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As good as it gets.

When you are constantly on this site trying to absorb as much "bass-knowledge" as possible.

I finally got the pics off my friends phone. The bass was 22in 7.5lb

For several reasons: 1. His jigs are awesome. Just the quality and the feel of them give me confidence. I'm disappointed that I waited this long to give them a try. 2. His shipping? Crazy fast. I got my order in 2 days flat after I ordered. Why did I wait this long to order from them, again?... 3. For the price that I paid for the jigs, I don't know how anyone could look anywhere else. When it felt the quality, I KNOW that I won't look anywhere else. Again, disappointed that I put off getting these things until now. 4. I'm disappointed because I almost feel like I stole these things from Mike at the price he is selling them. Last but not least: Now I'm constantly on the website looking at what jigs to try next... So many choices.... Oh well, just placed my 2nd order... Beginning of a new problem right here Thanks for great products, Mike! I'm pretty sure I'll be a regular from here on out.

Been doing pretty good on the frog. Here is some pics.

What you're asking often ends up as a life long quest for many a bass angler. The concept seems simple but so many of us have found out that there's quite a bit to it. Finding information about catching big bass is easy, sifting through it all to find the "Right" info is not. A very good place to start lies between the pages of the book below. Though written a few years back, it's full of just what you're looking for and more. By applying the information to your area, you will definitely be headed in the right direction. Good Luck A-Jay

Shane and I got out today, fished a new sport for the first time and put together an alright day. Lots of pickerel, some pretty small bass but I did manage my biggest fish of the year SO FAR at 6lbs on a Rage rigged smokin' rooster... She was 22"

A buddy and I decided to try Jacomo last Friday. I've been wanting to fish it for awhile but never have decided to pop for the permit. Since I'm not buying a Wyco or Wabaunsee year pass I figured I could swing the permit out there. It's a really nice lake and the 25ph max restriction keeps a lot of bigger boats off the water. $62.50 for a year pass for my jonboat and 15hp motor, about $40 less than either of the other 2 lakes. It must be a popular lake though, I was parking the truck at 0503 and we were boat number 3 on the water! With neither of us having any experience on the water we just put the trolling motor down and started fishing. About 2 minutes into the morning I put a chunky 16 incher into the boat on a Big Head Wobbler, followed quickly by another very similar fish on a homemade finesse jig. The size of those first two fish gave me the confidence I needed to start lobbing my 7" Slammer around. Didn't take long before the first fish of the morning smashed into it. Lots of the fish we ended up catching looked like this one, appeared to be recovering very well from the spawn. Just a few cast later, another toilet bowl flush, and another future Wal Mart Girl. They weren't all fatties though, don't know why it looks like I was taking pictures with a potato We fished south, picking up fish pretty steady, until we ran into the spawning carp. They were everywhere absolutely trashing the shorelines with their shenanigans. We decided to idle across the lake to try to get away from them. Since we were just idling I left the trolling motor down, mistake. We got to the other side, step on the motor, I hear a higher pitched whirling sound than I should and we go nowhere. Pulled the motor up, no prop No idea what happened. Run back to the ramp, no props in the marina, no problem since BPS is 10 minutes away. Get there at 0730, doesn't open until 9 . Run to Wal Mart, 2 size props, both for Minn Kota . Messaging Cbass the whole time and he tells me there's a marine shop that opens at 0830 right by me so I ran there, they had 1 Motorguide prop and it was 20% off because they weren't going to carry trolling motor props anymore Back to the water and back in business. We cut straight across the lake to a steeper rock bank, first cast with a shakyhead I was back on fish. Shakyhead started boating good numbers of solid fish so I put on an 1/8oz Rocker head with a baby brush hog, first fish with it. 5 1/2 pounds, biggest largemouth of the year so far. We continued steadily putting fish in the boat on shakyheads, Slammer, wacky rig, senko, and Rocker head with a baby brush hog. Going across the dam I set into a fish that just didn't move. She started to come up, shook her head and the hook popped, probably in the 7lb range. Next cast, another bite, 5 pounder slashes across the surface and pulls off. Several more fish across the dam but nothing that big. Got to a boulder bank with lots of water willow, pulled the Slammer back out. Got a couple quick ones before it got destroyed as soon as I started the retrieve. A 6-7 pound fish wallowed on the top, steamrolled into the water willows and pulled off . Should have had a high 20 to nearing 30 pound bag, instead ended up probably around 18-20 pounds, still a great day.

Answer me this - why is it that whenever somebody posts a picture of a terrific catch (e.g. a huge bass), there's always some yahoo that says it's Photoshopped - probably from some guy who's never used or seen Photoshop to begin with. Seriously. Many photos these guys say are "Photoshopped" aren't even possible to create in Photoshop. Or the latest one I saw, some dude commented that the fish in the photo was a fiberglass replica. Ya, the guy hauled out a fiberglass replica with him out on the boat just to take a picture of him holding it. Ya right. How do people come up with trash like that? Why do people - who weren't there when the pic was taken...who don't know the person in the photo....who have zero first-hand knowledge about the catch or the angler who caught it, have to make up garbage like that and downplay somebody's Personal Best moment? If you haven't guessed by now, it's a pet peeve of mine. This sport is so small and shrinking, that there's zero space for negative attitudes like that anywhere. It's not needed, not necessary, unwarranted, and just plain old juvenile. To those that make comments like that - grow up or take up another sport! Take your false accusations elsewhere!

Whoever happened to put out the last educational video I watched without pitching a product.

I've been making my own for years, I do everything from pour the heads to bending my own wire and here is what I can tell you. If you are a casual angler then the $1.00 walmart specials will work but if you like to tournament fish or if you like to fish a spinnerbait slow rolled then you need to step up. I use Worth ball bearing swivels, the difference is I can reel my spinnerbait just enough that it isn't laying on the bottom and my blades will spin but good ball bearing swivels cost money, the only two I would ever use is Sampo and Worth. Then you have the hook, a high quality hook will penetrate, the cheap hook is ok when the fish pounds it but when they swip and just get it in the corner of their mouth , that is when you need a good sharp hook. Even the wire, in stained water you will want more vibration but you still need flash, a good quality stainless wire will allow you to run a willow leaf blade with a small Colorado kicker blade and you'll get vibration along with the flash, the cheaper bait will need to have a hubcap Colorado blade because they are made on really heavy wire, it will last and it will catch fish but you will get more bites and fish on the better bait more often than not. I'm not exaggerating either, when the fish are hitting a spinnerbait and they are spooky, they will often have what I call the "area of commitment" , if you come through that zone too fast you will get chasers but no takers, but if you have a bait you can reel slowly and still have good blade spin, then you'll get those fish. I have heard the stories on how dollar spinnerbait work really well and I don't question it because I've witnessed it but I also witnessed when the premium model was lighting it up when slow rolled and the dollar special wasn't able to slow down enough, I actually got started making my own because the dollar specials would roll over on me in current and I'd miss fish so I made my own when I could not find one to suit me needs. Here I am 15 years later and the spinnerbait is still my favorite bait and I found that there is no substitute for a high quality spinnerbait, it is the most versatile lure in the box next to a jig.

When the battery is not being used, it should be fully charged as soon as possible, no matter what the use was.

I know it sounds weak compared to you guys, but my biggest bass was a 2.5 pound largemouth. It was my first bass out of the river and I caught it about a week ago, caught another in a different spot that was about the same size. My friend has a picture of it but hasn't uploaded it to FB yet.

Check out their "Top Sellers" list. It's usually filled with reliable lures that put fish in the boat, and the list tends to change with seasonal patterns.

Are those your toenails, nice color.......

Whoo, you almost gave me a heart attack. Thank you all for the kind words!!

this

Welcome to the board, it's always a pleasure to see a new 'face' around here. Only you can determine what a good, everyday bait is for you. Suggesting a spinnerbait, for example, would be a waste if you either have never fished one or have absolutely no confidence it them. The same goes for soft plastics. There are a number of good suggestions here. Pick one that you are comfortable with and fish it exclusively. Two things will happen. First, you'll learn the lure. The way it feels, reacts to different rod/line movements. Second you'll gain confidence in both you and the bait. Once you master both the lure and catching fish with it, it's time to move on to a different bait. Hopefully, you'll reach a ripe old age before you can say you have mastered all the different style baits out there

senko

Doesn't compete with Speeds monster LM but here's my 6lbs 22" caught on a rage rigged rage smokin rooster.. She had just spawned out sadly..

Visited my sister this weekend and fished Dudley Pond and Craney Pond in Henniker. I fished Dudley on friday until about 11 oclock at night. The day time bite was decent but as soon as the sun went down the pigs came out. Got about 10 between 1 and 3 lbs until I got slammed by a huge one. Got it all the way to the canoe before it spit my jitterbug, had to have been at least 5lbs. I woke up feeling like crud so I didn't get fishing till around 5 the next day but I landed a few decent ones from Craney, biggest was about 3 lbs.

Please consider the following: 1. Always leave a "Float Plan" at home or with someone in case there is a problem and they need to find you. The "Float Plan" illustrates where you are launching; what time you launch and what time you expect to be home; phone numbers of yourself and any others with you. 2. Take a boating safety course from your state or local Power Squadron. 3. Always have your life vest tethered to your emergency cut off switch and wear your PFD when the big motor is running. 4. Check out the items you will need on the boat to be legal. You can get a ticket for failing to have all of the necessary equipment based on your boat's length plus having an unusable fire extinguisher and flares. 5. One flotation cushion on per person and have them easily accessible. And everyone wears a PFD, even when skiing or tubing. 6. Purchase a set of "ears" and always start your motor at home before you leave to make sure it is operating correctly. Do the same for the trolling motor. 7. Learn all about batteries and how to manage them for peak performance. 8. ALWAYS OBTAIN A MAP OF ANY BODY OF WATER YOU WILL BE FISHING OR FOR REACREATION PURPOSES. Study it. Look for coves, humps, things underwater, roadbeds, pilings, shipwrecks, points, creeks and most of all: PLACES TO AVOID DUE TO SHALLOW WATER. 9. Always load the boat before you launch it. Don't block the ramp. 10. Put the plug in the boat before you leave home. Just ten simple suggestions to make your boating adventure fun and safe.

Fish BFL's etc as a NON boater. Pay attention. Ask questions when it's appropriate, but don't be annoying. Find a fishing partner who knows more than you do. A LOT more than you do. Again, ask questions. Don't argue. There's nothing worse than knowing a lot about something (not just fishing) and having someone who doesn't know squat about said subject ask you for help and then argue with your advice. Be careful with dock talk. Strangers will often give you bad advice so you don't get on the pattern that's actually working for them. Not always, of course. Fish as much as you can. Don't let their marketing confuse you into buying every lure known to man. You don't need all of them. You don't need 68 colors of each type of crankbait you own. Keep it simple. When I used to guide, I was amazed at how complicated people made fishing. You're never going to completely figure Bass out. Don't worry, neither has KVD or anybody else on this Earth. If they claim they have, they're lying to you. There will be days when the best fisherman on your lake won't catch squat. It will happen to you too. It happens to all of us, even the top pros. I've watched them scratch their heads down here in FL. LOL Do as Starcraft1 says. Take a boaters safety course and ALWAYS wear your PFD with KILLSWITCH attached. Many a boater has been ejected and drowned or was ran over by their own boat because they didn't have their killswitch attached. It CAN happen to YOU.

Some kind of plastic Texas Rigged

Pretty much anything Rage Tail... I just have confidence with them and they never seem to fail catching fish.

I do have a pic of my son Dillon in front of a full figure statue of Teddy Ballgame!

You need to find out where the largest fish around you live. I know this is repetitive but If your fishing ponds that don't hold big fish then you will never get one. Catching big fish is more about location, boat position, and presentation then it is about the bait in my opinion. My fish over 10 have come on various baits, crankbait, dropshot, spinnerbait, texas rig, swimbaits. With that said I feel my chances throwing a swimbait are the best. A-Jay suggested a great book. I would also recommend the BBZ book and google Bill Siemantle, Mike Long and Butch Brown. Watch anything available from these guys.

The first thing I saw was "new to the boating world". My advise is to take a boaters saftey course. You need to know the rules and how deadly a boat can be first. Then boat fishing will be so much more enjoyable, not to mension safer. As far as the fishing part, the only thing I could add to the advise you've allready recieved is time on the water is allways best. Google maps, topo maps, ect. are great tools, but by dragging a 1/2 or 3/4 oz. jig down a bank will let you feel the bottom. Take a note pad with you and when you feel a drop off, rock plie, brush pile, ect. write it down. Next time you'll be able to use it as a ref. Between these two trees and this dock I found a rock plie in approx. 20' of water, ect. You'll find it to be a usefull tool.

Strike King S11's about $40. Worlds better than the $20 SK's or Berkley's.

If you put a little JJ's or Megastrike on the bottle first, use the correct size treble hooks and don't make too big of a splash when you cast it, you should be OK. A-Jay

Nice Bass ~ Congrats ! Good Luck with your next adventure and your new goals with trout & smb. But since you've already admitted to the Bucket Mouth addiction - and you say you're going to just walk away; I'll offer that it might not be that easy. Oh you'll be OK - at first. As you're targeting beautiful trout and great fighting Bronzebacks, there may still be that little voice, way down deep in your soul that says, "Hey Man, Let's throw a swimbait around a bit, just for a while - just to see what happens" Oh you'll try and resist it, try to ignore the voice. But it will be persistant. And it may get louder and louder as time passes. Sooner or later, you'll have to cave - you know you will. The urge and desire to lay a tight thumb hold on a big fat bucket mouth will just be too much . . . .you'll have no choice. It's OK though - who could blame you right ? After all, it's an addiction and it's in your blood. You were meant to do it. But hey, what the heck do I know . . . . I could be making this all up. Signed A-Jay (Completely Addicted)

Here's my first entry into the fray ~ hope it's not my last. 5 lb - 3 oz 5.1875 / 8.50 = .610 x 100 = 61.10 % A-Jay

The only thing that comes to mind is that your spool tension may be set too light. Once the spool tension has been set to the lure weight, even thumb-free casting shouldn't produce an overrun. Roger

x2 for power pro super slick! That braid is amazing.

I like that its one of your favorite colors. Some top water baits I agree, as long as the bottom of the bait is orange. LOL

I know it's difficult for many shore guys to believe, but just because someone has a boat, doesn't mean they are automatically catching fish. Navionics has an app you can put on your phone or tablet to have the lake map at your fingertips(providing there is coverage) get yourself a color fishfinder and learn how to use/read it. Use your eyes to scan the water and shoreline for "fishy" spots. Use your ears to listen for boils and splashes. Watch what the birds are doing. When all else fails, throw a senko

I was by myself so no great pics but I got some

Or the reverse...........I am fishing one color, catching fish, the guy in the back switches to my color, still nothing, I switch to his color and catch fish, guy in the back gets ticked, and I proclaim victory with my highly tuned skill set.

We Welcome to the Siebert Club.

I just placed my fourth order with him last night!

They are great.

I've ordered a couple different combos that I haven't seen anywhere else, but I've pretty much just stuck with combos shown in the pictures. I'm sure I'll branch out soon; but some of their 'stock' jigs look too good for me to change.

Football head junebug with bluebug rage bug

Did you get any fun head/skirt combinations? I always get a few tried and true colors and then one or two "experiments". Smoked Jelly swim jig + PBJ Rage Bug? We'll see what the bass think!

He is a good stick too.

Siebert Jigs are great jigs...Mike is a great guy to deal with!

Same problem here just also made a second purchase also.. Along with some more rage bugs.. Siebert Outdoors is now linked to my pay pal account.. The wife is not gonna be too happy:(

You can and probably should, google your target lake to look at what could be decent structures to fish. That's a basic starting point. Do you have a sonar? If so, learn to use it. It will define breaks (brush, logs, rocks) on breaklines and present target areas for you. It will show if baitfish habit those breaks. It may also show fish nearby as well. Remember, not every structure will produce. Good fishermen spend a lot of time on the water and searching is a big part of that time. Soon, you'll start to recognize patterns and structure that do produce. Just don't get all tied up in your own socks with the attitude that you must be successful every time out. If you do, you'll fail. Just enjoy the overall experience. Good Luck!

To borrow, and modify a line from the movie JAWS, "You're going to need a bigger boat"

Then you 2 are welcome on my boat anytime! LOL