Shad_Master

Another choice might be a pumpkin (not green pumpkin) more of an orange/brown color.

When Sweet Beavers first came out, I ordered an assortment and took 'em to my local "test pond" just to check them out. On the first cast, I felt a tug, swung and the line went sideways. I got the fish turned and he started running at me. Swung him up over the grass on the edge of the bank where I was fishing and he fell off. Got him back in the water and when to reset the hook point and it was still buried in the bait . A good endorsement for beavers.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/kentucky-becomes-second-state-bass-fishing-high-school-185906709.html

For next time - hang around the area for a while, sometimes the fish will throw the bait and it will come back to the surface - I once had one jump and throw my crank bait almost back in the boat. But that really is sad wihen you lose one like that - especially one so young

Thanks for the input guys - but I don't think we have hit on a solution yet. I do mostly "bottom baits" after the sun comes up. Siebert, can you elaborate on what you mean by "location may change"? Lund Explorer - you could be on to something, but I will have to think about it. Please everyone, keep the advice comming. Thanks.

Most of my serious fishing for the last several years has been in club tournaments. I consistently finish in the Top 10 with an occasional 2nd, 3rd, and Big Bass of the day. However, in thinking back, I have noticed a trend that I seem to get most of my fish between "blast-off" (usually around 6:00 AM) and 10:00 AM. I may catch fish throughout the day but they usually don't cull anything for me. I have fished as both a boater and a non-boater and the results have been the same, even when my partner is pullin 'em in and upgrading. Any thoughts on what could be the problem here?

I usually tell people I fish for a living but work is how I pay for it - I am a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - most of my work is on workers' compensation cases.

I use 'em to locate fish - if there are fish in the area they will bite 'em - then I switch to some other soft plastic 'cause these don't hold up and are kinda pricey.

These are probably the most awsome soft plastics this side of Senkos! I have been amazed for years that there is not more chatter about these on this forum. Last year about 80% of my catch was on these. I fish them both T-rigged (weight depends on the wind) and unweighted (if I can get away with it). Try 'em - you'l like 'em.

A few years ago the heater fan on my car started making a noise and I though it might be a bearing or the motor was just going out. As the temperatures got colder it started making more noise and so I decided to take it. Dropped off the car and got a ride to work. As I walked into the office, my message light was blinking, it was my mechanic and his question was 1) Do you have a dog? and 2) Do you leave near an open field? When I answered yes to both questions, he told me that the fan housing was completely packed with dog food. Apparently the field mice that live behind us were getting into the dog food and storing it up for winter. He poured about 2 pounds of dog food out in the trash can, I bought one of those plastic bins to store the dog food - problem solved.

It is always amazing to me that people don't understand sarcasm - the poster is great - thanks

My "home lake" gets completely grassed over in the Spring to the point that a lot of people won't fish it. About two weeks ago we had a club tournament there and the common complaint on the water was the heavy grass. I found that if I sat the boat on top of the grass where the wind couldn't blow me all over the lake and threw soft plastics on 3/8 to 1/2 oz bullet weights where they could punch through, the fish were eager to bite. Usually I just had to get the lure down but occasionally had to hop it a little to attract a bite.

I either use a grub or a swimming chunk

Several years ago, I stopped off at a road side pond while traveling on business - it was early in the year and the bank area was all sand with no footprints so I knew I was the first one to be there. I was standing on a bank that was about 6 feet up from the waterlevel just making random casts when I noticed movement off to my left. I looked and could see a little buck bass cleaning out a nest. I made a few casts to him but he just ignored me. Eventually the sun came out and I looked down to see three big bass suspended shoulder to shoulder on the edge of the bank watching him. I dangled a Senko right in front of them and they had no interest but kept watching the buck. After a while he swam over and began nudging the bigger bass and when he would do that they would turn or swim in a tight circle but appeared to give him no attention. I finally was able to hook one of the bigguns (she was 18" long) and I walked her down the bank about 50 yards to turn her loose. Came back and kept teasing the other two until one of them bit (another 18"er). Walked her down the bank about 50 yards and when I got back now there were two fish in the same spot. After a few minutes there were three again. They would stare at the buck but then would turn away when he approached them. Never did get the third one to bite and figured she would be the one to set up on the bed. This is the kind of stuff you read about, but watching it happen was priceless.

Pit Boss' absolutely suck - if you have any, send 'em to me and I'll get rid of 'em for ya

Many years and many pounds ago, I was a runner (not a good one, but it was the fad at that time). One day I heard a radio interview with these guys that were old time olympians - they were peddling the product made of "natural ingredients, etc." and they were talking about how great it was. I looked everywhere but couldn't find the stuff they were peddling but did manage to find the individual ingredients so I tried to make my own. I would come home from work, pop these supplements, change clothes and go running - I couldn't tell any difference in my running, but at 12:00 at night I was ready to wax the floors, paint the living room, etc, etc. - I was headed for exhaustion by the time I figured this out. Be careful with anything you put in your body until you have a chance to check it out.

Don't be afraid to ask some of the old-timers around the lake - most of them will be glad to share information with you if you ask the right question and your's is a good one.

Okay, I guess I'll have to give up - should have posted: What's your favorite crawdad shaped medium crankbait with silicone wihiskers - might have gotten some responses that way

Especially this time of year, Senko's work great

Both my T-rig and Weightless rigs are set up with 20 lb Power Pro and 12 lb flouro as a leader. I set my leader length at about 6'. I connect 'em with a double uni knot.

I use 'em all the time and they work great. Especially if you are setting up a C-rig out on the boat with the wind blowing. I usually use the 1/2 oz size. My C-rig is on a 6.5' Med-Heavy rod spooled with braid and with either a mono or flouro leader depending on the clarity of the water. I like to use a variety of soft plastics but find that if the cover is heavier, something like a sweet beaver works good. In the hot summer, I will go to long worm. An awsome way to catch some really nice fish.

BUMP Really? Nothing?

Has anyone had a chance to try these? My local BPS does not have any and when I asked about having them turbo'd in - the warehouse showed an inventory of minus 159 (i.e. back ordered). Are they that good or did they just underestimate the demand?

A couple of years ago, I was fishing from bank and snagged some line that was out in the water. I started pulling the line in (about 150') when I discovered that there was a bass on the other end. It was about 10" or 11" and so skinny you could feel your fingers through his belly. I looked down his mouth and he had a hook in his gullet that was all rusted around the entry. I took the hook out and tossed him back in the water. He floated around for about 20 minutes and then slowly swam off. The lesson here is that bass are hardy creatures and can take more abuse than we sometimes think.

There is no "wrong" way to fish - to learn a technique you have to try it. Always have a backp-up plan, but don't go there until you have given your first try a decent chance.