Glaucus

I am 100% against taking a big bass from a pond. It's selfish in a few different ways.

It can be good fishing before a storm. As far as during a storm, I dunno, since I've never been dumb enough to risk my life for a fish.

Kinda like a buddy talking you outta ordering that last shot.

Suppose that could work. Or simply measuring. Comes down to trust, but as it'sa fun wedding thing and isn't for anything important, that doesn't seem like an issue.

Heaviest bag.....

I catch fish on every standard technique and lure, but what seldom gets me bit is jerkbaits and swimbaits. I usually avoid them. I don't like them, they aren't fun for me, I have little confidence in them, and the fish usually aren't interested in that offering from me. As far as spinnerbaits go, I don't get a lot of spinnerbait bites, but I love spinnerbaits. They have a time and a place. I understand this time and place, and when the conditions are met, they slay fish for me. I think a lot of anglers fail to understand that a spinnerbait isn't always a good choice and generally requires the right conditions, *perhaps* more so than any other lure.

I don't call anything in bass fishing weird anymore because so much of what will work doesn't even make sense according to the "book." However the other day was slow until I found some bass cruising real shallow. Started to throw a weightless Zoom Lizard right in front of them and caught quite a few. Was hilarious to watch them check it out and then start chomping on it.

I shall. Today I was headed to the pond, which is 2 blocks from me, and my neighbor said Don, the poacher, took all the fish. However I knew that was silly and had a good day catching 16 of them with a couple 4 pounders mixed in there, but I did see 3 belly up dead bass which I haven't seen before. Dunno if I can blame him but he's ticking everyone off so bad that who knows what to think? I'll notify the proper authorities.

I hope you get one though. I guess it's different when a poacher is ruining your fishery.

A lot of people fish without a fishing license, and unfortunately I personally know quite a few of them. Since a license is technically required in order to fish public waters, just as a valid ID and appropriate age is required to purchase and drink alcohol, would it be possible or even logical for retailers to begin "carding" buyers when they go to purchase fishing supplies, to see if they have a valid license? Just a thought I had. There's a guy who harvests everything he catches, no matter the species or size, from a pond we like to go to, and he's blatantly admitted to not having a license because, to him, it's "stupid" to have to pay for a God given right, so it's been on my mind a lot lately.

My wife and kids tag along sometimes. They make up 20% of my trips with others. The remaining 5% is fishing with a buddy or three from time to time. I'm blessed to have a fishing family. The wife and kids actually go often, but I literally fish every single day from the end of March to the beginning of November, weather permitting. Usually multiple times a day.

I fish by myself 75% of the time. I prefer it that way. Just me, my thoughts, nature, fish, peace, quiet and serenity.

Thanks guys. Got some 15lb PP. I always close the bail of a spinning reel by hand. Braid wouldn't change that.

Those little reels are built for line that size.

I have an "all purpose" baitcaster that I take with me when I'm on foot or kayaking, along with a Spinning setup as well. My all purpose baitcaster is a MH/F spooled up with 14lb Trilene. I attach a 14lb fluoro leader when necessary.

I never use braid, but I'm going to give it a go. I have a couple of questions. First, how many feet or yards of mono backing should I use? Second, if my spinning reel is rated for 6-10 pound line, will 15 pound braid be fine even though it is 4 pound mono diameter?

Bass are friends, not food.

Nope, and I negatively judge those who do. My opinion, which matters little.

Do that with a wacky Senko. Might as well be a frog. Works well.

Same. There's more to a Senko than people think. It's the first bait I learned how to bass fish on. I remember that summer vividly. I literally never used another bait and never felt like I had to. To this day it's still my bread and butter. That can be a waste of time, in my opinion. If I don't like the spot, I don't keep it there long. Better chance of catching a bass from a spot I like after reeling in and recasting than keeping it soaking in a spot I don't have faith in.

Depending on the location (of course) I'll demonstrate and then literally hand my rod and lures over and let them do the work and catch the bass on what's working and what I showed them while I relax and have a good time downing some beers. I know I can catch them any time. Can't say that for everyone. So sitting back after teaching and simply watching and enjoying is a good time. I'd never let my pals struggle while I have a field day.

It's cool to see how different people are and yet still catch bass. I've never used braid in my life. All mono with fluoro leaders, or rarely, straight fluoro.

Basically the same man! When I do the cross their eyes garbage, there are too many misses to be comfortable with. When I reel into them, I never miss.

I never use braid either. I've never been in a position where I thought braid would have mattered. When you're from Illinois and our 5 pounders are as exciting as southern 10 pounders, and our vegetation is typically scarce, I guess it doesn't matter.

What are you doing that nobody else is, or that very few people are, that catches you more fish? I have a M/F casting rod paired with a good spincast reel spooled with 10lb fluorocarbon, and it's always got a Texas Rigged Senko attached to it. I pick it up when I need deadly accuracy. I can put that Senko almost anywhere and skip it with absolute ease, and it's great for the wind. It's gotten me bit in places that I can't really get to with spinning or casting setups. I've had buddies laugh when I show up with 5 rods: 3 casting, 1 spinning, 1 spincast. What do you need that thing for? Oh, you'll see. Just another tool for the job at hand that gets glossed over. My second best LMB ever was caught in some nasty weeds with this setup. Couldn't quite get to the spot I needed to get to without it.