Crestliner2008

For Senko/bobber fishing, I'd recommend a size #1 circle hook, but it's got to be an "IN LINE" circle hook to be effective in lip hooking any fish you catch. The "off-set" circles hook just as many bass deep as any other kind of hook. For other bait applications, I'd still go with the circles, but here a smaller, off-set circle is fine (mainly because few if any hook mfgr's make a small in-line circle). I use #6 or #4 with the kids.

I can guarantee that it is a very effective presentation - under a slip bobber - so that you can regulate the depth of the bait. It also helps if there is a slight chop on the water. Can't tell you how many smallmouth, largemouth, salmon, lake trout and rainbow trout I've taken on this rigging. Under FAQ's I posted my method and reasoning behind the rigging.

I have 5 grandkids and have started them a bit differently based on what species they were most likely to catch on the pond I take them to. First and foremost is "action". They need to be constantly "bit", if their attention span will last. So, my first choice is a 1/16 oz. marabou jig suspended under a bobber a couple of feet. You'd probably have to do the casting as a bobber is not the easiest thing to cast for a youngster. If there are numerous bass of various sizes, then I'd highly recommend a wacky rigged 4" Senko - again.....UNDER a bobber. You'd be amazed at how effective bobbering a Senko can be.

It does happen, no doubt. However, tossing swimbaits is still not a high percentage presentation, in my opinion. Besides, the older I get the more enjoyment I get out of catching decent bass on lighter tackle. But that's just me.

I've been doing this for years, mainly on blade baits like the Silver Buddy. We drift jig for smallmouths and lake trout here on a deep, clear water reservoir. Started out loosing maybe a half dozen blades each day when jigging 25' down to 65' of water. This predicated my switch to single hooks. I started out using 1/0 Siwash hooks, 2 on each lure. Snagging was reduced until I switched to only one siwash on the rear hanger. Now I loose maybe one to three blades each trip. So...I've made another switch. Now I'm using the VMC In Line Single hook. What this does is to keep the point more inline with the center of the bait, as opposed to off to one side or the other with the siwash. This "In Line" feature has the eye of the hook in line with the main shaft, not 90 degrees off as with all other hooks. This will be my first season with this arrangement and so far, I am impressed. I will now post pictures, in succession, to these modifications, followed by some of the fish I've caught on them. Usually I would post a picture, then write an explanation, then post another picture. But this new format prevents me from doing that, so here are the pictures. The first is with the Siwash hook and the second is with the In Line hook. Unfortunately, these posts only allow two pictures, or I'd have included some of the fish I've successfully caught with these modifications. That being said, one other caveat I've incorporated which is that all my barbs on all my lures (trebles included) are crushed down. This reduces the injury to the fish, as well as the fisherman. Finally, I just want to say that barbless hooks (which I've been using for over a decade now, have not caused me to loose many fish. After I hit the "submit" button, it reversed the sequence on me!??? Anyway, the first is now the In Line and the second is the Siwash! This is very aggravating in trying to post here any more! Disappointing to say the least!

VMC makes a version of their "Spin Shot" hooks with a regular EWG offset worm hook. If you use pencil type weights and these hooks (Texas rigging the worm) you shouldn't have much difficulty with snagging. However, you will have to "set" the hook harder than you normally would with a standard DS hook. I'm not a fan of the standard Spin-Shots for regular DS use. I've lost way too many fish on them. The EWG Tx rigging might just help you out in this situation.

I like drop shotting tubes for smallies. I plug the hole with a small section of compressible ear plugs. They expand and actually flare the skirt. Works well.

What species? What kind of lake? Water clarity? Water temp? Forage base? Need more information.

Welcome aboard! You've found the finest fishing forum for pure, unadulterated knowledge on the subject, that you will ever find.

The older I get, the more I learn about what I don't know.

You know, I hope, that you can bend and re-cup those lips to create various actions and sounds. Give it a try, but only the new one! Save the old one as is. Both are very reliable fish takers.

Hands down, I've caught more smallies on Roboworms than all other plastics combined. Maybe it's because of the level of confidence they give me when fishing them. However, I've not found any plastic, used with a DS, is not awesomely effective. When I first started using the ds over a dozen years ago, I use to constantly "jiggle" the bejesus out of the rod tip, in my attempts to keep the worm moving. Since then I've learned a lot more about the ds technique and what it can do. These days, I drop the weight to the bottom, set a level of tenstion (which insures me the bait is adequately off the bottom) and just hold it still. This is much more friendly to my old shoulders and is extremely effective. There are plenty of water currents - especially down 25'+. Those currents keep the bait active enough to maintain the subtle movements which provoke the best strikes. JMO!

Depends on the water temperature. Right after ice-out, I'll be twitching and letting it rest for as much as I can stand! Which is usually less than 30 seconds. As the water warms, I increase the tempo slowly. By the first of summer, I'm starting a more regular cadence. But again, this is predicated upon the the mood of the fish.....not the fisherman!

Being able to handle any gun requires training, discipline and lots & lots of range work. We're not talking about a .22 rimfire here, but rather the very expensive high powered rounds of .44 mag. and up. Unless you are big 16 yo, I'd have reservations as to whether or not you could actually be able to handle such a weapon under extremely stressful situations. To become proficient enough to use such a large weapon in close quarter combat with an angry bear (and I'm talking about black bears in your neck of the woods), will require a extraordinary amount of preparation and dedication on your part. All that being said, the black is not a bear to fool with. Much more aggressive than most journalism makes them out to be. If they decide to come at you, you will need to fight with every ounce of will power you have and with any weapon available to you. Unlike the griz or brown bear, they will never leave you alone after the initial attack. Study their habits and tendencies so that you can be more proactive in avoiding a confrontation with them in the first place. Be safe out there!

Awesome! Keep up the good work.

Excellent! Love those big perch.

Can't wait to see the picture! Sounds like a winner.

Simple cast & retrieve slowly, just enough to keep the tail action going.

All I can say is that I've caught more fish - of all species - on a 3" curly tailed worm & 1/8 oz. ball head jig - than anything else in my arsenal. Followed closely by a 4" Senko rigged any way you like.

No matter how you slice it.....that is one heck of a bass!

Yes. As long as the cover doesn't present a lot snagging hazards, you'll be fine. I regularly catch a lot of 3 - 4 lb. bass and/or northern pike while crappie fishing. I use nothing but 2# test Fireline Crystal with a 6' length of 4# test fluorocarbon. All my barbs are crushed down as well. Have lost very few in the course of many decades. Also, try cranking your drag ALL the way down - TIGHT. And back reel. You'll be surprised at how effective this method of fighting big fish on light line can be. Assuming of course, that you are using spinning gear!

I'll say 18.25 pounds....without a doubt.

That reel is nice find. Do a google search on the Shakespeare reel, I'm sure you'll find some good information. That was a fly fishing reel that I believe was spring loaded. I use to use one just like it many, many years ago.

Thanks for the replies guys. Going to try some things this weekend.

When posting a new topic, how do you post pictures in places you want them to appear, amongst the text? i.e.: You write a paragraph and want to post a picture underneath it.....the write another paragraph and want to post a different picture after that paragraph. And so forth. As it appears to stand now, you write a paragraph and click on "choose files" below. Then you have no idea where that picture will appear in the post. Is there a way of controlling that? Thanks!