Leaderboard

Not sure if this is allowed to be here, or if I should have put it in one of the regional threads, but I couldn't help myself. New PB, baby! Didn't get a length measurement (left my tape at home like a dummy), but the scale wavered between 5.54lbs and 5.66lbs. Hard to keep her still to weigh and take a photo of. Already swapped the profile picture over to feature her. Complete photograph below. Wish I had someone with me and/or a better way to take photos. She wouldn't even fit in the frame with my arm completely extended. Anyways...Woohoo!

Today I skipped a Zoom fluke under the wooden walking bridge you see reflected in my glasses. After I set the hook she was so heavy and motionless I thought I had set the hook into a wooden piling -- until she started moving that big head to and fro, that is. Then I knew I was battling a big ol' beast. I was lucky to get her out from under the bridge with the light rod I was using. .

Caught this 5.5 lb beauty today. 48 degree water and 35 degree air temp 10 mph winds and 1ft or less of visibility.

I made a promise to myself to actually fish more last year and did a poor job with that goal but the priorities of life carry with it an undeniable responsibility to family. That said I WILL FISH MORE this year and finally purchase the new boat! I didn't have a ton of time yesterday nut ran down to a local pond for three hours and had a blast. It was a dink fest and it didn't matter what I did I couldn't get that bigger bite. It was a great day. It was raining this morning so I decided not to mess with the boat and head back to the pond. I knew it would deserted and peaceful. I didn't get a bite for the first two hours. I saw many cruisers but they had no interest in anything I threw. I learned a good lesson today; I wasn't wanting to go home so I put on a R.I. Skinny Dipper and made a long cast parallel down the bank and ran it just about the emergent weed line and had a nice blow up but missed the hook up. It started to pour the rain and the harder it rained the better the fishing. The next hour I landed 5 with the biggest going 2. I missed twice that many. In summation, while nothing big was caught it was great to be back fishing!

I read "Impala" & thought ?

I don't know what is more frightening, a vandalized car and stolen rod or using a gas station restroom.

I throw Shad raps on an Loomis e6x 845c it throws them well I usually only throw #7 but I also throw the #5 sometimes. I have it paired up with a chronarch mgl it throws lighter baits well. I rather throw light crank baits on baitcasters than spinning gear.

Zoom's Fat Albert ?

Here's why I decided to try the Whopper Plopper. Clearly they aren't "magic" or massively innovative, but they work for a lot of people. I'm a through and through smallmouth guy so this makes me very happy. If this type of thing doesn't do it for ya... then I don't know what to tell you!

Only could spare an hour to fish on Sunday and with the rainy conditions I had to put some miles on Stanley. Water temp was 50-52. Caught one on the frog, one missed and caught the rest on swimbaits. I'm ready for the consistent frog bite.

Went Saturday from about 1130 til dark. It was good to have some company, as fishing_ff made the drive up from central Florida. It was an incredibly slow day considering that the weather has been consistently warm for 3 weeks here. Also had to battle the wind which was exactly contrary and a little stiff for fighting it.We caught ( I think ) all 9 of the fish on either flukes or senkos. We tried worms, spinnerbaits, jigs, and crankbaits with little action. We lost several fish to laydowns , misses etc.The fish were NOT after anything moving. . The big fish ( pictured ) was 5.7. Second best was 3.3. , both caught on the watermelon seed zoom super fuke.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/how-to-plastic-worm.html

Wednesday it was around 75 degrees here with a 70 degree day on Tuesday. Tuesday fishing was slow with one fish. Hit a different lake on Wednesday and action was much better. The swimbait bite was on and landed 16 bass 5 pickerel and a catfish. Caught my pb from this lake at 6lbs. The catfish weighed 4lbs but felt like something in the 10lb class.

Our family used to sailboat race on the weekends. I was too small to crew so I was stuck on shore. I think I was five or so when I started with a hand line and popcorn jerking dock bluegills. Mom said it was the best baby sitter ever. a ten cent bag of popcorn and me wearing my life jacket. Simpler times for sure. Fishingmickey

I got my boys started around 3 or 4, I think. Floats (bobber) worms got results 98% of the time be it bluegill, perch, white bass, largies, catfish, crappie. That's a safe bet to start, IMHO.

6 years US Army Europe NATO 1st armored division, 11D10

Just got a chance to get caught up with this last show. It's really interesting watching the anglers fish that area. I've introduced myself to a few from there. As I was watching, knowing when they were there, until they go off the bank / docks, I didn't expect them to do much. As is often the case up here for smallmouth, once the sun burst through, the lake gave up what it's know for - Big Brown Bass. Seemed important for the anglers to look deep(er). Once a few guys caught a couple and gained confidence, they started keying in on "the better spots" (which are routinely not very big, relatively speaking). Hard to beat a drop shot in that situation, and one can go a while 'looking', especially if one doesn't really know what to look for. Wheeler was impressive and on the right ones. He manage to locate a deal in one morning that took me pretty much half a season to find. A-Jay

Aint like they can pack up & leave ?

Shimano makes two piece rods also. They are one of the best bangs for the buck. I also have a Cabelas brand 2-piece casting rod and it is one of my favorite rods. Unfortunately, I don’t think they make it anymore but I will presume their current two piece rods ought to serve you well. I have a corrolla so I know the drill and use 2-piece rods. Fo those who have suggested laying a seat down and lay the rod in the middle so as to go with a one piece rod, my corrolla can accommodate a 7’ rod so no doubt a Honda could too. Here is the thing that is the show stopper that necessitates a 2-piece rod. Just leave your car secured but unattended for whatever reason, like even using the restroom at a gas station. That is more than enough time for any thief or drug fiend to bust a window and steal it. So now you’ve lost your rod and reel if it were attached AND now you have to deal with a busted window and all the hassle that comes with it. I myself am so anal about it such that I won’t give them a visual chance. Yeah, they could still break into my car with rods unseen in the trunk, but at least I wasn’t advertising in plain sight.

-1

I’ve no experience with the series of rods, however I do find it silly the suggestion I have to put a budget rod with a budget reel. Nothing wrong with putting a Metanium on an Ugly Stik. That is their preference and their money, they can spend it on whatever they want!

Zodias is going to balance the best. But there are other rods that will balance out with it as well like G. Loomis I agree I can’t stand it either.

I drive a similar car, Ford Fusion and if you put one side of the back seat you can easily fit a one piece rod. Food for thought. But most quality rods that are two piece should do. I am personally fond of fenwick hmg and St Croix Mojo and above.

The temperature ranges given above for pre-spawn/spawn are surface temperatures; what is the temperature at 15' or 20'? Pre-spawn does not start in shallow water! As for the spawn one must consider the length of time required for the development of eggs. Pre-spawn/spawn is far more than temperature!

Place still gives me nightmares. There's a reason I only go once or twice a year. Lacassine " It sure ain't big burns" wildlife refuge

I have never fished for bass anyplace where it snows in the winter, so I may not be the best help. The only advice I can give is if you cast out and the lure skids across the ice, choose a different pond.

Ike is an extremely talented fisherman who loves to teach, but I find myself muttering "shutup already" when he goes through his antics. Interesting comparison between he & Wheeler, a pro almost half his age. Ike hooks up with a large fish, starts screaming and declares it is well over 5 lbs. It weighs in at 4 -3. He hooks up again, starts screaming, says this one is even bigger. It weighs in at 3 something. Meanwhile, Wheeler lands the biggest fish of the tournament and excitedly says it should top 5lbs. It weighs in at almost 6. He then hooks up with another one and calmly claims it is a little smaller than the previous one. It weighs in at 4 plus. He later hooks a smallmouth and exclaims "good fish, not a giant, but it should be 3 lbs". Weighs in at just over 3 lbs. I guess it is just the difference in their temperaments, but Wheeler comes off as the experienced pro. Interesting enough, Wheeler seems like he enjoys teaching as well, he will give you the nitty gritty of what he did & why.

I had a booth right across the isle from the 7.99 lucky crafts! (It was hard looking at them and not buying them) I was selling my flies and bucktail jigs. Let me know what you need as far as hair jigs and I can tie them up at a good price for you and ship them to your door!

A late post from a short afternoon trip on Friday. After catching a few crappie with my girlfriend earlier in the day I bass fished for awhile in the afternoon. Water temperature has soared lately to 62 degrees but the water has been dropped very low very quickly. I'm seeing stumps I've never seen before. It's messed my fishing up a little. A pic of a bass I caught on a BPS Albino Craw squarebill that has been working well lately. I've been catching my fish in shallow water on main lake banks. The crankbait color I've been using was discontinued by BPS but you can find it on a Red Eye Shad.

Congratulations on the PB! At least you had the scale.

Personal Best! It don't matter where ya post it ?

This 6-8 was on a bone 130 on a day where that bait caught that fish, a 6-3, 3 5's and a couple 4's

Then if I were you, I'd take my CI4 in to a Bass Pro or Cabelas, etc., and put it on a few rods. See if some of the 7 footers and 7'6" ers balance tip light or not.

I mean tip light. I can not stand fishing with a rod that is tip heavy. As far as holding the rod I either put all fingers in front of the reel stem or just my pinky behind it.

Looks like you are normal. I still have dreams about the ones that got away. I can see them clearly. One jumped and threw the Chatterbait; a second gave me my KVD Squarebill back and; a third threw my yellow with blue back Bandit next to the boat. Of course, there was the one that hit my Sexy Shad crankbait on Lake Gaston and as far as I know, he is still hauling his butt to Chicago. Still can't figure out how this occurred as my line was tight with good hooksets. Hey, its fishing. Sometimes you win. And sometimes the fish win.

At long last, a bass of reasonable size; This one is going threw a rebellious phase, thus the black lipstick; And, this is my best pickerel so far for the year; I am longarming it big time, but it was still a monster. I got him on a little sjr 6400 imx and 4lb mono. That little rod is a beast, I am going to respool with 6lb mono and that is going to be my new Ned Rig rod.

Had some great action this afternoon. Caught twenty or so including this one just shy of 4 lb. Fish were fairly shallow on the sunny and windward side of some HOA lakes I fish.

Classic bully. He threatens he's going to do this, and he's going to do that, in the hopes that you'll believe him because he never will. Attorneys will work with you, so that when you win (and you will), the bully will have to pay all fees, including your attorney. You'll win access plus a potential restitution, and it won't cost you anything. In the mean time, report him to the local sheriff, and also file a restraining order against him. A knock on his door by a pair of armed deputies will show him he's screwed. You're in the driver's seat here, and he knows it. He's scared, and hoping you'll believe his bluffs because that's all he has. Time to go for the kill shot.

Got off work a touch early Friday to attempt to go help a buddy who had lost a bunch of stuff in the river the day before. By the time I showed up they had already found everything And were floating downriver. I decided to park near a bridge and stand in the river so I can jump in when they float by. Why not make a few casts while waiting? Caught a nice one with a pumpkin grub, good fight in heavy current

Thank you! They require a lot of hand sanding and checking each side with a template for uniformity as you go. Thanks for the nice compliment Sam! Much appreciated! Glad you like them. There are shows for custom baits and other wood carving. Some of the work that the top carvers do is mind blowing. I've never been to a show or entered anything, but do like to see the entries online. HAHA Crypt! Catchingest should be a word if it isn't already. Thanks for the kind words! Here are a few pictures of baits in progress. The profile shapes are rough cut with a skill saw and finished using a disc and belt sander. The lip slots are cut with a skill saw using a template. For these squarebills, the lip angle is 45 degrees. The material used is Lexan (polycarbonate). Never use plexiglass, as it is brittle and will crack with use. The most crucial part to making a bait run true, is cutting a square 90 degree lip slot and carving or sanding equal amounts of wood on both sides of center. While the bait is still in block form, a center line is drawn, shown here as an example. I use a compass for marking center. This line should remain visible throughout the entire shaping process. The holes for weights and line ties are drilled on this line. The lip slot is also cut while the bait is square sided to ensure a 90 degree cut. I begin shaping them buy carving with a knife, and then hand sanding. The finish sanding is by far the longest process for me. What wood you remove on one side has to match the other. I make C shaped templates from heavy paper stock to match both sides equally.

When the ice melts, the bass start preparing for the spawn. This is one of the best times of the year to catch a really big fish.

Like everywhere else in this part of the country, we went from sunny and 73 to rain, wind and 34 overnight. Rain has continued for several days, some places getting as much as 5-6 inches already and still 2 more days predicted. Lots of flooding, and most all major rivers and reservoirs are getting trashed. Only thing being spared in my area are smaller lakes and ponds with little to no major inflow, and they're staining up, but fishable. Hit judt such a place after work in a cold (43 deg.) mist and was surprised by a better than normal bite. Managed 10 in about 90 minutes, including some better quality individuals. It was definitely an above average trip for these little places. Stained water had them up shallow and aggressive.

What boat, I just see a field of dried grass...

Ordered a set of Ultimate Bunk Boards for the trailer on Monday. Had them on my Roughneck trailer and liked them. Very nice for unloading on shallow ramps common on little lakes and rivers. Tried my hand at a camo paint job on the boat after watching several Youtube videos, turned out pretty well for my first time doing it.

Nose hooking is running the hook point about 1/4" behind the nose or front end. You push a tooth pick through the both sides of the soft plastic nose end about 3/16" back from the nose, then clip off the ends flush to the plastic. The hook is placed behind the tooth pick that acts like a cross bar preventing the hook from tearing out. Tom

Now that it looks like you have everyone's input, let me add my two cents: Show different baits? - Yes. All the time. Change out unless they are hitting one specific bait or presentation. When the pattern changes, we go bonkers and start to throw lots of baits until we can figure out the new pattern. Do bass remember being caught on the same lure? - Older ones are supposed to remember. Uncle Homer Circle says that older bass would back off and hide when they heard a trolling motor. Younger ones seem not to remember anything. Natural or unique? - Depends on the pattern. Water clarity will also be your guide as to throwing natural looking lures or going for the bright yellows, pinks and blacks. Clear water you throw natural. Stained to muddy you brighten up your baits so the bass can see them after being called by the baits pulses or action. Presenting your baits. - Confidence. It boils down to confidence in your baits and techniques. I can be hard headed and not want to throw anything other than a shaky head even though I am not getting any bites. I have confidence in shaky head presentations. There are time when I will throw a buzzbait too long. Or think a RICO is the magic pill. And then throwing only a sexy shad colored crankbait and not changing the color or lip style. And I throw a 1/2 ounce jig and pig. Nothing smaller or larger. You throw what you think will work. It boils down to confidence. The answer to your question lies with the Bait Monkey. He loves you and all of us. That is why we have so many baits that it is mind-blowing. I probably can clear 150 pounds of plastics without any problem. We have no idea what will work until we get on the water but we want to be ready for the pattern of the day and hour. Now go out there in Bama land where the weather is positive for bass fishing and catch some for us up here in the north. Show us the pictures!!!!!!

I like the old Larew Salt Craw. The thing falls slow and holds up well. Some local guys have one called the HI def craw that really looks good. They are a hand painted soft bait and they have designed a jig head just to rig with them . I haven't had a lot of time with them yet but they look promising.

Do you fish them more ? I catch more on the Texas rigged craw these days because I fish them more .

Catt nailed it for me too. You get a bigger profile and different rate of fall (rof) with a jig versus a plain plastic craw. I also like to fish the craw with lighter weights. A small plastic craw on a light slider head catches me some really nice fish every year.

If the spinning gear is working well for you, why do you want to switch to a BC to throw the shad raps?