The Bassman

Tired of waiting with you. I'm going fishing. Helping a customer of mine set up a new outfit (not Quantum).

I prefer to use rods under 6'6" because I don't like to feel tip weight. The perfect rod (spinning and casting) practically "floats" at the tip when I'm holding the rod as I would while retrieving. Makes it much easier on my wrist during the day.

Not that they're my favorite but I would say Berkley because they would cover hard baits and soft plastics. Edit; I forgot to include Strike King. Probably would go with them.

Don't lip Mr. Esox.

I'd say '78.

To fish I presume.

Single hooks. Barbless hooks. Quicker hooksets with soft plastics. It doesn't matter. As much as I try, it's a crap shoot when a bass with his breathing apparatus fully exposed inhales a lure. I do use forceps rather than pliers because they're more precise. I'm convinced they don't feel pain.

Agreed. I've been catching a lot of fish this season on a fairly pricey wakebait. It occurred to me while retrieving it that it's just a jitterbug that isn't quite on the surface.

Really don't think the OP was trying to put the razz on anybody. I'm always tempted to show off when people are around but then I think "Do I really want to be tipping my hand?

Got out this morning and had some good action with t-rigged Hula Stickz and Zara Spook Puppy just for fun. Caught two 3 lb.r's and one 4 in addition to several smaller. Strikes on the Spook can be deceiving in that they sometimes just suck it in like it's a big bug. My 4 hit that way. Also, managed a couple of wades earlier this past week. Fished Sugar Creek just south of me. It's an easier wade than most due largely to it's sand streambed. I have trouble anymore dealing with uneven rock areas because of an ankle issue. Didn't catch any bigs but there's no comparing the experience to fishing the neighborhood lakes I frequent. Lots of peace and quiet and the whole nature thing.

Assuming you're sticking with finesse/worm techniques. I got adventurous Thurs. eve. as the front was passing and tried a chatterbait on b/c tackle. Caught one of my best (5+) of the season. I fish a group of HOA lakes close to home that differ from most in that they have a shad forage base. Looking forward to the next couple of months as the bass start going more pelagic following the shad. These are good sized lakes so I have to believe there's some big ones to be caught.

MGL is acronym for magnumlite. Spool is aluminum. Shimano doesn't recommend use in salt because of the porting which allows water intrusion. Chronarch G is specified for salt as mentioned.

I agree. Day in and day out smallies are much faster and stronger. That said, I've hooked the occasional largemouth that thinks he's a smallmouth. One thing that largemouth do sometimes that I've never seen with a smallie is that they'll get they're head out of the water and be basically motionless as you bring them in. No fight at all.

Don't keep track of #'s but have had times that action was so good that it became work. Don't want to let my passion become a chore. By the way, it's 6:00 AM Sat. Time to grab my gear and get going. Dirty work but someone's got to do it.

Went out spur of the moment before sundown and had a real fun frog bite. Caught four 2-3 lbrs. in a little over half an hour. Had to quit because the nose of my frog (only lure I brought) got torn and wouldn't float. This reinforces what I've said before that some of my best sessions come from limiting my options.

Now that's being resourceful. Once at church camp when I was a kid I had brought some mono and hooks to use for a handline. Got creative and used a cane pole tip from a skit (play) the night before and swiped a couple of slices of bread from the lunch table. Caught some really big bluegills.

Where were you in IN? We're not known for too many sites. I grew up next to the Speedway.

The most important thing is to teach him to close the bail manually, not with the internal trip. also, when retrieving keep a little tension on the line. It doesn't have to be held between the fingers, just a little contact with an extended index finger. These two things would solve a lot of guys issues with spinning tackle.

Can't help but notice you focusing on small waters and fishing on foot this year. Are you finding it more productive or just less trouble than taking the boat out?

I've got a rather primitive method for spooling both spinning and casting reels. I lay my line spool on my desk and feed the line between two 2 liter pop jugs. The spool spins on the desk against the jugs and maintains a measure of tension. I can increase it with my hand as I'm reeling. Simple, but it works.

We're no different than women with their purses and shoes. We're wired to want to buy things. The industry thrives on that. The OP said exactly what I've considered posting at other times. In all honesty some of my best outings are when I grab a rod with only the lure that's attached and a pair of pliers for hook removal. Conversely, some of my least productive trips have resulted from having too many choices.

We're just having fun with the new guy. Welcome and any opportunity to get back is encouraged. Seriously, I googled "fishing downtown Boston" and came up with several choices. Best of luck. Watched a video from another post that showcased Mike Iaconelli fishing Central Park in NYC. Fish don't know where they are.

Don't know about the fishing but I hear good chowdah is easy to find.

I've always loved wading here in IN for smallmouth. Physical challenges have made it more difficult in recent years. Your post paints a very near and dear word picture.

Ditto to that "clomp" except I call it a thud. The only downside to it is that I need some wind blowing to get a trap bite going. We're in the doldrums right now. Pretty much no wind. First fall weather with a stiff breeze and I'm in heaven!