Tim Cox

I've been concerned with that as well. However, the creek I'm fishing has a "low water" crossing, but it's almost like a 8 ft tall dam. The water on the other side of the road is still plenty high enough, so if the pools really start getting small, I'll just take them over and release where there's more water. Slight change from previous status, I got a few to catch on a $1 Walmart spinner. I've also found that there is a big one in this creek. I caught a 3 pound LMB on a Whopper Plopper, put him back in and caught another on the next cast. I didn't change a thing, but my drag wasn't getting reeling him in at all. By the time I fixed that, he wrapped my line and WP around a laydown. Not only did I lose what would have been my PB for sure, I also lost my $15 Whopper Plopper. I've got to catch this fish..

Hey folks, My wife and I recently discussed getting a boat, both for fishing and leisure. We're both thinking of a pontoon boat, because it won't be just for fishing. I know a few companies make fishing centered layouts for pontoons. Anybody have any experience with them and how would you say it went? Thanks folks!

Hey Folks, I just wanted to reach out to say thank you all for all the contributions to this site. I just started bass fishing this year, and it has been a slow, painful start. None of my friends or family are fishermen, so I've been learning by the knowledge shared here, and a few helpful YouTube channels. At the beginning of spring, I would fish for 2-3 hours sometimes, and literally not even get a bite. I couldn't find the fish, and even if I did, I wasn't even enticing them to bite. My luck has changed big time due a a drought in Texas- I have a creek not 5 minutes from my house and the water is quite low. This has created a few pools that have 3 pound bass isolated. This has been especially fruitful because they are HUNGRY!!! I've now caught them on texas, wacky, splitshot, shakeyheads, and dropshot rigs. Crankbaits (both lipless and squarebills), frogs, poppers, and the infamous whopper plopper. I was even able to get my wife interested by setting her up with a dropshot rig and she caught a 3 pounder on her first cast!!! I still have a hard time catching on spinnerbaits and jigs, which is weird because I've read that they should be solid baits no matter the time of year. I haven't found it easy to learn being bank bound in high pressure areas (I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area). To make all this even better, my wife WANTS to get a boat! Next up, take our skills to Lake Fork! Again, to the entire Bass Resource community- thank you for all the tips and expertise.

Good morning folks, Newbie to the sport of bass fishing. Long story short, I need to replace my baitcasting reel. I originally purchased a combo, and I'm happy with the rod. Now I'm in the market for a new reel, and I thought I would reach out for suggestions. I would like to keep it at no more than $60-$70. I found two on Amazon that seem like good choices given my budget: I know Abu Garcia is a trusted name- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011LV0Q96/ref=s9u_simh_gw_i1?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pd_rd_i=B011LV0Q96&pd_rd_r=c3bf1553-4963-11e8-a77e-4f4ee7533ebd&pd_rd_w=54AQQ&pd_rd_wg=PZ9fT&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=DQ8P3CDR506RCQ3FN9DY&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=8f696f0a-3abd-4660-b9bd-1931764e0008&pf_rd_i=desktop I don't know anything about KastKing, but this one has tons of excellent reviews: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010MAVO0M/ref=s9u_simh_gw_i2?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pd_rd_i=B010MAVO0M&pd_rd_r=c3bf1553-4963-11e8-a77e-4f4ee7533ebd&pd_rd_w=54AQQ&pd_rd_wg=PZ9fT&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=DQ8P3CDR506RCQ3FN9DY&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=8f696f0a-3abd-4660-b9bd-1931764e0008&pf_rd_i=desktop Any input would be greatly appreciated! Respectfully, Tim Cox

Good morning folks, I just wanted to post a big thank you to the BassResource community and webpage. In 2017, if you would have asked me how to catch a bass, I would have had no idea. In need of a new hobby, I thought I would try bass fishing as I loved fishing as a kid. I've spent countless hours watching videos, reading articles, and failing to catch a fish at all. I'm certainly no pro these days, but it's a lot different now. Now I'm making better decisions about fishing location and baits, and having a LOT more luck. Just yesterday I made a quick lunchtime trip to the creek near my house, and in 30 minutes I spotted a few beds and landed 3 good sized LMB! All on TX Rigged Senkos, something I was really struggling with. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all and the BR admins in helping a lost cause fisherman start to become more successful. My next goal is to get my wife, who already likes to fish, into the wonderful sport of bass fishing. Thanks Folks!!! Respectfully, Tim Cox

Hey Folks, Quite excited as I start my first fishing trip this afternoon. The weather is going to be beautiful with 1 issue- a wind advisory. I'm wondering how that will play into lure selection and how I may work these baits. It's not a big lake at 72 acres, but I'm hoping all the trees that surround the lake help protect the coves from wind. Any advice?

Hey folks, My son is turning 5 soon, and he's shown an interest in fishing- he's actually caught quite a few little bluegill on his own. He currently uses a pole that was given to him at an event at a state park, but it's a pretty awful thing- what do you expect for free? I want to get him a new pole for his birthday, and I'm looking for suggestions. It will certainly have to be a spincast rig for now. Any suggestions? Thank you! Tim Cox

I really appreciate all the advice. I've struggled with plastics and not being able to distinguish bites. Well, I know the difference now, I missed a few bites (tried setting the hook without reeling in slack first). Although I now know that I've spent probably 20 hours trying to learn how to work a soft plastic, all WITHOUT a bite at all. Good to know- pick better spots and SLOW DOWN. I tried to do the right thing today by working the water column. I picked a spot that seemed likely to have bass and fan casted with a TX rig senko (missed the fish, but at least I know what a bite is). After I exhausted the senko, I tried a shallow diving crankbait, but it was just too grassy for even a shallow diving. Then, I tried a top water shad, and a fish ate it after the first pop! It was a tiny little thing, but exciting none the less. I just wanna say thanks again!

Thanks for all the advice gentlemen, hopefully in a few weeks I'll be adding some pictures of catches to this thread. If you guys don't mind, I have a few questions regarding plastics: 1. Weighted vs. weightless texas rigs- when to go weightless? 2. Pegged weights- is there a specific circumstance where I should peg the weight? 3. Like bobbyg, I struggle distinguishing a bite from something in the water when using plastics. I'm not sure if I've NEVER found a fish with plastics, or if I just can't tell when/if I'm getting a bite. Hoping to have some better luck. I know when bank fishing you should remain mobile- how long would you guys recommend working a single spot without moving? I've found a few spots that have a lot of lily pads/vegetation, so my plan was to work them early in the morning via topwaters, perhaps a frog. Once it was post-breakfast I was going to work the same spot first with plastics then spinner or crankbaits. Am I too committed to one spot? Thanks again!

Army AD and Reserves here- 6 years active duty (05-11) Infantryman w/ 2 tours (09-10, 2011). 3 years reserves (2011-2014).

Good morning folks! Beginner angler here, looking for some advice. In two weeks I'm going on a camping trip where the main draw is fishing the lake inside the state park (Meridian State Park in Meridian, Texas). This lake is a 50 acre lake, with little fishing pressure, known for largemouth. GREAT- this is the first time I'm taking a camping/fishing trip focused on fishing, so I'm starting to figure out my best plan to be successful. According to the state parks and wildlife website, "Largemouth bass can be caught using spinner baits, buzz baits, and plastic worms fished through and around vegetation at 1- to 4-foot depths. Shallow-diving crank baits can also be productive." I've got a few shallow-diving crank baits, even some square billed and deeper diving crank baits (I'll try out when I rent a kayak to try out the area around the dam), so that's taken care of. I could use some recommendations for spinner baits and plastic worms. The only spinner baits I have are a few rooster tails, Panther Martins, and beetle spins, which I know could use some improvement. As far as plastics go, I have some senkos and a few plastic worms, but I wouldn't mind improving my plastics selection in order to be more successful. Any advice would be greatly appreciated- thanks folks!!!

Hey folks, New member to bass resource, and a new bass fisherman. Growing up, I caught probably a thousand little bluegill on a standard bobber and worm setup, but that was years ago. After taking about 15 years off from fishing, I'm starting to pick it back up. My wife might tell you I'm obsessed. It's been a bit of a struggle so far, as I've never once been bass fishing with someone that had any idea of what they were doing. On top of that, I'm stuck on docks and banks. It's not all bad though- I caught a nice LMB (my first!) just the other day (photo uploaded- forgive the grassy fish, my son wanted to hold the fish and dropped it). I figure I'll be checking into bassresouce quite frequently as I learn the trade. I've read and watch plenty regarding bank fishing tips, but I thought I might ask the forum- what baits do you guys recommend for a land locked beginning angler? Thanks all! Respectfully, Tim