AlabamaSpothunter

Just finished his Crawfish Hunters video. Cool stuff. He's a very methodical man, you can tell he's highly intelligent. I heard about stitching, but never saw it used until that video, might give that a try tomorrow. Thanks again.

? Don't feel bad friend, I haven't sniffed a 20lb bag in two months, and that's fishing most days of the week. I think the day I caught a 9.1 I didn't hit 20 lol. We talked about this months ago, but that 20lb mark is what separates the pros from even awesome non pros. Those dudes make it look so easy, I've seen it first hand on the water. They are like wizards.

Bingo, I want that 4/0. Those sound awesome, got to get other stuff to get dat free shipping yo ?

Fantastic, will go check that out right now. Thanks! Those look delicious, why you got monkey me like that ? eta: What size hook comes on those, looks kind of like a 3/0

I was mentored on the fact that jigs are for big fish. I learned the palomer knot the same day I learned to fish a jig.....both things my fishing mentor stressed were key to catching big Bass. I didn't realize then why that might be the case, but this thread is starting to illustrate exactly why that is. @WRB is proof that the jig is truly a big fish bait ?

Nothing in life is wrong when you catch a 20lb bag.....congrats, all beautiful big healthy looking fish!

Same here, I planted my feet in the sand and kept power fishing moving baits. Finally cried uncle and tied on the craw imitator and the 5lb+ fish valve opened again. Stubbornness has cost me more fish than anything else. I'm not good at change in life in general, but I think Bass fishing helps me get better with that as time goes on. If you don't change in Bass fishing, you just can't reach anywhere near your full potential.

I've been on a kick lately watching and reading stuff from Bass biologists like Bob Lusk and Steven Bardin. One thing I've picked up is the fact that Bass don't really prefer Crawdads as a food source, but rather simply can't stand to have them around for whatever evolutionary reason. This isn't a fact, but rather something I've just deduced from their info. I've always believed and seen from my fishing results that Crawdad imitating baits produce a much larger fish on average. It's the smallest profile bait I've ever used that produces big fish consistently. A Crawdad imitator bait turned my Spring completely around. Might not ever get back into jigs, but pegging a T-Rigged craw/creature will be tied on every time out going forward.

I don't always use braid, but when I do I use the one the #braidedwonder does....good enough for prehistoric dinosaur fish, good enough for Bass ?

Yeah a new T-Rig/Jig setup is at the top of the list, and I think it's time to revisit braid.....wow I just said that, and slapped myself at the same time ? Your locale sounds fantastic, and there is a perfect balance between rural and suburban living which it sounds like you found. Without the female species, I'm pretty sure we'd still be living in huts in the sticks with $100k Bass rigs parked outside ?

Reynolds boats his second Toledo Bend 12-pounder of 2023 - Louisiana Sportsman If I had a son, I'd name him Tater too ? "He didn’t have to worry. His 12.11-pound fish was the biggest caught in the tournament – and the fourth-heaviest caught from Toledo Bend this year – and he and Thibodeaux won the tournament with a 30.56-pound limit." So a local absolute stud hammer has a day of his life, including a 12.11, has a partner, and only barely notches past Ben's day 1 weight.

Man those last 4 games were brutal until last night. The highs and lows of a MLB season I guess. I thought Strider just might have gotten a no no or even the perfect game. It's coming. He's now figured out how to keep his pitch count a bit lower. They need to roll off 5 or 6 in a row now.

That's awesome! Hope you score a gobbler tomorrow as well buddy!

Many times with a Buzzbait if they are short striking, it's because the retrieve is to slow and they are getting a bit too long to look at the bait. I've applied this to other moving baits. I found the Chatterbait had the biggest learning curve when it came to reliably hooking fish. I had to get a dedicated rod. I missed like 80% of my fish in the beginning, I was simply ripping the bait away from them. The other replies are excellent as well, changing color, size, and profile could trigger a more committed strike.

Amen brother, and I could deal with 350 no problem, sounds like heaven....bet their are more dogs and cats than people.....a sure recipe for a happy place ? I live about 20 minutes from downtown Birmingham, and that place could be the North Pole for all I'm concerned. Not gonna end up on the First 48 ? Great stuff, and you work so hard for your fish. Ain't nothing soft about the way for fish ?

Yeah that CXX was getting so abraded when it would wrap over a branch. This stuff is right up your alley, pretty sure the guy who caught a 12+ did so flipping and pitching Awesome stuff Katie, and thanks for the suggestion on the net. I agree for sure on the rubber idea, I've wanted to make the switch for some time. I'm sure the rubber netting is much better for them as well. A-Jay really has a fantastic process and tools for post catch. It's always a priority and balancing job of getting enough time with your fish all the while making sure you release as quickly as possible. That was my Grandfather's net he used fishing in Canada, thing is super old, but oddly very light weight. I have to think he's smiling every time a toad gets netted. He was a Walleye man though. I was watching the Elite derby this past weekend, and its funny how many times a Bass fools even the best pros in terms of size.

Caught a fish today that really fooled me, for about 30-45 secs I thought I had the white whale. Just last night I finally swapped over to 15lb Pline Ultimate Fluoro, had I not there is a 50/50 chance this fish broke that PLine 12lb CXX. She exploded to the surface like a Beaver slap, and then proceeded to bulldog for half a minute. Spectacular fighting fish, but she only went 5.11, a far cry from what I thought. It's been since Feb. that I felt that rush of fear and anxiety. Caught another 3.5-4lb fish, and then 10 other 1-2lb fish.....all on the D Bomb. I was targeting shaded weed lines on wind-blown banks. Big Swimbait, buzzbait, squarebill.....nothing, not a single bite. Meanwhile this stupid T-Rigged creature bait keeps the lights on ? This is the fourth color now that I've had really great results with, it's called bruised plum. More evidence in my book that color just doesn't matter as much as we think it does. The average fish size on this bait continues to impress me.

What an epic shot that is with the city skyline in the background. That's the only way I could live in a big city. Fantastic fish as well. 100% Katie, when people wonder why we love to Bass fish, just show them Mike's smile.

Combining the last two replies would be pick..... Zillion SV TW or Zillion HD TW if you think you might need a beefier reel.

I won't throw a bottom contact bait unless I think I'm going to get a bite, so no it's not a search bait at all for me. In the context of that thread, the understood you is that you think fish are already holding on the cover based on sonar, but sans FFS you really risk hanging up a crank, jerk, a-rig, etc vs. just feeling it out and seeing if you can pick a fish off with the bottom contact T-Rig, Jig, C-Rig, etc. Even then there are no promises as I'll snag those up too lol.

Bass fishing wouldn't be Bass fishing without the Japanese aspect to the sport. Those guys are just so innovative, methodical, and talented. I really appreciate how they all have both a US and Japan flag on their shirts. Ish actually picked this dude to win.

GIB ME CHAD SHAD PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very nice fish, been trying to get a Chad Shad for a couple months, Bass Pro and a few other retailers had them but they sold out super fast. Great report, and fish. Having fishing buddies is priceless.

Ben would have won almost every derby in recent past either for a one day with his almost 30lb bag, or for a multiple day event. He did this before Feb and March as well. Tournament Results | Toledo Bend Lake Country I'm even more impressed now that I see he caught a bigger bag than 99% of pros who have competed on this lake recently. What a stud.

I want this young Japanese angler with 5 scopes who uses fuzzy dice and crabs to hammer them win.....RIP Randy B, you were a real one ?

They make little trout glide baits, but something that you might want to try that is affordable and fits the bill is the S Waver 120. River2Sea S-Waver Glide Bait - Tackle Warehouse