Bankbeater

August 8, a little before 6 AM. I cast out a black jitterbug over a road bed and let it sit for about 20 seconds. When I finally engaged the reel, the bait turned toward me. That was all it took.

I do this also. I'm thinking that if they are biting at this spot then they must be biting at that spot. I usually end up coming back to the first location after I've wasted an hour or so somewhere non productive.

I get up to go fishing at the same time I get up to go to work, so for me it's not that much of a stretch. I've noticed a lot of the time around here the bass don't bite at first light. The bite will start 30 to 45 minutes later.

Thanks Glenn.

Same here. I don't think I have caught 5 bass on crankbaits this year.

Zoom for trailer and t-rigs.

A couple of years ago the bass refused to go after weightless plastic worms in a lake filled with coontail. You had to add weight to get a bite. The bass were following it down to the bottom, and when the bait stopped falling they would bite.

On some days I can hit a spot the size of a dinner plate from 60 feet away, and on other days I couldn't hit the ground if I was just dropping the bait.

I carry my water in a 2 litre soda bottle. I take it home rinse it out and reuse it. I carry my snacks in a glad bag. I put the trash back in the bag, squeeze the air out of it, and then put it back in the tackle bag.

Don't worry if you get skunked. It happens to all anglers.

Congrats on learning to fish the jig. I was told that if you can fish a t-rig then you can fish a jig, but it still took me a while to learn it.

Most of the time when I hang up a t-rig it's because the weight has gotten behind something. Try t-rigging weightless.

I use a 3/0 hook in the UV speedcraw all the time. The hook will go back toward the end of the bait body, but it will fit. The UV speedcraw is more compact. The claws are smaller.

I would start with jig or a t-rigged craw. I'd start at the top and drag it over of each of the drop offs making sure I gave it enough line so that the bait didn't swing out as it dropped. If that didn't work I would try and get as close to the bluff as possible and then cast the bait parallel to the bluff letting the bait either fall or drag it along the ledges.

That was one of the best shows. RIP.

Spiders inside the house. Outside they don't bother me. Heights, until I am sure that I won't fall. Not being able to retire.

Fishing out of a boat 4 to 7 combos. Fishing off of the bank 1 to 3 combos.

Weightless at first and see how that works. If you need to add weight start light and then increase the weight as needed.

Storm Sub Wart. I always carry it in my tackle bag in case the bass won't bite anything else. It's basically my weapon of last resort.

I've been fishing pretty close to home this season. As long as I fish from the bank I don't have any fees to pay. About the only cost I have is gas and food. Maybe $15 to $20 dollars a trip.

I don't think I would go wading in there.

It will depend on the wind and how deep I am fishing. I use 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4 most of the time unless I am punching mats.

It depends on how the bass are taking the bait. If they are slamming the bait or swimming off with it then I don't wait. I swing as soon as I feel them. I wait a few seconds to set the hook if the bass are short striking or if they are not biting hard.

Best case scenario is that I can retire late next year after my youngest has gotten her four year degree and is out on her own. Worst case is that I'll be working until I'm 65. I'm really hoping for the first option.

6" straight worm, and a Zoom Mag II.