papajoe222

This is something I'm going to need to learn and quickly. My local lake is being choked by hydrilla and coontail and it won't be long before the weeds are matted on the surface. I understand the basic rigging. My question is how to work the rig. Do you cast it, pitch it, or flip it? Once it gets through the surface mat, how is it worked? My understanding is after working it on the bottom, you can draw it up under the layer of weeds at the top and 'reverse jig it' bumping it into the underside of the weed cover. Am I correct in my assumption? If not, or if you have anything to add, please chime in. There are other waters I could fish, but I look at this as a challenge that I plan on coming out on top of.

I leave the tag end of my knot longer than normal and thread it into the bead along with the main line for this reason.

Norman Lures N XS. They will eventually replace my Deep Little N's if, or when I loose them. They're only available in five colors, but those five are my favorites.

It's a killer in the spring when fishing shallow. I used worm rattles for years, but started doing this after I embraced the C-Rig. Now I do it season long. Does it make a difference? I'll never know, but anything that, possibly, will give me the slightest advantage gets the nod in my book and that includes fluorocarbon (yuk) for deep cranking! (jeez, I hate that stuff).

Two of my favorite topwaters for bass are salt water versions. The ChugBug is a killer night fishing version. I just switch out the hooks, though the first time I tried one and caught a bass it was with the original salt water hooks.

I don't have many dark colored plastics and I also don't encounter many muddy water situations. When I do, I just dip a good portion of the bait in chartreuse dye like ABW and have fairly good success given the conditions.

I'd use the same approach you used in those other situations, providing you had some success. Low visibility is low visibility, regardless of the color of water. I treat muddy water the same way I do a cold front with the exception of the size of my baits. The fish will hold tight to whatever cover there is available and won't chase baits. You basically need to either force feed them something, or stick it in their face for a long time.

Thanks for the replies. I did get out there and the 'dawgs' didn't disappoint, Neither did the bass. I ended up with seven bass between two and four pounds, but the best part of the outing was landing two monster bowfin five minutes apart. The first was 26in. long and weighed just over eight pounds and the second was 28in. and just shy of ten pounds. They both put my tackle and myself to the test as I was using 10lb. braid on a M/H spinning rod. I did quite a bit of back reeling to say the least. The runs weren't very long (10-15yrds.), but if you compare them to a pike, but stronger, you'll know why I love to occasionally target them.

I don't consider this a negative. Neither would have the action it does if the material were sturdier or thicker.

A tube with either an internal nose weight , or with a tube jig. That spiral fall is a kin to wacky rigging a Senko, the fish just can't resist it.

Heading out to a small lake that has some big bowfin tomorrow. We use big shiners, but if they're notmoving, the bite is slow I was thinking of doing some casting while bobber watching. What lures would you use for this?

The channel would likely only produce fish when they are on the move as it sounds like the only obvious structure. The lack of cover, however, will keep them from holding there. Any cover on the adjacent flat, as you've found, should hold fish thecloserto the reek, the better. Don't forget the other side of the creek bed and areas adjacent to any turns in the creek

Just make sure your hitch ball is high enough that the trailer is as level as possible. Too much tongue weight will put too much strain on your suspension and transmission.

I thought the topic was open water froggin? I'm confused.

Silly, that's a mattress and box spring not a bed.

A 9mm to my right temple. Seriously, why torture myself. I'd be throwing a jig and wishing I had a Spook, or throwing a Spook and wishing I had a Senko. The 9mm and I never have to go through the torture.

I make and use them in both cold water and finess situations. I tie them on a stout hook as many of the waters I fish contain pike and they can straighten a light wire hook. One of my most productive presentations is to suspend one under a slip bobber moving it frequently. Most hits occur as the jig falls back under the bobber.

They don't need to be black or dark colored. A bass' forage doesn't change colors at night and they have no trouble feeding then. Bass have excellent night vision up close, much better than humans. A dark color does let them perceive your offering at a greater distance, but their strike zone doesn't change because of it. If their strike zone is 3ft.,they are going to be able to see it no matter the color. Whatever lures you use during the day are just as productive at night, but if you have one in black, I'd use that one.

One of two things come to mind. The first was already noted; the worm isn't rigged straight. The second involves a question; Are you using spinning gear? Either way, it isn't the line. Something is causing line twist.

Rather than replace your line, you can just replace the 60yrds. or so that is used. Fill the base of your spool with cheap mono and the rest with your favorite fluorocarbon. When it comes time to replace it, you'll only need 60yrds. Depending on the size of the spool you purchase, you should be able to do this at least two times.

My guess is your hook-set, or your equipment. The minimum I use for frogs in heavy cover is a M/H rod and 30lb. braid and that's only if I don't have my frog rod on board. It's a 7'6" Heavy action and my baitcaster is spooled with 60lb. braid. I work my frogs with the rod tip down. When a bass takes the frog, as soon as I can feel it, that rod tip comes up with a snap. If she still has it when I do that, my rod never gets past the 10:00 position. Do I still miss fish? Yep, but there are times when I get my frog back and the hooks are imbeded in the body and other times the fish has a mouthful of junk along with the frog. Missed fish are a part of frog fishing, but one for twelve means something is wrong. A decent average would be 6 or 7 out of 10 in heavy cover.

Devils Horse. Used to be the only prop bait in my tackle box. Now I only have one and it hasn't been wet for a few seasons. A WoodChopper and Torpedo are my most often used prop baits now.

If the roller bearing on the bail of your reel isn't spinning freely, you'll end up with line twist after just a few casts. Check it by sliding your finger over it. If not, a simple removal, cleaning and lube of the bearing will Dix the problem. BTW, changing lines is not a solution.

I think you'll find that sport fishermen, as a group, are far less likely to consume alcohol while operating their boats than pleasure boaters. I, for one, would be interested to discover differently. Anyone know of any surveys that ask specifically that?

Most often I have two jig rods on deck. One (a 7'6" M/H) will always have an Arkie style jig, either 3/8oz. or1/2oz. tied on. The other could have a swim jig, shakey head, football, or stand up style depending on my game plan for the day. I'm not brand loyal, but when it comes to a plastic trailer Rage Tails have taken honors the past few seasons.