Glaucus

Only eats beef jerky, ya liar

You're slow dragging a wacky rig on the bottom?

Otters, turtles, predatory birds, etc. Lots of possibilities. Love to watch them do their business on the rivers, though. I was fishing a dam with a buddy a week ago and one was sitting on a stone in the water just completely still and eyeballing the rushing water coming off the dam. Amazing to watch them work.

Berkley or Spider Wire polarized 10-20 bucks. Fine glasses. You just need em to let you see. And they let you see.

I'm starting to appreciate these weeds. I was horrified at first. Then I had a good day. I also saw my first beaver ever at this pond. There was also a ton of birds and frogs. It seems the weeds have made this thing come alive.

The pond, while overgrown at the moment, is clear. For some reason it was a 7" Blue Flek Berkley Powerworm that was the deal. Senkos and Trick Worms were not getting it done. 2 Trick Worm fish and 1 Senko fish. All 3 were dinks. Put that Powerworm on and it was a party. I dragged it across the mat and as it got close to the hole I would see bass getting worked up and heading its direction. Drop, then smack! It was just the deal. Had a couple blow it up through the mat while dragging it. Didn't try a Fluke. Will give that a go tomorrow. Funny thing about the Blue Flek Powerworm is I didn't get them for this pond. I got them for another place. Green Pumpkin is the color to use at this pond, but I left my GP worms at home by mistake. So I accidentally found a good color today.

Got 13 today. 6 were a good 3 pounds. Thanks guys.

Been trying to identify this vegetation and it's curlyleaf pondweed. Hope it does soon.

I recently posted a thread about how vegetation has suddenly overtaken my favorite pond. Almost an entire mat over the top. Would dragging weightless plastics over the top of it get bit? Is that a thing? I'm an Illinois guy. I am not used to heavy vegetation. I am specifically asking about weightless plastics such as worms and stick baits. I understand there are different techniques for this such as frogs but that isn't my question. I plan on dragging the plastics over the mat today and letting them drop in holes. I'm hoping that they'll be hit on top of the mat too.

I've had bluegill smack the 110 on the initial plop. It's weird.

Bottled water, toilet paper, waterproof New Testament, knife, first aide, cheapo old style flip phone that I'm not afraid to get wet and ruin in case of emergencies, beef jerky, disposable camera.

Your rod, reel, and kayak ain't gonna catch a thing without the right lures. Very erroneous to go that route imo. Reminds me of the guys who recommend a 7' MH baitcast rod and high speed reel with 50+ braid for shore fishermen. Preparing for the worst vegetation and double digit bass whilst ignorning reality and context.

You'll easily be able to get a Lightning Rod, Silver Max, spool it up, get a good supply of tackle, and maybe even have enough left over for a spinning combo. No need to go balls out on expensive gear or a boat load of tackle at this stage.

Release it lol. It's not a dog.

I have 2 lakes and 2 rivers that I fish outside of ponds. So new water for me is almost always a new pond I've discovered, was told about, or that I finally got time for. So that being said, I always look for the shore with the most weedline, downed trees, dock, etc.

It's true. They get crushed.

It's bad. It's pretty much a solid mat all throughout. Few holes as far as I could tell. Took away my style of fishing for the most part.

Stopped by my favorite pond after work to discover that, in 2 days, it has become vegetation nation. Never been like this before. Weeds are popping right out of the water throughout. What to do? Weightless Senkos and Topwaters are now dead. Frogs and Texas Rigs?

This is not a good location for inlines. Too snaggy.

There's a little farm pond that I like to take my kids to. I'm sure there's one big mama in there somewhere, but we've only caught and seen bass 1-2 pounds and under. It's all bluegill and largemouth. The kids can't use a baitcaster yet. I usually have them throwing Senkos, but now I want to try them on Spinnerbaits. For bass this size in such a pond, will 3/16oz Spinnerbaits on M/F spinning gear with 8lb test be OK? I want them to be able to swap between the small Spinnerbaits and weightless worms and Senkos.

$10 Berkley polarized sunglasses do just fine.

I prefer the end when she bends over to release the fish.

I feel strongly about not keeping bass. I won't do it or fish with anyone who does. It's a moral thing for me. I love them. Of course I understand that keeping smaller bass can be good for a fishery and produce bigger bass, but I'm not going to be the guy that does it or fish with anyone else who does. Again, I feel strongly. Bias aside, replicas are better because it's still your bass, but it will last forever. No reason to kill the bass and get a product that will deteriorate rather than still virtually getting your bass and it lasting forever.

Ned was all that was needed. Really crazy when you think about it. Put me in a LMB pond or lake with some 5" Green Pumpkin Senkos and some 3/0 EWG and 1/0 wacky hooks and I really wouldn't need to change baits to have a good day. I'm new to the Ned Rig, but after an initial flop, I've had back to back days slaying SMB with them. So simple most of the time. Son darn near outfished me.

Improper placement for this thread, but I'm looking for quick replies. I'm taking my son to the river for Smallmouth fishing in a couple of hours. He's only ever fished for LMB in ponds and lakes. I'm thinking inline spinners and the Ned Rig. Jitterbug too. Anything else? I want him to have a good time. He's 10.