BacklashBassin'

Im from Ohio and your true haha. I have never consistently caught 4 to 7 pound bass.

Next year I plan to focus on different techniques that I usually don't use often like drop shotting, and wacky rigs, these are good techniques to have up your sleeves when the bass want something much more finesse.

For crank baits I have always tied my line directly to the split ring. For some reason I've just been worried about the strength of the snaps so I never gave it a try. Snaps could give you an advantage of extra action possibly, however, I like to put another split ring on the existing split ring, it will let the crank bait sway much more freely and less uniformly (Becareful with this trick, I have used this method to add action before, but on certain crankbaits it can totally destroy the intended action, and swim way to erratically.) Also for people with large hands snaps can be a pain.

A good way to get those bass to bite is make them angry, and get the bait close to them. Something real flashy, loud, or annoying would work. I would try using a large buzzbait, or a heavy chatterbait. A umbrella rig may work well too. I would also focus on working the whole pond, walking down the shore a few feet after every few cast. Those monsters could be hiding down deep, so I would use heavier baits.

What is your go-to bait that always seems to catch you a fish when having a tough day? For me I'd have to go with jigs, and chatterbaits.

The Plastics: When Texas rigging i like to use worms or plastics with a lot of action. For worms, I like to use Berkley 4 inch and 6 inch Power worm, and any ribbon tail worm will work great I've been using the 8 inch Cabelas ribbon tail worm white a lot this year and have produced a lot of fish with them. For beaver styler baits I'll usually use a Havoc Pit Boss. Zoom Fat Albert grubs also work great for me on a slow retrieve. The Colors: I don't like the flashy bright colors, I tend to use natural colors. Green pumpkin, Watermelon candy, pumpkin seed, black n' blue, and junebug are my favorite colors to name a few. Sometimes certain colors are better at certain bodies of water. If you don't know what colors to pick, go with a natural color, green pumpkin will never fail. The Hook: My favorite Texas rig hook would have to be the 3/0 VMC EWG offset hook. In addition to Texas rigging I found underspins to work miracles, when you add a plastic to it.

Jigs, Chatterbaits, and Spinnerbaits and some of my favorite baits, and definitely my go to baits, I would give those baits a shot. For the days the bass just aren't biting any baits that trigger a good reaction bite, I would try something finesse perhaps drop shooting, which is a deadly technique if you can execute it right. Wacky rigs are a good and easy alternative to the drop shot, while less finesse they are must easier to fish. There are also some more advanced rigs you should look into like the Neko rig, and Carolina rigs. Even going old school works, just a worm on a hook and a bobber, although that could catch you sunfish or perch instead depending upon where you fish. Although you mastered the Texas rig technique, there are so many varieties of plastics you can put on your Texas rig, like creature baits, and beavers baits which are not used as often as regular worms. Hopefully I gave you some ideas you can try this winter, and master next year. Good luck! -BacklashBassin'

My latest tackle purchases: A BPS Tourney special bait cast combo A bunch of Plano storage boxes 3 Z-Man Chatterbaits A Berkley Flicker Shad pro And some 12 pound Stren monofilament line.

From my overall experience in Bass fishing, I've caught a lot more fish on Chatterbaits. I like throwing the original Z-Man chatter bait. In fact I use Chatterbaits year round they are my go to bait, to trigger a reaction bite, when bass want something less finesse. My favorite colors to use are white, and bluegill. I really suggest you throw chatterbaits more often and see how it works for you. Good luck hope I could help. -BacklashBassin'