papajoe222

The first reel I ever bought was a Mitchell 300. The first baitcaster was an Ambassadeur 5000. I don't have either anymore, but that big, round reel changed everything for me.

Sounds like I'm in the minority hear and should maybe rethink this as I've never tossed a big worm until after post-spawn, big being 10in.+

I 'listen' by trying different depths, changing speeds, going from horizontal to vertical and as a last resort, changing color or profile. When I get a hit and no hook-up or barely hook a fish, I'll switch something, usually speed first. I'm always listening because they constantly change their minds and say something completely different two hours later. I've been married 50yrs. Women are good teachers it speaking without saying a word. That makes it a little easier to hear the fish.

Are you asking about finesse? There a a lot of techniques that fit the bill in that category. If you're catching fish with one plastic, try switching to something of a different shape or color before moving. I've paired up with many guys that would catch fish that I'd targeted with a worm or a jig. From the back of the boat, too.

From the very beginning topwater has been my love. I catch a ton of fish on plastics, jigs, cranks and others, but the small percentage of the fish I catch that succumb to a topwater are the ones I remember and dream about during the offseason. BTW, I love in-line spinners, too. The problem is, in the lakes up here, vegetation kind of puts a big wrench in the works once it gets thick.

I shy away from cranks on windy days as I prefer casting into the wind, with the exception of lipless. Pre-Spawn, on the other hand, is the exception, especially when the bass are pairing up and looking for bedding sites. Pick a heavy (for a crank), shallow runner as it will cast a little easier when you have to cast into the wind. I also prefer a swim jig, or paddle tail swimbait on a bare jig over a spinnerbait when it's windy. A stiff breeze, I throw just about everything applicable.

Those are meant to be fished with a wire leader. That's why heavy mono works so well. I went the modification route, removing the side hooks and adding a belly treble. If you go that route, be sure to plug the holes on the sides to eliminate the chance of water getting into the body. One thing that will help and doesn't involve changing line, or modifying the lure is to make sure you thumb the spool. Keep the lure in front of the line and you'll decrease the problem significantly.

It's a type of Pondweed, most of which are brittle compared to Hydrilla and Millfoil.

This is by no means a degrading comment about women. Many male anglers fish as an escape from the pressures life throws their way. Many females will garden, bake, go shopping, etc for the same reason. With more options comes a smaller percentage of the pie for any one outlet for them. Fishing, although an outlet for them also, is a much smaller piece of their pie.

I really don't need any additions to my collection of baitcasters, but wouldn't mind doing some further upgrades to my Sols and Alphas. Does anyone know where I can purchase an SV spool for them? TackleTrap doesn't have any. Also, if anyone has made the switch to one of these spools, how much of a difference did it make?

What I look for in most of the gear I buy, is consistency. That is one reason I stick with name brands that have proven to be so. In the few replies what you see about the XPS is they aren't consistently reliable. Stick with a name brand that you trust.

Crankbaits with rattles. The past couple of years my catch rate using them has really deteriorated. Water clarity is the same, but silent cranks outfish them 3 to 1 for some reason.

Start with seasonal locations. If you're comfortable targeting shallow cover an structure, you'll be able to put your lures in front of some fish in all but the coldest water. Pick your lures according to what level of activity you expect to encounter.......bluebird skies=fairly inactive fish holding tight to cover or suspended off of deep structure.......overcast or windy conditions= fish willing to chase a bait. From there you can refine your 'pattern'

Pick out a few cranks that run at different depths and run them in areas where you know the depth. Tip Crankbaits trigger more strikes when they either deflect off cover, or the bottom, OR when they change speeds, or angles. The first is simple, find cover and run the crank into it and pause a second. The second is done by the angler, alternating speeds and angles during the retrieve.

Welcome to BR Although I'm not familiar with either lake, I have to ask; Are you fishing from the bank, a boat, what type of experience, skill level do you have. The more info you give us, the better. Also, check out both the Fishing Reports and Fishing Location forums as someone there may have the info that will answer you

I use them most often on a C-rig, but I'll use a 3/16oz. one in front of a glass bead on a Texas rig during the prespawn. Once the water clears up, I switch to tungsten.

Big O and a Mann's Twofer. There were a couple of other Mann's discontinued baits that I've lost over the years that were so unique that I never did find anything to replace them.

On the lake I cut my teeth on, it was the rip rap along a 1.5mi. causeway and anytime I see that type of cover, my expectations soar. On my home waters, it's downed timber on steep shores.

For decades, it was a plastic worm T-Rigged with a bullet sinker. I still catch a lot of my fish on a worm, but the last 20yrs. or so, it's been a jig. Whether it's pitching it, swimming it, stroking it, dead sticking it, or dragging it, I have some style tied on at least one rod.

Same here. I get 'zebra stripes' from my sandals that stick around until late Jan.

As you mentioned, no explanation was given. If you've ever fished a channel used by barges, you know they can churn up some big stuff, but as mentioned, it doesn't take anything big to cause a problem at night. You, or your boat can easily be thrown off balance by the unexpected. GoSLOW, wear your PFD and have that kill switch lanyard connected.

If you set the hook using a circle hook, you'll miss the majority of fish. They are designed to cam over as the eye exits the fish's mouth, thus exposing the point for penetration. They are great for teaching youngsters that don't grasp the whole hook setting thing AND they are great for eliminating gut hooked fish. I use them on wacky and drop-shot rigs and rarely miss hooking up, but I constantly remind myself to just reel when I detect a bite. I've even used them on a long C-rig leader where bites are difficult to detect.

Big Game is my preferred line on the business end of my C-Rigs, usually behind 40lb. braid. Not only is it strong, it can get beat up and still maintain plenty of strength.

Me too

This was my secret producer when everyone and their Uncle is throwing green pumpkin. Dip the tail in some red dye and I clean up behind them.