Nick86794

Okay everyone, for all those charity enthusiasts out there, here is a fantastic organization to LIKE on facebook, as well as apply to become a team member; but more over, help spread the name of Pink Fishing. Pink Fishing is a Breast Cancer organization that surrounds themselves in the fishing world. They have many members (including myself), and a great pro staff and elite pro staff. If anything please just get the word out about Pink Fishing and their cause. Visit their webside at www.pinkfishing.com and again LIKE them on Facebook. Lets "Reel in the cure!" Thanks ya'll, Nick W.

I was thinking about going south too, and the bridge isnt a bad idea, I would ask how deep is it there, but being that the bottom constantly changes I dont think that would matter much, what would you throw by the bridge though?

Sounds like a plan! thank you! Our tournament is in late may, more specifically the 29th and 30th, and I havent fished the Mississippi as much as I would like to, so any info helps! thank you!

Thank you! I do have a tournament there on may 29th and 30th! I will definitely take what you said into account as well! I havent fished the Mississippi as much as I would like, so anything helps right now!

Hahah! What a coincidence!

Hey y'all! I have this under the tournament forum too, but I was wondering if any of y'all have fished the Mississippi River near Fort Madison, IA? If so could you spare some tips as to what spots to use as well as baits and colors? I would greatly appreciate it all! Thanks everyone & best of luck this spring to y'all!

Hey y'all! I was wondering if any of you have fished Fort Madison, IA on the Mississippi River? If so, would you mind giving me a few pointers/tips on where to go and what to use as bait? I've heard it's a lot of flippin' and pitchin'. What colors do you like to use also? Thank you! Best of Luck this Spring to everyone!

29JMP29! Go for it bud! it's a blast and so much fun, I know for a fact it's growing even bigger and the competition is really fierce but fun at the same time. There's a lot of good sticks out there, but practice your heart out and you'll make it to the top like every one else!! http://blogs.suntimes.com/bowman/2012/05/ihsa_bass_fishing_chicago-area_1.html Like I said earlier, I was from streamwood, and this was my partner and I last year. I practice my butt off for 4 years and thats where it got me going to the IHSA State finals! Just give it your all like any other sport and you'll make it! People used to make fun of fishing in my school but now they support it because we've been to state 4 years in a row, and they realize that it is not easy. Keep it up and if you need help getting started let me know! http://www.lews.com/high-school-program.htm

Thanks everyone! I'm a jig person myself, but I always love listening to different opinions that people have on fishing jigs in the spring because obviously everyone has a different preference, and I always am intrigued by different lures and techniques that people use! I myself usually stick to black and blue and green pumpkin, but I think I'm going to give some of these colors a try too, just to mix up my arsenal a.k.a. weapons of bass destruction! As for trailers I'm 50/50 when it comes to porks and plastics. I usually use Uncle Josh porks and missile baits and reaction innovation. As for my jigs, I still use Boo-Yah, but I am going to start using Intruder jigs just because I'm tired of the silicone/rubber bands breaking, also with paint chipping too.

You can talk about size, weight, shapes, colors, skirts, and trailers too! anything goes! I either use Black and Blue, Black and Blue and Purple, or Green Pumpkin! and usually in 1/4oz or 3/8oz area.

I remember him saying something about that! but then he said the owner, which I assume was you, had something come up! I think i'd be great that you'd volunteer your boat for HS tournaments. There's a lot of knew people that would benefit greatly from that! It is a fun experience as well!

Nice to see a someone from northern illinois! im originally from streamwood, but im attending college in wisconsin. I fished for 4 years for my high school and we were 1/3 high schools in illinois to make it to the IHSA state finals all 4 years in a row. When you get to high school, join the team or make a team!!! it is a total blast and you will enjoy it! I am fishing for my college as well, they went to nationals last year and we are looking to make it again this year! Heres some articles and a video from mine and my partners success! http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120420/sports/704209592/print/ (im the one with the big fish) I really hope you join a team in high school! If you have any questions feel free to ask!!!

Buddy of mine in a tournament on the Wolf River in New London, Wisconsin caught this bad boy fishing a green pumpkin tube with chartruse died tail on a 1/4oz tube jig in 30ft of water! Won our tournament with 13.35lbs. Not bad for a late October Smallie!

I dont know about anyone else, but I've been slayin bass on buzz baits these past 2 months. Just casting it parallel to the shoreline and slowly bringing it in so the blades jsut barely tick the surface.

Went prefishing for a college tournament that I have on the Wofl River in New London, Wisconsin. My partner and I hammered SMB all morning long on black and blue buzzbaits! Water temp was between 38-40.

I have gotten about 2 bass with it already, but being that it's colder and the birds are gone, I dont think they'll be as effective as they would in the spring or summertime now. And it does cast well, the weight of it is nice and you can easily wip it back into those cattails. I'm glad a lot of you guys like this product! I havent used it a lot but come next spring I will, and I'll probably make another post about it too in the spring!!

As some of you might know, there is a new bait out by a company that makes a top water "frog" bait that is in the shape of a bird- ironically the company is called Flipin' the Bird. Anyways, I just started using it this fall, in the shallows and it is amazing how many bass go after a bird in the water. The bird, like most top water frogs, has a hollow body with a double-prong hook. Unlike the frog that has one single strand to produce "legs" in the rear of the bait, the bird has nine seperate strands that are tied off at the end (on the inside) of the bird. The 8 silicone strands (4 on each side) of the bird fold out and protrude down into the water like its wings and feathers. Then, on the rear of the bait, there is another silicone strand(bundle) the simulates its tail. I usually throw the bird into thick cover on the banks to simulate a bird that had the misfortune of falling into the water. You can fish it the same as a frog, but before you fish it back, give it a few twiches on the surface where you threw it, thats usually when I get my hits. I currently only own one color and that is the Red-Wing Black Bird being that it is common in my area, but they have about 4-5 colors on their site as well as tackle warehouse. If there is anyone else who has used the bird, please post how you fish it, the color and area/cover you fished. Any questions too, please ask and I will answer them as best as I can being that the bait surfaced on the fishing market about a month ago or two, I am still learning the bait as well.

I would definietly agree with this. it is really impossible to answer. Just experiment with baits that you usually catch fish one, and even try new baits. Find a bit you like, master it, and move onto another. I am a tournament/power angler and I love throwin tubes, jigs, worms, buzzers, poppers, frogs, spinnerbait etc. I'm confident in those areas, and I am just working my way to cranks. You will never stop learning! As for your question is jigs in grass. It really depends. In the fall, both on the shore and on a boat, I found weeds at 10-15 feet and was catching bass off a 1/2ounce finesse football jig in green pumpkin with a netbait paca chunk. So yes they can work in weeds, again it just depends on the condition of the water as well as the weather. I've also had luck using a swim jig, swimmin it just like a spinnerbait over a weedline or next to a weedline. any other question go ahead and ask or inbox me! Goodluck!

I agree with papajoe. Weight isnt too much of a concern, I usually stick anywhere from a 1/4oz to a 3/8 ounce in about 2-8 feet of water. 9+ I usually have a 3/8-1/2ounce football jig. I like the paca chunk as well!. Papajoe, you might be thinking about the regualr sized chunk that netbait uses. anyways. I usually prefer a black and blue jig this time of year. Also don't forget the swim jigs, great little bait to have if they want something different than a spinnerbait. The other trailer I like to use is the sweet beaver by reaction innovation, give it a look online and see what you think. And fishing rivers will take some experience and learning, however, just keep at it and dont give up, once you get the hang of it, its a blast! I like to use BooYah jigs too, they work well for me, but thats my opinion, I'm sure other people have thier favorite jigs and for good reasons too. Experiement on jigs until you find the right one! Goodluck!

If you wanna fish a football head jig without a weedguard, check out the Gene Larew Biffle Hardhead. its a football head that has a free floating hook that allows the bait to move in the current and have more action without hardly or not moving the bait at all. I just started using this and have a bit of learning to do but I am getting the hang of it. Like WRB said, keep it above the rocks and don't let it fall inbetween them, keep tension on the line so you can feel for the surface of the rocks. occationally you can drop it down but dont get snagged. as you do this you'll find it easier to do each time you do it

I agree with you! Lighter weight is key, I usually use a football head jig for rip-rap, however, like what WRB said, any jig would work, just make sure you don let it settle down on the rocks. From experience with rip-rap, if there's current, find the chunk pieces that are flat and are on the opposite side of the current, cast behind there and fish it towards you, if you're on shore, cast infront of that flat piece and fish towards that spot because usually bass are waiting behind that flat chunk rock for any food that goes by. Also look for transition spots. Thats what I know from experience.

PM?

I agree with roarwarrior, I'd definitely like to meet you someday as well. I love learning from experienced fishermen.

sorry for the double post, computer froze...

sorry for the double post, computer froze...