rockchalk06

I got off work at 8am, still in uniform and hit Lake Hefner on my way home. Hybrid Bass were pushing the shad inland and again top water was king. Not a bite on the Senko. Anyway, I was bringing my popper in slowly and noticed a large fin behind it. Popped it and missed the fish. What happened next was kinda freaky. There had been this water snake hanging around watching the action. He was about 3 feet from where I missed the hit. As soon as I missed, I heard some thrashing and watched something huge just suck that snake half way down. The snakes head was still above water and took off for a few feet and dissapeared. That snake had to have been well over 2-3 feet. I've never seen a snake get owned like that. I am just curious as to how big that dang fish was!!!! And why I missed the hit!

Never underestimate the ponds in housing developments. We had one in my old development that was a heaven for Bass

I'm interested in knowing this too. I just bought some Northstar Jigs so I need trailers now

Welcome. I'm originally from Kansas around the Pratt and Wichita areas. Kansas has some serious bass fishing and I miss it. This place is amazing. Again Welcome

Welcome. I'm originally from Kansas around the Pratt and Wichita areas. Kansas has some serious bass fishing and I miss it. This place is amazing. Again Welcome

West coast? I'm smack dab in the middle of gods county center of the earth

Deep! But true!

Sounds like a medium rod would suffice then. I don't go any higher than 6# on my ultra lite for the full effect. It casts smaller jigs further too. I used to run 10# on my medium spinning rod and found I could get further casts and better sensitivity by going down to #8 mono.

Thanks MD. Next payday I will have to check them out.

Another thing I do especially when its windy, is keep my thumb almost touching the spool. When. I backlash the reel I can feel it the second the lure leaves my pole. If I smash my thumb down, I still have a backlash but a very small one and not one of epic porportions.

Kinda depends. I have lost some monster fish due to ultralight rod and light line. Other than my ultralight, I only have one spinning rod. Its an Ugly Stick. I use a 6'6" MH rod. As for my bait casters all are 6'6" or 7' in medium to MH power. I do have one 6' rod just for top water as I need a smaller rod for getting around the docks trees etc but nothing under medium power and 6'. That being said, other than a small crappie jig or bettle spin all of these set ups will throw anything I can find. You need a bit more stick to fish heavy fish. Especially when it comes to hook sets. When using a heavier bait such as a spinner or crank bait that heavier rod makes for a nicer return.

That's funny cause around here its the boat guys who gripe about throw shore fisherman

Thanks for the report there. I have been dying to get out there, but the 2 hour drive has held me off. I am waiting till we get some relief in the heat before I trek out there.

Thanks for the review. I have book marked this. How do they compare in cost against the Senko

I bit the bullet and bought some Fluorocarbon. Picked up a spool of Seaguar red box 15# 12# mono diameter. Backed it up with mono. Did this to one combo that seemed to always give me fits throwing anything. After re-spooling with Fluoro not a single one???? Same lure goes 20-30 foot further without "happy gilmoreing" my cast??? So I thought what the heck, did this to all 5 of my set ups. My oldest was my first set up, a Shakespeare LX1000 on a Durango 6' rod Medium. Before you give me grief, it was X-mas gift from Dad back in 1992, so it has alot of sentimental value to me. This thing is so old and worn out, the spool tention and break has to be set to full to even think about not having a birds nest. After the Fluoro, well its now going to be used again. I averaged 2-5 backlashes per 50 casts before. I just got done trying all types of different casts underhand, backhand, overhand etc. I made appox 150 casts and not a single backlash???? Now I even have the break and spool tension set to whats its supposed to be. Does Fluorocarbon help that much? Just FYI I was using Berkley Trilene on all my set ups. 14# to 12# XL, Armor and Smooth cast. All not over spooled etc. Needless to say I cant wait for my next day off!

Yes sir! They fight like a 1-2 pound LM when they arnt but about 10". And they hit that top water like a ton of bricks

Memphis. If you want that will work having then do it. However there are about 30 videos on the web on how to. I spool with cheap mono till I have about 1/4" of spool left. Two uni knots and finish with fluorocarbon. Leaving about a 1/8" left. If that backlashes, I take off 20 yards or more of mono and retie. I've landed some big wiper way out there on a cast and never hit my uni knot.

Anyone that mocks a guy for asking any question to better prepair him self should be caught and not released

Thanks for the reply. I switched up to top water poppers and plastics. Been doing really well on the hybrids and an occasional LM. I bought and am stocked for Senkos now too. Ya with this heat 6am to 8-9ish is all you can really get.

You getting rain is more exciting than if you would have caught the state record!

Up here in central OK we had a really warm winter and the heat waves came early. Nothing is like it was last year or throw year before.

Top Water. Its my favorite

Didn't over spool did you? I had that same problem today. Took 30 yards or so off and fixed my problem

Yepper. Did it again back home in Pratt Kansas yesterday. We burried my father yesterday and my cousin and I had a few shots and fishing to remember dad by.

One of the reasons I have so many is time. For instance when the bass are hitting the shad in the heat, I have between 6am and 8am to have any luck. Switching to a different bait or presentation takes more time if I have to retying. Factor that in with catching, releasing, photos, weighing and measuring that two hours goes fast. Also each different weight of lure requires a different setting on the bait caster. I don't have 200 plus dollar rigs so sometimes mine are a pain to tune just right. Once I get a bait and weight tuned perfectly I wont change it. For me having no patients when it comes to mechanical equipment, another set up is just eaiser. Plus like firearms, they are like crack or lays potato chips. One just isn't enough