Mobasser

Glaucus have used jitterbugs quite a bit over the years for night fishing. You might try carefully bending the lip to get them to run straight. Also, the line tie could be in the wrong position when you start retreiving. I don't know how old yours are, but the best jitterbugs are the older American made ones.. The newer import models have a thinner, cheaper lip, and don't always run true.

Like most bass fisherman I too love topwaters fishing. Zara Spook and buzzbait being my two favorites.But the plastic worm is my #1 bait. I've caught more fish with them than anything over 35 yrs time. I like the challenge of locating bass, and trying to set up a pattern to catch them.

One winter years ago I practiced flipping a 1/2 oz jig from 15ft into a small bucket in my garage. I havnt worried too much about being on target since then. I agree with what others have said. Be as stealthy as you can , but accuracy is the most important

Nice find! I've about used up my last 2 jars of porkrind baits. Wish they still made them

I agree that jig strikes can be the hardest to detect- of all bass lures.I also think that bigger bass strike jigs more softly. Not every time of course, but overall. Got to be on your toes.

Have you ever found any good usable tackle at garage sales or estate sales? In the last 2 yrs I bought a mint St Croix med heavy casting rod, and a almost unused zebco cardinal 4 spinning reel. A few years ago, bought 6 bags of assorted plastic worms- mostly culprits for 2 dollars. Most times it's junk, or so worn out its unusable, but occasionally you get lucky. Sometimes some cool vintage tackle as well. Anyone else found any good deals?

I fished alone for a long time. Now my grandson who is 13 fishes with me quite a bit. He's very interested in bass fishing, and is doing pretty well.

Buzzbait,Zara spook, jig, 10" plastic worm, smaller plastic worms

Tom I've overshot cast at night in the past. Now I mostly use plastic worms rigged weedless. What you've said is true. Our eyes can adjust to the darkness. Still I sometimes I have trouble with judging distance.I love to fish big slow moving topwaters at night- musky jitterbug is an old favorite. Casting into trees or brush with this is a real mess, as are any treble hook baits. I guess I'm banking that some bass will always hit plastic worms.

I often fish an old quarry lake. 5 acres, rock wall along one side. There are 4 Lily pad areas here, but 3 are in very shallow water. The only one that has been productive is a 20 ft pad spot that has a drop off about 5 ft out from the pads. This area always holds some fish, but the ones in 2-3 ft of water rarely. Deeper water close by or bordering the Lily pads is important, especially in the summer heat

Agree with the above. Take your reel back and exchange it for a new one

Light Texas rig, split shot rig, and shakey head. Mostly zoom finesse worms and roboworms, sometimes smaller craw baits

I'm with the plastic worm crowd here too. Work a straight or curly tail worm slowly along the bottom, with an occasional pause. Use the lightest weight that you can cast to get a slow fall. Topwaters can be good early morning or evening. A plus for you is that a smaller pond is a perfect place to learn Texas rig fishing. Good luck

As Catt said, set up your reels before you go. Set cast control, mag brake, etc. When it's fully dark, your ready.

I only use 3. Rogue, floating Rapala, and an older Bang - o Lure. Lots of others out there I havnt tried.I use them most in spring, but they can draw strikes in shallow water in the summer too.

The temps have risen in our area too. Very hot and humid. I've fished at sunup the last few trips in and around deeper weeds. Slow fishing a plastic worm has worked well.

I think I would be at a serious disadvantage if I stopped using plastic worms. If I had to pick one bait year around plastic worms would be my first choice. #1 bass bait for me - hands down

In all my years bass fishing I've tried a few of the scent products on the market, on soft plastics and jigs. I still don't believe they have made a difference in size or numbers of bass caught. I still think that the presentation is the key to getting bit. I'm not fully convinced that they make bass hold on longer to give you that extra time to detect the strike and set the hook. Bass, especially larger fish, can strike soft plastics and expel them, in the blink of an eye. I'm not saying they don't work, because I've known guys who swear by them. If I don't have a scent spray with me, I still feel I can catch bass by finding the right presentation for that day. Do you use them on all plastics? Are they a " must have" item for you? If I found one that I knew was helping, I would use it, but havnt found one yet. What are others opinions on scent sprays or gels?

Plastic worms are still my #1 lure. I fish Texas rig, split shot rig, and shakey head the most.

I've seen 2 guys have actual heat stroke. Years ago, working in construction. Both stopped sweating, and one vomited badly. A dangerous situation.One of these guys had to be taken to a hospital. As others have said, stay hydrated, sweating is good, and if you feel nauseated, or sweating less,get out of the heat and rest in a cool place. It can be very serious

I still throw a Smithwick Rogue each spring, and sometimes in the fall. Quiet or a light chop on the surface. Cast close to shoreline cover and fish slow. Give an occasional twitch to pull it under, and let it float back up. Still a good bait.

Good luck on whatever type of new job you choose.

It should work. I think bass will strike a craw anytime.

It's been very hot in my area too. I still fish, but very early mornings. 2hrs is about it. Be careful in this extreme heat

Wishing a quick recovery Rahlow. Get well soon !