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I got two bites, 2 catches this afternoon/evening. A 6.3# and a 2.38#. On the Berkley Powerbait T-rigged Chigger Craw, black/blue flake.

That's a 6lb 1oz bass on my hand. She was tearing up the pads. I casted 10' to the left of the pads and past her. I did my 1 twitch, 2 twitch, 3 twitch with a pause presentation and drew her out of the pads. I then had her lip grabbed in my hand as I watched the pads still being torn up. There was two ambushing in the pads but I got one. I was close to 400lbs then. Before cancer.

I yanked the plug on television in 1995... 20 years TV-free this October! Tight lines, Bob

The way I see it, the lure companies want their baits to be effective so you'll buy more. So in my mind they aren't going to add something to their bait if it would be more effective without it. If there's a ring on it, that's what I'm tying to.

Hard work pays off. Finally have upgraded my arsenal within my budget!!! not too shabby if I say so myself for a 23 year old...

No offense, but if you keep buying multiple cheap reels (sub $50), you'll end up spending as much as or more, than just spending $100-200 for one good reel. You're going to get what you pay for when it comes to baitcasting reels. With that, Shimano, Daiwa, Abu, and Lews all make a decent reel in the $100-200 range.

7'3" MH/F casting rod, 7:1 reel, 30lb power pro braid, 15lb flouro leader. 3/0 VMC power shot hook....assorted baits, my favorite are 6" straight tail worms, beaver style baits, and 5" stick baits. I run the hook about 14" above the weight. I like to use 1/2 oz weight most of the time, I DO NOT use drop shot weights for this, on the bottom of the "tag" or "drop" line I tie a split ring, then a bead, then a tungsten worm sinker with the pointy end up (it pulls out of cover better that way) and then an inch or two above the sinker I have a bobber stop, that way the singer can move a little and clink against the bead. I flip this right into the same weeds I would usually fish a jig or t-rig.

I'm not seeing if you're using braid or not? If not, well there's problem #1. Heavy matt/grass fish on frogs are never 100%. My technique is to reel down when I see the bite till I feel the pressure/weight and then swing. Once the fish is hooked, then I NEVER give that fish a chance to get his head turned. I keep my rod tip up and the handle turning. If the fish is balled up in the weeds, well then it's gonna stay pinned and the weeds are coming with the fish or I'm headed in to get the fish out of the weeds, but never letting any slack or letting that fish move. My rod of choice for a frog is a 7'3"H Falcon Fast action with a 7.3:1 or 8:1 reel and either 30 or 40lb braid (my choice some like heavier) depending on how heavy the cover is. Also check the hooks, make sure they are sharp and not digging back into the frog.

Are you talkin just whats in my boat or my overstock in the basement?

At my age everyday on the water is a treasure. Castaic at it's peak in the early 90's was a incredible giant bass fishery, my best 5 bass limit was was 62 lbs, PB is 19.3 lbs, my best day was 18 bass over 10 lbs, my top 5 jig bass life time; 17.4, 17.4, 17.6, 18.6 and 19.3 lbs, all fading memories now. Winning a night tournament with my son at age 15 when he caught the most of the big bass and pulled his catch out to be weight was priceless. Tom

Silver when it's sunny Gold when it's cloudy Willowleaf in warm water/clear water Colorado in cold water/muddy water Indiana anytime

Seriously?? I find baits in my boat that I don't even remember buying, let alone remember how many I have that have or haven't caught fish.

Caught and released this Florida Trophy Catch Program fish today!

Ive been fishing a local river lately, we wet wade to different holes and centerpin them with wacky rigs, gulp, hair jigs, anything really under a float. Fun way to cool down and catch some serious fish. Anyone else do this?

I've only been bass fishing for about a year or so and when I started out, the first plastic bait I bought was a Berkely Power bait 7" worm in green pumpkin. I had some pretty good success fishing that and then grew my tackle box into more and more baits. I got to using so many other baits (spiners, cranks, rage craws, swim baits, etc...) the 7" worms took a back seat to all the other new baits. Yesterday, I'm fishing in a tournament as co-angler and I'm doing pretty good flipping Rage craws, then the bite went cold. My partner, who is very experienced fisherman, ties on a 10" Zoom worm in blue fleck and catches a 5 pounder with in a few casts, then catches a 2 pounder... After almost a year gathering dust in my tack bag, I broke out a 7" worm and caught a 3 pounder on the 2nd cast, then another 2 pounder. We caught our limit and ended up finishing 5th out of 25 boats, and I'm pretty happy with that... thanks to the good 'ole worm... Worms... I will never forget you again! LOL

You guys are killing me posting pics of those smallmouth at Melvern! I haven't been able to get there yet. And on topwater and cranks! Two things that I have been painting and not able to use yet! C'mon!

Garmin Virb - http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Action-Camera-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00EOHUVV8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1439847723&sr=1-1&keywords=garmin+virb Very easy to use - and if I'm saying it, you know it's got to be practically stupid-proof. A-Jay

First thing to keep in mind is that Facebook doesn't have the reach it used to. Even though somebody has 10,000 followers, or "friends", only a very small fraction ever really see your posts. So the total number is essentially meaningless, and most marketers know that. That doesn't mean you shouldn't build up a following; just don't make Facebook the centerpiece of your efforts. That said, a few key things to keep in mind: Never post anything about your political or regilious views....ever. There's nothing more polarizing than those two topics. No matter what you say about them, somebody's going to get upset, regardless of how benign the comment may be. Just steer way clear of the subjects. Never post when you're upset, have a bone to pick with someone, or want to tell the world how bad such-and-such company is. Potential sponsors and employers want to see an upbeat, positive person. Don't give them any reason to think otherwise. Never post about upcoming trips, or about trips/vacations while you're there. Criminals love Facebook for this very reason. Post pics and stories after you've returned home. If you don't like doing videos, don't do them. Not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera. If writing is your skill, then showcase that. Don't try to "follow the herd" and do things just because everyone else seems to be doing it. Above all, showcase your own talents and personality. Hope that helps!

If you were to match what they put out in stores ( generally speaking ) vs custom.. You would be surprised. We recently visited a BASS pro shops to always see what people are putting out. Some sell them as the latest and greatest, but when we go to the factories, see the rods being built, seeing the parts they put on them, everyone would be surprised. The mere fact that 98% built on the straight edge vs the Spine makes customs worth it all. Now costs, it can be achieved, but the real savings is in the builds. Customs cost more because its a 1 off perfectly built rod.

Handle length has an obvious impact on the feel of the finished rod but there are other factors. Followed strictly, this theory would give like create an awkwardly long grip on a 7'6" or 8' flippin' stick for example. There is no right or wrong, build what feels good to you.

At that price, id get a shimano symetre. One of the best reels i own and i have more expensive ones

The older I get the less I want to see ANYONE else whilst I recreate. The peace means more than the fish.

I don't care about the size so much as the presence of emergent cover and a lack of traffic. I can't stand being on water where big boats are buzzing you without a care in the world, or rolling up on you and casting over your line while you hang on for dear life in your kayak while their massive approach wake hits you. People are too ignorant and selfish and I just want some d**n peace and quiet more than anything.

If fish are close and feeding on the surface you make the cast, the bait hitting the water will more than likely spook the fish. By waiting for the rings to disappear you are letting the fish turn around to investigate what caused the commotion and then the first little move of the popper results in it getting crushed by the bass. This is just a general rule, I've made casts already that as soon as the bait hit the water it was smashed but if that doesn't happen, wait until the rings disintegrate.

Bass eat bass, pike eat pike, there's pictures like this all over the place. My theory is that the fish either doesn't get a clear look at what its trying to eat, or they simply aren't smart enough to realize its own limitations. Of course, any theory that tells us that our favorite fish isn't the sharpest tool in the shed kind of diminishes the thrill of outsmarting them!

I'll take the strike from a big pike muskie or barracuda over about anything.

I put my faith in my doctors and modern science, they have been thru it before. I'll get thru this. Last apoit. my doc wanted to know if I needed handicap parking permit, I said what for I walked in here didn't I.

I love bass fishing!

**Follow up** I just wanted to thank everyone for the great advice. I'm now comfortable launching and retrieving the boat solo. The best advice for me was to take my time and not rush things. My only mishap so far was I left the trolling motor down once and scratched the metal fin on the bottom. Had a laugh about it and double check now. Thanks again !

Me Too ~ I also like lakes that require a concerted effort just to get to; especially the ones WITHOUT a boat ramp. A-Jay

Looks like you're in Alabama. Summer is a tough time in the South. I've been fishing most of my life and I got shut out this weekend. Just keep at it and you will find success.

I suspect Senkos have accounted for more winning bags in local amature tournaments than all other liures combined. Why settle for "secong best"?

Even though this person is horribly misguided on their choice of college, you do beautiful work.

Here ................"Hot" is a 85-90....and we don't get a bunch of days like that, and even when we do, I still fish. Often times the best bite is during the hottest, brightest part of the day, it puts the fish in predictable spots, like shade, or in thick grass. When and if we do get the rare "heatwave"...conventional wisdom says fish deep, and in the morning or evening, I go just about 180 degrees the other way, and fish in the dirt, during the heat of the day, and do just fine. Sunscreen up, bring lots of water and gatorade, and just go fishing. I have been known to take my shirt off dip it in the water and put it back on, the evaporating water off your shirt and skin have a cooling effect that really works. I hate night fishing......for one, I have terrible low light vision, and I really have never had the need to go at night, I catch them just fine during the day.

First fish on a jig! Largest Smallie that my better half has caught to date:

Wow. Probably 80% or more never caught, and 50% or more never in the water. Oddly, that never seems to stop me from buying more.

First: keep your hooks sharp: Second: Do this: Good luck!

I just hook it up to a small 12v battery, and work through all the features in the manual while in demo mode. Usually I pop a Star Wars DVD in while I do this. Lol.

I fish the same usually unless it was a massive cold front and a true high pressure system moves in afterward. That calls for small plastics, slow finesse presentations, live bait, possibly even large quantities of beer.

Can't quite get that precision cut with the car door yet although I do have some practice at it

Put em in a pot of water and slowly turn the heat up or else they will hop out. Afterwards put some hot sauce on em with a side of cornbread.

I've been fishing for over a month with my kayak and have only caught one bass. I've tried different baits, different locations, different techniques, etc. I've been casting at places that I'd believe would be bass haven, but nothing. Guess I'm just not really a fisherman. Doesn't bother me though. Still enjoy it, even if I never catch anything. It would be nice to get a few nice bass though...

Small. Quiet. If I can't enjoy nature there's no point. Josh

I felt bad for Lowen today. He smashed them but Martens is just fishing out of his mind right now. This was about as dominating a victory as you will see.

I haven't had your temperatures to deal with, but it's still been slow all summer for me, both for sizes and numbers. Recently, ned rig and mojo/slip-shot rigged worms and creature baits have been catching most of my fish; the rest have been on topwater (Buzzbait, Pop-R and Jitterbug), but only very early in the morning.

My two best top water baits are the chug bug and a heddon torpedo both in baby bass color. Depending on the weather and water surface determines which one I use. I've used them all day before when the conditions are right. BH

Try a 4-6 inch worm (straight or currytail) on a dropshot about 10 inches up from the weight. Happpened to stay at a buddies house in Louisiana when I first started working down there and he had a small body of water behind his house that had a "couple" fish in it. Well I caught more then a couple. They wouldn't touch a texas rigged worm, but throw a dropshot and they smashed it. Just a suggestion.

The Xcaliber Zell Pop Z2 (now the Booyah Bass Pop) and R2S Bubble Walker 80 are my personal most effective poppers.

My best day for size was 5 largemouth between 43-44lbs down at lake Baccarac in Mexico. My best day for size was 5 smallmouth between 30-31lbs on lake Erie.

One morning, 83 fish, most over 4lbs, including 2 over 10. Got to the point where you would raise your rod over your head and try to make the fish jump. If it wasn't over 7lbs, you gave it slack to try and get free. Never again have I had anything close to this, but man do I hope it happens again. All on crankbaits! the stats- 2 over 10, 1 over 9, 1 over 8, 4 over 7, 10 over 6 and 10 over 5. 2 biggest were 10lbs 9 oz and 10lbs 2 oz. Jeff