Outdoor Zack

Coincidentally, I picked some up the other day. Haven't fished a lot with them, but they look like they'll work until I want to upgrade to a Booyah or one of the ones from Siebert Outdoors. The wires on them appear pretty stout to me, but I don't have anything better to compare them too.

You've certainly got me beat... Still proud of my haul this week though!

Maybe I forgot to mention the dozen bags of worms, handful of spinners, half dozen poppers, and jigs I bought earlier this week...

I hear they work well on the bass in a few local ponds. Amazon had them in Watermelon Red for less than $3.50 for a pack of 12, so I figured "why not?".

The Bait Monkey got me once again! I don't know how he keeps finding me, but he got me to buy a pack of Baby Brush Hogs from Zoom earlier this afternoon. What do you guys think about them? Nice lures or are they overrated?

When I fish tubes for crappie, I like to use a very, very small snap swivel so I can change colors and lures quicker. The fish don't seem to care. Maybe try it?

Got some cheap spinners, a spool of line, and worm hooks yesterday. I'm going to pick up some new tubes soon as well. That monkey just won't leave me alone!

Do those tubes seem to hold up very well?

I'll have to keep an eye out for them. Thanks.

Sounds like a few things to try. But about the Gulp! baits, which lures do you recommend? I though most of their products were for saltwater?

I assume you just fish it along the bottom?

Anybody ever try Gitzits? I read a few articles that recommended them...

A few weeks ago, I purchased a cheap ($5) bulk-pack of tube baits at the local Wal-Mart, hoping to use them for the upcoming Fall crappie season. I've been using them pretty frequently and have been having good luck with them. But, I noticed that they are rather delicate and soft. They tear easily and the tails on them rarely last 2 or 3 fish. Tubes work well, but the ones I have just aren't holding up. What tubes do you use? What are some good, durable tubes for crappie, panfish, and bass? Thanks.

In one of the places I fish, a muddy, slow-moving stream, I know that there is a decent population of catfish. I've caught them before using worms and a bobber, but I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with artificial bait? Would a soft-jerkbait just dragged along the bottom of the stream work? Thanks in advance.

You guys have convinced me. I've got to try those grubs! By the way, nice fish, Goose52.

Thanks all. I'll try them this weekend. It can't hurt, can it?

As I was going through my tackle box yesterday, I found a few odd plastic baits. Among the cheap rubber worms, tube baits, and salamanders, I found a few curlytail grubs. I've never used them before, but I am headed out this weekend, so I'll get a chance to fish them and a few other lures I picked up the other day. Have you ever been successful with them? Did you fish the grub fast or slow? Do you have any other critical advice that you're willing to pass on? Thanks in advance.

You make some very good points. A don't worry, your point about using simple tackle until I figure my "niche" makes perfect sense to me. Like you ad the others have said, I'll start simple and move up from there. Thanks a lot.

I've got a little kayak (6 or 8 footer, I can't remember). I've never fished from it in particular, but I have used one of similar size to fish but I wasn't able to stay still long enough to fish. I had a marabou jig on the line, just a little bit weight, and a float, which I had been using to catch panfish and one little smallmouth earlier that day. No luck at all... Any advice?

Nice work!

Sounds like a good approach. I'll try it!

I'll look for a couple of the lures you mentioned. I know I have a pack of scented plastic "swimbaits" (I believe that's what they're called) in my tackle box. I'll try them out as well. Thanks a lot.

I've definitely got a few things to try next time I'm out. Thanks.

I'm very new to bass fishing. I've a handful of them, mostly by accident, using panfish tackle. But I'd like to get better. I've got a few questions, and if you wouldn't mind answering them, it'd be appreciated very much: 1. What rig (line, bait or lure, weight, hook, etc.) would you recommend to someone who is new to bass fishing (particularly for largemouth)? 2. Do you have any advice for fishing from shore or a dock (as I don't have a boat yet)? 3. Do you need different tackle for largemouth and smallmouth bass (if so, what do you recommend for each)? Please understand that I've always fished for panfish before, never bass. I know these questions may seem silly, but answers to them would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

Thanks all. I'm excited to get to know you guys.