gulfcaptain

Well it took me a year to figure those out for what would work for me and what was the best. And quite a bit of failure too before I figured out what worked best for me. I've only lost 2 rigs and have broken 3 due to fishing use. They don't last forever and will break.

He could still get in through the viewers pole and get a second chance just like Ike did last year and I believe they have another event so he can still make it if he wins there. But I may be worng.

Anytime you can find them schooled up chasing shad or baitfish they can be successful. It's a tool that I find excels when they are in that feeding mood. Late summer, fall, late winter and spring up until early summer....especially right before and after spawn. Only time I don't throw it is when they are keyin in on bluegill or burried in the grass and weeds. I fish highy pressure wates, anything I can do to set myself apart from everyone else I feel gives me an edge. Your hunt for bigger fish should include mastering new techniques as well. The more options and techniques you have the better your chances of catching those fish you are after.

Have 2 lipless cranks and a wake.....just haven't had the right conditions to fish them yet. Although may take the wakebait out with me tomorrow and see what happens.

I fish 2 main rigs, the Yum Flashmob jr with 1/8 oz heads and 3-4" swing impacts, 3" Big Bite Shad's, and Lunker City Grubsters. Only can fish 3 hooks but use 5 wire with 2 dummy heads normally attached to the BB shad or grubsters and use Kietech 3/0 1/8oz tungsten heads on the others. The hooks hold better but I can still straighten them if needed with 20lb mono and 30lb braid. Other rig is the yellow hammer spinnerbait rig. Same baits, but this is a bigger rig and has larger blades which I can fish slower and shallower. Both I throw on a BPS MH 7'6" Cranking Stick with a 5:4 Carbonlite reel spooled with 30lb braid. Like the softer tip so it doesn't pull hooks. It's kinda like fishing a big spinnerbait. Is this fishing for everyone....no. Many have seen me use it, tried it and gotten frustrated. When all is said and done, one rig may run you after all the components $30+ hence why I fish leadhead I can straighten if needed but may cost me a fish if I pull too hard. But then I feel the smaller jig heads give the baits more action also.

Big fish aren't going to out compete smaller bass. Example, lake I fish, the smaller 10-12" bass chase shad amost daily in one area. Decided to bring an umbrella rig. Below those smaller fish the bigger bass will lay in wait to pick off shad that the smaller fish have injured but didn't eat. Caught 2 of the 3 I hooked....one 12", the other almost 5lbs and staightened a hook on another before the bigger fish.(new rod and reel set up so drag was a bit tight). Big fish will look for prime areas to feed. Deep weed beds, points on the weedbeds or breaks where forage funnels through for easy picking. Two types of cover coming together, structure and cover. Sometimes big fish just decide to suspend out in deeper water till they decide to feed or a feeding oppurtuity presents itself. Big worms are skinny and produce more fish but may be smaller. Jigs produce bigger average fish depending on the jig and trailer size. I have caught bigger average on a 3/4 to 1oz punch jig and a SK Rage DB Craw then say fishing with a 1/2oz jig and a 4" paca craw. Bigger profile craw bait I believe tends to attract that bigger bite although it is compact in size compared to a big worm. I can also drop this bait into their space quickly producing a reation bite where a big worm may fall slower and give them time to look at as well as possibly mouth and spit it out. Bigger fish use their enviorment to their advantage for a meal instead of chasing it down. They will sit motionless next to bluegill beds for what seems like forever until they explode and grab one that has gotten used to them sitting there and deemed them to be no threat. So as stated although some may disagree, location, location, location. Then it's putting something that they see as an easy meal in front of them that they can't resist. A jig could represent a crawfish or a bluegil, I use the A-rig to my advantage on schooled up bass chasing shad or glass minniows to take advantage of their messy feeding habits when schooled up. Other times swimbaits will work, but only when they are keying in on them when they stock trout which is a small window on small bodies of water. So guess I would have to add timing to the location as well. Disect each fish you catch...where, and why was it there. What were the conditions? All of that information will help you in your persuit of larger fish you are after. Good luck.

Such a simple minded animal can make us sooo frustrated. But then that's why we all enjoy bass fishing.

Get some glasses, even cheap polarized are better then nothing. You will be suprised at what you can see. Will help you see cover and details you are missing without them. And your jig colors are pretty basic, I would also add a black/blue and green pumpkin candy color jigs to your collection. Both seem to produce better in the water clarity you have atleast for me. But I would call your waters stained. But it is all relevent to where you live if you have deep lakes with 20+ feet of vis.

I feel the same way, if you enter their food chain you take your chances. They shoot Moutain Lions in CA because they attack people in "Wilderness areas" riding game trails......hmmm, was it the lion's fault you entered his frigde...nope he didn't come to your house and attack you. If that was the case then yes. But if they are in their envoirment we should be the ones that respect them and read signs that should be posted...."Now entering a wilderness area, you are now part of the food chain. Please pay attention or you may become part of it. And enjoy your stay and pick up any trash you leave. Thank you"

It's like Matt Said, they have an agenda. Growing up and trying to make a living in the sportfishing industry came to a crashing end when they made rules to save "endangered" fish we didn't even fish for or want to keep. Now they have huge areas that are closed to all fishing to protect what they feel are key areas. Even after years of battling them we got a small victory but it took away a lot of great fishing areas. They don't care about the science they didn't collect or what fisherman or comercial (professional fisherman) have to say or what imput we have. It is a true uphill battle that is one sided and unfortunately it isn't our side even though 99% of fisherman would love to protect the same thing they do to keep intact the fisheries. But theirs is an extreme all or nothing way that doesn't include working with people that have other ideas and want compromise.

Grundens Rain Gear. Have 2 different sets, one set is over 8yrs old(more commercial grade bibs and fleece lined pull over jacket) and a light weight set for 5 years now and still no problems. May have to order them online, but they make a quality product that will last.

Correction....already had jig in there, but I would stick to that bait more then the worm.

Location would be the key to your quests and understand the fish you are after. What's the food chain? Some of the areas I fish they key in on different forage at times, will a certain bait work all year......maybe. But it is best to try and match the forage base they are chasing. Raul and WRB have great advice and lots of knowledge. I would say a jig over a 10-12" worm or a 2.5 squarbill. I would include them in your bait selection.

the "Flipping the Bird" is an awesome softbody frog as well as the Live Target Field mouse.

What Raul said and at night they can still see outlines of the bait which will help when they finally can see what they are pursuing.

some jointed lures they use the joints to make a clacking noise for added attraction, others use it to add movement. But yes it has to be done right or the hooks or joints can hang up and foul which is the bad part.

We have a city park lake that the bass stalk the baby ducks. There are only a few places where they can get out onto some rocks, when they enter the water they are picked off. See a boil, hear the baby duck and then a splash and one less baby duckling. Come back an hr later and facing the rocks along the shore you will see 6-8lb bass waiting for another chance for a meal. Within 2 days 12 ducklings reduced to 0.

If it's private waters, why don't you seine it. Gizzards are gonna be tough. Look up some of Bob Lusks articles dealing with gizzards as well as culling and selective harvests. Catching 2000 bass and distroying them sounds bad, and the thought of moving them does seem like a good idea, but if they are stunted and are older fish, that might be a bad idea. The white perch or I believe crappie compete for the same food as the bass do so getting them out will help the bass as well.

The rod you have is better suited for fishing spinnerbaits and cranks with the moderate action. I have two of them. You can dropshot with them but it isn't going to be as fast as the carbonlite which I believe are fast action. I use mine for spinnerbaits, bladebaits(chatterbaits) and shallow running cranks. Also works great for smaller topwaters like poppers and smaller spooks. I do use this rod in the spinning for dropshotting though as I like a softer action since I fish all braid with topshots.

Btw, if you do get Kaenon's, don't use your shirt to clean them.....EVER. You will scratch them. Use a micro fiber lens cloth to clean them. And they do have great customer service. I've had to have 2 pair replaced....lenes issues once and had a frame warp from them sitting in the car and get hot.

Maui uses glass, but have since moved to Keanan although they aren't glass. But Amber will work during both sunny and cloudy days. I tend to prefer gray, gives more of a natural color but I also do have amber lenses I use when it's really overcast. Water color has nothing to do with the color of the lens. The polarization takes the glare off so as far as sensitive eyes so both colors will keep your eyes from becoming fatigued. I can't wear anything that isn't polarized anymore without getting head aches from squinting. Working on the water I wouldn't be caught without a par of glasses. Costa's are also pretty nice. So before you get hung up on one brand, check a few out and see which frames you like and find comfortable.

Reading a lot of people suggest early morning and evening, well most of all my fish are caught between 10am and 2pm. Sunny days and afternoons when most stop fishing can be some of the best. Less pressure for one. and you can use the sun to your benefit. Sun forces fish to look for cover...shade, boat docks, weeds. You can isolate the fish and concentrate on smaller areas. Pick apart cover. Once you catch a few see if they are relating to the same things....if so pattern them. Dismiss the rest of the water and look for those productive areas. Just remember, it's a pond. a few days of good fishing on a certain pattern and you will blow through your fish at which point you will have to look for another way to catch them. I've had great bites for 2-3 days and then like a light switch not a bite. At that point you have to start over and look for another group of fish.

Edwin Evers crankbait rods are BPS Crankin Sticks. Then again, hey he has all the BPS lines to choose from as well as whatever they sale. I've seen Brent Chapman use the W & M rods as well, but also saw them break when he was flipping a fish in the boat. I do believe most pro's could walk in buy a rod and get the job done. They didn't get there by being "okay" fisherman, they are the top of our sport and work hard to be there.

Wire leaders, the one's I've encountered aren't really picky eaters....spoons, bucktails, did I mention wire...I would go with singlestrand and use about an 12-18" leader lenght in a weight of about 60lb or somewhere close by. Haywire twists are simple and you don't need all the tools, crimps, etc. They are fun, just remember they have teeth.

where do you get one of those at....that sounds like something I would be interested in using.....any added advantage has to help. Would love to have a sonar picture of the lakes/ponds I fish.