Leaderboard

My wife, who is 14 years younger than me, bought me a Stradic Ci4 for Christmas. I could get by with a cheaper reel and an older wife, but in both instances I was fortunate enough to get the extra smoothness, slightly higher build quality, and something that I knew would outlast me. Just sayin'.

The fish have been in a funk over the last month in this pond, and I've gone three times and basically got skunked, although I saw five to six fish in the five pound range on beds. The other day, they were biting just about anything I threw. Caught about 10 on a red Red Eye Shad, caught one and lost three on a Yum Dinger t-rigged, one on a jig, and then the lunker of the day came on a Big Joshy Swimbait and weighed 4.5 lbs. All in all, fantastic day on the water. The dang sideways pic thing is annoying me to death lol

Went to the pond for a short spell on Sunday until the rain and lightning pushed me off, but managed a couple bites and one bass. Missile Baby D Bomb and the 4" pumpkinseed senko were the baits of choice. Last night i went back and managed 4 bass and had 3 jump me off (one of which was between 3 and 4 pounds ). However, they did not seem to care for the 4" pumpkinseed, but instead wanted the 5" sprayed grass senko, which they were tearing up! I picked up a new spinnerbait rod last friday from BR member @Grantman83 and was trying to force them to eat the spinnerbait, but it just wasn't happening. So instead i was going with the flow and sticking them on the phenix recon 683 (4" senko) and switched it up and tossed the t rigged baby d bomb and the 5" wacky senko on the DX703c I picked up a couple weeks ago from BR member @kickerfish1 ... and FYI, both are good guys to deal with! noticed the top jaw was broken on this one guy so i can only assume someone else had caught him and used some kind of Hercules hookset on the little guy....

I don't swear like a sailor. I'm better at it than that. But I do know when, and where, to remove such "color" from my speech. This is one of those places. Why? Funny you should ask. Look up a couple of posts. See the guy named Glenn, in the red and white shirt, white hat, with his thumb jammed down some poor fishes gullet, and the big shirt-eating grin on his face? Yeah, that guy. (sorry, jefe, I couldn't resist) He owns this place. He wants this to a civil place, where anybody can be comfortable participating. It's his bat, his ball, his glove and his ballpark. You wanna play here? Follow his rules. It's that simple for me.

[ May 02, 2016 ] The pre-spawn fishing has been great this year, I've caught a lot of good sized bass - all of them so far have been over 12''. It is now the beginning of May (Late Spring), and the small male buck bass are moving shallow. In my fishing log I predicted that the last full moon would be when the small males start moving shallow, and I just recently hooked my first bass this year that was under 12''. The water temperature is in the mid 50's, and the air temperature has been in the mid 70's, but is now starting to near 80 degrees. The new moon is coming up on the 6th, and I believe the days after that new moon is when the males will start creating beds. The next full moon will be on May 21, and I believe around this time is when the spawn will take place. I made all of these predictions on fish movements and spawn phases according to the moon phases back on January 23, 2016 using data from my previous fishing logs and online research. Everything has come true so far from all of my observations and fishing results. I put everything together back then and have been using it like a map to guide me through the spring season. Ever since I caught my first bass this year on March 31st, I've consistently caught bass every day that I have fished so far this year (13 days). Fishing has been so good that I'm so far behind on the Latest Catch Pics thread, I caught 8 today - one being a nice 3lb-er smallie, I caught a 3lb-er smallie yesterday, and many more quality fish. Honestly, I'm only scratching the surface with this post, there is so much more to it than I can type right now. Take from it what you will, but a detailed fishing log can be powerful (Information is power), you will see when I have time to upload my latest catches. Anyway here is a picture I took today showing a school of baby crappie mixed with many small Largemouth Bass that just recently moved into the shallows, you can also see the pollen in the water. Pollen... oh and FYI - The fishing has been great! Today's "Fish of the Day" 3lb-er Yesterday's "Fish of the Day" 3lb-er WolfyBrandon

These thing are easily one of the easiest frogs to walk . Around cover they are awsome but definitely not a heavy cover frog . The wide spread on the hooks like to grab whatever is near . Everynow and then you find a bait that's just fun to throw . Anyways I really need to get a scale and some friends to take better pictures . Sorry for the close up I'm short and so by nature so are my arms .

Caught him just now

I took the Bass Raider out this past Saturday with my brother for an early morning trip. The top water action was awesome. We ended up fishing from 6:00 AM till 4:00 PM. The Raider ready for action. I used to fish a tone as a kid. My family owns a little cabin on this lake so I spent a lot of time exploring and fishing out here growing up, but I haven't been fishing for many years until recently. I have also never targeted bass specifically, so this has been quite an adventure. The Bass Raider is making it a lot of fun as well. I started the morning out throwing a black buzz bait. I had never caught a fish on that bait, or the pole or reel that I was using. I had recently read about loosening the drag on your reel to help the reel last longer, so I did that after using the reel the last time (Curado). Well, I had forgot to tighten it up this morning. The morning was quiet and beautiful. My brother was throwing a Rap, and I was tossing my buzz to docks and other cover on the shore. I gave my buzz a nice toss up next to rotting dock. Nothing. The spot looked it should be holding a fish seeing as it was on a bit of a point, so I tossed the lure again. Something was different this time; I couldn't get that buzz bait back to the surface. "Snagged", I thought. Darn. Then my pole began to shake a bit like it would if a fish were on, but it felt soft. I started reeling in a quickly as I could, but I wasn't pulling any line. I looked down at the spool on the Curado and it was going the wrong direction. Quickly I set the drag, then bam. The tip of the rod bent and the fight was on. I ended up pulling a nice 4 pounder which is my PB. He got the main hook as well as the trailer. A little later I switched to a Hula Popper which is a lure I've never used. I killed on that bait, and it was a blast. I pulled this little guy which was my next biggest for the day. It was a great day of fishing. We'll be headed out early this coming Saturday for some clear, deep lake smallie action. Take care, everyone.

I've seen some bad, bad brain farts on the range line at work during qualifications. I get nervous every year shooting with people I don't know. I got lasered really bad once, thankfully the guys gun was jammed and he was turning to show the instructor that his gun wasn't working. It happens every year, usually more than once, some agency will have someone shot and killed during range time from someone being careless. Glad you're okay, that could have been a serious disaster.

Glad you're OK. You've Very Fortune indeed. After many hours on several organized (insert military) ranges - your incident is exactly why as a retired from that stuff shooter, I really do prefer to shoot alone. A-Jay

Anyone that knows me knows I'm super into the trendy fashion and doing what looks cool I also love ignorant blanket statements. I know several guys who have had to have chunks cut out of them to remove skin cancer (one that missing most of his ear now, which is a great look). I wear contacts and if you do, you know what it's like to get sunblock infused sweat into your eyes during the heat of the summer, nothing like blurry vision for the rest of the day. Getting sunblock into every part of your ears, around your eyes, nose, and mouth, in your hair not covered by a hat, it's almost impossible. Or I could put one of these things on and be covered. That combined with a sun shirt and now a pair of sun gloves, all I have to sunblock is my legs, which are easy to get completely covered with sunblock. I don't dress to impress anyone on the water, anyone that's seen me with my holy sweatpants tucked into my camo Muck boots wearing a dirty hoodie when it's colder outside knows this.

Wrap it all up and give it to her. You know she'll give it back ? Mike

Me and my buddy Eric decided on a quick afternoon sesh today.. My usual spot got shot out when they sprayed the vegetation so after a morning of scouting on google earth, I found what looked to be a decent spot well off the beaten path.. It was a 3 mile paddle in.. Glad we went though.. We kept bent rods the whole way up the canal on rage toads and pop frogz, mostly dinks, but there were several 2-3lbers in the mix and we even got a decent double up.. We paddled as far as we could get and beached the yaks and it was another mile walk or so to the piece of real estate I was scoping out on the satelitte imagery this morning.. We didn't set the world on fire but I did manage my biggest bass to date.. No scale or tape, I was guessing maybe 8lbs or so.. Eric landed a decent one but he had one as big or bigger than mine shake off on the rage toad.. We didn't kill em but it was still a blast and I finally managed to stick a decent one..

I went to Catholic school in the 60s and 70s, so there was a ruler involved in most subjects. I brought home a B once, parents weren't having Nun of it, where was double jeopardy when I needed it...

It is basically a down sized shaky head on a smaller mushroom head usually weighing 1/15 or 1/16 ounce. Now that more and more people are starting to use the Ned rig, it is starting to also mean a mushroom head with a trd or half a zinkerz, but that is not the true definition. In fact, before all of the hype started it was just called Midwest finesse fishing, which basically is fishing with small baits three or four inches and under with the intention of catching as many bass as possible no matter the size. But the current favorite bait of dedicated Midwest finesse fisherman is half of a zinkerz on a mushroom head, with small buck tails coming right behind the finesse shadz, hula stickz, and trd in popularity. Another difference is that a shaky head usually has a large hook, 2/0 to 4/0 and is most often rigged weedless. They are also after weighing 1/8 to 3/8 ounce, while the Ned is between the weights of 1/32 and 1/15 ounces and usually poured on a size 4 hook. Shaky heads are used with four to ten inch plastics, and the Ned is for under four inch. There is six different Midwest finesse retrieves for the "Ned rig", ranked by popularity is first the swim glide and shake retrieve, drag and deadstick, hop and bounce, strolling, drag and incessant shake, and the straight swim. If you try the "Ned rig" you will come to appreciate the many differences between it and the shaky head jig.

I'm your huckleberry....I live in Palm Beach Gardens, just south of Palm City and I can show you the lay of the Lake if you'd like. I launch most of the the time out of J&S, OkeeTantie and Henry Creek, all on the East/North side, but know the entire lake well, been fishing/hunting (Incredible Duck if you got the time to scout) it since I was a kid (over 30 years) and know plenty of guides' secrets (shhhh...in..er...S) and the community holes. Also know the areas that are risky when levels drop below 13.5ft....! Usually don't tournament fish, but know plenty of 5 by 3 dudes, that fish for the $$$$. Do you own a boat? Send me an Email to Robert@hawgtech.com to coordinate and welcome to the BR community, place is full of great information and genuinely nice people, one piece of advice avoid that Dwight character he'll get you kicked off prime bass spots.....

Been reading these forums religiously for about three years. This is hands down my favorite post I have ever read. Funny yet 100% true.

Net them!

You don't need expensive reels of either type. Spinning reels don't depend on mechanics for casting, but bails, oscillation, rotor balance, AR, weight, smoothness and long term durability are all areas of difference in low and higher end reels.

I see the problem, you aren't sure of weights so I'll help. If we start at 1/4oz, and go by 16ths the next weight would be 5/16oz, then 3/8oz, 7/16oz, 1/2oz, 9/16oz, 5/8oz, 11/16oz, 3/4oz, 13/16oz, 7/8oz, 15/16oz and 1oz. If that is too much just got by 8ths and we have 1/4oz, 3/8oz, 1/2oz, 5/8oz, 3/4oz, 7/8oz, and 1oz. So a rod with a range of 3/8oz to 1oz will handle everything from 3/8oz to 1oz but in reality it will probably be ok with 1/4oz up 1.25oz but you would have to try it first. As someone already said, don't get caught up too much with the weight range, it is meant as a guide to help you choose the rod you need, for example, if you are throwing mostly weightless worms and smaller baits that are like 1/2oz and under then you would select a rod rated like 1/4oz to 5/88 which is slightly more than 1/2oz and that would be a medium power. Most medium power rods run in the 1/4oz to 5/8oz range and most medium heavy run 1/4oz to 3/4oz, but there are some that run up to 1oz. Jigs and worms around cover you almost always opt for a MH rod, if you are fishing jigs and worms that aren't heavy and are in open water or sparse cover, you can get away with a medium power and that is all you need to worry about.

Seriously y'all cracking me up! I throw weightless Trick Worms, Finesse Worms, Speed Craws, 3/16 oz spinnerbaits, 1/8 oz buzzbaits, Rapala P07s; on a Crucial 6' 10" MH 3/8-3/4 with a Calcutta 100A!

We can appreciate the sentiment but it's very simple. This site is world wide and viewed by human of all ages. An especially important point to remember as we know how impressionable youths can be. I'd recommend your offerings reflect this. No reason to be like "Every Other Forum" out there - The Bass Resource forum has enjoyed excellence & longevity because the majority of the members appear to have adopted an ownership posture and demonstrate that every single day. A Membership that cares enough to be Stewarts of the site, beyond the fine job the Moderators do, is how & why the magic happens. A-Jay

Nope A-Jay

You should get a $500 loomis rod. Also the StC legend is very good.

Picked up a Denali Lithium L843CB on the bay. It was brand new but had a broken tip. I practically stole it $22 + $10 shipping. So I called Denali and spoke to Pete to see about what tip to use and to see if I could buy one from them. I told him I bought it 2nd hand and understood it wasn't covered by warranty, but he insisted that if I'd just ship them the rod they would repair or replace it for me. He didn't even want return shipping. Packed it up and sent it off a week and a half ago - just got it back today good as new. Just wanted to give them a shout out for such outstanding customer service. they have definitely gained a customer! Have not been able to take it out yet, but it is very light and feels great. I'm looking forward to fishing it, and will update here when I do.

I carry a lot of soft plastics in my boat. I keep them kinda sorted by type in original packaging and then grouped in gallon zip lock freezer bags. Often the issue is "Where is the correct zip lock bag?" BPS used to sell canvas bags that would hold 30 or so bags of soft plastics, but they were kinda expensive at $15 more or less. Once I caught then at a close out for $6 or so each and I bought a dozen of them. Of course, sooner or later I needed more and I'm unwilling to pay MSRP of around $15. Happened to be in Harbor Freight yesterday, fully loaded, by this I mean I had a new coupon book, cash, check book and a Mastercard with no balance on it. Paid it off a few days earlier. Anyway, I was wandering around, looking at stuff, "What do I need?" In the tool box section they have Voyager Canvas Tool Bags. They come in various different sizes, from 8" up to 19 ". The 15" size is just slightly bigger than the ones I bought from BPS several years ago on sale. Slightly heavier canvas, much higher quality heavy duty zipper - Six seventy something on sale with a coupon. I bought one. Next paycheck I'm going back to get 5 or 6 more. I envision a new era in soft plastic storage for me. Now all I need to do is find the time and a sixer to get some serious soft plastic sorting done. Each problem solved creates another issue . . . Seriously, check out the canvas tool bags at Harbor Freight. When you got a coupon, the price is right. When you get on their coupon program, they mail you a bunch of new coupons every month. Oh yeah, also right now they have the smaller sized plastic ammo boxes for $5 each, with a coupon. Unbeatable, dust proof small tool storage for your garage.

If you go to Brookville the white bass are running up the head water and largemouth are stacked up in Silver Creek which is also near the head of the lake. There's a boat ramp inside Whitewater State Park on Brookville Lake that puts you right where I'm talking about. Also the walleye are up cruising the flats by the northern causeway. I'll be there on Friday after I finish my finals that morning! Edit: Here's a sweet graphic I whipped up.

WHAT?? you mean @*Hootie is using it? hahaha, i had to.....

Try sticking your head out the window.

The mushroom or shroomz head makes a difference in the presentation as compared to the shaky head. After you fish them both for a while you'll find the subtle distinctions.

I used to tooter math (and carry the math team on my shoulders) back in HS. There seems to be a math phobia with American students for some strange reason. I think its the way its taught. I found that its the concept, I used leggos or a pizza for fractions. Once the lightbulb went off, it made it easier from them on. You can call it 1/8, 2/16, 4/32, 8/64, etc, its still just one slice, extra cheese, pepperoni, and mushrooms please...

6'6" m-mh fast-6'10" mh moderate fast. All graphite.

Major Craft MSX Limited 6'5" UL BFS and a Shimano Aldebaran BFS XG Limited with 5# Sniper. Casting gear is soooooo much cooler than spinning gear.

^^^^This^^^^^ Get them out as soon as possible cause if the water is falling they probably won't be alive for much longer.

The above is no joke. I am sometimes the one doing the procedure to remove those chunks, they are very common. Higher incidence than that of all other cancers combined. People underestimate UV damage and think "skin cancer" is just the rare and scary melanoma. But basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the common ones. Half of Americans who live to 65 will have one, almost always at sun exposed areas of the head, especially tops of ears, cheeks, nose, lips.. they are easy to ignore too long. Even a fellow physician I know didnt recognize one on developing on his face, kept putting cortisone cream on it. The excision ultimately required left a nice 6 cm scar. Once you have a history of heavy sun exposure getting these is almost inevitable. If you fish outdoors a lot you WILL get them, period. So, with buffs, I have just come to realize that for people who spend serious time on the water sunblock isn't enough. Need an actual physical barrier to obstruct UV radiation from your skin.

The problem with Chobee is it keeps changing. If you only fish it occasionally, areas you fished last time can look different the next time you go. Vegetation's will grow up so much so quickly, wind will blow mats from place to place. Bass will move to different locations following their pray. When the wind blows hard, areas that were clear will turn chocolate When that happens things get very tough. Wind will raise and lower water levels as much as two foot just from wind driven current, in this huge shallow bowl. Areas that you fished last time, may be too shallow to get into this time. One thing I can tell you for sure, if you can find clear water you can find fish. Follow the weather reports for the last few days before you go. Try to find protected areas from the big blows. Clear water may be in those areas. If hard winds are out of the east, the west side of the lake will be muddy. The lake, and the fish, are constantly changing, more so then in deep reservoirs. Up to date info in the planning of a trip is key for guys that have success week, after week, on the Big O. They will adjust to what mother nature gives them.

No these were yesterday between 5-7pm. Also had a few Rock Bass. The LMB weren't extremely active, but also not in a negative mood. They were cruising between some submerged wood cover, and the dock. What kind of swimbait should I have thrown? It was difficult to get them to bite even the wacky rig. I live roughly 45mins from Summit. I like kayaking there, but you should try Westwood Run (15 mins from Summit). It has a good amount of 3-4lb bass, and it's the perfect size for kayaking.

Any dominant gators follow you on the Yaks down the canal as you were slaying HAWGS? Congrats on area you scoped, gotta love Google Earth and honey holes!

All my symetres always had binding issues and were not as smooth as other shimano reels. Even different generations. On the other hand, I've owned spirex, Saharas, stradics and sustains with little to no problems.

Been using Big Game along time.Never let me down

Thank you guys a lot I really appreciate the help I made this harder than it had to be!!!

That is some crazy water clarity . I would throw a swimbait every day all day. Especially if there are big fish .

Didn't have a chance to post these when I caught them so here goes. Had a great day on one of my favorite small places. All LMs and one Pickerel.

I'm finally having some degree of success. Private 10 acre stone quarry pond in Randolph county. This is considered a small bass for this honey hole, however it's my personal best. The water clarity is insane, between 10-15ft. Wacky rigged senko/Green Pumpkin Magic.

Yep they are in and out!

For bass fishing you never NEED an expensive spinning reel. The reason why folks like myself will occasionally spend the high prices is because they are elegant and deeply satisfying. I own a Daiwa Steez spinning reel. It is beautiful to look at. If has no vibration at all when retrieving. It has micro drag settings. It casts silky smooth. it is very light. I also have a Shimano symetre and Sedona which work just fine. But there is something about the refinement of a truly high end reel that enhances the experience for me. It's not a "bragging" thing, because I fish alone so there is no one to brag to. But it is an "ego" thing. I KNOW I'm using a tool that is the best. It strums those soulful chords

Skin cancer ...... Ain't nobody got time fo dat

There needs to be a hickok45 of fishing. I have yet to find one.

Spent number of hours Friday, all between Ryans Dam and Fountainhead. Picked up a couple quick two pounders and thought it was going to be a great day. Sadly, just a couple dinks after that. Yesterday I took the kayak from BRM. 10 min in, I had 2.5 and was excited about the prospects. Didn't catch another bass all day. Maybe I should just go out for an hour each time. The wife would appreciate that. I did get about a half hour of excitement, however. Stuck my crankbait into a log....but the log started moving. Slow enough at first that I wasn't certain what was going on. Then he took off. Dragged me all up and down Bull Run for 20 or more minutes. I flagged down a passing boat to ask if they had a net. Good thing they did...not sure how I was going to get this in my kayak.

Reaction or fast moving lures that resemble Shad or herring use bright reflective colors similar to those prey fish that have highly reflective scales. Matt colors tend to work better for crawdads and bluegill prey type lures and slower moving swimbaits. At the end of the day trail & error, try both! Tom