Leaderboard

It gives casting weight .It is faster to work . Bass hit on the drop and a fast drop is often better than a slow descent . Plus they get fished deep . I use a weight almost 100 per cent of the time .

Someone please delete this thread. I read it yesterday before going out yesterday afternoon. I havent had a backlash in a while. It was pretty windy and I had one so bad i had to cut it out. I'm blaming it on this post. I don't remember last time I had one that bad. Fish were blowing up all around me and im picking at a reel. Its like talking about shanking a nine iron. It's just something you don't talk about. As soon as you do... look what happens.

Hmmmmmmm..... I go after tough conditions too, at times -purposely. I'm not a tournament guy and I've fished, and caught, a long time now. I'm more interested in how stuff works, so I will purposely pick tough scenarios just to see what I can learn. Just this week I shot a video on bluebird skies and "swimming pool" water bodies -a true double whammy. There were other guys on the water and they all blanked. I didn't . But, it was tough -my errors glaring- and potentially frustrating if your expectations are otherwise. It was also fun. Agree with Turtle135: Greater challenges make the results more satisfying. Are you nuts? Yes. But, more seriously, obsession and diligence/focus are two different things.

I don't fly fish but, my fishing partner does. I attended an annual event in Annapolis, MD called TIEFEST. The lengendary Lefty Kreh was there doing a talk and casting demonstrations. 92 years old. These fly fisherman have a passion for this fishing "art" I know a number of customers that love to fly fish for bass and it dawned on me that on BR, fly fishing for bass is never really mentioned. Do any of you fly fish for bass?

After dealing with the process of buying a house of the last two months we closed yesterday. After all of the grief and annoyance the actually closing went off very smoothly. Now begins the process of moving all of stuff and getting the horses moved. This is the first time in my wife's life she has had a place where she could have her horses with her. Instead of being in a townhouse with people everywhere I can enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning on a front porch.

I think I've finally lost it. The past few weeks I've been bombarded with tough conditions on my home water. Rising. muddy water, high barometer, bluebird skies and little or no breeze. It's become an effort in determination to put fish in the boat, to say the least. The funny thing is, I've been catching the biggest fish of the season. It's like, I know I'm only going to get a few bites, so I focus on high percentage areas, boat position, perfect quiet placement of my jig, watching my line, etc. I find myself looking forward to getting on the water under these conditions, because I not only enjoy the challenge, it forces me to bring my A game or go home. Do I call the guys in the white coats, or accept the fact that I'm hopeless and roll with it?

Fish the conditions you're faced with. Fishing weeds? If they're hitting an unweighted worm on top of the weeds, no brainer, stick with no weight. What if they aren't? What if there are no weeds? I once heard a pro say to use the lightest weight possible to maintain bottom contact, but sometimes a heavy weight produces better. It's all trial and error until you come upon a winning combination. Whenever I have a partner in the boat, we rarely start out with the same presentation. We eliminate unproductive techniques and can get on a pattern much quicker that we could by ourselves.

Looking "natural" is one of many things that can trigger a strike. A fast moving bait can trigger a bite better than anything "natural," sometimes. Sometimes slower works. Sometimes purple. See what I mean? There are more bass in the weeds than there are in open water. Probably 100 times more bass in weeds. Find weeds, you'll find bass. Find weeds, and forage, and you'll find more bass. Find weeds and forage on favorable structure, and you'll find even more bass.

Since I began using the Owner Twistlock hooks, I find I get a lot more mileage out of a Senko. I also throw all the torn up ones in a bag and take them back home at the end of the day and repair the ones I can with Mend-It.

You have a choice to make! You can have lures in your tackle box or you can have bass in your livewell... You can not have both! One given when fishing plastics is ya gonna tear em up! We try to minimize the number of plastics we tear up but we accept the fact they will get torn up.

Go with it.,.. You've done your "homework" and so far seem to be right on course for the metaphorical golden "star" on your forehead.,.lol When things change, and you know they will, react in a manner condusive to the "new" conditions. Stay on them. It's very easy to get into a groove while on the bite, and when that bite drops. loose contact of what the fish are now reacting to, and! to what extent. You've been there before, We all have. Im sure you (papajoe) and many others understand where Im going with this, but fir those who dont???,....... Like,... they are shallow now and "somewhat' agreeable for you during tough conditions, when the change comes? did they back off the shoreline, or have they just stayed local and shut off? did they drop MUCH deeper and now are keying in on one specific forage? or have they moved out and suspended over deep water? and so on. You know the scenerio. Keeping consistency is the never ending quest of the truly diehard bass angler. And to do so is a exceptional accomplishment and should be recognized. BUT,..When you come to that crossroad, a elated feeling comes to mind, and even the slightest hesitation or "moment of celebration" is all it takes to loose track of your consistent performance. You've got things pinned down, change comes, and many are on such a natural "high" from their previous success, they didnt even think of what can come next. And this occurs so often for many of us,.. So,...if your riding a successful bite during tough times, go with it, but be ready for the next bite, or lack there of. Envision what they "may" do next, play out the possibilities in your mind. Have a gameplan ready, and I hope you find continued success. As I know how it feels to be successful when its tough, then loose track of them, when they become more agreeable, or not. Which is quite aggravating. You know that change came, and being as times were tough and you "had" your way during that time, now you see others lipping fish around you, but you cant seem to buy a bite. I found that when ,..or if,.. you loose track? clear your mind, forget what they "were" doing, completely, no matter how hard you "had their number" ..letting that previous success go, and erasing any thoughts on what they were hitting, or doing,.. and starting from scratch will eventually bring you to whats going on now. If the change comes, and you react correctly, and are still on them? You sir,.. get the golden star. Congrats, on the bigger fish Papajoe! I hope it continues for you

I haven't tried it but what about melting the rip with a lighter to re-seal it for a fresh skin hook? I've experienced the same thing and do the following in order as the worm wears-out 1. re-hook deeper under skin 2. rotate and re-hook 3. trim off tip 1/4" and re-hook 4. deeper skin hook 5. rotate and hook 6. Discard and replace

A darker largie from the Kawartha region up here in Ontario...water is still pretty warm for this time of year and fish are relating to summer cover and still hitting topwaters. Attila

The past few seasons, the mid & especially late fall bass bite for me has been all about The Blade Bait. After reading about how & where to present them I set out fishing it. Wow, the initial result were pleasantly surprising. The more I fished it the more I learned about them the better the results. Since that first time out, I’ve had some very memorable days on the water bouncing one of these little guys along the bottom of the local lakes. But it’s time for a change. This fall I’m going to venture into the Umbrella rig zone. First making a major splash in bass fishing back in 2011 when Laurel Mississippi Pro Paul Elias, better known for kneeling & reeling, used it to crush the competition on Lake Guntersville in Alabama during an FLW event. This rig was the center of controversy and even prompted Top Level Tournament rules changes as well as many state fishing rules changes. Despite all of that, I've really never done much of it to speak of and really haven’t given it a fair chance to show what it’s capable of. Hopefully this is the year that I can make it happen. By all accounts, I have the right water and fish to do it. There is no shortage of different versions of the bait and plenty of different ways as far as tackle goes to present it. The Rigs themselves have change quite a bit from the initial introduction as well. Can’t do or fish them all so at least half this battle has been looking for which type / style of bait to throw and what gear to throw it on. After doing some research (reading / videos) of the material that’s applicable to this part of the country, I came across some information presented by one Mark Zona. I do believe in his methodology regarding the A-Rig (or as he calls it “The Widow Maker”). Z’s ideas on when, where & how to fish this chandelier of a bait appear to fit what I’m hoping to accomplish here. So armed with this info & full of confidence, I set out to put together a couple of A-Rig set ups. In an effort to at least get me heading in the right direction, and not wanting to waste prime fishing time doing the R & D, over the summer I’ve been trying different rods & reels to cast & retrieve the bait. Line choice, either nylon or braid, seems to be a point of contention as is jig head weight. What I did read in advance and have come to believe, even with only limited experience at this point is this: A longer handled, stout butt, soft tip stick is the way to go. Whether using heavy nylon or braided line, a larger capacity reel is helpful. The Z Train highly encourages 20 lb fluorocarbon line, so that’s where I’ll at least start out. So for the rod, I’ve tried what I have, the heaver stuff, 7’11” flippin sticks, 7’6” H action casters, and 7’6” MH Swim bait rods. For reels I tested my swimbait reel a Calcutta 300D and smaller 200D and my standard size casting reels in various gear ratios from 5.3:1 up to 7.3:1. Didn’t like ANY of the rods as they all felt either too big, too stiff or both. The 300D seemed like over kill and the 200D & standard reel’s line capacity went too low on a long bomb cast. The line has been 20 lb Seagar InvisX fluorocarbon. Lastly, I tried a ST Croix Rage rod 7’6”MH & Mod Fast I’d recently purchased (2) and that I’ve been happy with as a longer jig rod. Although only rated to 1 ¼ oz, when using the lighter A-Rig bait jig heads I planned on using (mostly 1/8 – ¼) even with the plastics I didn’t feel like the rod was taxed. So that’s the rods I’m going with. Mounted to them I got a pair of QUANTUM EXO PT EX200SPT 6.6:1 reels that have the 20 lb line capacity that I was looking for. As for the actual Rigs & baits, I’ve got a few different brands & designs. Some I’ll be fishing as they come and a couple I’ve modified a bit – we’ll see how that goes. Strike King Tour Grade Titanium Umbrella Rig (short arm), will be a main player and the other models I’ll be fishing were purchased a while ago, are no long available and I unfortunately don’t remember what they are called or who made them (CRS). SK Rage Swimmers, SK KVD Swim N Shiner, Berkley Hollow Body Baits, Reaction Innovations Skinny & Little Dipper, Z Man Scented Paddlerz & Zoom Swimmin Super Fluke will all get their chance to show me what they can do. They will get pinned to either a VMC Flat Shad Jig Head or a VMC Boxer Jig Head. Both have Premium 1X strong needle point hooks, complete with a forged shank, hi-carbon steel construction and traditional round bend that deliver excellent hooking capabilities and comes with a decent bait keeper. The Plan is, starting next trip out & until further notice, to fish the Rig in the same areas where the Blade bait scored well. Deeper, Steeper Clean bottom zones; hopefully spots that have some bait present. And so there it is – That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. A-Jay

I agree on the 30-30 or a Marlin 35 would be my choices

I do a lot of trolling and sometimes it has helped me find fish that most probably I wouldn´t have found any other way, why do I troll ? well, if I´m gonna move from point A to point B ( and since I´m not in a rush ) it ain´t gonna hurt me if I troll, cuz, ya know, lures only catch fish if they are in the wáter. As for your other questions, like usual, there is no right answer, at what depth, at what speed, with which lures are dictated by the conditions.

In no particular order, Hudd 68, Bull shad/gill, Mattlures Hardgill, Slammer, Deps Swimmer, s-waver...... That is 6, but you get the point! Covers you from top to bottom and nothing there is over 4 oz, so you dont have to have a xxxxxxxxxh stick to throw them. Just a dedicated swimbait setup. Jeff

^^ This ^^ I would only add that I'll also flip the bait around, cut off the tip, and start over again with the other end. With this method, usually a fish will rip the bait apart long before I "use up" the bait. Good luck!

One of the most useful bass fishing articles I ever read came sometime in the 80's by Rick Clunn in Bassmaster magazine . I would like to find it again . RC taught to view your tackle box as a tool box and your lures as tools . Pick the right tool for the job . So ask yourself what you want a lure to do in each situation you encounter . Sometimes you need extra weight , sometimes you need a crankbait that reaches 12 foot, extra flash , weedlessness..., Make sure there is a reason behind lure choice instead of just choosing something .

The only easy day was yesterday!

I dont know if he took anybody but I know hes been back and there are several other people hunting it since . Connecting the dots I'd say he told others .

I was assuming that a slow fall would always look more natural than a fast one. I never really thought the bass would bury them selves in the tangles of plant life. I know asking for the input of experienced bass men was a good idea, I am new here and just trying to understand rather than just do what is common, I can only have the confidence to keep casting something when I understand it well enough to believe it to advantageous.

To get it on the bottom !

For a number of reasons! Rate Of Fall triggers strikes, some day the want the slow fall of an unweighed lure, some days they want a faster fall. Bass in grass are usually buried underneath it on the bottom. If you are only presenting your lure on top of the grass you are missing a huge portion of the bass. Kinda hard to fish a Texas rig in 20-25' of water without a weighted setup.

Agreed. Playing at Fenway is a Good Time but Rested Players Rake the ball where Tired & Hurt players often to not. A-Jay

Rotate the worm and re-hook works some and so does bitting a little off the top. Screw lock hooks might help too.

Can you elaborate?

That is an awesome collection. I love the color on the bottom left, kind of a chartreuse baby bass....I forget the exact color but someone went start to finish at a Bass Master Classic not that long ago on a chart/black? shallow Bagley Vintage series like the one's you have. I notice a difference with the older Bagley's lures-the Bang O lure in true balsa is almost a different lure, and the same with the small fry series. I like the older one's they used to make a model called the Top gun which was a slender minnow style wake bait shaped like a Rapala but only dove 6-12". I still have 2 left I am afraid to lose, they are not expensive but hard to find. Bagley's used to make lure in Fort Myers Florida, then went out of business and changed ownership several times for odd reasons, but they have made some lures that were only on the market for a year or 2 that were really good but never had the advertising behind them..... Nice looking lures. I have a few friends that would kill to have that box of crankbaits. They love the old Bagley's cranks, and will pay $25 at times for rusty models from Ebay and then re-paint them....You pretty much have a box of Pre Rapala Wiggle warts from what I understand. That was the first one I commented on myself....Isn't that funny, my eyes went right to that pattern, I make skirts for swim jigs to match several Bagleys colors....That is one of them.

It shouldn't effect the rod. St. Croix scrapes the labels off all of their returned rods so they can't be returned under warranty. I can't believe they'd do that to a rod if it was going to be a problem later.

Just roll with it...You know as well as I do they'll turn on sooner or later. The challenge is be at that place at the right time when they do. And seems like you already got that figured out. Belive it or not, when fishing a tournament I'd rather have tough conditions. It makes me bear down and double think everything to get that one hit knowing that its tough all over. Mike

And there it is ~ The First U-Rig Bass. The 20 kt ENE winds weren't making it easy but I hung in there. Nice confidence boost too. Because if I can make it happen in the mini-hurricane I fished in today there should be better days ahead. A-Jay

Technically yes it would void the warranty as it does change the action of the blank and moves the “pressure” points when under load from where it was originally designed. But if something does happen we’ll still take care of you and at the very least offer a discounted rate on a replacement.

As much as I'd love to try tungsten, I have a hard time paying over $1.00/weight. I've been known to lose over 40 on a bad day. I was only out about $3 for swivel clips since I make my own lead weights.

Tried the Zman Finesse Shroomz jig for the first time and it worked out like I thought it might

Newport Bay itself is a good option as well. Pier J is another one. They used to let people fish off the jetty at the base of Shoreline Drive between the Marina and the beach that extends almost out to on of the oil islands. The surf around Belmont will produce halibut with the same lures just outside the surf (what little there is).

It's like deja-vu, all over again ~ A-Jay

That chartreuse bass pattern is my favorite .

Wait . no Beelte spin ? I thought all Bass fishermen cut their teeth on these things .

A-Jay

12 to 15 pound Big Game for along time with no complaints at all.

looking at this boat. wanted to know if anyone knew the specs or where to find them. also please let me know what you think, looks like a good aluminum deck, was painted last year and is covered by a boat cover.

I copied this ^^^^ from an earlier thread. Just have a different scale. It has worked really well!

what crank is that? pretty good match to me

Unfortunately Randall's baits are unicorns in the swimbait world, whereas the Bullshad and Bullgill are easily purchased, and are proven fish catchers (with or without electro shocking.?). OP, Welcome. As for big swimbaits in GA, listen to Tom, he knows what he is talking about. You have a good start, don't get frustrated, just keep grinding. My only suggestion is that you lack a topwater, add an MS Slammer or Lunker Punker.

Depends on the specific line. There's a ton of deformation in most nylon mono before it breaks. Tatsu, it pretty much breaks when it's at the point of deformation (not snapping back) - which to me is a good thing. But to say fluoro doesn't snap back isn't really true. In either case, if set your drag to about 1/3 breaking strength (not"test") and you'll be fine.

Nope I have a Vibe Skipjack 90. I did a lot of research on them before I bought theirs. It seems like a pretty good outfit, a smaller operation but a great reputation online and like I mentioned they sell excellent kayaks at a considerably lower cost than their comparable competitors. My next move will be to their Sea Ghost 130 - it gets rave reviews from the users on their Facebook owners group that have one. I know i'm overly impressed with mine so far. But heck, that ATAK looks good too, I just would rather pay $900, especially when I see SO much positive feedback from the folks who have the Sea Ghost

100% true, also make sure your program is accredited. I just graduated in Aerospace Engineering and completely agree with what Curtis said. You mentioned struggling with a physics class, was it engineering physics? (force moment diagrams, free body diagrams, equations of motion, etc) or physics physics? (electricity, magnetism, light refraction, etc). If its the latter I wouldn't worry about it too much, just pass the class and get through it as you will never use it again. The former however I would continue to seek help and definitely get in a peer group to study and work through example problems. You will use these basics in every other engineering class you take. One of the biggest things that helped me was paying for solutions manuals for HW. As long as you are not blatantly copying the solutions and trying to learn it will help tremendously. Seek a co-op opportunity as soon as you can. Don't worry about missing a semester or longer of school. Having that experience is more valuable than anything you learn in classes and it will let you know what kind of work you will be doing. I took a year off total and it paid off with the company giving me an offer a year before I graduated making my last two semester very stress free. I'm currently working in the aerospace testing industry and would say I spend 50% of my time at my desk in and 50% in the field or testing. I really enjoy it because I have the opportunity to interact with people everyday. In my area at least I rarely use any math or engineering skills learned in school, so I guess that's something to consider if you truly enjoy that aspect. If I had to do it again I would have done mechanical engineering as my degree because my current degree puts me in a very specific niche that not many companies need. Good luck, take time to enjoy the college experience as I know many engineers who did not. Remember C's get degrees lol.

Water Temps are in the mid-60's here now. Perfect "Football" Weather and today they came in Pairs. A-Jay

All Lew's here.. I have a couple of BPS pro qualifiers cause of pricing, but now that Lew's has a new Speed Spool LFS at $99 thats what I'm sticking with. I have never had any issues with Lew's.