bassin is addicting

loading like a baitcaster Oops! That is much better advice and the way it should probably be done. Some of the newer Shimano reels are suppose to be spooled as I described, but most reels probably require spooling as Marty suggests. so "what marty said" for spinning reel also?? :-/

thanks RW.. and good tip...skillet

good job!! i too want to learn to fish a jig....but fishing from the bank...every time i have tried a jig i lose it within 5 casts.. :'(

after reading so many good things about the Yo-Zuri ultra soft... i have finally ordered some 6lb (tests out at 11.9...right RW?? ) for my spinning gear. question.. how to load it on my reel... from top or bottom of spool?? :-/ thanks..

since i fish from the bank and usually only carry one (maybe 2) poles. i started using duo locks on everything for ease of quickly changing baits... especially if i get a hit on something and want to follow up with a worm. what is your opinion on these? good....bad... :-/

i've had good luck catchin' bass with gulp jerk shad in baby bass. but get plenty of nipping from bluegill too... they pick the split tail off..

trilene xl and xt. no need for any other mono..

my local Dick's has them.... had to search for them though...

i love that bait.... never had that problem though. maybe try waiting to let them take it? i have rigged that many different ways...even crossways nose hooked with hook exposed. the action is incredible.

it's fun to read everyone's favorites... the Bass sure have an appetite that is pretty varied!! sounds lie you can't go wrong... just walk into most any fishing dept, close your eyes and pick up 5 mor 6 bags and head out.. but... here i go.. Yamamoto senko 5" pumpkin green/black flake Yamamoto 5" senko black Yamamoto double tail hula grub green pumpkin black flake Zoom u-tail worm watermelon seed Rage Anaconda 10" junebug power worm 7" & 10" black power worm 7" red shad fluke white gulp jerk shad baby bass powerbait chigger craw green pumpkin zoom chunk black/blue sweet beaver sprayed grass trick worm bubblegum Rage toad watermelon red zoom lizard black chart tail brush hog watermelon red *** stuff is just as good on all the above too IMO have fun... and after reading the answers..... the Bait Monkey has my keys and is headed to the car.... 8-)

does anyone use these? or just use EWG if not using offset worm hooks? i picked up some 5/0 skip gap Gammies on sale at Dick's. just wondered what the opinion is on these.. :-/ thanks..

thanks for the feedback... i think i'll go with a 5/0.... now.... EWG or offset worm hook??? i'll let ya know how it goes... i'm the co-angler... so my success kinda depends on how he positions the boat to give me access

I agree with everyone about the jitterbugs. That's my #1 night fishing topwater bait. I have caught some lunkers on them. X2

getting ready for a night tourney 8pm to 8am and picked up some black 10" powerbait worms. the largest hook i can find around here is a 6/0 Gammie Monster. seems very heavy gauge?? will that work? i thought i had read here were a 7/0 is best......but if all i can get is 6/0 should i be ok? i have in my arsenal... black jitterbug black cavitron black single colorado blade spinner black chatter bait any other suggestions??? thanks..

no offense takin.. i think the combo of rod and waiting may be your key. i have a couple rods that say MH but sure seem on the M side to me and i have good luck on top water.... i have learned (usually) to wait... before setting hook good luck...

if you are in "open water" maybe use something with an exposed hook? a soft bodied frog/toad...... reel to get it on top. let it work the same?? maybe even bend hooks up on the ones you are using. or put a trailer hook on if you aren't in the weed/brush and want to use a floating frog... otherwise, i agree, a MH rod to get some back bone to set hook.. the key is too wait to set hook....it is hard but imperative. and set it hard! i've had a few missles come back at me.. but if you wait til they take it under water and reel down you'll have better luck. nothin like topwater!!

senko....wacky.. i fish 95% from the bank and just seem to get hung up and lose jigs. i want to learn to fish jigs since it seems they catch more quality fish but from the bank they are more of a head ache. >

No matter whether it is a spinning reel or a baitcaster, I load the line off the top of the spool. i thought i read where it is best on a spinning reel to load from the bottom of the spool?? :-/

well... i had big plans to fish this evening...but a big storm just passed through here in southern indiana... i have never fished after a strom like we had.... what do you think?? i know... fishin' anytime is better than bein at home..

for some reason i had stuck in my head that braid was very unmanageable and needed a leader of some sort to be most effective like flouro? also, aren't there knot problems? i use an improved clinch knot 99% of time.. am i correct in that mono is not ideal for topwater? if i do get braid... what brand/test is best for a smaller spinning set up? thanks

i only own spinning reels. and have only used mono 8-10lb maybe 12lb. my reels are pretty inexpensive ($35) and of the smaller size. rods are pretty inexpensive also ($35) med to med-heavy. but i think they all really border on the lighter side since they are not very expensive. i love to fish topwater... jitterbug... and hollow frogs where there are weeds etc. but i mainly fish worms/plastics. no jigs (bank fisherman) a few cranks i know that mono probably is not the best for topwater but i don't own enough reels (4) to really "specialize" my set ups. i want to kinda keep them universal as much as possible.. i really don't think that braid is workable for my reel size either. buti have been wanting to change line type. to maybe the yo-zuri ultra soft that RW is so fond of. since i think it has less memory and would be more manageable than braid or fluoro. would that be a good choice? is there more "power/back bone" to the yo-zuri for top water application? i have also considered p-line cxx?? good thought or no? thanks in advance for your help/ideas

is it about the same as this Swarmin Hornet Head Shaker? it looks the same??

X2 on the black jitterbug!! just don't get too anxious when you get the blow-up. let her take it deep. 8-) feel her weight before you jerk the rod.

Scum frogs catch plenty of fish. A slow retrieve making twitches over heavy slop, weeds or other cover is the way to go, and then slowly twitching it and letting it sit in a pocket. The strikes are ferocious. X2 just remember to pause when you first get a strike/blow up. that is the key. don't get too anxious.

X2 on the black jitterbug. steady retrieve. don't stop reeling if they strike and don't get it. keep reelin' don't panic and jerk when you hear the explosion. you will feel the weight. black spinner single colorado blade works pretty well too. black popper and black Cavitron buzzbait also.