the reel ess

Bon jour!

I caught my biggest bass to date, at least that I weighed, on a Snagproof Original Frog. The one in my avatar, actually. And it still catches 'em.

I only carry an old, but quality, pair of needlenose and a pair of Rapala scissors for the braid.

As long as Cabela's stays open I don't really care. There's one a lot closer to me than there is a BPS.

They fall right off and the frog fills with water worse than other brands. It's a shame because it really does look like a real frog and the action is great for a couple minutes. Booyah Pad Crasher for me.

Rat L Trap or other lipless crankbait.

Yes

I'd say Lew's between the two. I have a lew's reel and my next will probably be one too because I really like it. But I'd advise spending a little more money. You'll get a lot more reel for that extra $20-30.

I'd throw a weightless Trick Worm a little. A couple hours before dark, I'd throw every topwater I own until it's too dark to see. Especially the frog, Spook & Chug Bug.

Do the best you can. But you cannot live in nature and not leave a footprint on it. Don't sweat it. If it died, it became a meal for other animals and organisms. If it didn't, great!

What your friend is using seems to be doing the trick for catching big'uns.

My favorite rod is a Falcon Lowrider that's more than 10 years old. It's a 7' MH/MF tip that's supposed to be for big crankbaits. But I use it for T rigs/jigs and find the action and power perfect for that use. It's by far the most sensitive rod I have. I have it paired with an older BPS Johnny Morris reel that's smooth as buddah. The rod would have cost $129 new but I bought it from a coworker for $50. He was a really good guy who passed away unexpectedly not long ago. Every time I use the rod I'm reminded of him. Not surprisingly, I usually use this rod more than 50% of the time. If I had $130 to throw at all my rids, I'd just buy Lowriders from here on out as long as they stay on the market. But the fact is extreme sensitivity is not necessary, maybe even not desired, with some techniques.

I use 15# Berkley Big Game mono for all my topwaters as well as lipless cranks. It's strong, has some stretch and floats, which makes it good all-around for topwaters and trebles. It took me a long time to settle on it, but I haven't been sorry once.

I just recently caught my first bass ever on a Hula Popper and I'm 45. LOL. The time of day you're using them can have a lot to do with success. Early morning or evening are the best times for topwaters. I'd prefer the Hula Popper in a smaller body of water with weeds. I just see this as a frog imitator and that to me makes it less likely to draw strikes in open water. I use the popper when I see some surface baitfush activity or when bass are chasing the bait to the surface. Then you can just throw to the swirl and pop it fast and loud. Neither of these require walking, but practice the cadence of the retrieve until the fish show you how they want it. I usually will start with three short pops-rest-repeat. Then adjust.

What are they?

Don't stop fishing even when it's cold. I always keep a poorly balanced combo to justify buying either another reel or rod. My phone doesn't work when I'm fishing unless I catch one worthy of a pic. Then I notice I have calls and texts. When I think they won't bite, they will...and vice versa I'll be home "after dark". The less they bite, the harder I fish. I'm stupid like that. The fewer gadgets and motors you use, the more time you get to fish (I kayak fish private waters and even rivers/creeks and K.I.S.S.) Last two times I used my big boat, I fought the trolling motor all evening. Though I plan a trip days, even weeks in advance, and tell my wife, she will still look for something for me to do when the time comes.

Bill Lewis makes the Rat L Trap. Any other is an imitation. Some imitations are good though, maybe even better. But I own a bunch ot real Traps and none do this.

With very clear water I'd try a Spook or a quieter topwater early in the day. But I always try a topwater.

I love topwaters and time my trips and locations so that I'll have the best opportunity to use them. But, honestly, there are times they simply won't work. like the T rigged craw as my bottom bumping favorite. There are very few times this won't catch a thing. I'll keep a Trick Worm handy and I'll try a spinnerbait, jerkbait or other mid range lure handy.

I love it. It's a show we can let our daughter watch. A lot of nights at 8:00 we just turn the TV off because there is little we can all watch in primetime. I was talking about that show the other day with a coworker and she said it has endured because ti was the first sitcom that was not just slapstick stupid. She nailed it.

We don't have a good course around here. The only one has one creek and one little pond that isn't even in the course. But they do look like good fishing. I stay at a golf condo when we go on vacation and last time there were two guys out fishing at dusk. I didn't see any security bothering them so I'll probably give it a try this summer. I did see a couple of what looked like huge gar swimming in the pond. I imagine there must be other species of fish there for them to survive.

I fish from a kayak. I use all types. You just sit down and adjust.

The first stick worm I had success using wacky style was the Big Bite Trick Stick. I also have these weighted Texas rig jigheads by them that I like. I bought them for craws but they're a little too big. But they work with big worms.

Topwaters. I like the Torpedo and buzzbaits in the rain.

I experience the same thing where I usually fish. I use 3/16 oz to 1/4 oz max to keep it from burying in the bottom. It still will, but you can yank it up when you feel extra weight on the bait and let it settle. It will trigger strikes. You'll need to fish slower with the lighter weight, but that will produce more bites. I never peg a weight. I also have these little dealies from Big Bites that come through grass well. But I prefer to use the bullet weight with a glass bead between the weight and hook. It protects your knot from the tungsten sharp edge and creates a click when the line tightens. I'm convinced the fish are turned on by it. I usually use craws, but I've used this jighead for big worms. They call it the DS Jig.