68camaro

These are small local ponds and there are not structures I can find. Its pretty shallow for several feet out, but there are no docs or trees in water. There are bushes overhanging in areas but I cannot get to these areas. I have caught nice bass with frogs and swimming jigs in the shoreline pads.

Also, I pitch out about 3 - 7 feet from shore, which is end of pad edge. Sometimes I pitch past pad edge and let jig naturally swim back under rod. This sound correct.

Thanks all. I am beginner for sure, there are nice sized bass under pads along shore of my ponds, but finding them is tough. It sounds Like I just need to be more patient and stick with technique with reward of bigger, but fewer fish.

I spent some time pitching a verticle jig just off shore today into pads in local pond. It seems a technique based alot on luck, either you pitch on or by fish or not. If this is true, to increase your odds you need to maximize number of pitches. If so, how many pitches and/or flips do you do in an hour? Do you pitch taking your time or kinda rush in increase number of pitches. If I am all wrong in my original premise, let me know.

Great news on your health and reigniting one of your passions. Sounds like you have a cool build mapped out, definitely show picks when you can.

I rather enjoy colder temps and snow, hope its true in Central VA. Now my wife on the other hand, who hates any temps below 75*, will be miserable if forecast is true.

Since I don't have one if these I will pick a couple up and see how it goes - thanks

Sadly, the biggest issue is I don't have these areas by me accessible from shore. I would love using a shaky-head technique but just won't work in my spots.

thanks for ideas, I will try these this weekend. I think I can raid my trout tackle box for all this stuff. This won't be the first time I raided trout gear for bass needs:) John, thanks. Because my areas are heavily fished I don't think I gave plastics are fair shot. I have had luck with Rage Chunk on swimming jig through heavy stuff with frog rod, but I gave up early on finesse type worms due to lack of success. Now that weather cooler I probably should try these again.

I started this thread a couple days ago because I wanted to learn finesse fishing from shore. Yesterday and today I went to two ponds and one lake by me to finesse with one on my 5'5" UL spinning reel set ups with mod-extra fast action. I quickly discovered that shaky-head techniques would not work because my pond bottoms are very soft and have alot of algae on bottom so jig and bait get lost. I then tried drop shots with weight 18" and 2' below bait. The bait and weight got all caught up in the pond algae and weeds and the weeds in the lake really negatively impacted the technique. Because the water was real clear I was able to see bait a good bait out and it was not presenting correctly. Unless I can figure out a fix, I am thinking of forgetting a finessee rod and just get a specialized Jerk Bait rod instead. For the little I can finesse from shore without getting tangled up I think I have a trout rod with spinning reel I can use. Begore going home I swithed to a Terminator T-1 spinner on my 6'6" MH/F St. Croix and caught three bass in 20 minutes, running it on top and through the algae.

Very good info, thanks for sharing.

Looks like you have things covered, let us know how you do next time out.

I have three rod set-up as well, rods are all different manufacturers but reels are all same except for gearing. I like trying different manufacturers on rods but for reel I am keeping the same maker. I think this will help me understand the brakes and nuances better plus make repairs easier. My two cents

No, but I have not thought about Altoona in over 10 years since I moved out of Atlanta. We used to go crappie fish on Altoona at night, buddy who was local guy had been putting old Christmas trees in spots for years. Whenever we went fishing we caught a boat load of crappie. Sorry lost track of buddy and no idea of coordinates of spots.

For those that think the Stinger wouldn't be recommended, what do you think of the 70-xxs shaky-headhead. http://www.megabassusa.com/products/orochi-xx-f3%C2%BD-70xxs-shaky-head This might be better for horizontal finesse fishing and skipping under structures.

Tom, I have the two older Pflueggers and old line around but will look to change reel if I like the finesse fishing. Truth be told Fishing rods/reels are not most expensive hobby I have. Since taken up bass fishing I am saving a lot in ammo costs:) Good point as I do not vertical fish, what ml would you recommend, in the XX line? I do like going to the real light baits.

Great info thanks all. I just went fishing in pond to try "finesse techniques" for 1 hr using my UL trout gear with a 1/4 oz shakeyhead and white split tail worm thingy. Didn't catch anything or any bites but I think it is because pond has soft bottom with alot of algae on bottom. As far as I could see, due to clear water, the shakeyhead sank below the algae. I think a drop shot would have been a better choice as I think It would have kept worm just above algae. As far as rod goes: Can you explain why? I read this somewhere also. I did find a review from Outdoor world that called this rod the best finesse rod for 2015. What option is there vs. the solid tips and pros/cons? The Ronin recommends lures starting at 1/4 oz. and testline up to 16 lbs and is fast action, I like the Stinger because it starts at 1/16 and is extra fast which I think will be real good at skipping under docks/tress etc.. I have really learned parellel fishing from shore over past month, caught all my biggies within 5 feet of shore. I usually start out close with jig out front, them throwing to left and right, last technique is cranks/jerks fanning way out, then bottom fishing. This usually always works. My ponds are heavily fished and I never had luck with wacky rig or t-rig.

I have two older Pflueger 4-piece travel rod/reels that have broken rods. I figured I could turn these reels into finesse setup with two different reels. The reels are spec'd for 4-8 lbs, 5.2:1 ratio. I spooled one up with 6lb Berkley Trilene Mono. I also have some Shakespeare Supreme clear 4lb and a spool of original Stren 4lb Lo-Vis Clear, neither of these say if mono or not. The line is at least 5 years old and has been stored in garage.

As non-boating shore angler, I was wondering if finesse fishing from shoreline make sense? I was thinking of getting a Orochi XX spinning rod, possibly the Stinger Shot, and learn finesse fishing. Of the Orochi line would this make a good general overall finesse rod, I wouldn't use it for any cranks but maybe some light jerk baits. mostly just use for plastics. Thanks

.45 in commander size is my preffered carry, but when I need deep concealment, especially in summer clothes in South, I have switched to Brownings new 1911-380 Blackout. I prefer this than any pocket gun or micro in any caliber. Before you chuckle at a 380 realize its a real 1911, only 85% of the size of full size .45c, and it be being a 380 it is a lot more narrow so it gets lost in waistband with tuckable minimalist holster. As afar as ammo, the long barrel gives the 380 much more velocity than a pocket or smaller 380, and paired with Power'R ball ammo it is d**n lethal. Accurate as you can get. As others say, carry what you are comfortable and proficient with, remember better to have something than nothing.

My first baitcaster is my utility rod, it is a MH, Fast action St. Croix 6'6". Great rod and good for your purposes. Be careful, after I bought my first I bought two more shortly thereafter. I am set with my 3 rod/reel setup........for now:)

Welcome and great success story in tournament. I knew guy who started very successful business by renting equipment for one weekend with a lot of lumber and invited all big companies buyers to check out his "business", only once he signed a couple contracts did he buy the equipment and hire his first employee.

Awesome - keeps you coming back for more.

not my reels, but I do keep main. records of firearms.

Since I am new to bass fishing I am trying to keep it easy, I have a three rod set-up, plus: 4 jerkbaits, 4 toppers, 4 crank baits, 3 lipless crank baits, 4 jigs 1 Chatterbait 2 Buzzbaits 1 Spinner 5 types of worms 6 types of creature baits 3 Frogs 2 Swimbaits 16 hook types 6 weight types 2x - 12 lb flouro 50 lb braid All in all not many lures I guess for a seasoned fisherman, but for a newbie I think its a fair representation of the different presentations/lures to learn from and build off of.