Landis76

Hey guys. I'm trying to help a buddy scout Grand Lake for a small buddy tourney in a couple weeks. I live near KC and I've actually only seriously fished it twice so I need help to help him. Since his tourney will be mid-Oct, I'm going to suggest the typical fall pattern fishing (i.e. shallow dirty water, up the rivers, etc.) Can anyone suggest specific areas we can focus on? Thanks in adavnce

Ok, its going to be raining and overcast all weekend. About 66 deg to 80 deg. Shallows and coves are definitely safe bets and I am thinking more opaque lures with darker colors. I'm focusing on coves and secondary points in the Bucksaw area only. Just from reading the map and looking for channel swings, that areas looks to have PLENTY of good spots. Any other suggestions guys? I'm leaving early tomorrow morning to get in a day of prefishing.

Are there some good places to fish in the Baton Rouge area? It really will make the decision to move or not easier. By the way, to keep my current fishing experience in perspective, I live in KC, KS right now.

I've owed Quantum and Shimano. I bought 6 Energies a few years back when they first came out because I liked the shiny low profile. They absolutely sucked in my opinion. After a little water and dirt gathered, they ALL started to make weird grinding noises. Also the shiny coating on the PLASTIC pieces started to flake. I took them all back and bought Curados and Chonarchs. I love my Shimanos. I'll never own another Quantum. KVDs gear is not off the shelf I am quite sure. I'm sure Quantum has made the necessary upgrades to perform on a level with a better tackle manufacturer I'm willing to bet. What cracks me up is KVD is sponsored by the crappiest manufacturers that run completely counter to his image. (Nitro, Strike King, Quantum/Zebco, etc). Do you think there are some marketing geniuses out there laughing as the count all their money coming in from all of us mindless goofballs? Yeah, I bash unabashedly. 8-)

Questions I'll tag on here would be... Are the bearing kits worth it? Which sets? Wouldn't some higher end reels have as good as or better kits available already installed?

I've used 10-12lb mono for most topwater (twitch baits, poppers, buzzbats) since ever for the simple reason that mono floats, it stretches, it's easy to cast and it is cheap. However, is there any reason to use fluoro besides the invisibility? I have seen some posts out here that makes me rethink my decision. I would think it affects the action since fluoro sinks. Also, since you react so fast, I'd think no stretch would pull baits away a little faster. What do you all think?

I love Kistlers. I have a Helium flippin stick. I may look for a 7'6" Mag TS. They are reasonable in price.

Awesome. Great suggestion. I'll go to BPS and check one out.

I'm kinda just wondering about brands really. I know I need a 7'-7'6" H graphite rod. The reason why weight isn't a factor to me is because I don't spend hours with that technique and I would consider myself in pretty good shape. As long as I am not using a fiberglass rod, I'm usually ok.

All cranks 12# Spinnerbait 17# Jerkbait 12# Texas Rig 17# Carolina Rig 30# mono, 12# fluorocarbon leader Frog 50# braid Traps 12# Jig 17#

Well the question is already been asked.... Use: Mostly lures from 3/8 - 3/4 oz. frogs and such pulling through grass and pads. I'd like to get a Loomis frog rod but I just can't justify it when sensitivity and weight really isn't an issue. I was thinking Falcon but looking for other opinions.

Yep. Unless they are spooky.

A lot of times when you get short strikes, it is not because they are biting it but just trying to scare it away (As you probably already knew). On buzzbaits, I like to use a small treble hook and nip off one of the hooks and use that as a trailer hook so that the nipped end is on the bottom and thus fairly weedless. Those seem to be a little more sticky than a standard straight shank hook. MAKE SURE ALL YOUR HOOKS ARE REALLY SHARP. Drag the tips on your thumb nail and if it isn't super sticky to your nail, file it. Also, vary your retrieve. Sometimes when you get those short strikes, the bass are trying to give you the hint that they are almost ready to bite but they want a little bit different retreive. If you have a steady retreive and you get a short strike, try steady - then pause - then steady - then pause. Works really really good for me.

Yeah I am noticing that a lot of people on this topic are confused between the two. Structure = Natural shape of the bottom. (e.g. points, humps, flats, ledges, creek channels, etc.) Cover = Anything a bass can ambush from, in or around. (e.g. wood, mademade objects, grass, rocks, etc.)

Weird. Never heard of it.

What is a bowfin?

I wasn't being vague, thats all there is. The only thing I left out is that the water is stained and clear in areas that has grass on bottom. I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. I was trying to imagine what kind of grass, what kind of lake is this, is there any rock, bridges, etc., where it is, how huge is it, etc.

Well from that pretty vague description, I would try and find something unusual to pair with the pads and grass since they are so plentiful. Maybe find an area with that pads and/or grass and laydowns and standing timber. Or better yet, find a creek channel that butts up to an area with the pads and/or grass. That would be an awesome area for this time of year. Trick is, when you have a lot of the same cover everywhere, pair it with something unique. I'd use a heavy jig or pegged soft plastic to punch thru the pads and/or grass and maybe a rattle trap to work the outside edges. Sharpen your hooks man! Hope that helps.

I was hoping someone out there had some experience with ponds of their own. I would like to clean out the algae slop and plant some pads or hyacin (sp) in their place. Also, how do I set up the bass there with plentiful forage.

Good call.

My first question is.... does anyone have any tricks on replacing the rope to pull up the motor? I have had to replace this rope about once a year and it is always a pain in the arse. My second question is.... has anyone ever used something else besides that crappy rope? Sure there is something I could use that would be more durable. My third question is.... if I do need to buy the same rope, does anyone know where I can buy that rope online? I usually have to go to Cabelas which is about an hour away. Thanks!

Well, coming from you Raul, that's a real compliment!

YESTERDAY...TODAY...TOMMORROW....ANY DAY.....JUST LEARN HOW TO CATCH 'EM EVERYDAY

I think color is a confidence booster for ourselves in a lot of instances. I know there are instances where color plays a part but like the others say, it's more action and overall appearance. Bass are like school yard bullies. They don't care if you are short, tall, fat, skinny, black or white. But if you show some type of weakness, they are on you like white on rice. When I am throwing a lure, I want to make sure it looks like something vulnerable first and foremost whatever it is. Color is only a minor factor in my book.

Golden Shiner or White Perch? There is no way it is a Golden Shiner...it's not even golden. It is white though!