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Cold, high water; cloudy and windy. For some reason known only to them, the bass wanted the Hybrid Hunter Jr today. Three nice fish! Then hands on coffee...

Had about 30 turkeys on my back hill unknowingly volunteering for Thanksgiving dinner. 😆

I see your point, but you’re a more versatile angler than I am. The waters we fish for the most part couldn’t be more different. It’s not broke so we both don’t need to fix it Mike

Me too ! A-Jay

I know many of you are getting snow, so I’m not going to complain about 43° this morning. It did warm up later (74° now). But it was slow. Started promising with a 3 lb’er on a Zoom Trick Magnum, but nothing for almost two hours after that until I caught a 1.5 lb. bass on a Rage Bug on a 3/0 EWG TR. That poor bass! Its jaw had been ripped bad previously. Still looked healthy overall but that had to hurt! Caught a dink after that one and that was it.

I'd assume you're looking for flat sided cranks. Rapala OG Tiny 4 and SPRO Little Jon 50 both meet your needs and are proven winners. The Little Jons come in silent and rattles. I can't recall if my Tiny 4s are silent, but they're quiet either way I don't fish loud cranks that often. 6th Sense Crush 75x does as well, and there's just something magical about that bait when it comes to generating big fish bites. The 75x has a really quiet rattle. The rattle on this bait and a DT10 is exactly what I want in terms of noise so maybe somebody else can give better advice on really loud baits. So many great squarebills, but those three cover a huge swath of category. The Tiny 4 is more finessey, while the Crush 75x is a real power fishing squarebill just in a flat side almost silent package. The Little Jon 50 is a banger of a bait as it's a tiny little package that weighs 1/2oz and has a weight transfer system to boot.....exceptionally well casting crank!

You can tell by the sky in the background that I was out today as a decent front was working its way into the area. It completely moved out the shad from the areas I was fishing a couple days back, and subsequently, many of the bass. I did find a couple in some shallower areas upriver, so it wasn’t a complete shutout…and the high hit 70, which is nearly 20 degrees warmer than the next couple days are supposed to be. Maybe we'll finally drop water temps into the 50s which I think would help the bite.

I went through every one of my trip reports and added all the bass I caught this year. My 2024 total is 2,044. Now, I know a few BR members might sniff at my total, as I caught a LOT of 2.5 to 3.0-pounders (I also caught my PB and several 20-pound bags.) One of the BR gang once posted that he'd rather catch no bass than three-pounders, but I don't feel that way and here's why: There's a TV show called "The Good Place," which is Heaven, and when the main characters finally reach Heaven, they find it's filled with bored people and desperate angels, for the angels have run out of ideas to amuse Heaven's inhabitants because Heaven's inhabitants have seen, done, and tasted everything again and again and again. No three-pound bass will amuse them. Nor forty-pound bass. Nor 4,000-pound bass. They've been there and done that ad nauseam. I'm not there, probably because I know I'll die and I only get to dance with bass for a few more years. So, I'm grateful for all of them. As an old fishing pal once said, "They're all good." Here are the per trip totals, with a few dates here and there: 1, 3, 2, 11, 3 (including my PB on April 17th!), 14, 6, 13, 15, 11, 18, 23, 37 (May 13th), 75, 42, 47, 39, 40, 45, 26, 28, 31, 37, 52 (June 2nd), 28, 56, 38, 55, 45, 10, 19, 34, 39, 36, 36, 49 (July 5th), 27, 24, 49, 9, 21, 40, 26, 57, 15, 8, 9, 25, 17, 9, 17, 26, 18 (Aug. 18th), 25, 14, 9, 26, 9, 11, 20, 20, 22, 5, 9, 9, 4, 25, 20, 6, 35, 4, 70, 24, 8, 9, 25, 20 (Oct. 3rd), 22, 19, 52, 15, 27, 20, 19, 58, 5, 12 (Nov. 1st) A lot of my single-digit totals later in the year were me scooting down to fish my pond for an hour or an hour and a half in the evening. My best day for quantity with quality was my 58-bass day, in bold font, three trips from the end. That day might have been my first 25-pound bag. Here are three of them from that morning. Clearly, I thrill to catching bigger bass too: Yeah, it's the good life and I'm grateful.

Somewhere in there is my bride holding her 13th muskie of the year. She's a trooper. It was low to mid 40's today and blowing 10-15. She bundled up, came along, and whooped me 1-0. It's only 33" but it's a fat fall chunk. She caught it on the rig, fishing an outside weed edge in 12'.

2009? Is that a typo? Maybe I’m misunderstanding your point. Perhaps you mean as a company, their entire lineup of all rods offered are technique specific? Dobyn’s started in 2009, but technique specific rods had been around long before then. Anybody remember this 1990 lineup of application specific rod lines?

I have a Megabass Great Hunting Huntsman BFS taste, but have an Aliexpress BFS budget.💯👍 I've been eyeing the Aioushi drop handle glass rod since getting my 23 Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS reel beginning of this year. Yes the Calcutta Conquest is a lower profile round reel than say an old Abu Garcia 4601. I've used my Calcutta Conquest BFS reel on my other rods and it sits good on the reel seats of other BFS rods I own and palms good. The Aioushi glass rod has intrigued me for some time and finally pulled the trigger during the 11/11 Aliexpress sale. I received the Aioushi glass rod today and surprised how well crafted this rod is. The reel handle is real wood and the drop reel seat is quite artistic. It has a 14mm drop for the reel seat and is 1.45m(4.8') assembled length. It is 5 sections fiberglass rod and when broken down it is 39cm(1.3') length. It comes with a nice, sturdy rod case. Lure weight is 1 to 5g(1/32 to 3/16 oz). For a CDM glass rod, this is very nice! It's a beautiful glass rod with avocado green glass blank. Nice contrast to the dark gray reel seat. The glass rod blank is quite straight and the guides are perfect, when all 5 parts aligned assembled. I mounted my Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS reel on the Aioushi rod and the reel feels low profile to me. Also tried my Loongze Airlite B101 BFS reel and Ifishband Tender Shoot round BFS reel. All 3 round reels feels low profile on the drop reel seat while the Tender Shoot being a bit taller in feel. The Tender Shoot height reminds me of the Abu Garcia 4601 round reel in feel. The Airlite B101 is the lightest round reel I own and it feels small on the Aioushi rod. All 3 BFS round reels paired with the Aioushi glass rod look stunning and has a premium look to me. I reckon the Megabass Great Hunting Huntsman with its raised handle grip will give the same effect as a round BFS reel sits lower when palming the reel. Looking forward trying the Aioushi glass rod with the Calcutta Conquest BFS mounted tomorrow for its maiden casting session.🎣💯 Man, have I ever gone deep down the BFS rabbit hole!🐇🕳😲😳

I'm all set on a rod, will build a Rainshadow walleye spin blank into the casting rod, 7 ' 2" ML, ModFast. A friend uses that one and loves it.

I will say as far as I’m concerned this guy is one of the most versatile anglers I’ve seen post on here. It’s not to say there aren’t others but good gravy @A-Jay has posted some killer pics of multiple species over my time being on here so I would definitely listen to and heed his advice.

The joint is the most sensitive part so yes it definitely helps to feel any line movement or vibration As @WRB Mentioned when reel setting the grip doesn’t move using a reel sweep to hit her. When I set in a move vertical angle say when flipping or pitching I just move my finger off the line which takes less than a fraction of second while setting. I just wrap the finger underneath to finishing palming it. My thumb is always on the spool throughout the process Mike

Oh Boy - @LrgmouthShad What about the SK Hybrid Hunter ? Comes in a 'shallow' and Jr. versions as well. I played around with all of them this summer. Caught a few fish too. Easily The Shallowest Running, FULL size crankbait I've ever fished. In some situations it was actually running TOO shallow if you can believe that. The Rattle version is a Loud. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Hybrid_Hunter_Crankbait/descpage-SKHH.html Sort of a funky looking bait and I'm pretty sure SK copied that bill design from 6th Sense fishing's baits that were out a few years back. Either way it sounds like what you're looking for. btw - for LMB, I'd stay with the full size bait linked above. A-Jay

Two incredible fish, congrats @Dwight Hottle and @AlabamaSpothunter For me, today was a dinkfest. Biggest went 2.47lb and choked the H2OX lipless deep, got her in the gill so no glamour shot, just got her unhooked, got her in the water to make sure the bleeding was stopping, quick weight then release. Got a couple of small ones on the 1/2 oz MiniMax. Have some 3.5" Spunk Shads and 3" Zakos in transit to pair with these, but made due with cutting down a Zoom Fluke, seemed to work just fine. Missed quite a few bites on it, but I think the smaller profile was just attracting more tilapia strikes than usual. I'm starting to see more shad balled up on the surface, which is a good sign of things to come hopefully.

Magnificent and scary looking fish Dwight! Fish like that remind me why every day I don't wake up as a Bluegill is a good day 😆 Finally got an Elephant to eat my favorite little peanut bait, the Flashback Mini.

Out yesterday for one last time on the kayak with a few friends. We caught around 10-12 fish with the majority being on shallow cranks and a handful on finesse swimbaits. Water temperature was 54-56, not a bad day for mid November in Ohio, they were definitely feeding heavily. Biggest fish for me was 3.30 caught on a flat side crank bait right off a submerged laydown.

Couple football jig fish from the last time out.

Similar to my NC July Fishing thread, here is the winter edition. Once again, I’ll be headed to NC to be with family over the holidays. My family knows I am quite enthusiastic about fishing around Christmas and New Year’s. This year, my expectations might be a little too high. I am bringing my electronics with me and installing on a kayak that the family keeps there. In the summer, I bounced around to a lot of lakes. This winter, I plan on focusing on just a couple in vicinity of @Pat Brown. I’ll be tempted to make it out to Badin and I might make a trip, but for the most part I plan on fishing around Greensboro. Hopefully I get to see @Pat Brown, Jake, and @FishTax again. I’ll revisit this thread as it gets closer to my leave. As you can see, I am already planning a few things for the trip. Stay tuned….

Thanks! Speaking of seeing her again; I need to go back through my pics and see how many times I've caught the same fish. Last night I was watching the latest Working Class Zero vid on YouTube, Mike Gilbert was talking about how he's caught the same fish years apart. He figured it out because he went back through his pics and saw identical markings on fish catches. At this point, I've caught enough big fish outta this one-acre pond that I HAVE to be catching the same few over and over again--there just can't be that many 4+ pound fish in this tiny body of water! I'm actually looking forward to finding some re-catches, I'll definitely post here if I do!

See my post today in the Latest Catch thread

To that I would add the rod is very important for me. I didn't grow up using casting reels with no brakes. Was 61 before buying my first low profile reel. Had purchased an Ambassadeur 5001C many years before that, but knew no one using a baitcast reel. Don't think computers were even a thing back then much less youtube. BTW, the 5001C casts great now.

😱 Yeah, that one’s OK. Not as big as all the ones I lose though. 🤣

How do YOU fish a worm?

Hybrid Hunter and Hybrid Hunter Jr all the way! I love fishing that bait.

SPRO's site has some really nice sales if you look around. I just copy/pasted what I have in my cart just to give you an idea. Never fished the new Outsider cranks, but they're regular $22 baits. Quantity1 ARUKU SHAD 65 ARUKU SHAD 65 WILD SHINER 1 $4.50 Quantity1 ARUKU SHAD 65 ARUKU SHAD 65 PERCH 1 $4.50 Quantity1 RkCRAWLER MD 55 MEDIUM DIVER RkCRAWLER MD 55 SPRING CRAW 1 $3.90 Quantity1 RkCRAWLER MD 55 MEDIUM DIVER RkCRAWLER MD 55 GOBY 1 $3.90 Quantity1 RkCRAWLER 50 RkCRAWLER 50 RED BUG 1 $3.90 Quantity1 RkCRAWLER 50 RKCRAWLER 50 GOBY 1 $3.90 Quantity1 OUTSIDER CRANK SR 55 DIRTY GIZZARD 1 $6.60 Quantity1 OUTSIDER CRANK MR 60 PHANTOM BLUE GILL 1 $6.60 Quantity1 OUTSIDER CRANK MR 60 DIRTY GIZZARD 1 $6.60 Quantity1 OUTSIDER CRANK SR 55 SUPER SPRING CRAW 1 $6.60 Quantity1 OUTSIDER CRANK SR 55 BONE ABALONE (ABALONE SPECIAL) 1 $8.10

Mick, I don't know what reels you own, but it might be a simple matter of buying an aftermarket finesse spool for one of them. Daiwa reels in particular have offerings from alternative suppliers. Daiwa also offers finesse spools, but they usually cost more. I've barely looked at spools for Shimano reels, but the ones I looked at cost more than I paid for some of the reels that the spool would be going into.

burn it, stroke it, slow roll it, yo yo it, pop it off the bottom, wake it. About the only thing I won't do with one is dead stick it, oh and let it sit on the deck all day. If I have one tied on when I leave the launch, it's gonna get used.

At the end of the day, it’s personal preference in regards to what actions/powers you use for your rods. With that said, most of my rods are medium heavy/fast as well. if I was a professional fisherman I would probably be more picky, but for what I do it works for me.

Not exactly sure because I don't what everyone else fishes. I do know I do not fish MH/F rods for everything. Seems like having only a BF hammer in my tools box and that's it. Might be fun but some chits getting busted up too. 🤓 A-Jay

I use MH/F or XF rods for everything also except the big stick. The action of almost all of them is just a little different depending on the manufacturer and length. I specifically buy them that way. (All casting, don’t use spinning) Just because they say what they are doesn’t mean they’re all the same. Mike

I’ll start this off by saying different situations mean different set ups. For instance I fish small and I emphasize “small” retention ponds that I could probably get by with nothing more than light to medium spinning gear but I really enjoy throwing bait casting gear so therefore I use bait casting gear that’s appropriate for my situation. As for the bait casting gear I use I use everything from medium light to heavy depending on what lures im throwing and I’ve caught them on all my gear so I guess I’m of no help.

@F14A-B they also make shrink tube grip with different patterns https://www.amazon.com/stores/Accering/page/4EF858D8-F48B-4F40-AA58-BA2F71F8B1BA Here's fish-scale pattern on my 8' surf-lure rod

Yep over the tip of my index finger and under the tip of my thumb holding the rod with the remaining 3 fingers in front of the reel. Finger tip feels the line movements better then any rod can. No reason to move my rod grip to hook set because I use the reel to set hooks and a firm rod sweep to finish the hook set it’s faster moves more line plus puts more force to the hook. Tom

I have Hummingbird MEGA Live. Don't buy Hummingbird MEGA Live.

Here's a nice addition to the Rebel collection! It in near mint condition considering it's 50 + years old.

Today, my family and I had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremony of the 147th Michigan State Police recruitment class which included our niece’s future husband. We’re pretty proud of that kid.

Caught a nice one fishing the Kissimmee chain.

I've been picking up a few green fish on the rig lately while fishing for the toothy critters that eat them. No big's. Most are about this size. Figgered I might should post one in an effort to keep my BR membership in good standing. It's been awhile since I posted any bass. 😁

There's my problem -- I'm a little too employed this time of year. I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever fished in November, other than a random 1/2 hour walking the riverbank on the way home. Weather has been pretty cooperative -- I could still be out on kayak regularly this month if I had time. Alas... Best I can do is a pumpkinseed:

We talking about bait casters! Tom

I hold pretty much the same way except going by your picture, my wrist would be shifted a little lower to bring my index finger up under the line Mike

A Lil John tuned just right is hard to beat. They are silent but did just come out with a rattle version. However I fish the silent and rarely have visibility over a foot. Lot of great options. Bill Lewis ATV, LC 1.5, Frittside, ott’s Rapalas, etc

I run the line over my finger. It certainly doesn't hurt detecting strikes and the way I palm a reel it's almost natural to do so.

Can't go wrong with the Lucky Craft LC 1.5, comes in multitudinous colors (125). Has standard rattle and drs versions too, drs is deep rattle sound, more like a clackin or knocker sound. Great all around squarebill.

Ark has a small one that dives shallow. Strike King has the Hybrid Hunter JR. 13 Fishing Warthog 60. These are good around wood and grass, dont dive farther than 4ft. Have some really good colors too. Theres a ton of others though from Berkley and Strike King that i also have but cant remember their names since i dont use them.

I’ve always put the line in the first joint, it’s much more sensitive that a finger pad Mike

2024 has been a pretty good year for me. I got a nice smallie at 6-12 & a largemouth at 9-6 but no PB's. Jerk baits & swim baits worked best for me.

Second order showed up. Some 4.5 Spunk Shads and some 3.5s for the MiniMax. Some 2.0 and 1.5 decoy snaps for the chatterbaits, and some more Thunderhawk Sergeant lipless cranks in a new shad pattern, 3 in the 3/4 oz rattling version and 2 in the 1/2 oz silent version.