bassnleo

A 3/4 oz football jig w/ Micro Munch black/blue hydrosilk skirt. Zoom Ultra Vibe trailer. I know 3/4 may seem heavy, I like to maintain contact with the bait at all times. I can fish this bait fast like a crank or keep it in one place and barely hop it. If the fish have lock jaw then I figure I'm going to be fishing a little deeper and usually around some form of cover such as deep weeds or stumps. If I'm going to get bites then they generally will be larger fish on this jig. This past summer I fished a late summer tournament where the entire field struggled. One guy had a limit, guess who I caught over 15 keepers that day and ended up with 15 lbs, lunker of 5.58 lbs, and winning by 6 lbs. I caught everything on the above jig.....Just an example of how and why it's my go to.........

I also cast a drop shot 99% of the time. I have found that when fish are inactive I turn to fishing the rig more vertically, and shorten my leader, seems to get me a few more bites. The spoon idea is good to!

I bang my head off the bow every time I loose a fish during a tournament....that count?

What's nice about this trip is that it won't cost a bunch. I'll be rooming with roadwarrior and a friend of mine from here. Rw has figured it will only cost us around $250 for lodging (each) for the week. Rest of expense will be fuel and meals. I figure that I will be able to do this trip for $700 or under if I mize a little. I hope some others decide to join us on the trip.

Someone give me a clue? They are still going to hold Casting Kids at the Classic, yet they moved the JWC? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for anything kid oriented, but.......if we want to truely get kids fishing and shed more light on the sport of fishing, actually taking them fishing and mentoring them in that way is definatley the way to go IMHO. Sure, a casting competiton may spur interest but it is nothing like being outdoors and actually fishing.

LOL, a balmy 7 degrees.......I deer hunted for 1/2 a day today. I must have seen 500 Canadian Geese and 250 Trumpeter swans flying SOUTH. They are obviously smarter than I ;D I do like the "recharge" time.....BUT....George's pic just got my blood boilin again! Guntersville is only 4 months away!

Horrible, absolutely HORRIBLE! Yet another reason why I no longer belong to B.A.S.S. I really feel sorry for all the kids.....

I have owned 2 jons with jet drive outboards. Both of my boats were made by Lowe boats. First one was a 1652VPT, second was an 1860VPT. I would look at a Lowe Roughneck or utility jons. I currently have a Tracker Grizzly 1648 and I'm searching for a tiller jet drive o/b around 30 hp. Here's a link to a local dealer here. Basically, all he deals in are jet style boats. If you call you will get all the answers you need! www.wiegelbrothersmarine.com

Now that's really not fair! I'm lookin outside to about 6 inches of snow and temps hovering at a balmy 30.

X2 to what roadwarrior said, but I must admit, I'm a little partial. Craigs jigs are top quality and you'll be hard pressed to find a better performing skirt. They flare and act unlike any I've ever used.

Congrats man! I became a first time dad 20 months ago so I understand that some things take priority. Sorry to see your not going to Guntersville but you've obviously made the right choice. I wish you, your wife, and little one good health!

Man that's great info and just what I was looking for! As far as the grass bite, I love to rip traps and work baits over top. I also love to flip/pitch grass with soft baits, is that a decent pattern there? I know some places have good flippin bites in the grass and other have great grass and it's difficult to flip up fish. Just wondering. Also, the docks, are they shallow (say 3-5 feet) or deeper, or both LOL? Thanks for the detailed post. I just may print out your post and keep it with me! I have a big boat so running wherever on the lake is definately and option. Will travel for fish!, plus I like to roam and see as much of a lake as I can.

LMAO! I guess I was way off on that. Didn't have a package with the spelling of it nearby and thats I how I thought it was pronounced. Use New Englander's cant talk right anyhow. Good grief, I've still got tears in my eyes. Guess that's what a Bonk-U-Dong will do to ;D In all seriousness, the GULP! leeches are good also. Although I haven't used the yet, there is also some sort of GULP! minnow that also works on a drop shot from what I hear. A 4" or slim senko is a great choice to. I like to rig them wacky on the drop shot and shake the heck out of it.

I've fished large waters before, was just wondering if there was one or 2 things that really work well on this lake. The more I read the more I realize that I will be able to fish any darn way I want! It seems that late March finds fish in all stages of the spawn so the sky's the limit. Dunno bout those Senkos, Ikas, Kreatures though..... :

What is a Bong-U-Dong weight? That's hilarious man I think you mean Bakudan?

In clear water that's fairly slow moving I've done really good with a drop shot. I fish a local river that's fairly shallow but it does have some slow deeper pools, say 8-20 feet deep. I experimented alot this past summer and fall with a drop shot and caught alot of fish. In a late fall tourney, water temps of 53 degrees I whacked em while my partner struggled to get bit on a tube and jig. I know that no other anglers were using a drop shot. As far as getting hung, that's a tough one. I would try a cylinder style ds weight and maybe a 1/0 ewg hook so you can texpose the hook point into the bait. That may reduce hang-ups some but your weight may on occasion still get hung. I mainly use 4 inch worms but will also use 2 1/2 tubes or 3 inch beaver style baits. My main weight was 3/16 oz but did go up or down depending on current. A football jig (like mentioned) would also be a good choice.

Don't forget, if you go through the BPS banner on this site, I think BR gets a small kickback from BPS. Great way to support a great site.

My onboard charger is always on. It has served me well. I can't stand having weak batteries!

Nice! Defiantely picture and memory worthy!

Those are cool! I especially like the upside down kid on the trampoline ;D

The Steelers throwback uniforms were UGLY!

SW is defiantely a good place if no BPS is close. I have a SW closer to me than a BPS and often find myself making the hour drive when I'm in a pinch. I can usually find what I need there....

To the Guntersville guys...... I have a decent idea what I plan fishing come the BR trip in March. I was wondering if there is anything I should definately plan having, that "don't leave home without it" bait(s). From what I read, lipless cranks, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, lizards, may account for alot of action. Anything else one should bring for late March?

I too like football jigs for the situation you mentioned. I've been experimenting more with jigs tied on plain ball heads. They seem to work ok in shallow situations or current situations.

I treid the upper Allegheny last week. It was running high and cold and only had 1 bite. It's about time to hang it up here.