Bazoo

It looks good. I like the bit of translucentcy.

Found this awesome Ott Defoe video. He really shows the knot well.

Howdy @Fishing_Rod, did ya ever hook up with that crankbait?

Thanks. I had no idea it was a thing, and I didn't know how to search for it. When I searched soft split ring I started getting some results.

Some time back I saw someone post a fish and a list of the gear used to catch it, which included a lure that had hand tied split rings using braided line in place of the metal split rings. I think it would change the sound of a crankbait, and that might be beneficial. I've been giving this some thought. Would anyone like to share if you've done this and why? What kind of knot did you use?

I have confidence in the plastic worm. Ranging from, Berkeley power worms, Zoom finess and trick worms, Zoom lizards and U tail worms, Zoom Fat Albert grubs, GY Senkos. Confidence in those is not that they make me feel good, but rather, I've caught bass with plastic worms all seasons when the bite is hard. I can't think of anything else that will work year-round, but if the bass can be caught, they can be caught on a plastic worm of some variety (and by that I mean something "normal" not the latest and greatest). Now if I had to pick a specific color and such for my confidence bait it would be split shot rig with a watermelon color Berkley Power Worm, followed by a Zoom Fat Albert in green pumpkin. However, the former must be rigged carefully to keep it from spinning. Barring the plastic worm, am I confident? kinda. I know that bass ain't going to hit a lot of the other stuff at any given time, and I could likely catch a few fish here and there, but not nearly as many.

Split shot for me has become my favorite. Before that, it was a weightless Texas rig, which of course still sees action. The split shot I can throw on my baitcaster, while the weightless Texas rig is normally a spinning rod proposition. I can throw the heavier worms with casting rods, even down to a Zoom 6" lizard. Right now, my favorite worm is a Berkley Power Worm in watermelon, followed by a Zoom Finess in either watermelon red or green pumpkin.

Interesting that others say they don't have success with many of the lures I don't have success with, or much success with. I rarely have had success with a lipless crankbait. I've had a little bit though, so I do fish them, but never had the success nor the confidence with them that I do with a regular crankbait. Flukes, I've had some success with recently and starting to build confidence with them. Jerkbaits... I haven't had anything on them in a long time. Jigs, I've had 1 fish on a swim jig. I'm learning though.

I haven't fished a plopper much, but I I've never landed a bass with one, though I've had several hits. For whatever reason, they just don't hook up. My buddy uses them with good success though.

As far as printed issues, I prefer print and I'm only 40. My wife prefers printed as well. There is several problems with digital media. The first is, you stare at the screen all the time, and your brain sort of goes into a different mode, almost like a defensive mode. I retain information better when read in a printed form. The other thing is, I separate my electronics from my printed material. I have a computer spot, and I have a chair where I keep various books that I'm reading along with my Bible. So, I often will read the Bible some, then read some in a book, especially with some of the harder to understand/read parts. I set in my chair, read, and drink my coffee. Another issue with using the computer, is I find myself going to use the computer for something, but I get sidetracked and end up looking at the bass forum, the knife forum, the gun forum, tinkering on my website, looking up something unrelated. I prefer to have a printed tangible item in my hand, I like the feel of it, and I do like the smell of it.

Lots of opinions both ways, thanks all. I do enjoy looking at printed material as well as being on an interactive forum. I am partially considering it for my son too. Having a subscription to BASS when I was a kid was instrumental in building a love of fishing. I also read in fisherman. But, I know it's multi-species, and I am not. I have a handful of old fishing magazines from the 2000s that me and boy look at. I found them in the recycling drop off. But now that have a sign up stating it's illegal to remove anything from it, so I don't go searching for treasures.

Very interesting discussion. Thanks @bulldog1935for sharing that about the wrist snapping. I realize that I have done that and have had to move past it to learn how to use a casting rod, but I didn't know what it was or how to verbalize it.

Sounds like you need a lot more practice. If you're getting backlashes, you're not using enough thumb pressure... probably at the end. No shame in turning the brakes up as needed either. I still practice in the yard during the times of the year I don't fish nearly daily. I still backlash sometimes, but very rarely in a manner that isn't easily cleared. I would rather have accuracy at short/moderate range, than distance any day.

Glad you had a successful first attempt.

I caught a 5lber on the heavily pressured public lake I frequent and it didn't really put up a fight, more like succumbing to the inevitable. I mean sure it pulled a bit, but not like I would have expected. I catch bass that haven't been caught before on a small private lake and they put up more of a fight, jumping, thrashing, sometimes throwing the hook. They are mostly smaller ones. The fish on the river though fight 3 times as hard. Awesome picture, thank you for sharing.

Tis' a Zoom Ol Monster. I was throwing it weightless in that slop and dragging it either on the top or right under. Had a few hits that didn't connect and that one. Lots of smaller bass in there though. I have pulled some 3-4 pounders out of there though, which is what I was hoping for. I ran into a vintage bag of powerworms in a color that is plum ish. The sticker is off the bag, but they work good. Anyone recognise what it is? This nice one fell to the vintage power worms! I wonder if that old powerbait has a magic smell since it's been aging 30 years.

Thanks, I am working to learn tubes. Nobody fishes them here. I haven't had any success yet, but haven't tried much.

Thanks all. I've never heard of BASS times.

Years ago, when I was about 13-18, I was a member of BASS. I got the magazine, I carried the card, I was proud. I even was a member of the Harry & Charlie club for submitting a tip that was printed, and wore the hat until I was into my 20s and it finally turned back into dust. I've been considering joining again. Is it still the leading source for printed bass fishing info? (I must say that I would consider this forum to be on the vanguard.) Is it still as good as it was with user submitted tips and stories, coupled with the latest techniques that the pros use? Anyone love it or hate it, and why?

I start weightless for worms unless I need the weight due to conditions of wind, current, casting distance, or punching through something. I use 1/16 ounce for grubs and small stuff, occasionally for a worm if I need a bit of weight. Most common for me is 1/8 ounce and 3/16 ounce when I rig a weighted texas rig. I can throw a 1/8 ounce with a worm on a baitcaster without issue. I commonly throw a split shot rig consisting of a #3 split shot, 2/0 Ozark Trail worm hook with a 7" power bait worm, which is just about as light as I can use without issues. I can throw a lighter worm, and do occasionally, but I can really tell the difference when downsizing the worm.

Howdy neighbor!

I throw this color, red shad.

I haven't any experience doing this, but I have an idea that might do... Take a piece of the rubber material (patch), and sew the stickers to it, then use the rubber cement to apply the piece to the correct spot of your hull.

I believe bass that haven't been caught fight harder. River bass fight harder than pond/lake bass. I don't see any difference between the largemouth and smallmouth that I catch on the river, they all fight like their life depends on it.

Abu Garcia Black Max has held up for me very well. I use mine nearly daily and have for over a year. My favorite is a BPS Pro Qualifier 2 that was gifted to me. Used, they are available in that range. That's my choice.