papajoe222

For me, it's all about the fight. I've gotten more enjoyment from a 15in. bass tugging and jumping, with that don't give up attitude, than I have from some 22in.+ bass that make a run for deep water and once I turn them, the fight is basically over. I love the big girls, but some just lay there and you do all the work. It's the main reason I love smallmouth, no matter the size, it's a fight to the finish.

I've been C-rigging small cranks and Rapalas for decades. It took a while to get the cast down so those treble hooks didn't get tangled up with the line. Bass rarely see small minnow imitations in deeper water and I believe that makes it more successful than a deep diving crank and a lot easier on the old forearms and wrists.

A Fat Free Shad is one of my favorite cranks and I've only changed out the hooks when they became dull. I'm a big fan of TrippleGrip trebles for replacements. Many anglers struggle with hook-sets and keeping fish hooked when first getting into crankbait fishing. Adjusting your hook-set to more of a sweep set to the side and up and using a rod with a Moderate action will help reduce the number of fish that come unbuttoned. As mentioned, though, you will loose fish. I've had bass choke a crank and somehow come unbuttoned.

Daiwa, Shimano, Lew's, Abu, you choose, but the gear ratio (IPT) should be what you look at. If you do a lot of deep cranking, something in the 5-6:1. If you'll be using it to burn 'em, go with a 7.1:1, otherwise a good old 6.3:1 will serve you well.

Catfish on a ChugBug Muskie on a lipless crank Dogfish on a RocketShad Crappie on a FatFree Shad Northern pike on a french fry worm Walleye on a buzzbait

The good news is: a) You had the joy and memory of fighting a giant. b) That fish is still there to be caught again just as if you'd landed it and released it. c) See (b), She'll be there to catch again, so fill your dreams with the battle and your fishing time trying to stick her again.

With rain (and wind), there is a point where it's too much work for me even though I own 100mph gear. At what point I make that decision is dependent on how well the fish a biting.

I fish a small (60acre), deep lake just over the boarder that gets very little fishing pressure. There are only three homes on this lake and it's crystal clear. I caught a big gall, 24in. that I figured to be around 7lb. Just a guess on the weight as I didn't carry a scale on that trip. When talking to one of the homeowners, he said he regularly pulls 8lb. LM out of the shallows off his dock. Hmmm, sounds like wishful thinking to me, but who knows. I make sure I hit that dock two or three times every time I'm there.

I'm the oddball here as I don't like EWG's for Flukes. I switched to offset round bend worm hooks after loosing too many fish. Haven't tried screwlocks, but I have some 4/0 and will give them a try.

I want to emphasize an important piece of info; Be familiar with the body of water you'll be fishing after dark. It's easy to get disoriented at night, even on a lake you frequent. I installed a compass on my boat 20yrs ago and got ribbed by my then fishing buddy as my home lake is only 120 acres. Sure enough, one night we got disoriented after fighting and landing his PB. That compass paid for itself, of course my phone has one now, but that one on the console is still there.

This is something I do a lot in the summertime, but unlike many, I'll use it under tough conditions, when I only expect a bite or two an hour. I go with a lighter jig with a big trailer like a RageTail Craw for a slower fall. I know this sounds counter productive for this technique, but think about this. The reason for the stroke, or double stroke that I use, is for that reaction strike and the jig's weight doesn't come into play, but the lighter, bulkier combination has a slow, enticing fall. So, I see it as a one two punch and many times I'll get hit just as the jig settles back to the bottom and not just after I pop the jig. I'll switch to a heavier jig and a less bulky trailer if that's when I'm getting hit, or under better conditions. So, what's your jig/trailer choice for this technique and do you ever use it under tough, post cold front conditions?

My vote is for the EagleClaw hook. TruTurn hooks were made of thinner diameter wire.

I’ve used a Finishing nail to add a little weight, but I prefer a heavily salted worm that sinks bit faster. They don’t last as long, but they sure do catch fish.

It depend on whether I'm working it fast or slow. For a fast presentation, I like a7.5in. Culprit worm. For a slower one I like something that floats, or sinks very slowly. A floating Zoom trick worm (I forget what they call them) or a tube with some air blown into it are my favorites. If I'm using a french fry, it will be on a split shot rig.

Of the two, yes. The ball head has a 90 degree line tie which will give the tube more of a spiral and the 60 degree (stupid head) give it more of a gliding fall although it does make a wide spiral. I use internal weights for a weedless presentation that will still spiral. Texas rigging, with a bullet weight doesn't give a tube that action, but is a great option for dragging a tube on the bottom.

One thing I would add: Keep clutter off your deck. It's a time saver to have rigged rods on deck, but stick with the one in your hand. If you want to use something else, reach for that one out of your rod locker or off the rear deck and put the one you're replacing away.. Not only can that be a safety issue, but stepping on a rod you can't see can be a heart breaker.

Although I'm not ready to sell my boat, my situation is similar to yours. The similarity ends with not falling overboard, which I've done four times in the last three years. I'm 74 and I can stand with one foot on the TM with no issues, However, when I bend down or over, my balance suffers. I started wearing an inflatable PFD after the first incident and I've gone to stepping down off the deck when landing fish, or even reaching for my pliers, or phone. There is no one else to take me fishing and I've stopped fishing the big lake. I know there will come a time when I may need to hang it up, but hopefully by then, the grandson will be driving. He already knows how to operate the boat.

About 25 years ago, I was on a day trip with a friend. The temp. Was in the mid 90’s and the humidity was, too. I had a six pack of soda in my cooler and two bottles of water. It was all consumed in the first five hours on the water. All my companion drank was water. My the seventh hour, my head was pounding, I’d stopped sweating and I was becoming increasingly disoriented. We got the boat loaded and he drove into the nearest town and right to the Fire Dept. After an IV and a liter of water I began feeling better. The paramedic told me soda is one of the worst liquids to drink to keep hydrated. Since then, it’s water and a sports drink and I start a day or two in advance.

No rules It's good to see members reading old threads as there is always information that that one hasn't seen, or known about.

I love these things for post frontal conditions when I'm targeting the bottom section of the water column. The get down and stay down and give plenty of feedback with the stock blade. I've even switched out that blade will a willow for when I want a faster presentation. Anyone else use them on a regular basis?

Old thread, but useful information. Fall rate, fast and x-fast for bottom contact presentations and a shorter rod and its uses.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is an accelerator? I tried the superglue, but hated the sound the knot made going through the guides.

wacky worm tube ned rig split shot rig, or jig/worm Fluke

Nice one! I'd venture a guess around 8+lbs. She likely pushed 8 before she dropped her eggs. Welcome to BR. Stick around, there's a lot of good info here and we have a good time too

Summertime is actually my favorite season for catching. The fish have pretty much set up house for the summer and the off shore fish bunch up around here. Stable weather is also a plus. The last few years, the skeeters have been few, but with all the rain recently, I'm preparing for the worst. For me, that means daylight 10:00-4:00, or after midnight fishing.