BoatSquirrel

There have been very few questions I have not been able to find answers to on Bass Resource. I read and learned for years before eventually feeling with it enough to begin to help provide an occasional answer. Thanks to the site’s leadership for keeping it current, relevant, and professional.

In the late summer to early fall when water temps get into the lower 70s, the bass will really scatter, often suspending. On top of that, the TVA is usually drawing all of our lakes down and it will make you want to mow the lawn instead of fish.

When I posted with the word dedicated, I meant a rod you tie a spook on and leave on that rod permanently. Thank yall again for the excellent responses.

Thanks guys. I dont feel quite so bad for continuing to pile sticks into the collection with only single purpose in mind.

What techniques do yall think deserve dedicated rods that you leave a specific bait on all year? Thanks.

If one is going to drop a few hundred on a rod, why buy an all around anything? Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and jigs/txrigs all require different weights and actions. Pick one technique and get the best for that specific discipline. And Glacus, you are absolutely spot-on. Nothing made by the companies mentioned could ever be labeled correctly as lower end.

Good looking hook. Is the weedguard stiff enough to stay on the hook point?

Rod action is important in this decision. Got to match the stiffness of the rod with line and match that to the hook type. Then match your hookset style to all of that. It is a complicated part of the game. There are countless threads on this site as far as these types of pairings and balances.

I have been after a craw like this. Thanks for the intro Mr. Vincent. May the force be with you also.

Braid is the only reason I went back to spinning reels. Alberto knots are easy and FGs just take some practice. Anyone on this feed loves fishing enough to dedicate a few minutes of youtube time to learn these knots.

Sounds like you have the gear and are very close to figuring this thing out. Anytime I am trying to dial in a new technique, I immerse myself in youtube and keep watching untill I get it. For cranking, videos by Timmy Horton, Keith Combs, Mark Menendez, and Zona would be worth watching. All are crankbait masters, and excellent teachers. Keep at it man, it will come!

The bass were there, the shad were there. When such a great bite ends so abruptly it just pains me I could not continue to catch them.

I really like the DBomb for a Hardhead as it seems most Biffle Bug/beaver baits tend to tear in the longwise groove in the body. The DBomb is meaty enough to hold up to repeated fish catches and you can texpose the hook in the bait’s rings. DBombs are just great all around fish catchers.

This morning the water temp was 52, with pre-front, low pressure conditions. South wind starting calm, but becomes a hurricane by 830. Water clarity 2 feet. I had 4 fish on a topwater, one 7lbr and 3 smalls on 10 casts so not a bad morning. Fishing mostly flats, bass herding shad. So now the wind has come up- 15 gusting 25. I am thinking the wind will help to concentrate the roaming fish on the flats. Ordinarily I go to the jerkbait but its cloudy and I cant get bit on it. Lipless crank, spinnerbait, chatterbait, no bites. I completely missed this transition and do not get another bite. What did I miss? Suggestions on what I might have thrown? Thanks yall.

I think you are on to something and can broaden the use for topwaters and bladed jigs as well. Glass rods all felt heavy and dull to me.

I cannot speak for Pelagic but Aftco’s clothes are cut very well and have worn like iron for me. They make several styles of hooded fishing shirts and all of their garments have fit true to size.

Correct! This is 2 distinctly different rods—and lines!

I have 3 and all seem to be lighter than claimed.

That one does not look too bad. I would give it a good looking over with a magnifier. Check the guide and the wrap for cracks or imperfections. If it looks okay, bend the giude back right and give it all a second look over. I had to send one back last time I ordered from TW and of course they were very accommodating.

Different presentations call for different lines. I have found quality fluoro fishes very well, just be proactive with your reties. Its tough to make yourself retie when its game on but there is no shortcutting with it. I think thats why a lot of guys get in trouble with fluoro as it does not always feel frayed like mono, more of a stressed feel intead. I fish Seaguar Invizx and Abrazx, tie a double clinch knot and have pulled some enormous trees off the lake bottom trying to break off a snagged bait. Hope this helps!

Used to walk down to the floating docks in Ft. Loudon Lake behind Neyland Stadium in Knoxville and carp fish as a bored indigent college boy. Better have your hand on your rod or a carp will ****** it right into the lake- seen it happen! Then its game on and you will learn or else!

Keep it simple and keep it to yourself. Those of us on this forum will buy enough to keep you in business! The Bass Talk Live guys did a terrific documentary about the long difficult road to the development of the chatterbait, just for a reference... https://www.basszone.com/copy-of-dancing-with-the-devil

Shimano Curado 200 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-SHIMNOREEL.html?from=basres

Truth from the TN Boy. I am a total righty and a left handed spaz but within a few months I learned to make every cast, pitch or flip left or right. It surprises me to see pros who have to switch hands.

I find myself in agreement with you again, BlueBasser. Savage Gear makes excellent stuff. Their 3D Trout has gotten me as many bites as my Huds for half the price. Hud’s 68 Special Weedless is definitely worth $25 if you can find them! Also remember that glide baits with trebles, ideally, need a softer rod than single/top hook swimbaits. The big bait thing is hard! Bites are few and far between and hucking a 3oz lure is not easy. Maybe start with the less expensive stuff first to see if you have the stomach for it.