BassinMidWest

The ice is just about off the water, and I'll be running and gunning to get fishing again! So here's the scenario: Cold water (40 -50 degrees) Pre Spawn; Shallow water (4-7 feet) New years submerged grass (coon tail, and milfoil) Last year I really did well on lipless crankbaits pulled around the grass, but I feel I could have capitalized more on the good fishing by throwing a variety of other baits. Once the bite on the lipless crank slows down what do you suggest throwing? I'm thinking a jig n pig combo, square bill, slow rolled spinnerbait, suspending jerkbait, and/or scrounger head with a small fluke. Thanks, and let me know if you need anymore information!

Any yall use this line? Read a review on tackle warehouse (just one), and the guy seemed to like it pretty well. How do you think it'll do for jigs and worms? Maybe a lipless crankbait here and there as well.

Has anyone got the chance to use these new reels yet? They look like they could be good reels, but Ardent name isn't exactly one of quality. I'd really like to like these reels.

Fish don't care where you are when you got the right lure in front of them. Anything you can use in boat, will catch fish from the bank. Deep diving crankbaits are a little tricky to use, but if you can find deep enough places to use them, use them. Restricting you self to flukes and senkos will really limit your catches. Jigs and shallow cranks are actually a favorite of mine when busting the bank.

Couldn't agree more catt!! LOVE a texas rigged with a straight shank hook! Grandpa taught me way back when, and I'm still using it today, and frequently! Also why do you never see old school colors like blue and red? @ Crestliner I still have some of those from Grampa's tackle box. In my opinion they hold a worm better then a regular straight shank... wish these were still around!

Thanks for the help guys, I'll give it whirl, and see how it goes! It was not a question of "what" to use, and matching the hatch, but a question of where to find the fish.

Water temps are dropping pretty fast, and I figure the bass will soon be transitioning into their fall pattern. This year I started fishing a small flowage about 150 acres. The lake contains no shad, and no significant structure in the form of points. The most common form of cover is coon tail which gets very heavily matted in the summer. And according to my local DNR, the main forage is bluegill and crappie. Average depth is about 7 feet. The lake has some really nice fish in it... they seem to be bigger then the shad filled lakes I fish. And as any good bass angler knows fall is a great time to catch a hawg! Problem is, is I've never fished a lake in the fall without shad! Not really sure where the fish should be, and how to catch em (smaller swimbaits, and spinnerbaits are my current plan of attack!). Anyone have experience fishing similar lakes (one without shad) in the fall?

I like the good ol ECS the best for sure, and I definitely agree with you on the ACS. Not uncomfortable, and just takes a while to get used to if you've been fishing with an ECS all day.

Thanks guys. I think I'll get some to try. One thought though. It seems like sweeping the rod slowly rather then setting the hook would loose more fish that spit the thing out of there mouth before the get the actual point of the hook. But if they work, they work! No need for a reason!

Baitcasters are great for anything heavy enough to throw on em. Jigs, texas rigs, c-rigs, spinnerbaits, top waters, cranks, jerkabtis, etc. I use spinning rods only when I have to. Light rigs such as shaky heads, drop shots, and split shots rigs are better suited on a spinning rod.

First off, I think 15lb fluoro is to much for a crankbait rod. Stiffness depends on the fluoro you're using. Something like berkly 100% is pretty stiff, and IMO better suited for bottom contact baits. If you switch to 12lb Seagaur InvizX, I think you're memory problem will go away, and it'll also get you cranks deeper then the 15lb. Very good line for crankbaits, IMO! As for braid on a crankin rod, I think that unless you got a spaghetti rod, you'll end up loosing a lot of fish due to the zero stretch.

Abu garcia vendetta is the best the best budget rod out there IMO. Very good quality rod, for 80 bucks. Top end SiC guides, built on a 30 ton graphite blank. Sensitive enough to feel the fish when fishing a jig or worm, and balances very nicely with most reels. For a little more money, falcone BuCoo, and the Veritas are great!

I'd probably go with the savvy. Been using Loomis and St.croix rods for a long time. But been getting into some of the newer rods and have been pleased. Naming Falcon Bucoo, and the Garcia rods. Why? I've just heard so many good things about them, and the brand in general. Eager to try one.

I used to pitch worms and stuff all the time, but not so much any more. Used to catch fish on and everything, lol. One thing I like about pitching jigs and creatures is the compact profile. They get the whole thing in one gulp, and get the hook in there mouths pretty quickly. You don't have to sit there and let em take it. By then they could have you wrapped up in the sticks before you even set the hook. Check out the power tackle flippin stick out. Seems like a really neat idea, and just makes scene. Go to tackle warehouse and check the product video out for more info.

Wow! lol no offence man, but that's kinda pathetic. Wanting you to come home when she's hungry? lmao. I like all the suggestions folks have given though.

Thanks for the responses guys. Crestline, what the difference between a regular circle hook and an "in-line" circle hook, and what advantages do they offer?

Couldn't find the info I saw a few years ago, but found this...

Hunt more.

3/0 or 4/0 is great! 3/0 will give you a slower fall, and more of a free wiggle then a larger hook will. A larger hook will give you a faster fall so it's better when you're fishing deep water.

I saw a study a few years back done by IGFA that showed the effectiveness of circle hooks for different species for fish - Fresh and Salt water. One thing that really stood out to me was that it showed that the hook up ratio with circle hooks was not very high with largemouth. Since then I've never really used them much. I don't gut hook to many, so never really considered it a problem. But if I could eliminate gut hooking all together, that would be great. BUT... I don't want my hook up ratio to go down at all. I know you're suppose to use a slow sweep to set the hook rather then a hard jerk like you typically use. Any of yall made a switch from wide gap finesse hooks to circle hooks for your wacky rigging? Have you noticed a decrease or increase in your hook up ratio? Thanks for any help!

Sounds like it would make a good jig or worm combo. Sometimes a faster GR is preferred, not a must have. But it could be good for just about anything. Shallow cranks, spinnerbaits, small swimbaits and more. It wouldn't be my first choice for top waters (I like a M action better), but it'll do better then not throwing top water's at all!

I really like a green pumpkin trailer for a black and blue jig, mainly because the water I fish is pretty clear. I think the GP trailer looks a little more natural then a black and blue trailer. When the water gets a little stain to it, I'll use a sapphire, and black trailer. I'll switch from one to anther until I find which one they like better on any particular day.

Couldn't agree more at this point. Sims quarter backing just wasn't as good as McCarron's. To many simple mistakes were made, holding onto the ball long then you should, throwing behind the receiver on a short pass, etc. Bama's Deference is looking pretty solid, hopefully that'll hold through to the Penn State game.

Depends how cool the water is. I personally don't start fishing a pointer regularly until the water gets down into the 50's, or low 60's. When it's warmer, they'll still catch fish, but IMO there are better options out there.

Thanks for the help guys! Did a forum search and found some great stuff, thanks Bassin Blvd. I think I'll go ahead and get one of these reels and put it on a new Curcial, 7'2" MH XF. Seems like it would make an awesome jig rod!