Darren.

Nice outing and solid catches. Awesome that he's so passionate about fishing. I notice he doesn't wear a PFD. I know it isn't required to wear, just have in the boat, but it'd sure help in a sudden accident.

Welcome aboard, Mike! Spawn is on in VA! But I have yet to get out

Welcome aboard, Paul!

Welcome aboard, Steve!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

I'd love to see Kramer do just this. Man that would be a barrel of laughs! I've not been attacked by geese yet, but I have come up on a female guarding her nest. An area I've gotten out of my kayak before on a little island to stretch the legs. I didn't know she was there, a mere 5 feet from the shore as she was fully spread out and motionless over her eggs with amazing camouflage. Didn't make a move. I backed away slowly and quietly to not disturb her further.

Nice on the PB and rattle snake avoidance! I'd also recommend a lizard, but try it wacky rigged over the bed. Yep. Wacky rigged.

I'm with @roadwarrior on this. Better fisherman, as in catch more and better bass, no, but def. makes more enjoyable. The car you drive doesn't make you a better driver, but it can sure make the journey to the destination more fun, comfy, etc. Although I will say this about casting reels. I had a miserable time with a $50 BPS combo early on. The Lexa, and Chronarchs were an order of magnitude better, and in that sense made me a much better *caster* of stuff, but did not improve my ability to catch fish, per say.

I used to use mono backing, but have gone straight braid over the past couple years. All reels have braided mainline and all reels have a leader of either Gamma Edge fluoro or Yo-Zuri Hybrid. Braid is more cost effective for me as it will last much longer, and using a leader means I cut into the mainline less when changing baits... I never worry about my knot, 100% confidence in the uni-to-uni. Can't remember last time it broke on me.

Welcome aboard, Robert!

Welcome aboard, and congrats!

I use 20# regular Power Pro on my Chronarch 50e. Caught my PB on an old Accurist that I happened to have spooled with 10# Fireline and a 10# leader....

Been in bloom since Friday here on the Peninsula. Some, not all. I've got one that's a little behind the rest. Hope to get out some time during the week.

Welcome aboard, Steve!

That is just downright nasty (what the hillbillies do, that is)!! Obviously it works great, but DANG! This whole deer carcass thing reminds me of that scene in Dances With Wolves where he finds the dead deer in the water which is supposed to be his drinking/bathing/everything water.

Gosh, I feel sorry for ya, mate. That musta been nearly unbearable. And your analogy is good, though I've never had a Bell's. I'd probably opt for some Dragon's Milk or Yeti.... Although (ducks for cover) I actually enjoy Bud Light Platinum.

Welcome aboard! I'd start you with, IMHO, the simplest setup, the wacky rig. Nearly every beginner I've helped has had great success with it. Buy some Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap hooks in size 1 or 1/0 (a little thicker and larger) and then some BPS Stick-O worms (or Senkos) in 4 1/4" or 5" (I personally have more success with the shorter). I'd recommend Watermelon Magic, Junebug, Green Pumpkin black flake, and Green pumpkin/Orange laminate (suggestions). Once you have the hook tied on your line, bend the worm in half and slide it on to the hook perpendicular to the hook. Cast it out and be patient, let it fall. It will shimmy and shake and bass, if they're there, will normally hit it on the fall. If nothing, lift your rod, reel in a bit and let it fall again...rinse and repeat. Simple, effective, and a start. As others have shown, there are *MANY* ways to fish for bass. Start simple.

First, welcome to the forums, and welcome to beautiful, YELLOW (pollen) Virginia! Are you shore-bound, or fishing from a boat/kayak? I'll be honest, I love the robo worms, and bought a bunch on A-Mart's recommendation, but they just don't produce for me here. On drop shot I have TONS of success with the Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm in Watermelon Red, and Watermelon GP laminate. Killer up on the Peninsula, but not always. Sometimes they just don't bite. The other things I recommend here are wacky rigged 4-4 1/4" Senkos or knockoffs in watermelon magic, green pumpkin/orange laminate, junebug, etc. Next would be the Ned rig, which I started fishing the past year and had some great success with numbers. Good luck, and keep us posted on what you try. There are several here that are in the VA Beach area that could give some great advice for ya, too. EDIT: I'd add that you should try some frogs and other top water lures over the lily pads, if you haven't already.

Welcome aboard!

I bought a black BPS Carbonlite 6'6" ML Fast casting rod to pair with one of my Chronarch 50e reels (now down to one). Works fantastic with weightless 4" senkos, 4.75" Zoom Finesse worms, Yamamoto Shad Shape Worms, and a great many other "lighter" baits.

Agreed. Low budget site, but quality product from reviews I've read over the years.

Welcome aboard, Merlin! Great name you share with a legendary wizard. Perhaps you will become a legendary bass wizard!

I generally do one or two arm length stretches, i.e., I grab one end with left hand, stretch arms out and grab line with right hand either once or twice.

Good question. I throw Junebug far more often than b&b, not sure why, but when I was throwing a lot of b&b I did catch some nice bass, but then that color just stopped catching. When I added JB to the mix, the catch rate has been far more consistent year-around. Totally unscientific, just my experience.