Smallies

I love watching Bassmaster tourneys, but they should really work on the video quality. It's pixelated much of the time ...

More RAM!!!!

Where can I buy a casting consciousness grasshopper?

Perrrrrfect ... thanks guys didn't know you could watch live on the website wait though, do they put everything on the site? Cause I'm trying to watch the open at Kissimmee right now, and all II can find is live camera of the weigh-in (which hasn't happened yet) and still photos of the take-off. Maybe they don't televise the open? and how about BPT do they air it on their site as well?

Hey all, so I know it's on Outdoors channel and one other, I think, but I don't get either. I have D-Stream from direct and they don't offer either channel. So I'm stuck watching them long after they've concluded. I'd love to sit on my arse one weekend and watch an elites tourney live. Is there any app I can get or anything to watch these things in real-time? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks guys, sounds like TX, and that area in particular, is a real Mecca. @thediscochef you said you do like living there, other than how many people there are? I'd be moving from CA so, pretty much, anything is an improvement for me as far as taxes/crime/etc

Absolutely, agreed. I guess it's just pick one and fish with it, and if you feel like you're losing a large number of fish, switch it up. Or something like that, hah!

@A-Jay first of all, your lure collection, I believe, is second to none, sir — and I always appreciate your detailed and thorough approach to ... well everything. I am the same way, and I appreciate that when I see it. Though it can be a pain in the arse for those that live with us Was just curious about why you prefer EWGs. I read your article you linked up, and I didn't get a good idea about why you prefer EWG to round bend, other than you believe it catches more fish. But why? I previously saw the Kyle Welcher video below, where he says he will NEVER use an EWG for crank baits. Not that he's the expert or anything, but I find it interesting — I guess it's just a confidence thing?

So I got some info on Sinaloa Lake...Apparently, since I live in Thousand Oaks, I qualify for the Associate membership which is ... wait for it ... $11,500 initiation and $133 per month! Yowza! Country Club membership for Bass Fishing?

hey @Big Hands you can just launch a boat over there are Castaic, right? No waiting period?

Thanks. I saw that too, but it's unclear on fish brain a lot of times to me how kosher it is to go fish some of these places. I also saw something online that said there are NO fish in Bard Lake, so lots of conflicting info out there and was wondering if anyone had any personal experience at any of these lakes. Like Sinaloa I found out, you have to be or know a member. But apparently anyone can become a member, for a price. Not sure what that price is yet, but I sent an email.

I saw Bard Lake, Sinaloa Lake, and Runkle Reservoir on Google Maps today. Anyone ever fish these, and if so, are they worth going to? Are they private? I have no idea, but wanted to see if anyone does.

@The Bassman Nice, bro! I love me some Seinfeld. Great episode, it was! (But they all are)

How do you fish a jig, @WRB? Do you fish it offshore? Flipping cover? Do you hop it back, drag it back or swim it? I'd really like to get better at jig fishing, seems so versatile and can be used year round, from what I hear.

On the lake website, they say there was a trout plant on the 4th. To my knowledge, they haven't done this in a long time right? Is this a good sign for an eventual resurgence of what the lake used to be? Thoughts?

How's the level of Castaic now after the recent rains? It must've come up at least a little. I think Casitas is still wayyyy down though b/c of the steelhead first requirement.

Anybody use 6th sense swim jigs yet? I got me a couple, haven't had a chance to use them though.

I'm just saying, in the past I've been fishing from the bank, didn't have a boat. So if I get snagged, much of the time I just have to pull real hard and the line ends up snapping - on 12 lb test that is.

I will keep y'all posted, for sure.

How large are we talking here? Cause I tested it on most of my cranks, and ALL of them had more action and ran deeper in the pool on 6lb. than 12lb. but I guess the heaviest of my cranks is 1/2oz. so I dunno, maybe you're throwing a lot heavier (1 oz?) plugs than I am. Yeah, the snag thing is honestly what worries me the most, but we don't have a lot of grass where I fish, actually none really, and so if I get snagged I'm usually cutting the line anyway, regardless of 12lb. or not. I rarely am able to get them free. I just got a boat though, so this may change now that I'm not stuck to the dock and can pull at 'em from different angles so ... I guess I'll just see what happens and if I start losing them on the regular then I'll have to go up in my leader or change to straight braid I guess...

My reasons for wanting to do it are : 1). Much more action on my lures (especially jerk baits) with the smaller diameter line 2). Deeper/Truer running depths on my cranks across the board with the smaller diameter line 3). Braid doesn't backlash as badly/often or twist (on spinning setup) 4). Trying to offset the lack of stretch needed for trebles with the long flouro leader But, I was really asking why SHOULDN'T I do it, as in what problems will I run into if I do this when landing a larger fish. But really helpful answers so far guys, thanks

Good question, I'd like to know too...

Cool, Thanks @MN Fisher — I'll stick with the braid to flouro I think, cause I also like the ease-of-use of braid. Not so many backlashes and line twist. Only thing is, gotta make sure my leader stays long enough. Good info. So what do you define as smaller/lighter. We talking light is 1/2Oz. and under or what? Why do you change it up from casting to spinning for lighter cranks? More finesse-y? I've been using my crank (the Dobyns Fury 705) for all sizes of cranks/jerks/lipless. I did notice, though, that when I threw the jerks on my spinning setup (Fury 702SF) they had a little more action than on my heavier backbone casting setup, so maybe that's why? That's good info, I like the idea of dragging with your thumb instead of the mechanical drag. Puts you more in tune with the fish, too. What about the hook-set though? Can't straight braid rip it the trebles out of their mouths, or put a big hole in when you set the hook so the barb can come out when they thrash? I mean, I know it's more of a sweeping hooks with trebles, so maybe that's the deal. Sweet! That's good news, cause I REALLY like the depth/action with that combo. My cranks were just DEAD in the water with 12lb. flouro and the ran like a good 2-3ft shallower.

@MN Fisher How long is LONG? I'd say I usually have about 20' of leader? Also, are you saying that the fact that the braid is attached to the light test leader might break off the leader mores than if I were using straight 6lb. flouro, or the same? And then, the next question would be can I use straight braid, because of the thin diameter but high strength — and I guess the answer to THAT would be not enough give for treble hooks?

For hard jerk baits, you want a fast to medium fast, right? Not heavy fast...I just started throwing Jerks and noticed they seem to have more erratic jerky action on a faster tip rod with less of a backbone. Am I right?