Bazoo

The small ones are Skeeter Eater for me.

One of the ponds I fish is covered in coontail for most of the area I can cast from the bank. I rarely try to punch into it. I drag across the top/holes and or topwater. I indeed catch bass in it though. Small ones mostly, though I've pulled a few 3-4 pounders out. I have found a split shot rig works pretty good, because the split shot grabs the moss and makes a path for the worm. A weightless trick worm does good, as it slips through when not on top. Frogs do okay, though I get a lot of bream nipping at them. If I have any clear water at all to land it I've had success with spinnerbaits. If I have moss on the lure, as soon as I get into a bit of a clearing I give it a jerk, and usually the lure comes free of the moss. I've also had this tricker strikes.

Awesome bass, story, and information. Thanks for sharing Pat!

It dawned on me one crucial point last night; I could see the water, because of the ambient light from the apartment. It was not a beaver, it was a kerwhoomp and a huge boil, and I was looking right at the area when it happened 2 more times. I could see well enough to see it came from under the water, and I could have seen a beaver on the surface. I could also faintly see my frog splash as it landed. Duh, don't know why that didn't dawn on me right at the beginning.

I too would love to read that article. I sent you a message.

Differences in the tightness of the wobble could be the reason. Could be that the sound is playing a factor. If your crankbait is louder or silent compared to the jerkbait. If you just tried one crankbait that didn't work... just try another. There are days they prefer action of one vs another. I'd be surprised if they didn't bite a Bomber Fat Free Guppy.

Howdy. Well, have you tried fishing crankbaits in a stop and go retrieve? Assuming that's how you are using your jerkbait. Sounds like they want a slower cadence. I'd also try a fluke IE, soft jerkbait.

Alright, so whats everyone opinion on them? I saw Glenn's post where he was using the crankbait.

It's about 2 acres. It has a manmade dam on the south and spillway, probably no more than 6' in the center, with a feeder creek on the north. Trees all along the west side, mostly bare on the east but lots of moss cover. I haven't seen carp in it. I know there is bream, crappie I think, and cats I think. And of course Largemouth. I've not heard a beaver slap in the wild. I watched youtube video of it, and the sound is different I think. This was more of kerplump sound and not a slap. It was not on the tree side, but the moss side. I haven't fished the pond in a month and I suppose a beaver could have moved in. I'll have to check for sign next time I'm there in the daylight. There is old sign, from I'd say 2-3 years ago when I fished it in the spring.

Interesting discussion. I have been tinkering with spincasting reels since I was a kid, mostly Zebco 33s. Since before I learned to use a baitcaster. I have 2 older 33s (I gave one to my boy because the new 202 he was using started giving him issues) and a Zebco Pro Staff 20/20. I just tore the 20/20 down and cleaned and oiled it. Thinking about putting 8lb line on and using it for tight cover bank fishing. Looks like some of the new Zebco models and the Diawa Goldcast are good reels. Be interesting to try some of those.

I've fished it a little, caught a handful of small ones and nice 3 pounder in spring. I don't see any fresh beaver sign there. There is past beaver sign. The aforementioned 3 pounder.

I was in town last night after it got dark and I decided to stop by a public pond that's somewhat little known. It's in town, behind some apartments. I walk over to the edge with my frog... after a few minutes I hear the loudeds kerplunge... sounded like a boulder being thrown in the water. I threw to it, and heard it again, but this time about 10 feet away. Then once more. That area I think is full of bream. I switched to an appropriately named Ol' Monster, but still no success. My wife and young'uns were with me, my boy accompanied me in the dark (brave boy!), so I wasn't inclined to stay for long. I will venture a guess of 6+ pounds. I have named the monster Bluegill Hunter. I will be back. Anyone have a great night monster story?

I don't have any maters planted this year. Mater sammich with thick hellmans mayonnaise, Himalayan salt and pepper is good stuff - better still if ya put on a slice of fried bologna.

I saw these at walmart, they looked not the best through the package but good enough I figured I'd research it. Price was round $2. https://cremelure.com/LIVIN-FROG_c_125.html Anyone use these or know how they are used? Do they sink or float? First thought is Carolina rig.

Thanks all. I have roostertails. I retrieve them slow, but still get line twist. Some worms I have twist too. I normally combat this by twisting the line the other way while the lure dangles then casting out to let the new opposite twist get up the line.

There are lakes around me. Lets use Rough River Lake as an example. I don't know how to access it. How do I find out where I can fish it, where are the put ins, where I can bank fish. All of the places I know currently, someone showed me. I don't know how to search or find info on a new to me spot other than knowing someone that will show me. Thanks for the help.

I'm wanting to get some ball bearing swivels to help with line twist when using an inline spinner and curly tail grubs that spin. What should I be looking for and from where?

Have you ever had it get you out of a jam?

That is a pretty shad. I love catching some of the local bait to really inspect it. Thanks.

I'm not nearly as experienced as the others here, but it seems to me that when you spool without enough tension, you get that more than if spooled with tension. I've had cases after casting in the yard where there is little tension that a spool will be like that and making a long cast and winding the line with finger tension will result in an even spool.

I have a little bit of everything but I stick to less than the ones I mentioned 99% of the time. Most of the time I am perfectly happy with worms, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits.

I appreciate all the insight offered here, and from the links posted. Thanks all.

Beautiful coloring.

That was great, thank you very much for sharing. Interesting tidbits throughout the video.

I admired this nice crappie before putting him back.