der Fischer

Also, I've been using a foot long leader when fishing these rocky structured points. Do you think I should increase the length to 1.5' or 2', or longer? Maybe the fish will see the bait a little better, since it'll be floating a little higher above the rocks/boulders? Last year, I always kept the leader length, at the shortest, 1.5', For some reason, went shorter this past month. Maybe it's because I had a thought that since they're spawning, I should go shorter. Don't know why, since I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to fishing during the spawn.

Thanks for all the tips! Yeah, there is no cover except for weed beds, on the opposite side of the lake, and I can't access those areas on the other side because I don't have a boat, hehe. The side of the lake I'm on, there is some weed beds, but there's so much pressure. There's also the docks at the marina, but again, lots of pressure. So this is why I fish the not-so-great points that I do. When I see videos, and the experts are talking about "punching grass", I'll think to myself, "well, can't do that here" lol. I know what you mean about small fish going for big worms. I was using a 4.5" roboworm last summer, and caught a 5.5" or 6" bass. They were almost the same length; worm and fish lol. This past week, I found out about Megastrike. I'm definitely going to be getting one or the other, or both. I've looked at them as "cheating", but that was last summer/fall, when I thought I'd be catching more fish by now. At this point, I'll do whatever I can with baits to attract more fish. Thanks again, and I hope to post a picture of monster one day!

One late evening last summer, my friend caught a catfish with a popper.

Last year, in late June-September, and because of tall grass (along with the rocks/boulders), I kept the leader length, at the shortest,1.5 feet. Most of the time, it was longer. The past five weeks, there's been no grass, so I've been going shorter, Do you think I should go longer than a foot? The only difference between now and last year is that there is currently no grass, but there's still the rocks/boulders. Maybe I never should have gone shorter? Maybe it's better if the bait floats/suspends a little higher above the rocks/boulders? Thanks!

1. The reason I stick around is because I'll get it in my head that I'm fishing too fast or two slow, or I'm using the wrong size worm, or wrong color, so I'll start changing combos until I "get it right", thinking then, I'll get the unimpressed fish. I use darker colors when it's cloudy and brighter colors (or watermelon/green pumpkin) when the sun comes out. Sometimes I think, "since they're not biting, switch that". Or, I'll go through different sizes. All the changing will keep me in one area for hours. I'll think that once I get the size, color, and cadence right, THEN all those fish in the area will bite. After what you said, I'll move more often. I just hate the thought of thinking, "if I stuck around an extra half hour or hour +, and got the presentation right, I would've gotten more/bigger fish". That's what keeps me there. 2. About the boats, if I'm fishing the points by the marina, I can see all the boaters going in their counter clockwise position. In that regard, all the points are bad, but especially the point between the marina and the launch ramps, I'm in middle of all the traffic. 3. Since I'm dropshotting in rocky structure, do you think I should increase my leader length? For some reason, I've been using a foot. Last year, it was always 1.5' or longer, but I started in late June last year, and because of all the grass, I kept the leader length long. This past month, there is no grass, which I love, so I started using a one foot leader (or less), but am now wondering if I should increase the length because of all the rocks. Maybe that would help? Thanks for taking the time to help. Your answered those bolded questions *thumbs up*

My friend got a float tube and I've been thinking about getting one. I do plan to get a boat, some day. In regards to smaller lakes, have you ever fished or know someone that has fished Fisherman's Retreat, on the other side of the 60 freeway? If so, how is it there? Thanks for your help!

Thanks for the extra tips! I finally put a fluoro leader on my bigger setup. Bought that fluoro last July and am now giving it a shot, hehe. I'll see what happens. Thanks again.

Not a bad idea. I'll ask, and hopefully I'll get an answer.

This is the first fish I caught that day, and you can see some blood on the belly.

Second pic.

Ok, I was trying to figure out where to find the "gallery" button, to add larger pics, but I don't know where to find it. I did use the "resize" link, but while trying to load three pics, it won't let me, so I had to reply three times to add three pics. Anyway, it's just weird because the time that lapsed between taking the two pics were just a few seconds, and in the first pic, there is no redness by the tail, but then there is a lot of red in the second pic. And the red (bloody) dot on the belly of the first pic is odd, but I also noticed that with the first I caught before, which I've also added, which has the cloudy background. You can see a little blood by the belly.

Hello BR community! Now that I finally created an account, I can finally ask a question I've had for weeks. The first day fishing this year, which was five weeks ago, I caught my personal best; just a 3lb fish; nothing special compared to some of yours, but a great way to start the year. Anyway, while looking at the pics a week later, I noticed a couple things that were odd. One, there's blood coming from the belly of the fish. Is that natural from spawning? Two, the skin towards the tail started turning red. In the first pic, you can see that part about the blood coming from the belly and no redness near the tail. In the second pic, you can see the redness near the tail. Anyone know what the redness is from? P.S. Too bad we can't upload bigger pics.

I guess east of California, lakes have more structure/cover than what we have here. That's what I was told by a BPS rep, who's originally from the Midwest. I wish we had lakes with stumps, fallen trees, lily pads, etc, like I see in all these other videos. That's probably why you don't dropshot, because you can actually use everything else where you're at? I've been told that I shouldn't even bother with a lot of lures because I use spinning setups. Never used a jig, but last year, I did use crankbaits and topwater lures a lot, and caught only one fish with a crankbait and one fish with a popper, and I also have a spook and jitterbug. My prior personal best was a 2.5lb bass on a popper, but altogether, I only caught two fish with those kinds of lures. I would always switch to dropshotting and catch fish. This is why I gave up everything and only went with dropshotting. I have crankbaits I have used once, but I will give them another go this weekend. Yes, so many (tall and wide) bushes! I guess they were great for cover when the water lever was much higher, but they lowered the level many years ago, like over 12 years, because of issues with the dam, and I don't think they're ever going to raise the water level back to what it used to be, so I wish they took down some of the bushes. It would be so awesome if I had a magical silent motorized saw and went to town on those bushes at night, hehe. And I lost that fish two Saturdays ago and still think about it all the time. Was so deflated afterwards. I've been hoping for the day I caught a 5+ pound wish (with my limited skills and coverage of the lake), and that was it. Now I wonder when that day will come again, if ever. Thanks for taking the time to offer some help!

Thanks for all the help! I've never tried C-rigging, and after reading your comment about how you can barely tell a bite because the worm is behind the weight, it definitely sounds more challenging. About the weight, I did see a dropshot video where Aaron Martens says he preferred 1/4oz weights. Went to BPS because I needed more weights. I asked a rep if I should get 1/4 or 1/2 and he said I was fine with 1/2, but yeah, I do lose quite a few weights. I will pick up some 1/4oz weights this Friday. And I will look into worms made by Don and Tom. Thanks again for taking the time!

My friend hated Senkos at first, but is now starting to like them, especially after landing his personal best with one a couple weeks ago. I never paid much attention to them, even when so many people recommended them. I mean, they're just worms right? And I have plenty of Roboworms and BPS worms. Now that you mentioned that the action of the worm falling when whacky rigged is what entices bass, you've got me interested. I just always looked at them as regular fat worms that are priced a bit higher than I've ever paid for plastic worms. When I dropshot, I just let it sit there and shake it, stop, then shake a little bit, stop, shake, then raise the rod, tighten the line, then repeat the process. I think I'm fishing slow, but maybe I'm not. Maybe I should just let it sit for a good 10-20 seconds in-between shakes? Maybe a bass will just look at the motionless worm, then strike when I shake it? I think I'm going to get a package of Senkos for this weekend. I'll whacky rig them and see what happens. Also, I'll retry my BPS crack craws in green pumpkin/violet flakes that I haven't used in almost a year. They're not the same as the lizards you're talking about, but I'll give it a try. Thanks for reading and helping!

My friend loves Rage tails/craw tails in watermelon, and has caught 3+ pound (but under 4lb) fish. I tried it weightless like him, and it just messed up my line when I cast, so I quit after one time, and that was after fresh line was added to the spool at the sporting goods store. My friend uses baitcasters and I use spinning reels. Not sure if that is the difference. Since I gave up fishing weightless, I have a whole package of BPS crack craws just adding weight to my backpack, hehe. Anyway, he would cast and let it fall, then bam! You're right, I do need to try other stuff. It's just that when I do, nothing will happen and I'll just end up resorting back to dropshotting. I do know that I won't get better without practice, but after a few hours of nothing and getting desperate, I'll just go back to dropshotting. And along those lines, I should give wacky rigging worms another shot. I will try the smaller octopus hooks this weekend. Thanks for the tips Red Earth!

Very true, and I have thought about it. Thanks!

Thanks Mitch, for taking the time to read my post and commenting on it. I would love to own a boat, but can't right now. When I'm done with my car payments, perhaps, but then again, I'd have to sell my car and get a truck. Too bad I got the car BEFORE I started bass fishing, hehe. Before last year, it had been 15yrs since I last fished. Back to the boat, yes, I wish I had one to access various parts of the lake within minutes, but for now. bankfishing and the occasional rental are my current options. I guess I shouldn't expect much in terms of a higher quantity day. I do love being out there on the lake, whether by myself or with a friend or friends. I guess I should look at it as "catching a fish is a bonus on top of enjoying the lake". Though, there is no enjoying the lake on a cold windy day like last weekend, hehe. I just really love that initial bite/jerk/tug, pulling up, then feeling that fish go! I know we all do. The fight is awesome, and pulling that fish up (and taking pics and weighing it) is the icing, but I just really love that initial engagement, and I wish I could get that a couple/few more times when I go, while accepting days where I get nothing. I do love it! Thanks again, Gene

1. I've got a 5' ultralight Ugly Stik Lite with a Pflueger 4725GX (spinning) reel. The spool has BPS 6# line and the extra spool has their 4# line. I've got a 7' medium heavy Ugly Stik Lite with a Pflueger 6935 (spinning) reel, which has BPS 10# line, and I never use that setup. Since the middle of last summer, I've been using the smaller setup. Also, I have Berkley flurocarbon line, which I've never used. Although I bought it, I've never used it. On my first visit to BPS last summer, the rep told me I should buy it so I did. I figured he was just selling me stuff,which I didn't have to buy, but did since he knows more than me, and thought I'd eventually return it, but never did, even when I went back a few times. That place is evil in that I could be in there for hours! For hooks, I mainly use Gamakatsu optopus hooks, size 1 (and the BPS equivalent). I've also got 2/0 BPS O'Shaughnessy worm hooks and 2/0 BPS offset round bend hooks, and size 2 octopus hooks (which that BPS rep recommended) but I never use any of those three; size 2 octopus hooks are too small, though I didn't know that at the time I bought them; 25 hook pack lol. Only bought those bigger hooks because of all the youtube vids I saw about T-rigging, but have always stuck with nosehooking my worms. For weights, I just use 1/2oz BPS dropshot weights. I just have basic equipment; nothing fancy. When I was getting into it last year, wanted to start off with decent cheap equipment. After getting so used to my ultralight setup, and then using the 7' med/heavy setup for the first time two weekends ago, and feeling how insensitive that thing is, I do prefer my ultralight setup. 2. I have no idea where these beds are. I've learned a lot in less than a year, but as you can see, I've got a long way to go. 3. I guess I'll stop using my smaller setup for bass fishing. I'm going to look into all those suggestions, thanks. In regards to worms, I do have some Roboworms with ribbon tails, but mostly have the straight tails, and have never heard of Lovino or Uptom's. I most definitely SHOULD'VE already tried Aaron's magic, but never have, am probably going to get all those colors. Thank you Tom, for taking the time to read my post and offering your help. Gene

Originally posted in the "western region" section. Have searched but can't find answers about my bank/shore fishing and hoping for any type of help, thanks. --------------------------- Hey BR community! It's been almost a year since I started bass fishing again. I primarily fish Lake Perris and I don't have a boat, so I'm bankfishing from rocky points on the "north" side of the lake, and these points have more areas with bushes "blocking" you than open areas where you can cast, so they're not ideal points (unless you're on a boat). And, you're pretty much casting into rocky areas. It's a 30-40yd descent through rocks of all sizes to the shore, so once you're at the shore, it's inconvenient to move around to other parts of the point. I'm more into dropshotting, and I use Robo worms and BPS worms, and just started trying Zoom worms with chartreuse tips, which I don't think work too well. I've got junebug, watermelon, green pumpkin, margarita mutilator, other purple ones, pink ones, red ones, etc. The problem I'm having is I'll catch 0-2 fish every time. My best day was landing four fish on five bites. Second best was three fish in 10hrs ( with a rental boat at Diamond Valley). Both were last summer. Last weekend, caught two in two hours, then 15 minutes later, BAM; felt a BIG bite! After fighting for a while, it finally came up from below and was visible at about seven feet away. Then, it dove below towards some rocks to the right of me and ended up snapping my line. Not sure if the rocks had anything to do with it, or if it was just the sheer power/torque of the fish. It was easily 6+lbs, when my best is 3lbs, which was caught my first day this year, five weeks ago. It's my fault for thinking I can land fatties with an UL rod and 6# line, and, my drag wasn't set properly, though I thought it was (and was immediately loosened!). I was EXTREMELY heartbroken!! I blame the youtube vid of the guy (at Lake Perris) catching a 10.6lber on 2# line. Of course, he was fishing for bluegill. I'm not saying it was a 6lb fish because it snapped my 6# line, but when I saw it, my jaw dropped, remembering a 6lber someone else caught last summer, which was the biggest largemouth I've ever seen, until I saw the fish I lost. After losing it, it was another two-fish day; the two I caught before. Nothing after. Not sure if my being delated after losing that fatty had anything to do with no more catches for the day. The next day, skunked; not even a bite. I went again yesterday, and caught two. I've had days where I catch on my second or third cast, but then nothing for hours or the rest of the day. Sometimes I'll go hours before I get my first. Of course, there's sometimes the "day of zero"! Other fisherman have told me stories of them catching 7-10+ fish in just a few hours or for the entire day, and they too were bankfishing. I would LOVE a day like that! What am I doing wrong? Or are these numbers typical of fishing from a (rocky) point (into rocky terrain)? I'll catch fish at one part of the point, then after hours of nothing, move to another part of the same point, and hopefully get a second. Are the fish spooked after I catch the first? Though on my best (four-fish) day, I caught three in a span of 45 minutes from another point at the same lake, in 102 degree weather, with boats/seadoos galore, creating lots of waves. Is that another problem; too many waves from so many high speed boats/seadoos? As the weather gets warmer and warmer, it means more people on the water, hauling it. Since I don't have a boat, my only option of avoiding constant big waves is to fish the cove where the marina's at, since the docks eliminate the waves, but that area gets too much pressure. Have avoided the marina/cove this year; last five weeks. I'm not sure what the water temp has been, but the weather's usually been in the high 70s-high 80s in the day and high 40s-low/mid 50s at night. Last Sunday's zero catch day was on an unusually cloudy/really windy day. Not sure that had an affect on the fish. Regarding other factors, I wear grey/tan clothing to blend in with the rocks and bushes. I'm not making loud noises or stepping hard, or trying not to. Is my problem that I'm pretty much only dropshotting? I've used other lures but have had little success, so I end up dropshotting and end up catching one or two. Last Sunday, I did try a crankbait, but nothing. Maybe it was just a slow day for everyone on that cloudy/windy day, regardless of the lure. I know this post is super long, but thought I'd be detailed, to give a better understanding of what I'm doing. Any suggestions would be sincerely appreciated. If it helps, I can post a topo map of the lake. Thanks in advance!

Hey BR community! It's been almost a year since I started bass fishing again. I primarily fish Lake Perris and I don't have a boat, so I'm bankfishing from rocky points on the "north" side of the lake, and these points have more areas with bushes "blocking" you than open areas where you can cast, so they're not ideal points (unless you're on a boat). And, you're pretty much casting into rocky areas. It's a 30-40yd descent through rocks of all sizes to the shore, so once you're at the shore, it's inconvenient to move around to other parts of the point. I'm more into dropshotting, and I use Robo worms and BPS worms, and just started trying Zoom worms with chartreuse tips, which I don't think work too well. I've got junebug, watermelon, green pumpkin, margarita mutilator, other purple ones, pink ones, red ones, etc. The problem I'm having is I'll catch 0-2 fish every time. My best day was landing four fish on five bites. Second best was three fish in 10hrs ( with a rental boat at Diamond Valley). Both were last summer. Last weekend, caught two in two hours, then 15 minutes later, BAM; felt a BIG bite! After fighting for a while, it finally came up from below and was visible at about seven feet away. Then, it dove below towards some rocks to the right of me and ended up snapping my line. Not sure if the rocks had anything to do with it, or if it was just the sheer power/torque of the fish. It was easily 6+lbs, when my best is 3lbs, which was caught my first day this year, five weeks ago. It's my fault for thinking I can land fatties with an UL rod and 6# line, and, my drag wasn't set properly, though I thought it was (and was immediately loosened!). I was EXTREMELY heartbroken!! I blame the youtube vid of the guy (at Lake Perris) catching a 10.6lber on 2# line. Of course, he was fishing for bluegill. I'm not saying it was a 6lb fish because it snapped my 6# line, but when I saw it, my jaw dropped, remembering a 6lber someone else caught last summer, which was the biggest largemouth I've ever seen, until I saw the fish I lost. After losing it, it was another two-fish day; the two I caught before. Nothing after. Not sure if my being delated after losing that fatty had anything to do with no more catches for the day. The next day, skunked; not even a bite. I went again yesterday, and caught two. I've had days where I catch on my second or third cast, but then nothing for hours or the rest of the day. Sometimes I'll go hours before I get my first. Of course, there's sometimes the "day of zero"! Other fisherman have told me stories of them catching 7-10+ fish in just a few hours or for the entire day, and they too were bankfishing. I would LOVE a day like that! What am I doing wrong? Or are these numbers typical of fishing from a (rocky) point (into rocky terrain)? I'll catch fish at one part of the point, then after hours of nothing, move to another part of the same point, and hopefully get a second. Are the fish spooked after I catch the first? Though on my best (four-fish) day, I caught three in a span of 45 minutes from another point at the same lake, in 102 degree weather, with boats/seadoos galore, creating lots of waves. Is that another problem; too many waves from so many high speed boats/seadoos? As the weather gets warmer and warmer, it means more people on the water, hauling it. Since I don't have a boat, my only option of avoiding constant big waves is to fish the cove where the marina's at, since the docks eliminate the waves, but that area gets too much pressure. Have avoided the marina/cove this year; last five weeks. I'm not sure what the water temp has been, but the weather's usually been in the high 70s-high 80s in the day and high 40s-low/mid 50s at night. Last Sunday's zero catch day was on an unusually cloudy/really windy day. Not sure that had an affect on the fish. Regarding other factors, I wear grey/tan clothing to blend in with the rocks and bushes. I'm not making loud noises or stepping hard, or trying not to. Is my problem that I'm pretty much only dropshotting? I've used other lures but have had little success, so I end up dropshotting and end up catching one or two. Last Sunday, I did try a crankbait, but nothing. Maybe it was just a slow day for everyone on that cloudy/windy day, regardless of the lure. I know this post is super long, but thought I'd be detailed, to give a better understanding of what I'm doing. Any suggestions would be sincerely appreciated. If it helps, I can post a topo map of the lake. Thanks in advance!