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Had a great day at Clear Lake today! This girl was caught in about 8 ft of water. Gear used was a G Loomis Conquest 843S , Shimano Stella Fi 2500 with 20lb Vicious No Fade Braid and 12 LB Tatsu leader and a owner #1 wacky hook. This was the 3rd fish caught on this combo. She took off when I set the hook and peeled off drag pretty good. I knew I had a good fish on, but was surprised at her size when I got her to the boat. Took a couple of pictures and put her into the live well for awhile so we could go find someone with a scale. I didn't have one in the boat! Found another angler with a digital scale, took 2 weight readings and took her back to where she was caught and released her . She swam of immediately.

Same here. What I have witnessed is overpopulation and stunted growth. Bag limits are in place for a reason. I have no problem with someone keeping a legally caught fish for the frying pan.

Northern Alabama or East Texas would be your best bet. Reservoirs like Guntersville, Sam Rayburn, and Toledo Bend have tournaments on them almost every day!

It has been a while since I've done any catfishing on the river. I'm thinking maybe my box had some water in it when I put it away?

my other boat: 2003 Xpress H51 / Mercury 25hp 2 stroke (with 20hp stickers for limited hp lakes) before: after:

As long as people follow the rules i have no problem with people eating bass if they wish. Many times this can be helpful to fisheries. People who love to eat 20" pike are my heroes.

It's probably more like catch & release in big lakes & fisheries but take your limit of fish under 15" in ponds & small lakes where stunted fish are prevalent. Nature has a natural balance but smaller bodies of water most often need angler help to keep from getting out of wack. If an angler wants to keep a limit to eat that is their prerogative.

I probably release my bass about 2/3's of the time, but Fresh fish is just to tasty to not eat at least some of the time.

I'm 33 yrs old and have yet to witness a bass population drop, I guess I'm lucky enough to live in a good area.

1/3 tensile strength is generally accepted. The rest is math. 17/3 ~ 6. 25/3 ~ 8. A gallon of water is a little more than 8 lbs. Tom's point is the math and physics says you're wrong, but if it's working for you, there's no reason not to continue. Personally, I do not think a short leader makes a difference. I use a brightly colored frog. If I can't see the frog, then it's in the bass's mouth, and I see no reason to hold back on the hook set. This has been 99.99999999% true for me. There was one tournament where I and my partner both witnessed bass grabbing our frogs by the legs skirts. This was very unusual behavior. We switch to Scum Frogs, which solved the issue.

New project time!

Five pounder using a menace

I don't know why this makes me laugh - but it does. A-Jay

I spend my time bank fishing and one thing I have learned is don't give up on the cast and always fish the lure all the way in. I see too many people that I fish with start ripping the lure back in when it's 15 feet or so from shore. Today was a good example. We fished a really murky lagoon. Visibility maybe a foot at most. So I tried some noisy baits like chatterbaits, buzzbaits, and whopper ploppers. Nothing. Switched from darker colors to lighter colors. Nothing. Tried a frog. Tried a jig. Tried a Senko. Zip. Zilch. Nada. One hour in and not a strike. Next was a KVD white and grey spinnerbait. I started my fan casting pattern with a few casts progressively further from each shoreline and still nothing. So next I tossed it deep and fished it in. The sun was in front of me so my shadow was not on the water. When the spinnerbait got about 2 feet out I saw the great beast glide out of the murky depths and it hit the bait 18 inches from shore. He hit it enough and I reacted enough that with my rod tip already down I just slid him onto the bank. OK, it wasn't exactly a great beast but it weighed in at 5.6 pounds and that's a good size for our area. Although - last week I was showed pictures of a 12 pounder and two 7 pounders taken near my father's house nearby. I'll be fishing there this weekend. So the moral of the story is if you're bank fishing, never give up on your retrieve. Fish it all the way to the bank. That should be a no brainer because we know bass feed in close, but sometimes - especially when the fishing is slow - we forget. T

If I can tie an Alberto Knot, anyone can. I've been dreading tying knots this year do to the numbness in my fingers. Finally, I got to the point where I had to start getting my gear ready for use. After a fairly successful Arbor knot, I got spooled up with 40lb Power Pro on a 30 size spinning reel. I decided to use a 10 lb Copoly leader. Due to some medical challenges I have a very shakey left hand and tingling in my fingers. I also wear progressives so I can see up close and at distance. I tried the Alberto 3 or 4 times and was getting the lines mixed up. Then I decided to try a double uni knot. Just one side of it seemed even harder to hold and control, so I went back to the Alberto. I got it after 2 more tries. My process was ugly, but the result looks good. I think I would cut my fingers if I pulled the knot any harder. I'm anxious to try it out when my schedule allows. For anyone dreading their first attempt at attaching a leader to braid, I highly recommend the Alberto Knot. From google I used a couple animated examples to understand how the knot went together, then I watched a couple you tube videos for ideas on how to hold the line while tying the knot. Conceptually, the Alberto knot is fairly easy to understand, and with minimal experience it should be easy to tie at a workbench. Tying in by the water would take more practice. So, if I can tie an Alberto not, so can you

here is another token spot pic amongst the fat largemouth ones. she almost made 18”. caught 16 today on Lake Norman and once again the wind was kicking some serious butt. lots more bass boats out there too. that had most of them trying to hide from it and some creeks got crowded. i gotta admit, it blew me off some of my favorite spots too. secondary points, in some fishable wind, was the ticket though and lots of guys were just riding by them ?

Most biologist agree selective harvesting is better than catch & release!

This classic showed up today and it came with the ZPI GP-R spool!

Lots of questionable statements floating around in this thread. But to your point, shock loading is one of the biggest reasons for using 65 lb. braid. Anyone who has cast a bait on braid that the spool locked up for whatever reason and sent the bait flying off into oblivion can attest to this. It's a little bigger problem in punching/flipping scenarios than frogging, but similar enough. You don't break 50# braid often, but it does happen, which is why most pros moved up to 65# which has become somewhat of the standard. Braided lines are very funny creatures. Braided lines DO stretch...usually around 3-4%, but that's minimal compared to other line types. But forces increase quit rapidly because of this. Braid has horrible knot strength, and increased impact/force on knots can heat them up and cause them to fail prematurely ([braid] due to lower melting points). Add in things like line twist, braiding pattern, individual fiber diameter and condition, number of fibers per strand, etc., and there's no telling the exact strength of your braid line at any given moment. Most times these factors never come into play because most people rarely exert such forces on their lines due to drag, etc., but punching/frogging applications push more toward the extremes. Also, rods break at a lot more strength than you might think. They seem like delicate creatures, but properly loaded, most freshwater bass rods break in the 20-45# range. Material composition plays a big role here, as does how that force is applied. I've seen test data that shows Ugly Sticks surviving more than 55# pounds of force without breaking. Bottom line, as always - use what works for you and your style of fishing and brand of equipment.

I prefer to use paneling nails, they have the little ridge to hold them in place, cheap, & can be bought in bulk. Texas Rig a Trick Worm with a 3/0 hook & a 3/4-1" nail in the tail, it'll fall horizontally.

Buckle up, for safety's sake.

I just color the inside of my glasses with the marker. That way my line always looks dark. A-Jay

Had one of the large companies approach me at The BassMasters Classic - I told him if its not made in the USA- hit the bricks - I think I insulted him but I didnt care--When was I ever politically correct-

Depends on the season / month ~ Early Spring / April ~ it's a Jerkbait or a hairjig Late Spring / May ~ it's a Rattle bait or a hairjig Early Summer / June ~ it's a squarebill or a jig Mid Summer / July~ it's a drop shot or a jig Late Summer / August~ it's a spinnerbait or a jig Early fall / September ~ It's topwater or a jig Mid Fall / October ~ it's a swimbait or a jig Late Fall / November ~ it's a blade bait or a hairjig And we don't do winter here - casts bounce. A-Jay

I watched the video on here, and also a minute long youtube video on how to set the reel up. I already have 2 cheap black max combos i tried for bottom bouncing last year that worked great for that. The setup was the key. Wow. Awesome!!!!!!! It took all of 5-6 casts to start really throwing them well, with a little more comfort. Im good with spinning reels since Ive used them for 25 years or so, but the backlash thing got me a couple times years ago when i picked one up. Its all about the reel setup, which took about 10 seconds after i knew what to do. I just used a 1/2 oz weight, and it was almost dark so i just thumbed it when i knew it should be close to landing in the yard. I broke both wrists a couple times racing motocross years ago, and pulling heavy spinnerbaits and cranks always hurt my wrist after a while with a spinning setup. Thats one big reason for trying it, since I noticed my wirst is at a much better angle with the casting rod/reel. I dont know why Im posting this other than I am TOTALLY pumped seeing how easy it was after taking the time to set it up and try with patience. I have no idea why it was so fun, but man im glad took the time to learn. Wish i hadnt waited so long!!!

Same here. Takes way to long to do it right. To the OP try using Cremo shave crème makes the skin super slick which helps the razor glide better and less irritation.

You better strap in for a story because this is gonna be a long one. I spent the last 5 days on the northern end of Kentucky Lake. You would think that at one of the best fisheries in the world, early March would be a slugfest, but that was NOT the case. Winter pool on Kentucky Lake is 354', summer pool is 359'. Practice started at 361', and rose every day to reach 364' during the event. Had this happened in April, it would have been incredible fishing, but since it was still early and water temperatures were cool, it made fishing very difficult. I started off in practice fishing secondary points, mainly cranking rock, targeting fish that were starting to stage for prespawn, and fish that had moved in from the main lake to get out of the current, it was so strong that you could see eddies on main lake points. I caught tons of fish and it was very predictable, but they were ALL 10-13" long, super tiny. A keeper on Kentucky lake is 15". Water temperature was around 53-56 depending on where you were, my second plan of attack was to target the warmest water I could find, and flip flooded brush and trees. There would be acres of flooded forest in the backs of most creeks and pockets. I was able to access the backs of these because I was fishing in a 17' aluminum boat. I caught tons of fish, but still only tiny ones. My first full day of practice produced NO keepers . On day two of practice I did some more cranking, and still could not catch a keeper doing it. Most people I had talked to said they only got *** keeper bites day one of practice, and it was all over the place. I scrambled and scrambled, looking for any little trail of breadcrumbs but there was nothing. I finally got my first keeper bite, and it was a big ol' 5lber, flipping the exact same stuff as the day before. Not really a clue but I did my best to roll with it. I caught a 3lber later that day doing something kind of similar, and tried to expand on it the next day. Day 3 of practice was pretty similar to day two. Two keepers, one was a 5lber, both were in flooded brush/trees. One was in 6" of water, the other in 6'. The keepers were right alongside the short fish, and it seemed like you had to catch 10 or 15 shorts for every keeper. I started marking waypoints where we caught shorts, hoping that bigger fish were on their way in with the rising water. On the first tournament day, I decided I was gonna put my head down and flip the whole time. I didn't think I would get 5 bites, but if I did, I knew I'd have a nice bag of fish. The day started off pretty well, I put a keeper in the boat in the first 30 minutes, and caught several shorts. I had changed from the jig to a t-rigged D-Bomb, my friend had done well with it in the same area in practice, and it came through the hay, briars, and buck brush a lot better. Things slowed way down after that first keeper, and at 11:00, I still only had one fish. The wind had picked up and the sun was bright. I changed from a 1/4oz tungsten to a 1/2 oz and started dropping my d-bomb right in the middle of the thick stuff. I caught a skinny little 15&1/4 incher pretty quick, and that was a huge morale booster, I was glad to have him. I continued "punching" into briar patches and other crazy stuff, and I started whacking the short fish. I was going at a rate of about a fish every 5 minutes, but they were still tiny. I was yo-yoing the bait in the brush like how people fish heavy vegetation in Florida, and often times the fish would hit after the 3rd or 4th pickup. I finally pitched into a briar bush that changed my whole day. The bait turned to mush and I reared back on a solid 5lber. Boy did that feel good! It was 1:00, and I needed two more fish before my 3:00 check in. I really only had an hour, because my little boat is slow going, and the wind was blowing 20-25mph and I don't even want to guess on the gusts. We were on the protected side of the lake, but it was still NASTY when we had to cross the mouth of a creek. I started fishing new water, it was rough enough that it made more sense to just put my head down and fish than to try to run to a waypoint. 1:30 or so I put fish number 4 in the boat, about a 2 &3/4lber. Fished a little longer and headed back towards the ramp. 2:15 I'm running down the lake and realize it's not going to take as long to get back as I think, I start watching my GPS for a pocket similar to what I've been fishing, and when I see one, I head in. There are 4 boats in the small creek, but I idle past them and troll into the woods. I fished the whole back of the pocket and start working my way back out of the trees, pitching as I go. 5 minutes before I need to leave and I crack a big girl. I bet you every boat in that creek heard me when we got her in the net! She was 5 or 5.5ish. Got out of there as fast as I could and made it to check in with a few minutes to spare. After day 1 we were sitting in 11th place with 17lbs, 3oz. Day 2 was a different story. I stuck with the same approach but it was a much slower day. I knew it would be slow, and that fish would back off, but I had absolutely nothing to branch out on. I knew the conditions would be tough on everyone, and I probably only needed two or three bites to make the top 10% and qualify for the championship. A cold front rolled in and it snowed for the first half of the day, with high winds on top of that. Air temps around 40 degrees. Water temps dropped from 54 in the fronts of pockets and 56+ in the backs, to 53 in the fronts and as low as 49 in the backs. We were still plucking away at short fish but no good bites. At 11:00 I hooked a 4lber that came off just feet from the boat. Boy was that a tough pill to swallow. My next keeper bite didn't come until 1:30, about a 2.5lber that also came off. I was a wreck but I kept my head down and kept doing my thing. 2:30 and I finally stick another good fish! This one stayed pegged, and it was a good one. I grinded it out and fished til the last second but that is all I managed, and boy did I fish hard! I figured I would miss the cut by a few ounces, and those two I lost would certainly have done it for me. Low and behold that one 5lb13oz fish was enough to nab 24th place, the very last qualifying spot in the standings. In a field of 216 boats, only 7 caught a limit both days. There were 71 blanks on day one, and only 16 limits. 50 boats didn't even fish day two, and in 2 tournament days, 5 boats sank. Thankfully, everyone made it out okay, but the conditions were definitely less than ideal, I am surprised the event wasn't cancelled. I would guess that nearly every boat there had some sort of equipment malfunction due to the rough conditions on the lake, it was a mess. If you read this far I congratulate you!!! The first two photos are from practice, the tournament organization hasn't posted any photos yet but I am waiting to find the picture of my day 1 limit! This is the lonely big girl that gifted me with a championship berth!

So basically a jig. Lol.

Had a lot of luck with a neko rig last summer using a finishing nail, o ring, wacky hook, and a zoom trick worm watermelon chartreuse tail. Works well.

This week marks " Bob House" off weekend. Most lakes are still white and we are hoping for ice out in 2 weeks Memorial day is when spawn starts in the Northern area of the lake, so we are a full moon and a half away

You learned how to best use technology that is 35 years old. Now you do not like modern technology. No problem return to 35 year old technology and sell your modern gear to someone who enjoys modern equipment. Problem solved. Personally I really enjoy fishing with all 8 of my Daiwas, 7 of them are tatulas with TWS. Never have a problem with them. Before long I will have a total of 14 as I am replacing my rels one by one.

A wacky rigged worm with a nail weight in its nose is called the Neko rig. It sinks a lot different than the weighted wacky rig. on lakes that see a lot of wacky rigs it gives the fish something different to look at. While the wacky rig shimmies on the way down, the Neko rig takes a straight path to the bottom. it can be fished a lot faster when fish are active. To me its a cross between a shakyhead and a wacky rig. I use senkos, small finesse worms, and trick worms for this rig.

I just use regular 2" wood screws and prefer a senko or trick worm. Good night fishing bait when they're finicky

That's when I bought my Escape rod #2. They went on sale last year for Black Friday $150 off. Even though I am in Canada I still came out way ahead.

You're right I never came out a said it was a shad spawn bc I didn't want to jinx it but in carrice and palo gaucho both have had a small shad spawn going on also. I struggled today as I went fish further south in hope of finding a bigger bite in indian mounds and housen. Fished all day with one 16 inch fish till I pulled up to my favorite tie up spot in indian mounds. Had the whole area to myself couldn't believe it. Ended up catching 9 staging females on the old quilters rig. 3-5lbs. Set the boat in about 15-18 fow casting to about 4fow

Say baw. If I ever get a trolling motor on my boat I am going to head up there. It has been windy as hell down in S. LA lately. I can’t imagine what it has been like up there.

If you get irritation, go to these, problem solved

I us spinning gear for my inshore fishing. 10-20 lb. braid While you can catch them on bass lures like flukes, spooks, etc. I would always suggest spending a few bucks at the local tackle store to get their advice. DOA shrimp, DOA paddletails, DOA Jerkbaits, Gulp plastics, gold spoons, mirrodines, popping corks...none of those will break the bank

Go Braves !

My confidence big bass lure is a jig n pig (the real thing), numbers soft plastic worms. Tom

Ragetail swimmers,Wally world carrys them now.

Z-Man Finesse TRD in green pumpkin on a mushroom jighead. A year ago it would have been a wacky rigged Yum Dinger.

A little 1/8oz hair jig with bunny “claws”. If time allows ill throw in a second less complicated jig. Marabou, bucktail or craft fur?

1999 Ranger R91 Sport. Merc 200EFI, 25p Tempest Plus, 80lb Fortrex, Helix 7 DI on the bow, Helix 5 SI DI GPS on the console. New 6" jackplate just arrived last week. Adding it soon.

Wife and I did a little fishing Sunday at the neighbor's pond. She was able to get her first fish of the year along with several others on a little X-rap. I caught several including one decent one that about swallowed my Storm Twitch Stick. Also caught several really big crappie, the biggest being in the 15-16 inch range. Monday I went to settle the score with a lake that is usually good to me, but wasn't very nice my first trip out to it this year. It was much nicer this time, although the weather was pretty bad with a cold wind and drizzle almost all day. We caught lots of largemouth, couple smallmouth, bunch of super fat white bass, couple crappie, several trout, and several drum. My biggest bass of the day seems to know what to do with all the tiny trout they stocked in the lake a few weeks ago. She was only 18" long and 3.81 pounds with about a 10" trout in her throat/stomach, so don't think "there's no fish big enough here to fish big baits".

Here's my PA12 with a nice Bowfin I caught out of Toledo Bend!