BigAngus752

What was the alarm? This could be something as simple as one bad spark plug (that happened with my 115 4 stroke Merc) or water in the fuel or it could be something serious. Your alarm helps you figure that out. I'll include a link to the Guardian system codes. The most important thing is to get it to your mechanic when it's acting up. Your mechanic will only be able to diagnose it if it's doing "the thing". I have a spectacular mechanic who would refuse to give it back to me until he got it to act up. Unfortunately some aren't so spectacular. https://www.perfprotech.com/blog/marine-outboard-motors/mercury-marine-smartcraft-and-guardian-system-warning-horn-alarms

100% agree on the wind change. Especially in the spring.

That's a bold statement with Larceny Barrel Proof sitting there. I'm going to have to find some of the WT 12yr now.

The 25 degree drop in temps the first day only affect you. The fish won't feel it until the second day. Will they like the rain? If it's a cold rain probably not. If it's a warm rain probably yes. But is the barometer dropping? They may love that. Or hate it. Do you want to go fishing? That's how I judge it. If I want to fish then I do. Could be your PB day. Could be the "s" word. If you don't go, you won't know.

Don't just gloss over this!!! You are getting some good advice about the finesse stuff, but pay attention to these guys. My closest body of water is a small, electric-only preserve with some big bass (and everyone knows it). Lots of pressure. I have watched and talked with the other fishermen at that lake. I can tell you what 90% of the boats are throwing during what time of year because they all sit and talk about "what works" in this lake. Today is Sunday. There will be a ton of bass fishermen throwing white spinnerbaits and red cranks (because it's "spring"). I have been there fishing and had 5 boats come up to me to ask how I'm catching bass after bass and no one else can boat anything. It's because of what I'm NOT throwing. I have actually seen two guys in the same boat make a full turn around the entire shore of the lake BOTH throwing white spinnerbaits and never catching a bass. Really? But dragging a green pumpkin jig caught me several bass that day.

I was reading the "retying" thread and had to make this meme. It's all I could think about reading that thread.

I'm 53yrs old and I just tried for the first time a beer that makes my top ten of all time. I was complaining that a 4pk was $11.50 until I took my first drink.

Me: (reads title) This should be an interesting thread. I may be able to contribute. Me: (reads "I was just goofing around and caught a 4'11 and a 6'9 today) Me: I have nothing to contribute here. Let's go to Yahoo and see what the Kardashians are up to today.

Pretty fish!

This one slammed my chrome Cotton Cordell today. What do you guys think? Skin mount or replica?

I have a ton. But, if I can stay on schedule, I will be the best bass fisherman in history in only 147 years.

Study and practice until you don't have any weaknesses.

Add what @geo gsays also! I'm a big believer in using a MaxScent plastic or using Megastrike on my plastics and jigs when the bite is tough. When it's tough is when I really, really get into fishing. It's the figuring them out. If it was easy to catch fish I wouldn't even be interested in this sport.

1. Cold water and muddy...stay home. 2. First couple days of muddy...stay home (unless you have fresh, clearer water coming in somewhere, then go there). 3. Third or fourth day of muddy with consistent weather for those days go for it. Throw ON the cover. I'm talking right up against. Throw past cover and intentionally smack it as you reel it back. They don't want a moving bait? Black/blue jig with black/blue big, floppy trailer. Go to where you think the fish should be depending on the season. It's not necessarily the bank. It could be the mouth of a creek. Find something hard. Standing timber? Sea wall? Rip rap? That's where the fish are. Throw multiple times. When it's chocolate milk I tell myself that the fish are like me in my basement with the lights off and I'm touching each piece of furniture or wall as I'm trying to make my way to the stairs.

Somebody likes the watermelon Trick Worm....

I feel that, regardless of the time of year, if you are fishing certain conditions (sunny day, clear-ish water, lake with gizzard shad as primary prey) you won't enjoy the same success with red as you would with chrome or shad pattern. Likewise, a lake with "dirty" water and/or cloudy weather you might find more success. I just can't get into the "this thing in this color during this month" thing. There are too many other variables. Throw your red lipless 50 casts in a spot you have confidence there are fish. There's your answer for that particular day and time. Try it on a different day under different circumstances, you may get a different answer. Make a mental note (or an actual note if you keep a log) of the specific circumstances and the success rate and you may not have to ask the question ever again. That piggy needs to switch to light beer!

I've had my RT188 for years. Can you power load where you fish? ALL of our lakes allow power loading. Even the electric-only lakes. Keep your trailer slightly more out of the water. I'm talking two more inches of the fenders above water. It solved that "slipping" issue for me. I can do jumping jacks up to my winch and not slip off. If you can't power load you're getting you're feet wet with an RT188 just because of the stupid spare tire.

Never without it. Much prefer the feel of the spinning rig for Texas rigs. I have a MH/F Cashion Icon with a Daiwa Fuego LT 2500D-HX. I will never get rid of that combo. Tons of bass dragging a Trick Worm or lizard around. I want to believe you but I am struggling to believe you have ANY time to fish, my friend.

I've never had any success with the "lift/drop". I always drag. I will say that many, many jigs bites have come right when I pop the jig over something I drag it up against. Some of my biggest bass have grabbed my jig or t-rig when I drag it, drag it, drag it, and then have to pop it over an obstruction. I did too until I changed my technique. I keep the rod mid-low and I drag the jig by pivoting left or right using my waist in a long, slow motion. IMO I can feel the bottom better doing it this way instead of the "low to high" rod motion. When I encounter an obstruction I'll turn back and face the target. I'll shake it a couple times and, if nothing, I'll pop it over the log or rock. This is where I've gotten a lot of good bites. Pivoting at the waist left or right helps me move slow and makes it easy to go smoothly or twitch the rod for little spurts of movement. Just find it easier to concentrate than the low-to-high stick for some reason. My own mental issues I suppose.

Agree. And the "fall bite" doesn't start until every other bass fisherman I know has put their boat away.

First Texas bass. We're in a VRBO on a small private lake/pond in east Texas. Took me all of 10 minutes on the dock to catch a 5-7. I like Texas so far.

That's interesting. I know they have some issues at the Illinois plant because my son had to go over and provide an estimate. The company he works for is going to make some significant corrections to a system that isn't working for them due to poor construction. That's tough when it's your only place to make your product.

It's not so much a question of "do I need a heavy rod" but that you are using a rod with specs that match the weight of what you are throwing. There's also a lot of personal preference in play here. I prefer a "heavier" rod for 1/2oz jigs than some other fishermen. As far as the Okuma TCS rods, I am a huge fan of their M/H all purpose rods for crankbaits, topwater, small spinners, etc. Because of that, I bought a H/F Okuma for jigs. It's "okay" but not as sensitive as I prefer so I bought a MH/XF Fenwick Elite Bass. That is a spectacular jig rod (for me). You just have to try some rods to find exactly what suits you. Getting descriptions from others is helpful, but it's not the same as having the rod in your hand and dragging a jig around. Good luck in your search.