The Bassman

Watched the weather this morning and they showed the north side got over 2" of rain. Don't know if you fish north but guessing that the high off color water would change your tactics. I'm going to hit some storm drains. With wind advisory it's going to be interesting to say the least.

Our state like most others is encouraging us to get outside. We had temps in the 70's today before a cold front and storms. I had some real good action until 2:00 this afternoon when I got caught in a big storm with nowhere to go for shelter. My car was about a half mile away. Other than being completely soaked and bombed with marble sized hail I was very fortunate. This stuff wasn't supposed to hit until after 4:00. Had myself convinced that it was going to stay north of me. I tend to rationalize when I'm getting bit every few casts.

I fish year round and probably catch anywhere from 20-30 to well over a hundred each month depending on the time of year. Fish under 12" don't count. One fact that tempers these numbers is that I exclusively fish small ponds and lakes. I would bet some of these fish know my name by now. Have doubtless caught many larger fish numerous times.

Welcome to the forums. My first advice would be not to take bass fishing too seriously as you start out. I've had many memorable experiences with some fairly large fish over the years. That said, I just came in from a short outing where I caught a dozen or so 12-14 inchers and had a blast. It's all fun.

This is the hook I've settled on for Ikas. I do make one change, though. I swap out the screw lock for a large Owner center pin lock. I get a lot more mileage out of my baits. The stock spring is too light gauge and wants to stretch and tear out of the bait. Another mod I do is to cut a notch out of my bait in front of the hook point. Really helps with hook ups.

Welcome from a fellow hoosier. Great lineup. You clearly know your stuff. I use two JDM Shimano Zodias, one a 6'4" ML and another 6'4" L with 1000 Stradic CI4+FA's and 4 and 6 lb. Fins Windtamer for my ned work (and a lot of other things).

They're not as weedless as they look. The dorsal fin is real soft. Good luck.

I actually just started fishing it this past winter. In the water the small paddletail makes it look exactly like a young bluegill. The color I use resembles a 'gill with the tail mimicking the pearly bluish appearance you see when they're near the bank. Also, the lure performs well as a swimbait or a jig.

I bought a 100B on e-bay several years ago and gave it some TLC: new gear set (probably unnecessary) fresh spool bearings, carbontex drag, 90mm aftermarket handle, and a Chronarch 50 Mg spool. Have considered selling it but I know I would have seller's remorse the rest of my life. They are very special reels.

I've been doing real well with this bait, a Megabass Dark Sleeper. Today with low 30's air temp and water in the 40's they were eating it up. One of my favorite cranks, a Rapala Rippin' Rap was getting follows but no commitment. Put this on and as you can see they had every intention of eating it.

Looks like my old Loomis 722 IMX. I've got an Aldebaran 50 on it. Weighs next to nothing.

Nobody's mentioned neg rig. Not glamorous but very useful. I'm in central IN and fish all winter when I have open water and the ned is a primary tool.

Curious about your comparison of the SLX MGL and the Scorp 70.

And this was funny years ago. We live in a different world now. 64073995-7e59-4def-9950-8720e450f56b.mp4

Looks like you've been fishing for him when you're bored. Welcome to the forums and just know that I'm joking. Don't have a real answer.

Supposed to be in the 60's late this week but raining. Gonna bundle up and try today. Kinda stinks after last Sun. being 66.

Looks like you've been given some good advice. I will add a side note about the 832. It's thick for its stated strength. 6 lb. is as thick as 10 lb. PP. On light setups that will affect casting distance (if that's an issue) for you. I bank fish so it's very important to me. I use 4 and 6 lb. Fins Windtamer. It throws a country mile and is very strong. I use pink which is easy for me to see.

Jerkbaits are a real head game with me. I've had brief flurries of action on them but just can't get myself convinced of their effectiveness. That said, I see a trend within this thread. I've said this before and I honestly believe that all of this comes from my head and not the fish's. We have our confidence baits and if we direct our efforts mostly on them they catch fish for us.

And fish can still be caught. The difference for me though is my perception of the air temp. After being out when it's 65* 45 seems colder than 35 did a month ago. Guess it's part of getting old.

Why not get him a Fuego LT? Cosmetics would go good with the rod, also.

I think I know what women feel when they look in a jewelry store showcase.

Had a wonderful early spring-like afternoon catching mostly smaller 12-14" bass and one close to 3lb. Caught this bonus on a ned rigged hula stickz.

Nothing that would specifically target big bass. Normal retrieve for me is to reel slow with an occasional pop to hopefully trigger a strike.

Chatterbaits seem to be a high percentage/bigger fish bait for me.

The Texas eye heads seem a little big for a Hula Stickz. The hook would take up a lot of the bait. I use smaller finesse t-rig jig heads like Bass Pro finesse and Charlie Brewer Pro Slider heads. I try to stay with ned heads most of the time but the t-rigs come in handy in the summer.