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Sometimes hard bottom bass with little vegetation in the water, and lots of rock will be lighter in color. I have fished some rock pits that produce lighter color bass. They blend in better to their surroundings and don't stick out so much. In our south florida lakes with all the veggies, they are usually dark in color, and blend in with their surroundings. it's all about ambushing bait.

I would suggest going to Bass Pro Shops and try on some until you find what you want. Here in the deep south, the thinner material is my personal choice. If you order the wrong stuff your kind of stuck.

Because it is always so hot in south Florida I love my Frogg Toggs. There are several thickness levels so I always buy the thinnest material oversized and then layer under in the cooler weather. They are very affordable, and comfortable. Most important is they breath. Just remember to get the thinnest material they make if you live in the south. You will not be happy with the thicker product.

It sure is a shame. There are people making lots of money for every gallon of product used. They don't care what they use it on as long as they use it. Spraying should require an biologist to be be present to control the yahoos with these chemicals. There has to be checks and balances or we are all screwed! How many lakes need to be ruined!

Nice video, it sure gets you thinking. Reaction bites are sure a possibility under those conditions. Once on a shallow clear flat with lots of scattered cover, the only way I could get a bite was with a fluke with long hard jerks constantly moving. Slowing down got you nothing. They wanted it ripping. Thanks for refreshing my memory my friend. I have a tendency to always slow it down, not always good.

Still hot here, and monsoon rains are driving water levels up. A bad combination!

I too started as a topwater Rapala stick bait guy, and also in-line spinners. Caught tons of fish this way. Now I seldom use these techniques. I switched to plastics, and throwing in and around heavy cover, and catching a lot more fish, and bigger fish.

Without a doubt it has a big effect on fishing. In smaller lakes it ruins bedding areas, cover for bait fish and bass ambush points. I have fished man made lakes loaded with bass of all sizes. After several years of spraying you would be lucky to catch a single bass in these same lakes. It should be a crime to nuke these bodies of water.

Work the areas with a quick drop off, close to shallow flat. Work the entire water column in these areas until you find where they are at that time of day, under the conditions. It's amazing how they will move up and down the column according to the weather and light penetration. Find vegetation close to the drop offs, and work the edges early and late. Use a variety of plastics Texas rigged, and change the cadence to see what they want.

One hand on the rod the other on the crank. Taking up slack and then hitting hard with the crank cranking! On a big bass, just using the rod would put a lot more pressure on the gears of the reel in one spot, that's my thinking! Working both hands has always worked for me, and I don't think about it, just react. Only time I have set with just the rod, is a spinning reel with a long rod. The rod absorbed most of the shock.

I have fished the Stick Marsh several times and if you don't know where you're going, go idle speed. While fishing we were hung up on underwater stumps many times. But that day the bass loved hiding in that stuff!

In south Florida it can be a risky thing to do. Too many gators and a healthy population of snakes. I have seen gators in almost every body of water even in residential areas. Some days three or four snakes while bank fishing. Not my cup of tea!

Slow Hand! (I’m slow and methodical!)

Day doesn't matter, it's all about weather conditions, water conditions, current, and bait fish activity. They are programed to deal with these conditions.

In south Florida, low water concentrates bass and pushes them out of huge shallow flats and into deep water. This is when 200 fish a days are a real possibility. I would look for vegetation like pads and grasses close to drop offs. The bass will move from deeper open water at night, to the first level weeds, which supply shade, ambush points, and cooler water when the sun gets high. There are so many bass in the everglades canals during low water, that it's many times every cast. Bigger bass will often be deeper at these drop-offs and ledges, hugging the rock walls wherever they can find shade.

God bless those in harm's way. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers!

Some parts of the deep south are getting blasted again. As much as 43 inches of rain, now that's crazy.

Wear protective boots, there are creepy crawlers around and better to be safe then sorry. In south Florida I see them all the time, at least you don't have gators.

I fish from the bank at least 5 days a week and walk a number of man made lakes that surround my house. I pick what makes it easy for me. With high winds I always try to have the wind to my back. This is the easiest way to use a baitcaster with lures of all sizes, and weights. I also like this because there is no slack in the line and you have sensitive contact with the bait. Feeling the bite on a long cast is crucial to protecting the fish. I like to get way out in deeper water and work it back slowly to the drop-offs and major depth change, and then work it up the slope. I catch good numbers this way, with little problems with wind as high as 20-25. Handling big winds is much easier from the bank then in the boat. Water clarity is always better on the upwind side. Good luck, and always keep it easiest on yourself!

I have used them rarely and they have caught some bass, in Florida my go too is watermelon red, and junebug. Junebug early and late, and dirty water. Watermelon red clear water, and when the sun is up. To me technique is more important then color change.

I'll feel better when she starts to move north. If it doesn't turn and goes straight it's through my hood! Same to you my friend!

They all say this thing is going to make a turn to the north off the Florida east coast. If it continues straight it has a direct bead on my home, with 180 MPH winds. Please make a turn soon.

You have a great attitude for a young man. I have been fishing over 50 years and this happens every once in a while. Become familiar with all the videos on removing hooks in deep hooked fish. You would be amazed how these fish can survive this situation, with the right removal technique. If it does NOT go well don't feel too bad, your returning it to the food chain. Turtles, gators, small fish, or fisherman will feast on the body. It will not go to waste.

Just dealing with a pesky little storm with 180 MPH winds! Say a little prayer.

2009 F150, 5.4, towing package. Don't even know your pulling the boat. Pretty good on gas too.