but still a ton of fish and i realized, i had not caught more than 13 fish in any outing throughout the week. That is just absurd for these lakes but that water temp will do it to you on some of these lakes. It was a great week and can't wait to get out to the land of 10,000 lakes.

Here is my latest article on the front page of this site. If you are thinking about trying to get sponsors or just need to keep your current sponsors, you probably need to read it. https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Bagwell/how-to-get-sponsors.html

Yup the Berkeley Shock is quite a rod for the money. A comfortable handle, good action. Don't worry about using a 6'6" rod. Most folks think they have to have a 7ft'er but most of the extra length goes into a cumbersomely long handle. Stick to it and get the casting down. It really is worth it. Lighter. More comfortable. Best of all it sets you apart from the novice!

got out and hit hermit lake today for around 4hrs. Got to try out my berkely scale 3 bass. biggest was 3lbs 7oz biggest of the year so far.

All I got were these. There was a tournament out of Clewiston yesterday. South bay probably would have been a better idea. Then rain in the early afternoon. 21" and 18" . Got a couple maybe up to 15" but figured Id beat em.

Did some fishing on a Maine lake today, Always nice to give a lesson on what a white buoy with black stripes mean's to some idiots who ran over rocks with their prop and then had the nerve to say the marker was in the wrong spot. I guess that's what drinking and boating does to A$$holes.

Im heading to Bass Pro in Dania Beach tomorrow with a friend of mine. We plan on staying down there and fishing for peacock most of tomorrow. I was wondering if anybody can point me to a good spot that has peacock bass around that area. We just need to catch one each and I'll be happy. (bank fishing)

Hey Shane, I felt the same way about the lake while i was living there. When I was having a good day, I would fish till dark because it was so seldom for me. Over the many years fishing there, I never really figured it out. One thing I learned about the lake is that if you are getting skunked, move to another location to find better water. On one outing, I could not catch anything fishing south from Clewiston, so determined to catch bass I pulled out and launched again (fuel tank capacity limited) at Moorehaven at 3pm. I ran the ditch to the monkey box hydrilla and it seemed like every bass was at least 5 pounds. I caught my lake Okeechobee PB 7 lb there that day. Those last 3 hours made the trip. You really seemed to be dialed in at the lake..a nice pair to be sure...congrats... Lightning and thunderstorms are nothing to play around with. Sometimes the storm can turn on the fish and that is why guys stay out there. I understand all that but it is not worth it. Better to pack it up and get home to the wife and kid in one piece.

If you ant to save money on jigs invest in some good braid.

Took me since Dec but have the GoPro working went out tonight and got a decent one on it...

My sentiments exactly! I went bass fishing yesterday, and all I got was 3 stupid snakeheads! LOL! Here's a pic of the larger one from yesterday:

He also didn't ask for personal opinions on the color of rods. He asked for suggestions to help him narrow down a field of choices for his needs. You could have not replied, that's just as easy. Show a little compassion for someone who loves the sport but faces a challenge that you or I may have no idea how difficult it is to deal with.

Fun, fun and more fun.

They look like a big yellow perch!

That's exactly why I dumped every one I had. I refuse to pay 120-200 dollars for a reel to have it scream like a banche everytime I cast. It's annoying and frankly shows what crappy quality control a company has. The product should work and work flawlessly. It would be different if all Abu reels did this and had since the company started. But they don't and the problems lie on all the new Gen 3's.

I'm suggesting some high visibility tape positioned at various point on your rods, I wouldn't limit myself to color brand when there's ways around it. Find the colors you can see better on the palette and match some shades you are able to focus on easier

I put a sour gummy worm on rigged wacky.... nailed a 2 pounder amazing and I ate it after too.. can't let a siur gummy go in eaten. I was 14 at the.time

Felt like a real failure last Wednesday. 18 boats weighed in 11 fish, none of them were mine The lake is just stumping me this season. You'd think when you put 30-40 fish in the boat like we did you'd get one to measure but it just didn't happen. Not sure if I need to start fishing bigger baits to weed out the small fish or I'm just doing the completely wrong thing but something has to change. Still solidly in second place overall for the year (albeit a very distant second from first place) so hopefully the fish off will be somewhere I'm good at so I can really make some money on that deal.

I am not using split shot. The very detailed procedure Mr. Murphy provides, though compelling, is not something I am willing to do, for a few reasons. I do not want anything crimped on my line. I am fishing 10lb braid/leader not straight mono. And finally, I'm a tungsten fan. I am using the smallest tungsten bullet weights I could find. Instead of the crimping deal, I just use a stopper in front and behind the little weight. 1/16 to 1/8 depending on the water depth and wind strength. I have found the double anchor set up really is a must when fishing such a light weight in deep water. I could never maintain contact with the bottom or have any real sense what was going on with the bait otherwise. And despite their rather minuscule size, these little guys still provide quite a bit of bottom contour feedback. Of course the braid plays a big part in the increased feel as well. A-Jay

Nice. Looks like a skirt I made

the madder you get. the worst the problem gets

Trying to keep it simple and use baits/colors that I have confidence in. Mann's Jelly worm 9 inch and after the spawn I'll use 12 inch also. Zoom Magnum Trick worm only come in 7 inch Berkley Power worms 7 & 10 inch Assorted stick baits 6 & 7 inch mostly Senkos Colors are few - Black, Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, Red Shad, And Black Grape. A-Jay

Great job being so patient. I don't think I could stand that. Your reaction to the follower was great. 3 and a half feet would be 18+lbs if it was a bass. followers turn into biters when they get curious. Make sure you have a potent attractent on your worm so tentative giants will taste it then suck it right it. Keep grinding, you'll stick a giant eventually. Have you considered a natural color for your worm?

Good stuff

Looks like a great place for a frog, buzzbait, or spook. Cast along the weed edges and work the bait. The buzzbat will cover water the best.

Great read and thanks for the tips. I currently have a soft plastics and silicone skirt sponsorship/pro staff agreement with two companies and it hasn't been easy. Jig and hardbait sponsorships are even harder to come by. Any tips for standing out among the hundreds of teenagers looking for sponsors?

I guess he can't afford the $4 at Office Max.

Yes sir! Zoom flukes or hollow belly swimbaits.

If snakehead count Im in, if its bass, Im still scoreless

This morning is the first time I have been on this thread, as I don't do a lot of bass fishing. I have to say it has been an encouraging read and I commend you on your efforts and your dedication!!! I must say as I am returning from a 2 day Musky trip myself (that was also Jumbalaya) and sharing the North East Blow with you here in Southern Michigan,,,,,(can't always plan a trip with another guy and guarantee the conditions), and we can't head at the drop of a hat as he still has to work around a job. But You do bring encouragement my way!! Just as you, I have made a self pack this year also, mine is to target bigger Musky, I cast trolled and worked my rear off both days, determined to get that one big bite, and not caring if I caught anything if I couldn't hit that 50" mark. I wanted to go to some #'s spots we knew on the Lake but stayed fast, 13.5 hrs. Thursday and 10 hrs. Friday. On the way home I questioned no bent rods and if we should have given in a little and tried for the lesser fish, or even taken a break and tried for Largemouth, as they do very good on this Lake for them also. I don't really think it would have mattered as 10 to 15 sustained and gust to 20+ NE blow was the weather pattern, and cooler than it has been looking like rain 50% of the time, but not getting any. But I generally over the years stay flexible, and if the species I'm after is not willing, will go after another, just to catch fish, Pike, Musky, Walleye, Small Mouth and Large Mouth I enjoy fishing for them all. But My Musky fishing has never granted me a 50"+ fish and this year, when we hunt the Musky waters, I have made my own pact, that it's big fish only, and don't settle for anything less. But like I say what doubt I had of sticking with my goal and techniques for this year, are now gone again!! You have a way in this thread of instilling that dedication of sticking with it come hell or high water,,,,,THANK's! You are on a mission and are putting in the time, I have to travel to hit the Lakes that produce the bruisers I am after, so my efforts won't be a daily diet of frustration. Over the years have I given in to the baits and tactics required to get the bigger fish in favor of catching more fish, even if it meant they would most likely be smaller or going after other species. So after reading this and being encouraged by your dedication, I am back on track and will stay the path I set out on a month ago. Every trip for Musky we make this year I am going to check in here and get my dose of encouragement. Hang in there and keep it up, as I am sure with your determination you won't only be successful, but you are fueling the encouragement, I need and I am sure there are others!!!! BEST OF LUCK!!! and I can't wait to see the results!!!!! even if it is only in knowledge, which is inevitable and sure to come with your efforts, but hope to see them monsters you long to master also!!!!

If you have any small streams that feed into the water you'll be fishing, don't overlook them. Fish will often congregate where these feeder streams dump into the main body of water. The wadis (basically, streams that only exist when it rains) and small feeder streams gather up all manner of bugs and critters along their way. If you have areas where muddy water meets clear water, try fishing along the line where they meet. Fish may move into areas that are normally too shallow, looking for an easy meal.

Anything I throw I am still amazed that they hit it.

I like the part where they showed a clear picture of the telltale scar

All my revos did this. The bearing on the spool shaft does need a special tool or you can damage it. That little pin sits inside the smaller brass gear, so be carefull. It's tapered on one side. All of my Revos made this annoying sound. I finally traced it down to dry bearings. They all required more than the recommended amount of oil. I had to use triple the amount. Put 2-3 drops on the bearings and cast it again. Make sure to hit all 3 bearings. The reason your hearing that sound on the gear box side is because of the bearing the spool shaft fits into. Lube it the same as well. Everyone says just one drop, and that works for most reels, but I had a total of 6 different gen 3 revos and everyone required it. I had to lube them like that about every 2-3 outings. Hince why I dumped everyone I had.

Water is relatively clear but the bottom is all muck. Lots of boulders though.

Two lures I'll never put down! A Texas Rig & a Jig-N-Craw

d**n i hooked a nice one yesterday ill be in this one this month tho

Nailed it!!! They all do that to you, Kissimmee, Toho, thats why we love the sport if you stroked them every time it would be boring. You have to change up when they aren't hitting moving baits its a waist of time to keep fishing them. The most important thing for newcomers to the lake from South Florida is to forget about how they fished in the canals.

99.9% boneless fillets. Makes for easy frying. I like eating fried bluegill sandwiches. He was impressed. Said it was much nicer than the old boat. The only negative comments he made was "Why do you need a motor that big?" and he thought the seat was uncomfortable. He bought me 2 minnow buckets as a boat warming gift and I believe a hint that he wants to go out more. I'm guilty of not taking him out enough. Only pre and post tourney season. He misses having a boat. Got rid of his over 10 years ago. He had a 24' Pro Line walk around all set up for trolling Lake Michigan.

I haven't posted in awhile and that's because I've spent every ounce of my free time fishing Let me start by saying I've been bass fishing for 4 years, and 90% of that time I've thrown a lipless crank. With the exception of last year, I've always thought I'd done pretty well catching fish. This winter I discovered two things, this site and Glenn's YouTube channel. I soaked it all up, like a sponge. I researched lures, changed to a bait caster, and practiced techniques. I've yet to bust out a lipless this year.. but in the past 6 weeks I've caught more fish than I had caught in 3 years, and I topped my pb by 2 and 1/2 lbs, not once, not twice, but three times!! And on public land (reclaimed stripper pits) which gets hammered! The same land skunked me completely last year. So guys, thank you. Seriously thank you. And Glenn, if you read this, I owe you a steak dinner and a beer if you ever get to western ky. Keep doing what you do and I'll keep watching, reading, and soaking it up like sponge. Y'all have made me a better angler, thanks guys

If it is a ported spool, try threading it through the ports and tie off.

Well I only have experience with an STX, so take that into consideration. For me, my frogging combo doubles as a flipping/pitching combo, if that idea interests you, then by all means get an STX, it's butter. If you just want a frogging combo, IMHO how often are you throwing frogs, so a $200 reel may not be worth it. So then maybe an SX is the better choice. All I can offer is that the STX is phenomenal and is super smooth, great reel. Good luck with your decision!

yup and one of the most fun fish to catch on a fly rod in my opinion.

The tree hugger and the tree A woman from Los Angeles who was a tree hugger, a liberal Democrat, and an anti-hunter, purchased a piece of timberland in Washington. There was a large tree on one of the highest points in the tract. She wanted a good view of the natural splendor of her land so she started to climb the big tree. As she neared the top she encountered a spotted owl that attacked her. In her haste to escape, the woman slid down the tree to the ground and got many splinters in her crotch. In considerable pain, she hurried to a local emergency room to see a doctor. She told him she was an environmentalist, a Democrat, and an anti-hunter and how she came to get all the splinters. The doctor listened to her story with great patience and then told her to go wait in the examining room and he would see if he could help her. She sat and waited three hours before the doctor reappeared. The angry woman demanded, “What took you so long?” He smiled and then told her, “Well, I had to get permits from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management before I could remove old-growth timber from a “recreational area” so close to a waste treatment facility. I’m sorry, but due to Obama Care they turned you down.”