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I love this forum. I read it every day. Water temps, different lures, different colors, different times of the year all come into play. But you have to know where the fish are, that is the key to catching bass all year long. Sure sometimes the bite is tough. If you know where they are some of them will bite. When you learn where they are fishing becomes easy. All the hot licks in your tackle box are no good if the fish are on the other side of the lake. Granted experience has a key role in knowing where the Bass are hanging out. A little common sense will get you on the fish , get out every chance you can and soon you will look at a body of water and have a good idea where to cast and where to let the other guy fish.

Had another good catch at the little pond today; My scale is still battery-less, which is a shame cuz the she felt quite heavy and I am still trying to crack 4lbs out of this spot. Got her on a spinnerbait and a pair of 1-2lb ones as well. Tomorrow I am giving this pond a break and am going wading for smallies, but I will be back soon.

Some topwater smallmouth chasing shad over deep water

I've never heard anyone wish their boat had a smaller motor on it.

Location is numero uno most important thing, you're right. Don't matter what you put down there, if they ain't there, you ain't catching them!

All i wanted was a bass but instead i get two pickerel, I guess bass and other fish are hiding. I don't run into them to often but when i do, It really puts me in a panic mode and i'm not really to sure what to do in the situation. I hooked this guy and he gave up such a fight and wouldn't open his mouth for hook removal. Any attempts to trying to get him unhooked and set free he'd thrash around. So my sister put her foot barely on him and that was enough to stop him from thrash around and calm him down to where i was able to remove the hook and put him back where he belongs. Any advice on the correct way of handling these fish would be much appreciated.

Hank Parker like you've never seen him before! Hank answers personal questions that you want to know in this informal interview.

Nope. The one down the road from Lake Vanderchuck is Lake MAnderchuck. Menderchuck and MAnderchuck people get confused all the time. It's pretty easy for me to tell them all apart from his videos by looking at the clouds. ? I gave out too much info. A-Jay is going to kill me!

Welcome to the Forums! A crankbait rod isn't the best tool for weightless plastics. The two techniques you're wanting to use honestly require two completely different setups. For large treble hooked baits like the plopper 130 and s-waver I'd prefer a heavy action glass crank rod. For weightless plastics, a medium spinning rod is probably the best tool for the job. If you can only get one rod, a medium heavy, fast action rod is probably one of the most versatile. Weightless plastics will be slightly difficult to throw but it can certainly be done.

98% of the time, I don't change color. As for the remaining 2 percent, 1% of the time is if I'm getting my arse whooped on the water and I can't come up with any other reason why The other 1% is if I just want to play around and prove to myself that changing colors makes no difference in the bite as @IndianaFinesse alluded to.

Just got back from the Adirondacks (full report posted on Local Fishing - Northeast forum section). Caught a bluegill on a Booyah Pad Crasher Jr. with a Lake Fork Trailer hook. Initially, I thought I had a small LMB on, however, it turned out to be a BG. I use a spinning set up with 30# test braid, so the trailer hook helps. Here's a picture - note that the hook is turned inside out as the fish was twisting around underwater as I got my little digital camera out. Note that I would not recommend this technique for bluegill.

US Navy 2000-2004 was on the USS Enterprise when 9-11 happened Operation Enduring freedom vet

Some of my Pop-Rs have feathers some don't! I'm mainly concerned with it sitting nose high, this allows for subtle or serious pops. The Little trick Zell Rowland showed me ?

· Got back yesterday from our annual end of September, Blue Mountain Lake vacation trip. I fished 5 of the seven days I was there, each day in the afternoon between 1 pm and 5 pm in various area lakes. Spent the morning hiking and doing things with my wife and then in the afternoon after fishing and having dinner went to the swamp that is called Lake Durant for top water. I took 4 set ups - all spinning. As much as I like my new Mojo bass rod and some of my longer lighter set ups, I took more durable, shorter rigs as follows: 2 Pflueger President 6' combos; one with 6# PLine and one with 15# braid and 8# floro leader. Note that PLine is tough, tough line. 1 6'9" medium Veritas with Mitchell 300 pro reel with 30# braid used for the Booyah Pad Crasher Jr. with a Lake Fork Trailer hook 1 Okuma SST 6'6" 2 pc. ultralight with a Pflueger Supreme reel with 10# braid and 6# floro - rigged with a 1/16oz. VMC mooneye jig and 1.5" Crappie Magnet It was a great week. Caught at least 2 - 3 dozen fish each day I located some areas where there were rocks/boulders next to the shore and in the water and fallen down trees along with sparse weeds where I was catching SMB on almost every cast. On the 6# PLine, I was using a 1/15 oz. Z man Shroom jig head along with a 2.75" TRD (what do you call this? LOL) this was working so well that I switched colors several times just for kicks - note that pink and coppertruse did not work so good there. I hooked into dozens of SMB each day doing this. Also, the biggest LMB were caught this way. I also used T rigged weightless senkos and Owner ultra shakey head jigs with GY mini craws in the weedy areas, however, I had so much luck with the TRDs that I stuck to using that 90% of the time. I also took all sorts of other lures - spoons, crankbaits, chatterbaits, spinners, etc. which I never used. Occasionally I would play with my ultra light on the outside of fall downs near the weeds and catch perch and sunfish on almost every cast. The topwater bite wasn't too good until near the last day. I caught only one at the end of each day (including a bluegill - which I will post on the other species thread). On the Saturday before we left, the last hour was magical, I hooked up with 6 LMB on the frog. Most of the SMB that I caught were on the smaller side maybe 1# or less, although several were close to 2#. I caught some really great LMB, four which were over 3# and two of those were in the 4+# range. I have never weighed anything besides a salmon, so these are just guesses; but the big LMB were very impressive especially coming in the ADKs. I have attached some pictures from a really great trip. One is from the top of Castle Rock looking over Blue Mountain Lake toward lake Durant, one was taken by my wife with her Ipad of me on Lake Durant and the rest were taken by me which may not be the greatest since I had my little camera in hand at the same time I was holding a fish or reeling one in. Hope you enjoy these.

Just returned from a week in Denver and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. The landscape and scenery are incredible. This shot is from Rocky Mountain National Park.

Yeah the problem is my cabelas and field and stream I don't think carry those.. so I can't physically handle them to tell how they feel.. @Turkey sandwich

A boat dealer cares about paying the least to get the most out of a trade in. I have sold my last 2 boats on consignment dictating to the dealer what price was my bottom line and negotiated their commission. Might lose a few bucks on the top end but, nowhere near what I would lose if I traded it in. I got more than my bottom line on both boats, sold them both within a month, and didn't have to deal with the whole selling process. Dealers want uninformed uneducated buyers. Remember a boat is not a necessity. People will spend more freely on something they want rather than something they need. Why do you think so many dealers sell "ready to fish" boats with minimal electronics, trolling motors, and smaller outboards? The pricing gets people in the door. After the first season, the buyer decides he wants more trolling motor or better electronics because he saw the commercial on TV and these items will make him a better fisherman. The uneducated buyer is going to bring the boat into the dealer and pay full retail for the new graph or trolling motor and then pay to have the dealer install it. Mo' money Mo' money

@BassNJake I agree. This has been a great debate with a lot of really good perspectives. You are definitely correct that we are looking at the Opens from two different viewpoints. I also think we are both backing up our arguments pretty well. The Elites is the highest level of competitive bass fishing. I don't think there's any argument there. In order to get to that level, you have to qualify thru the Opens (that's the only way). Again, no argument there. The Nation, while it provides an opportunity for a Classic berth, will not get you to the Elites. This is why I see the Opens as the triple-A division not the Nation. I would feel differently if the Elite series worked like the Opens; open to all, just with a higher price tag. I agree with you about fishing everything I could if I were a Pro (not a pro with a day job, a touring pro). If the rules say it's OK, I'd be in. Sponsors would absolutely encourage participation. Opens are no slouch tournaments and they offer sponsors great exposure. What I meant with regards to Tharp was that the FLW provided/provides stepping stones (a platform), in terms of tournament circuits with progressively higher competition, that are more easily accessible to more anglers. The Costa Series is the FLW equivalent to the Opens but they are comprised of five divisions with three events in each and a final championship. Smaller geographic regions and fewer events = less travel, less time off, and lower overall cost. Tharp is an incredible angler and great professional and he was able to use the FLW's various circuits to build his brand, win multiple tournaments, and gain financial backing through sponsorship. That's the dream. That's what I don't think the new Opens are going to offer the majority of anglers. When the organization provides more cost effective circuit options, an angler looking to make a career has the ability to compete more often, prove himself/herself with high finishes, and attract potential sponsors. With regards to BASS wanting to become a mainstream sport, I agree that it's near impossible and you can't compare the two. That idea is there though. That was the vision when the new owners took over seven years ago. I remember reading an article on Bassmaster.com written by one (maybe more) of the owners basically stating they want to get to a point where their major players (the Elites) don't have to pay entry fees. That's why there's been the push for so much live content. They want bass fishing to be a true spectator sport. Bass fishing as a mainstream sport would absolutely be a PR nightmare lol. That's why we're seeing more and more events with the weigh and release format. Why can't more debates these days be this civil? hahaha

'catching bass is easy. finding them is the hard part.'

One companies fast is another's Xf fast. No standard way of measuring...

It depends. Never knew I needed XF ....until I had one. Setting hooks at a distance with slighty slack line presentations became a whole different (better) ballgame with XF.

All tournaments are a test of angling ability...The Opens are supposed to be a qualification route to the Elite Series. The old format was qualifying many anglers who either did not accept the invitation in the first place, or did accept and washed out after the 1st year (or before the end of the 1st year). This was apparently an issue for BASS so they changed the format slightly in hopes of increasing the chances for recruiting more accomplished anglers into the Elites. It makes sense to me and as someone that hopes to fish them in the future I actually like the new format. One thing I hope they do is keep some variety in the schedule...The Opens for the past several years have essentially been on the same locations at the same times. 'Regular' guys hoping to fish the classic still have the Federation route, which IMO has always been the more logical choice since the bulk of the events you fish on that path will be on your local waters. Even Co-anglers have qualified for the Classic from the Federation. I know I'm in the minority on this - But I don't believe money to be as big of a limiting factor as most others seem to. Does independent wealth make it easier? Of course...But there are plenty of pros on tour that got there from modest beginnings, just look at recent example like Palaniuk or Swindle. If an angler truly has the skill AND desire to make it to the top, they will find a way to make it work. There is no age limit, you can have a 5 or 10 year plan to give you time to save your money. I think the reason so many point to money is the RISK in trying it....It's really not about having the money, it's about the consequences if you bet on yourself and don't make it. A wealthy person could 'afford' to lose it, so it's easier on them. I would bet that for every Elite angler that was independently wealthy before qualifying, you could find an angler from a modest background that make it through hard work and planning - I'd actually argue there are more Elite anglers in the second category than the first. It seems most people don't like it becasue they can't try to 'jackpot' an Open anymore...Or at least can't do it as easily. I'm pretty sure that was one of the main reasons for the change.

Do you want to go fast or do you want $4,000 in your pocket? I think the big question is are you in a big hurry and how much money is it worth to get to your fishing spot 3 minutes faster than the other guy? If you're a pro and you're fishing in $25,000 plus tournaments, definitely spend the money if you have it. If you're a retired old fart with a lot of time on your hands and a fixed income (no offense meant), get the little motor.

No. I do thank them.

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Is that the one that's right down the road from lake vanderchuck?

I think another reason there isn't a western swing is sponsorship. If the crowd isn't there no big company is going to pony up money to sponsor an event if there's only a slim chance at exposure and return. What in the heck do people in California do in their free time? Look at the top 25 bass caught 3,4, maybe 5 bass on their aren't from California (I haven't looked in forever)! You guys have awesome largemouth and spotted bass fishing and only a handful are taking advantage of it. It's good for you guys who do fish, but sad for the state as a whole. Here in Michigan 5-6lb LMB are pretty big and something you'll only come across once a year maybe? Smallmouth are a different story, we've all seen the blimps A-Jay is pulling out of Lake Menderchuck on a weekly basis. You drive down my road alone, 1 mile all but 2 houses have a boat. It's Michigan and you're literally no more than 5 miles from a lake and at any spot in the state no more than 30 miles from a Great Lake so it's not apples to apples with California. It just boggles my mind bass fishing isn't bigger in California.

Nothing real special about this 3 pounder, but the fact that 8 in the boat this AM, means Fall is kicking in.....

got something in the mail from a member yesterday really stoked to throw this

It matters when it matters. For juvenile/ small adult NLMBs- which is pretty much all I fish for lately- that's probably not very often. I do still fish my favorite colors and patterns though lol. P.S. Might sound funny, but my favorite colors are not a function of water clarity or weather conditions or any of that stuff. My favorite colors depend on the reservoir I'm at. Iaconelli wrote a recent bassmaster blog post about this, and I agree.

Strike King Rage Bug has been getting it done for me every where I fish it and every way I rig it ALL SEASON. This is the most recent deal for smallies - Freedom Tackle Stealth Swim Jighead 1/2 with standard 4/0 ewg Gamakatsu worm hook. Comes through cover well and is especially killer when skirted along the bottom with a stop & go retrieve. Don't tell anyone. A-Jay

Was it color? Was it because you unknowingly changed rhythm? Was it because you were now putting it in the strike zone? How do we really know it was color change? ?

If the AR works fine under your normal drag setting, don't worry about it. You can remove the excess lube the next time you service the reel. Tom

look at my picture above yours you slide your finger into the gill plate which will force them to open their mouth so you can unhook them normally i use pliers so i dont cut myself because they do shake a lot

From the forum rules and FAQ's; Why does the site or product name I posted show up as "another site" or as ***? First it has nothing to do with competition. In most cases, it has something to do with the points above - site owners not abiding by the rules of the forum, or over-zealous pro-staffers spamming the forums. In some cases, however, the site owner specifically requested that we do not link to their site. If your post contains ***, then that means you may not discuss that brand here. Your post will likely be deleted, and you may get banned (see the next paragraph below)

There's a common saying that if you find the fish you can catch the fish. Gary Klein once told me that there's at least 5 lures that will catch any fish once he finds them. He didn't mean 5 specific lures but 5 as a general number of types of lures he could throw to catch them.

3 Tools for Toothy Critters, (what I use) 1) Fish Gripper (Bogagrip) 2) Pliars / Hook Remover (Quarrow Hook Remover) 3) Jaw Spreader (Danielson Fish Mouth Spreader) Having them makes dealing with pike a night/day difference.

Yea, definitely need to have some instincts. Especially, bank fishing. Trying to teach my friend this who lives in a different state. Just don't cast out and pray. There's a lot more to it than most people think. I bank fish so I don't have any fish finders or other mapping devices. I try to look up details about the lake and take mental notes on land points etc. Once I get there I can usually have a good idea where they post up.

I agree about the importance of the nose sitting high and the tail low, it makes it easier to pop without moving it as far forward, in addition to have a better sound to it. I upsize the back hook enough to accomplish this, on the back I'll go either #4 or #2 (depending on the individual hook's weight) and the front gets a #6.

I was gonna say that...but it seems to make some people crabby when I do that. I buy my boats with OPM, to fish out of. I don't worry about resale value...

For those folks who buy a boat for resale value...well that's just stupid. A boat is not an investment. Also, a Lund will hold it's value no matter what motor is hanging off the back.

See how it performs under normal fishing conditions. Exchange it if warranted.

That is normal

Replace the hooks by buying a Splash-It, it comes with Owner hooks and the rear treble is feathered. Yes, feathered rear treble hook helps a Pop-R type lure increase strikes. Owner, Gamakatsu, Mustad and VMC all make feathered treble hooks for a reason, they work. Tom

The Adirondacks are one of my favorite places. It's beautiful, there's a wide variety of fishing, and the trails are amazing. I'm jealous!

Topwater during a September Sunrise ~ A-Jay

Luis, welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums. Hope you had a good trip to SoCal and we're able to get on some fish. If you're ever up in NorCal and the Bay Area and would want to fish the California Delta, let me know. Continued good fishing, JB

Got my Bubble Blade Fogys in the mail today from @Siebert Outdoors. Wow that's was pretty quick delivery. Fixing to tie one of them on and hit the pond in the boss man's kayak!

I am afraid that if i kiss one I will want to mount it.