"hamma"

I will tie stuff on the day before, then apply a "scent" when I pick up the rod while fishing

Hmmmm,.. color? seems to be a consistent topic,. Why? well consider this,... I live in the northeast,...Catt in the south,.. Tom? California,...and so on.,.. We all live in different areas, and the waters therefore may have different qualities, vegetation, and extents of cover and structures. nevermind the different forage bases that will contain or exhibit different hues. Depths that we fish may also vary greatly, in Fla maybe just a few feet,.. to one of my favorites up here I'll fish at about 40 feet. We all know about how the spectrum of colors change at different depths ,..right. So I imagine that where as we all are fishing different waters there must be a variance in color choice, or should there be? Therein lies the question. I fish the same lure, but different colors, at different water bodies because thats what works. I dont have just shallow waters, or just deep clear waters over here. Theres literally just about every type of waterbodies possible here. Maybe thats why I have over my 50 years of bass fishing narrowed it down to 4 basic jig n pig colors, but within each color I tie up a few different hues. And this works for me, up here. depending on what lake, river, or pond I'm at, will tell me which color and hue I will tie on my flippin stick. (yeah I fish a jig on a flippin stick) You could say that Im crazy, you could say I am just obsessing, you could say color doesnt make much difference, are you wrong?,..I cant say,... But I do know that my color choices comes from many years of trial and error, and this is what works for me. Could be just for "my" confidence, but take into consideration that when I tie a bass jig?,..it takes about almost a hour to produce one of my "tweaked custom jigs". And I dont just do so to "try",...these are tested and been proved to me already, thats why I put the time in on them. Now on to the thought of does it matter to the bass? AGAIN,..I dont tie these jigs for fun, its been tested and proven that the color of these jigs does matter, its not just color though, weight, shape, and content add in there as well. Each jig I tie up is a certain weight, head shape, amount of skirt strands, and either a rattle, or rattle"s",... And yeah, it does matter to the bass as far as I can see, as one will work on a certain water body, and around a certain cover, where another will fail miserably. A flippin model will get stuck in a boulder field and a football model fail in a weedbed, and so on. Green hues seem to be better in weedy areas and black blue better around the boulders etc. Some lakes I will have a couple different jig rods ready to go, just slight variations in the actual jigs tied on. Forage may change colors due to temps, areas, and depths, but the base color usually stays true. At least, thats what I have found. Im no scientist thats "tested" this in a controlled environment. Just a fanatical bass angler thats been fishing a long time, going on whats worked, and keeping track of such to advance my consistency. Hence why im so freaked out about my states lead law ban, I now have to start all over again with "New" jigs. What I once used is now illegal, and only a few variations of my couple dozen different jighead styles are now legal for sale on the shelves here. So?,.. jig pouring lead alternatives is kind of a forced hobby I must now embark on if I want the once tested and proven scenario to continue. I just hope that I can duplicate what I used, as different materials weight differently,..Color for me in this deal is the least of my worries, colors? I can duplicate, the difficulty will lie in the jigheads themselves. Some weights, in certain shapes, may be tough to produce due to the different material being used. I may just cut some of my leadtied jigs skirts off and re-use them on a bismuth jighead. But Colors? in general,... to me?,... It does matter over here. yeah I could just fish green pumpkin and catch fish. But the right hue, in the right spot, at the right time? doesnt just catch fish, it catches PIGS! And to me? that matters

This year?,..id concentrate on fishing this pond, learning its depths, structure, and cover. flip some shoreline rocks/ logs over, and see if you can find out what color the crayfish are, figure out what kind of fish are there for the bass to prey on,..like fish a ultra light rod and tiny beetle spin and catch a few, maybe theres bluegill, perch, white bass, etc. Gather your info this year and by the end of summer you should have a much better grasp of what works there and what doesnt. Then you can start catching bass and keeping track of what conditions, and areas produce for you. Using the ideas above, and whatever you feel pertinent, should all add up to much easier decisions as to what days and lures will repel the skunk At least thats how Id approach it.

did ya ever wonder why many gin clear lake anglers use alot of spinning gear? back country mile!,...lol

I believe both situations the op is asking about is relative in terms. Match the hatch?in bass fishing? what is the previlant forage and what size are they now, as well as whats the water clarity/color. Barometer changes? consider whats been going on with the barometer for the past few weeks, and that will give you a better understanding as to what its effects are today. Then yet, nothing in fishing is written in stone other than,..."try your luck" funfishing you can choose your times and places, so fish when you can tournies? your not afforded those things,.. so your fishing that day, those hours,.. whether you like it or not, so if you plan on cashing a check? you best find the best fish, and actually fish them into your livewell

If its not the fuel? it may be a coil, check for spark. My 87 merc 35 hp had this as a issue, I upgraded to a newer elec start elec trim 40 anyways, but was told by the mechanic the 35's issue was spark

think loud, like rattles on that jig, a rattling chartruese squarebill slowly reeled in, a single bladed colorado spinnerbait, again reeled in slowly etc. Not knowing where you live, leaves alot to the imagination. But nonetheless, cold muddy water is a tough bill. Diligence, skill, and ability will be needed to produce

Although I grew up away from lakes and ponds the ocean was always just a short bicycle ride away. The previous responses pretty much summed up my reasons. And I truley do embody alot of their content. The tackle, boats, being outdoors, finding secluded sasquatch settlements,..lol.,.. The steam coming off the water during a early morning launch, the islands and shoreline mystically rising above its warm "cloudy" mattress. The sound of a closeby loon warms you some as you step up on the front deck, you cast out a topwater, and just as you get ready to retrieve it, the mornings silence is broken by an explosion that you were seeking, but didnt expect at that moment,...and your heartrate increases tenfold. And that sped up heartrate feeling remains, until you unhook and release that fish back into its world, (sometimes even longer,) readying yourself for another cast. That encounter with mother nature is actually a stimuli reaction to the need of "mankind" to produce for his family, for eons man has been the breadwinner, bringing home the bacon, feeding his family with whatever he had successfully procured. Ugg the caveman did so, and we too have the need to follow through. Equality and the womens revolution is in its infancy compared to the centuries, of men feeding their families goes. Is this bass fishing addiction in line with this theory? Maybe,...but it sure is fun, enticing, and intricate. And I for one will bass fish as long as I can, without a doubt. Years ago I pictured myself on my front porch rocking a rocking chair with a corncob pipe as I aged,..nowadays? Replacing that porch with my boat pretty much sums it up

Eventhough I have had largemouth before, it wasnt "my" catch. It was ok with proper seasoning, but, I beleive it depends on where they are caught.,..bass from a muddy swampy area? kinda dirt tasting and needs alot of seasoning. Bass from a prestine clear lake, a better tasting morsel. Then yet, I do live in a area where in ten minutes and I'm standing on lobstermans docks, cod boat docks, etc. Ever try fresh cusk? If you like fish, "fresh caught" salty cusk is simply incredable. Best recipe I've found is: place equal parts crushed ritz and progresso itailian bread crumbs in a glass baking dish, (no eggs/milk) dredge fillets in that mix, with some of the remaining mixture cover the fillets a bit, then cover fillets with thin sliced butter,...cook at 350 about 20 minutes depending on fillets thickness (until the middle flakes with a fork) Ive yet to find a fish I didnt like cooked this way

I've owned a 8' basshunter for over 30 years now,..Ive had 2 full grown guys on it with 2 batteries and 2 motors,... on windy days? I wouldnt recommend it as heavier waves will breach it with 2 anglers aboard. But on calm days? no problems at all, just a bit tight room wise. When I fish alone even the waves from other boats and mildly windy days dont effect me at all, as long as I point it into the waves as one should anyways. I have never swamped, or sank it. Love that little rig.

Dicks carries the eagle claw tin/bismuth jigs that are shaped well for grass jigs. At least thats what I have been using. I pulled the trigger on a melting pot yesterday, and am researching the different molds, and materials to use. I fish both weedless bassjigs and jigheads so I have a task ahead of me for acquiring the "needed" alternatives, but I'm sure I will be pouring soon. This all has come to fruition as the lack of alternatives has left me short of my usual techniques and tactics on the water, to be compliant to the law. I'm looking to pour my own bassjigs in casting, flipping, and grass models,.,..... and jigheads in standup, darter, tube, and weedless, as well as the available footballs and rounds. The materials Im thinking of will be either tin/bismuth,..or pewter. Tungsten is just way out of the question for me as this either needs to be machined, or melted at over 6000 degrees,... neither I have the capability for. As I get acclimated to pouring, and am up and running, if there is a "special" jig you need?,..I will seek out the mold, or make one if possible,.. From what I am to understand, tin/bismuth,..and pewter are both a bit different than lead to pour, and may cause some issues with even the shapes Im considering, so its all going to be a trial by error thing to begin with, but if I can make it? I will.

In this case I just downsize what I normally have with me, same baits just less of them

depending on conditions either a suspending jerkbait or original rapala floating jerkbait

Considering the time of year? main lake points (if there are any) and adjacent areas topwaters in the morning crankbaits as the day wears on spinnerbaits in the wind jerkbaits, jigheads and grubs/spiders, dropshotting 4 inch worms, and even jigging spoons should work as well.

Many times, I dont photo op alot anyways as my attention is on the bite, and setting a possible pattern. I once felt a "hit" and got a good hookset, the fish fought hard and as I finally got a look at it I noticed its a fouled hook fish, and near the tail,...I brought it aboard, and found that the hook had inserted itself in the fish's anus,....Talk about a pain in the ,...

I have bought some ecopro, mags, and made some for myself from the available eagleclaw football heads, and weedless bass jigs. They all work and have yet to determine if one is "better" then another. The eagle claws seem to be a good swim/grass jig and the others (eco, mags) Ive tied up worked well for flipping/pitching. And the football heads, Ive readied for Quabbin/NH.,...All the stores will soon be jacked up for the upcoming season, and I've found these jigs at Dicks, and Basspro. But the pickins are slim,..I checked out Mike's site and looks like he has some great jigs that arent lead. But I havent bought any because I use alot of 1/4, and 3/8 oz sizes and he doesnt seem to make many different models in that size. Which Is leading me towards pouring my own soon.

To fish weightless you must, MUST, be watching your line. Otherwise you can miss any hits you get. Same goes for any bottom bouncing lure, for that matter. Any movement in the line, even the slightest "tick" could just be the fish of a lifetime.

I tied that up, I got the idea from a fly tying video, the pincers are actually a rubber o-ring, the body is black estaz/grey dubbing mix, and the tail is marabou, and 4 strands of rubber skirt material. All on a 1/8 oz jig which I powdercoated the head black. I tied this as the NH lakes region has a huge amount of black hellgramites, and thought the smallies would hit it, if they do, I will be tying up more. From what I understand hellgramites live a few years before they molt into their fly, so a small bite sized morsel may just entice finicky smallies. Testing to take place this season.

best craws? umm ,...is there one? They all seem to work. I can remember making plastic "creepy crawlers" as a kid. For you youngins? creepy crawlers was a fad back in the 60's/70's,.. you could make your own worms, spiders, a crawlies, to scare mom and friends.. Came complete with the plastics, molds, colorants and pot all in one fun filled box. Im pretty sure there was a crayfish/lobster mold, as new molds kept coming out for a while. With that being said? I bet those old creepy crawlers would even work. Bass love crayfish, hence the many different choices of craws to ponder through. Personally, I like the soft yamamoto lifelike looking craws, Gene Larew's salty craws, and miss the old Manns co kangaroo craws. But to clarify,...the question at hand is like asking the nation,..what's the "best" beer,. best truck, or best football team,...... eventhough we all know, its the Patriots!,....lol,...now play nice!

As fire marshall Bill states: "lemmie tell ya somethin!" All these so-called new rigs come and go,...and some "may" stay. Bass will still strike at the head of their quarry, the ever so effective texas rig will always have its place,...ALWAYS! The drop shot? really isnt "new", maybe newish to bass fishing,...But not new to fishing at all. Ive got old cod fishing rigs that are exactly, yeah "exactly" the same thing. And also have been catching squid at a local pier with the same concept for many years before it showed up in the bass fishing world. The ned rig?,...a modified jighead and plastic The alabama rigs? umbrella rigs been catching salty fish for years, before it appeared in the freshwater realm The list goes on and on. What you see arrive in bass fishing today, was most likely effective elsewhere previously, usually ingeniously modified to fit a freshwater bass angling bill,...but not "new" Neko? a weighted senko Jika? I dont even know what it is.,..so I wont comment The tried and true texas rig, is a staple for a reason, It slips through and over cover easily, and the hook is placed at the head where most fish will strike. And why did it come to fruition to begin with? Because bass love weeds. Fish a exposed hook through a huge weedbed and you too will understand. Goodbye to the texas rig?,..Im still laughing. P.S. How dare they expose my stand-up jighead secret! Blasphomy says I !!!,...Dang creatons !! ,...lol

Good luck this year, hope you do well! It amazes me how many people I took out fishing many years ago that got "hooked" on it as well, some now tourney fish. Most all have either a coleman crawdad, kayak, tin or fiberglass bass rig. When years ago they didnt even have a clue as to what a baitcaster was. And a slug-o? Considered a fighting term.,...They all now fish with the vigor I do, baitcasting and spinning gear alike. Many reasons attribute to anglers getting bit by the bass fishing bug. The challenge, the serenity, the diversity, some enjoy the competition of tourneys, we all have our reasons. Up here it seems to be the allure of the fiesty smallie and the beautiful areas their waters encompass. Even on a bad day of fishing, the shear beauty alone is breathtaking enough to calm anyone's nerves. But get a good day of fishing a decent smallie lake? anyone would be hooked. Also,... consider that there's backwoods waters that appear like they come straight from Texas, Florida, Michigan, and Canada, all just minutes from downtown Boston? Makes it all the more attractive to the unknowing "citified yankee!". Stripers, tuna, trout, and salmon have a huge following here, and always have, most of them have been the mainstays since the Plymouth Plantation,.... but to find a freshwater bass angler here? Is becoming easier every year, and I almost dare to say there "may be" as many bass anglers now here, as trout anglers. Maybe

I dont use braid, but I have a few good pairs of needlenose pliers, a couple hook files, a multi tool, a decent pair of suture hemostats, a pair of diagonal cutters, and a huge saltwater hook (for painted over hook eyes). The multiple tools are for the front and back decks, I use to have a pair of "long nosed diagonal cutters", or "articulated" for cutting deep buried hooks, but cant find them. They were very valuable to have. Wish I could remember where I got them, so I could replace them. Probably a electricians, or linemans situation specific type tool I'm guessing, but they were cool, and worked great for gut hooked fish, just snip off the point and barb and weasel the hook out, or get as much as possible anyways.

Ummmm,.... jigs as in a jig and pig?, or a jig as in a jighead and plastic?,...after reading the responses im guessing a jig and pig. I use several different set-ups. All of them follow the criteria of "single hook? heavier rod". I use 2 flipping sticks, a heavy action 7' graphite, a 9'8" med heavy graphite, a med heavy 6' braid specific rod and a 5' 10" heavy action spinning rod, the casting rods all have quality shimano reels "curado's and citica's" and the spinning don's a symetre 4000. All have 12 pound green mono, and have specific duties. 6 rods? for one lure? Yeah, I like using a jig and pig, and utilize them in all aspects available, and one unusual technique as well. When out fishing alone, I have the room on the boat for over a dozen "ready" rods, and do so, when deemed necessary. (usually 4 or 5 jig rods)

try bears den, they are near me and have a huge inventory. Price matching and a website. Im not affiliated with them at all, just, been there and saw all the flytying and flyfishing stuff and I know I can get what I want/need there.