jdw174

Sometimes.....it's worth it to pick up In-fisherman just for the bass articles, but I wouldn't want a subscription to it. However, IMO the best bass fishing publication out there is the In-Fisherman Bass Fishing Annual. Only comes out once a year, but well worth the wait.

If there's a little ripple, I like to start with a buzzbait. If it's dead calm, a Pop-R or some type of chugger, or something I can walk the dog with. If it's fairly choppy, out comes the Devil's Horse.

I've got an AbuGarcia 1044 reel that I use for worm fishing/silver buddies/finesse jigs. It's a closed face that releases the line when you touch the top of the spool with your finger. IMO one of the best wormin' spinning reels ever made (Last one I saw on Ebay was going at $75 only halfway thru the auction ) The time has come for a cleaning/general tuneup with perhaps some work on the drag. Does anyone know of a shop that might do this? I tried ReelMech, but it was a no go. I'd hate to have to dump it

In the weight range you're talking about, I use an AllStar SRMHTN model (6'6" MH action with a Tennessee handle) with an AbuGarcia 1044 reel. IMO one of the best spinning reels ever made for this type of fishing. If going to heavier weights I use a Falcon LowRider rod and a Shimano Castaic reel.

Try varying your speed during the retrieve. I'll crank fast.....then stop...then start...then slow it down. You can also fish it with a lift and drop. If you get a strike, keep in mind what you were doing when the fish hit. I get a lot of hits when I burn it, then stop it. They'll hit it on the pause.

Me too. It's Larry Nixon's favorite worm and if it's good enough for Larry, well....................

I usually get out once a week for about 6 hours. Longer in the cooler days of spring and fall, but during the latter part of June and thru July/Aug, the sun/heat will strip the hide off of you around here 8-)

Here ya go. At 1/16 oz, even 6lb line is rough but it can be done. Just don't try to get much distance ;D It's got the smallest treble hook I've ever seen. Great bluegill/crappie lure. http://www.another site.com/tacklestore/showcase.cfm?PID=4338

You're asking an awful lot in trying to cast a Tadfry on 8-10lb line. 6 would be more like it. If I'm fishing for bluegill or crappie I toss it on 4. Great little lure, BTW.

I spent a good number of years running a bass boat on Lake Erie. I don't get much rougher than that old lady I recommend a 4-blade prop setup. Second, if you don't have one, I much prefer a HotFoot throttle. Trying to control boat speed with the hand throttle in really rough water ain't my cup of tea. I prefer BOTH hands on the steering wheel Running in "following" waves (going with the wind instead of into it) is, to me at least, tougher than running into it. A couple of days ago, I had to make a 6 mile run back to the ramp in 20mph winds in the following waves. Not the smoothest ride I've ever had : If I'd have been running into them I'd have had a much better time of it. If the waves are running close together I normally put her up and let her run. Keep an eye out for those sneaky bigguns that crop up. In swells it's time to slow things down a bit. One thing I do if I'm fishing Kentucky lake is to check the Intellicast page on the internet for the wind forecast, and make my early AM run so that when I return, it's always INTO the wind. With a direct wind from the North or south, that body of water can darn near equal anything Lake Erie can toss at you at times. Seat time will improve your rough water handling. Just remember....KILL SWITCH AND LIFE JACKET....ALWAYS.

I gotta agree with the original poster. Although I have a couple of small boxes in the boat with the proper gear for dropshotting and shakeyheadin', I've had limited success with the first and none with the second. My time on water is limited so I don't really want to experiment.....I just wanna catch FISH 8-) Soooo, I normally tie on what works for me and just leave it at that. I might change colors, but that's about it.

Blackie, if you don't have them, look into a set of guides for the rear of your trailer. This would allow you to drive the boat up on the trailer at least part way, then you could winch it the rest. As for launching, could you not back into the water, start your engine and back off the trailer? Then tie off your boat and go and get your rig and park it. Shouldn't require all that much strength.

I use a 6'6" MH spinning rod and 12lb SilverThread line. Hook is a Gammy G-Lok.

+1 for everything Sam said. When I go by myself (which is almost all the time), I can go WHEN I want, quit WHEN I want, fish the WAY I want and I don't have to worry about accidentally frontending someone.

+1 on this. By all means, get it fixed NOW.

I don't think it was competing with large chains that closed BA's Baits. Rather it was a matter of his business getting so big that he just wore himself out trying to handle it all. Al made some of the best jigs and spinnerbaits around. I still have quite a few of them and use them regularly. It was a lot of work and he worked in constant pain from neck injuries. I spent a lot of time (and $$) in his shop before I moved away from there, and always found time to go back for a visit when I was in the area.

I'd follow KVD ALL DAY EVERY DAY

I'm no mechanic......and it sounds to me like that's what you need. I'd head back to the place where it was rebuilt. You do have some type of warranty?

For a lake that large, I'm sure there must be a topo map of some kind available. That...and a good LCR unit is where I'd start.

Same answer as with the C-rig. If it's plastic you can T-rig it. The more stained/muddy the water is the darker the color you can use.

Agreed that it doesn't matter. Probably the most popular is the lizard, followed by some type of creature bait. Or you can try Senkos, plain ol' plastic worms, etc., etc., etc

I carry three spinning rods in the boat for "special occasions". Two AllStars and one Castaway.

Try the Jitterbug in frog finish. Spooks or Spook-style lures can be just about any color and work if you do your part. Remember that the fish is looking UP at your lure and all it's gonna see is the bottom if that. Most likely it will see the commotion it causes and just the outline/silhouette of the lure itself.

I agree with most of you. I'd feel like a cannibal eating a bass. Just the way it is. If I want to eat fish there isn't an eatery around this neck of the woods that doesn't serve up a dandy southern-fried catfish dinner Or I could just go and fish for shellcrackers/bluegill/crappie. If you want to see something that brings tears to your eyes you should hit some of the resorts around here in the spring and see what goes on the table in the fish cleaning shacks. If it's legal it gets killed. I've seen far too many 5+ LM go under the fillet knife :-[ Once I saw a couple of old-timers come in as I was launching. They wanted to show me their fish. They had two limits of 4lb smallies they were gonna eat. :-/ Darn near put me in tears......

Cloudy days will usually make fish more active and could scatter them a bit more. Sunny days can make them bury up in cover. Rain doesn't bother me in the least. I'd take a cloudy, drizzly day over a bright sunny one any time Days like that have been some of the best for me. Topwaters are fine during these periods. Likewise spinnerbaits and lipless/shallow running cranks.