Basseditor

We used to catch all kinds of bass on Mepps when Muskie fishing when I lived in Wisconsin.

Good luck.

Good technique info here. Let me add one thing that has been touched on — hooks. With smaller plastics I like thin wire hooks. But premium hooks really help. One of my sons had been losing lots of fish after the hook set, but he switched to Trokar and he rarely loses one now. The fish pretty much sets himself. I'm not sponsored or have any stake in the product. I know they can be expensive. But we watch for sales and stock up. It takes very little effort to set the hook. Just start reeling and gently sweep the rod. It has made a big difference.

Magazine publisher/editor (basically I manage the magazine staff) for Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

When I posted earlier about weightless Senkos, that was related to the question. I've been fishing since I was barely walking. I can and have caught bass on just about every lure/tactic. Whatever the conditions call for, I'm ready. My biggest Senko bass is 8 lbs. I've caught bigger ones on 10" Powerworms and 6XDs. But when it's tough, I know the Senko or fluke can save the day. So my point is, when all else fails, do what you do best. That is your niche. You see the pros that are the best with a technique win on that technique when the time is right. They may not do as well other times. I think I'm pretty versatile, but give me a Senko when the time is right, and I'll beat many other guys at that time. I can't say that for other tactics. A Senko is not my favorite way to fish, but I'm pretty good at it. It's my niche that I worked hard to develop.

Unfortunately, for my bank account, I drive past Cabelas twice a day. So I stop 2-3 times/week. I mostly go straight to the Bargain Cave. Some times there is new stuff at great prices.

If you have a Cabelas nearby, check the Bargain Cave for discounted Guide Wear. I have both insulated and uninsulated Guide Wear bibs. The price was too good not get both. Or check online.

Isn't interesting how with the logos on name brand companies get us to pay them to advertise their products?

Weightless Senko. I won our tournament today dead sticking a Senko next to trees. Only once did I feel the fish bite. The other times I just knew there was a fish there.

Big game is tuff line. I use it for top water baits, except frogs. For frogs I use braid.

I gotta go with a Rico.

I have a copy of an old black and white photo from when I was young. Several nice bass in the 4-5 lb range we caught in a northern WI lake. I can't find the photo of some 5+ we caught. We were muskie guys so they were "trash" fish. LOL. We caught a lot of them using Suicks while muskie fishing. My dad got a 48" muskie in the same area. The photos are from the 60s. I moved out of WI for college in '71 and haven't lived there since, but my dad and brothers claim to have caught a couple pushing 7-8 lbs from that lake. I don't have proof of those. I wonder if that lake will ever be that good again. Maybe when I retire I'll make the 1500 mile trip to check it out. But I live where it takes one in the 9+ range to win big bass honors at many of our club tournaments. Besides, WI is too cold for me.

Oxygen first. Cooling second. IMO. Ice does a good job but as has been mentioned don't drop temp by more than 10 degrees. I worried about adding bagged ice because of the chlorine but Texas biologists say that isn't a big issue. They recommend the oxygen and ice. But my boat has a good aeration system so I haven't had any problems and it gets real hot in summer. I add ice if needed. Now if I caught 40 lb limits in tourneys, I might reconsider. LOL.

I hate when guys reply with "depends". In your case do you have very heavy cover? Some of my lakes, I need extra heavy flipping rods but others heavy is enough.

There was a time when the quality was off. Now I have confidence because of the source of the blanks. Most of ours are Z-bones. But we have all models, magnesiums, Heliums and of course the bones. I don't have any affiliation other than fan loyalty. But we own other brands too. I used to order a lot of custom rods but now I consider a Z-bone much like a custom rod. But my Z-bones are the stock rods.

Go to their website and sign up for email list and follow on FB. They have sales and contests so you can save money. I just went to my garage and counted the number of Kistlers. (My two sons keep their gear at my house too.) We have 27.

I have more than 10 Kistlers. Some are 5 or more years old. No broken rods but I did have one hook keeper break and they replaced it at no charge. Since then they changed the keeper style. I am very pleased with Kistlers.

Nice fish. I'm going out tomorrow. I'd much rather fish in 100 degrees than 50. I moved to TX to get away from the cold.

A gallon of outboard 2-cycle oil was the most unique. Good timing too. I was almost out.

1) Location is important. Not only the body of water, but 2) certain areas of lakes hold bigger fish. 3) Unlike some have mentioned, I have done best on the third day of a warming trend after a cold front. All my 8-lb plus largemouth bass came on 6XDs, 10-12 inch Powerworms or 7 inch Senkos. My son caught a 13 and 8 lb bass on back to back casts on a 6XD. On the other hand, all my 7 lb plus smallmouth came on sixteenth ounce head Gitzits. I like big fish. That's why I struggle in tournaments. I am going to fish in the top 5 or dead last LOL. And I have gotten the big fish award in many tournaments.

american legacy? is that a tackle store?

Chances are your career will evolve. In high school I liked reading fishing magazines and thought that's what I want to do. Become a writer. I was better at math, in fact English was my worst subject. But I could dream. Went to college and started in math but because English was my weakest subject, changed to English. Part way through I considered law school next. But didn't like the extra year of school so went into MBA. DIdn't care for it. Dropped out (big mistake). Got job part time at a fishing magazine. Loved it but no money. Worked in outdoor industry for next 20 years. Guide, tv show host, sold tackle in store then distributor. Made my way into finance field by doing leases. Made some money. Bought a boat. Helped dealer sell 3 more boats and went to work full time selling boats. But I liked outdoors better. Worked at selling boats for nearly 10 years and did ok. But given chance to start fishing magazine. I loved it. Was offered job at a state wildlife agency and that was good for 6 years. Took job with my current magazine. It is the best magazine job in the outdoors. I am very happy and good at it. Got a Masters in Communications along the way. Just keep studying and working and leap when new opportunity comes. Regret turning down one job in real estate. I might have been rich. I still think of one more leap to real estate.

It's scary when you travel to fish and you end up staying in dangerous areas. We don't know all the details, but it's sad whether you know the angler or not. In this case, I knew Jimmy.

If you fish or do things where you're going to get cut or poked, get the shot every 5 years.

I second Kistler. I'm getting ready to get another.