Bazoo

I'll tell yall a funny one, even though the hooks were in bad shape I tied on the bull gill and fished it a while after I found it. I got snagged up in the rocks pretty bad and finally got it loose by walking the shore the other way. I went to cast again, and even though I checked my line for abrasions I didn't check the knot. When I went to cast, on the backswing, the lure came free of the knot and slung behind me on the shore. We spent about 10 minutes looking for it and finally found it again. I must have abraded the line right at the knot and not noticed when I checked the line immediately in front of the lure. I stole the hooks from another lure to put on it so it'll be fresh for next trip if I don't have time to sharpen the hooks that was on it beforehand.

This is a very interesting discussion, thank you all for contributing. I pretty much use green pumpkinish colored to start and if it don't produce, I may or may not change colors. I most often change lure types, presentation, or location.

I ain't had much in the way of lures lately, though I've found a few usable bobbers and crappie jig, and a couple soft plastics in good shape. Found about half a dozen worms that had been left to bake alive the other day. I saved them from that demise and sent them to a watery grave on my boy's hook. Went fishing to Freeman Lake yesterday, and had little luck from the bank, except for the finding. Found a floating fish basket, a tub of catfish bait, and about 40' of good braided line. And the best... a catchco baby bull gill in bass color. Hooks need replacing. It was laying, attached to a limb floating in the water, in the corner of the lake that everyone passes by and fishes at, very visible.

Howdy, and welcome from Ky. When you say you upgraded from the president reel, is there something you didn’t like about it? Or a video or article you saw that prompted the change? I’ve been thinking about a president reel myself, though I know they aren’t the best in the market they seem like they are pretty decent.

The model you're referring to is the pocket frog. I use one some. I've caught several bass in the 2-3 pound range on them, both with the hooks as normal, and with them bent out a bit for clearance. I've also lost as many fish as I've landed. But yes, it is possible to catch fish with them. I caught a rock bass on one that was probably over a pound, a big bite for a rock bass. One of the worst mistakes I ever made was with one. I caught a bass.. got him to sure, but he was covered with moss. I thought it was probably the typical 2-3 pounder I catch there... and I tried to lift him out of the water with my 10 pound line, and snapped the line like it was nothing only then realizing it was a much nicer fish. I don't know how heavy, but I would guess 6 pounds or better. This happened a month or so back and I'm still sick over it. I also still hold hopes to catch that monster and get both the fish and my lure back as I had him hooked very good.

Cool, I gave it a shot. I like trying new stuff, thank you for the opportunity. I could use a couple good rods that's for sure.

I'm beginning intermediate probably. I've been fishing since I was a kid, but I have a lot left to learn in the way of lures and techniques. I also have a lot to learn about cover, structure, weather, and water conditions, and how they affect my favorite quarry. I've not seen lots of different water or conditions, but I'm always looking to change that. I've got one thing that many lack, tenacity; I will stand out there and fish all day with no bite, expecting the next cast to be the one that hooks a 10 pounder. I read a lot of bassmaster magazine and other fishing magazines when I was younger, as well as watching a lot of fishing shows... not for entertainment though, to learn. Fact is, I need all the help I can get to improve my bass fishing I want to catch a 10 pounder, and I have eyes for the state record.. so.. yeah, I'm young and full of fishing dreams. I think the biggest thing I need to learn is how to fish over pressured waters. I can fish a pond without pressure and tear them up, but I cant fish my local lake (Freeman Lake) and get hardly anything. I do attempt it quite often though.

Howdy from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. My indian folks are from the UP, the Sault tribe of Chippewa Indians. Some beautiful country up there, I haven't been since I was a kid but I'm itching to get back one day.

I am a minimalist of sorts; the minimum is 2 for me, a casting and a spinning. I think 3 of each would allow me to have all I could need for bass. I often take 2 fishing the bank, though it's a pain to drop one when I want to cast... but it's more better when I am anchored in a spot and want to switch from something hard to something soft. I rarely go without a soft plastic as backup.

I've been mainly fishing Freeman Lake in Elizabethtown Ky, but also a few other places. Freeman Lake is a good spot for me as I can stop there and fish a while each time I'm in town. It's got a lot of bank pressure, and with that, I'm proud I've coaxed a few bass into taking the chance on my lures. I'm wondering if anyone else here fishes Freeman Lake and could give me some advice specific to the lake. And dare I ask if anyone in my area could help me find more places to fish, I'd appreciate it. The only other places I know are Saunders Springs in Radcliff, and Valley Creek (pronounced crick) Reservoir in Etown. There is a small lake that is church owned that I fish in Stevensberg also. I'm not familiar with anything else. Thanks all.

I've been doing okay round my area. Caught a few at Freeman Lake, and a few at a local pond I frequent.

Wow thats a trohpy SMB! Thanks for sharing.

I haven't done any polishing other than just normal cleanup. I wonder if a mirror polish would give me an edge? I have polishing wheels and compound to do so. I may just give it a go on my favorite spinnerbait.

It does float... I was flopping it pretty good under the tree line I was at... thinking it would look like a bird that had fallen out of a nest/tree.

Very interesting replies, thanks all. I tried fishing it yesterday, but nothing was working where I was at.

I appreciate the discussion here. I have always kept my rod straight and pulled straight back while holding the spool with my thumb. But I also have thought this might not be good for the rod and or reel. I appreciate the idea to use a stick or dowel. I hadn't thought of it, oddly, but I do use a stick to wind line around when I run across others line that's been left.

Interesting thoughts on it, thanks everyone. If it does do well, then my only problem will be continued supply of them.

I seen this soft silicone toy, and my first thought was "bird bait!" I rigged it with a 4/0 EWG hook. It's dang tough and I think it'll hold up if I do catch fish on it. I plan to use a hook to run the line from the front of the beak into the opening in the head and tie onto the hook. I figure the opening would be just about right for a split shot, if I need weight. It's just about weightless as is, and the hook acts as a keel to keep the bird upright. So how does everyone reckon it'll work?

I wouldn't be comfortable being on a boat if the other person was drinking beer. I'm not comfortable being on dry land around those consuming alcohol either though. My dad was an alcoholic, so I've never had the desire for it.

You bet! That is a nice one, good and fat. Maybe I'll have to give the blade baits a try before winter.

Thanks for sharing. Definitely some bass worth hooking there!

This is new to me. I'm interested in reading / hearing about these tests.

I'm interested in what others will chime in with. I generally start with a topwater, like a Spit'n Image or popper. Then its worms/lizards, spinnerbaits, crankbaits. If those aren't producing it's a free-for-all as to what I might try. I often intend to fish a specific lure to get better with it and stick with it no matter what.

I appreciate this thread very much. I'm going to be learning how to fish blade lures this wintertime, and I enjoy learning new lures and techniques. Much useful insight shared here, thanks all.

An interesting question and responses thus far. I don't generally go more than 3-4 hours but even then I have water and something light for a snack like crackers, pecans, or chips. If I was going out all day, I'd also have a gatorade, and something decent to eat like several sandwiches. I can't go without eating or my sugar drops and I feel poorly.