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The time has come for the 2025 Fantasy Fishing season to begin. For those unfamiliar, we have been doing this for a few years now as a fun way to compete and have a little fun among all our members. Do you think you have what it takes to take home 1st place for the season? Group Name: BassResource Password: BR2025 We encourage all members to play along. Just pick your anglers prior to each BASS Elite event and share them (or don't) with the group. It's all part of the fun! Here is the link to the official website. https://bassmasterfantasy.com/

Hey everyone I’m looking for a fishing boat. I have a $40,000 budget (could be pushed a little) and I’m looking for an aluminum deep V mutispecies boat (with a console). I’ve looked at brands like Alumacraft, Lund, ranger, and crestliner. I would want something with an engine size of 115 to 150. Keep in mind that I don’t have very much boat knowledge so I’m not sure what brands are reputable and which aren’t. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or experiences with certain boats. I would also prefer the size to be 17’ or more.

Matt Herren has been disqualified for his performance at the first event of the 2025 season at St. Johns River. Herren failed his polygraph even following the event. He has decided to retire all together from the BASS Elites and will be fishing the NPFL going forward. https://www.bassmaster.com/elite/news/elite-herren-disqualified-at-st-johns-river/ https://www.si.com/onsi/fishing/bass-fishing/matt-herren-announces-exit-from-bassmaster-elite-series-after-disqualification

I am new to fishing. Haven’t fished for 20 years. I bought me a setup and a boat and am trying to catch bass. I was always interested in catching bass as a child. Now that I’m out of the military, I have the chance to pick up this new hobby. Can someone help me with fishing east fork lake and where I can land a large mouth bass please? What setup works for you?

I have a question about finesse fishing. How does it work? I thought bass are aggressive and ambush, how do they like a bait that just sits and holds still? I mean I know they are also opportunistic feeders but I feel like they would rather ambush something that moved like a fish. I also have heard from Mike Iaconelli that it triggers a reaction bite. How does it do this when it finesse is supposed to be subtle and finesse and not reaction style? Thanks!

I plan on fishing the Hillsborough next week after Christmas. I've lived here my whole life and have never fished it. I wanna catch largemouth but kinda unfamiliar with the thing. Anybody ever go out there and fish it? What ramp would you suggest, I gotta 21' flats boat and should I go north or south? Is there anything I should be alert out there for? Will the water level be okay? Lastly, what works well out there? Thanks

Well, something came along that was to tough to pass up. Already have two Bonafide fishing kayaks (SS127 and SS107) decently equipped and those have been great, but wanted a boat to enjoy as well. Been a lurker here for a long time. So much content, advice, and fantastic conversation from all those dedicated to this activity can't thank the community enough. So with that...🫠 Picked up a 2018 1875 Lund Pro-V Bass. It's in fantastic condition overall, and had some reasonable goodies on it. Who knows, maybe that seller is on here and he will recognize as I describe. Picked up from a great dealer locally. Special shout out to @A-Jay, while I've been a Lund fan for a long time (father had a 16' over the years), I always liked AJ's layout and selection of the bench vs. XS and the size of the boat is just perfect for an all around experience. Regrettably, it didn't have the slide out tackle storage (I guess 2018 is when Lund started not offering it because of complaints in that solution), still has the empty space though. I'm also sure there was studies on whether XS or bench was being ordered which lead them to only offering an XS config. I prefer the bench as it'll be my wife and I 98% of the time on the water anyway. If I had to buy new, I'd not be able to do it, so this worked out great. Obligatory equipment rundown Black 1875 with bunk custom (single axle). Merc Verado 200 4STK Ultrex 80 24v. A Lowrance 3-in-1 is mounted on it tied to the bow graph. 1 bow Lowrance 9 HDS Live, 1 console Lowrance 9 HDS Live (notable the split of vendors). All networked. Oddly, NMEA 200 was left out of the boat. Likely to add so I can put the GPS puck on the back closer to transducer and get waypoint sync working (why does Lowrance not support ethernet or wireless is beyond me....) and stage me for motor integration and ghost. I'm a Lowrance guy, so I'll give the Ultrex a shot for now (getting the iPilot remote to get waypoint and trail working). I'd prefer integrated vendor, but I'd have to get a Ghost or MotorGuide. Likely a next year purchase, already have batteries purchased for a 36v down the road. ActiveTarget with single transducer on the trolling motor (Hey, why don't I ever see any stories on FFS? /s 😏) 2 x 125Ah Ionics for the trolling. < 10 cycles on them so far, so that's awesome. 1 x 100Ah Ionic for electronics, and 1 lead acid for crank/house. 17 cycles on the lithium (again, bonus). I've already removed the lead acid and wired to the lithium for house/electronic/crank combo. It's 900 CCA equivalent and Merc supports it (on the list for this motor). 4 bank Noku Gen Pro (4x10). Additions I might make over next year or so is swap the Ultrex for a 36v Ghost and put a 12" HDS Live on the bow (probably pick up a beatdown pole as well) and move the exiting 9" as a double on the console. Not sure I need the jump to HDS Pro and if the HD really buys enough for me to switch. Also want to do some rewiring of electric. While the gauge is in spec, I'd rather make it more robust and move the electronic connections using Blue Sea fuse panels at mid-ship instead. Well, that is enough for now. See some of you out there.

The bluegills are starting to go full spawn mode in my neck of the woods and im sure in many of yours. Im still pretty new to catching greenbacks and am curious yalls favorite ways to catch them around bluegill beds! Its seems like they would be a hotspot for big bass going after fish on beds on the outskirts of colonies. I'm thinking wake baits, weightless worms, flukes, poppers, and chatterbaits. Any recommendations or tricks youre willing to share?

I have heard that bass don't like the muddy ground. Why is this? Thanks!

How about we have our own little topic here. Successes, failures, what worked, where we're catching them, etc. Just to kick things off - MN-DNR has released the PDFs of the Fishing and Boating regs for this year and 2023 licenses are now in effect...the 2022 licenses are no longer valid. https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing_regs_2023.pdf?v=2023.02.21-19.56.37 https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf

Aloha, gang: This is a long shot, but if there’s any anglers that are familiar with Opossum Lake in Cumberland County on here that have solid knowledge of the lake (particularly anyone who fishes it by boat), I’d love to hear from you. After 30 years in Massachusetts, I moved back to the area a few years ago and if I’m not out in tour, I’m at Opossum Lake at least 3-4 times a week from March til it freezes over. I’m aware it’s still a bit of an immature lake since its drain/filling but I do know as of a year or two ago the F&G now consider it a Trophy Bass/Muskie lake. My question is this: Where the hell do those fish go in winter? For the life of me (other than one very big and very unintentionally-caught Muskie in Dec ‘20) I cannot locate them. I’m fishing from shore and 9 months of the year my half-dozen spots will usually produce something. Opossum isn’t particularly deep but with that said, I’m beginning to wonder if the bass move into the middle (deepest) section of the lake which is way outta my casting distance from shore. I’m getting the seasonal movement patterns of Opossum down pretty acutely after a few years after fishing it so thoroughly but winter bass activity is a code I’ve yet to crack there. any help would be greatly appreciated - even (or especially if) I find out I’m wasting my time until about March …

Hey all, I’m located out in the far west-end if Henrico County in central Virginia and am getting sick of seeing “no fishing” and “residences and their guests only” posted at what seems like virtually every pond/lake I’ve found on google. I understand this area is well developed but not too familiar with the waters around the area and am trying to get into fishing with the quarantine and this free time but it’s super discouraging not being able to properly fish. I’m aware of public parks like Crump and Deep Run Park but they’re so flooded with other fishers that regardless of worms, jigs, and other baits I can’t even get nibbles. Anyone out there with some advice on less populated/visited ponds/lakes within about a 25 mile radius or so of the Short Pump area? I’m currently restrained to bank fishing only but have been getting closer and closer to buying a kayak since I’m seeing them on sale closer to $150-175 but don’t want to purchase if not necessary/no place to use it. I’m willing to travel probably 30-45 minutes, maybe further if the fishing is good. I’m not looking for an absolute gold mine but I’ve resorted to walking wider creeks cause I can’t find places with public access. I’ve only ever caught Bass and catfish but would love to expand past to other fish as well but have zero knowledge on any of that or friends with knowledge on them either.

Posted with Glenn's permission The 26th annual Mad Dog Moore Memorial Bass Tournament will be held Saturday October 8th at Oakridge Marina on Lake Fork. We guarantee at least $10,000 in pay outs and have a large raffle following weigh in. This is a family event with live music and barbecue for everyone who attends. The tournament was created in memoriam of Officer Michael David Moore who was killed in the line of duty during a bank robbery. The tournament will benefit the Garland Police Never Walk Alone Foundation which supports officers in crisis. The foundation helps with financial support, coordinating travel arrangements for treatments, finding available care when needed, and any thing else needed to help our officers fighting illness. For more information on the tournament you can visit www.maddogmoore.com and for the foundation http://garlandpolicefoundation.org/

While many of us banglers spend the summer wishing we had a fancy boat to go out and search for schooling fish with some fancy side imaging, many of us miss out on some great opportunities to be had from the shore for some truly giant bass. Entailed is a step by step analysis of how to get more bites this summer fishing pressured public water that you can do owning one combo and 15$ in baits. you will need 1 fishing rod capable of throwing atleast a 1/2 oz jig ( you don’t have to use a trailer but it does up your chances of a catch while your mapping the bottom) 2 a 1/2 - 3/4 oz football jig maybe even 1 oz if you believe the water to be over 30 Ft deep 3 4/0 worm hooks and 1/4-3/8 oz bullet weights 4 a pack of your favorite plastics mine are midsize brush hogs / curly tail worms/ or rage bugs / rage craws / the original trick worm or squirrel tail worm pro tip if you have a dock or pier to fish off of make a couple cast under or around it. It stinks to see a 5 lber swim out from under a dock you walked on 1. grab a 1/2-3/4 oz football jig and slowly drag it along the bottom casting as far as you can. Eventually you will feel some cover in the deeper water make a mental note of about where you notice the most cover these will be your high percentage areas 2. Rig a non pegged Texas rig and pick a plastic I normally start with a creature style bait or curly tail worm 3 drag your Texas rig extremely slowly through your high percentage areas if you think your going slow slow down don’t be afraid to stroke or hop your plastics in the high percentage areas but be sure to pause after 4 if nothing bites your creature bait a shakeyheads squirrel or trick worm can work well for finicky fish 5 catch some monsters my pb of 9lbs 9 oz came off of this exact technique on a full size brush hog with a slightly smaller 9lb 1 oz as well on a public lake this technique can be deadly around points witch most boat launches atleast on my lake are situated near but in the heat of the summer when the fish move deep during the day this can be an Awesome way to catch fish at cookouts and Picnics I hope this helps some of you bankers this summer hook into some giant fish it is really helpful when you go somewhere you have never fished before and can teach you some new techniques besides a wacky senko. This even offers the opportunity of lucking into a school and catching a monsterous amount of fish.

I'm new to bass resource! The most recent post about bass fishing in the area of south Atlanta was in 2012 when I searched. I was curious if there were any members that have any news on local ponds, lakes and even rivers. I live in the Fayetteville and Fairburn area and do a good bit of fishing. Been fishing all my life but have just taken up bass fishing this past year and am enjoying it! Thank you all for all your post and a huge shoutout to Glenn because his videos have helped me out the most in my transition to bass fishing. If anyone wants to fish ponds or lakes in and around south Atlanta, definitely let me know I would love to trade stories and locations with members, I've fished from Lake Peachtree, Kedron, Horton, McIntosh in Fayette County to Sweetwater creek, Glen Emerald and Piedmont park in Atlanta to some hidden lakes in South Fulton and Clayton. Anyone know of a couple of ponds in Fayette County? I bank fish 2-3 days a week and fish on a boat maybe 3 times a month

I've noticed something while fishing at my local pond. The average bass size has gone up! I've lived in florida here for almost 3 years now and i've realized that the bass are bigger. The community i live in is only about 4 or 5 years old so the bass im catching were probably there since the beggining. Anyways the old average size was about 12in. Now it is more like 14in! I have even caught 3 17+ inchers this year which fit into my top 4 biggest fish caught there (with the biggest being my 24in PB) Anyways, out of curiosity i would like to learn some stuff about the growing rates of bass. So if someone could share some knowledge on this it would be much appreciated

Hi eveyone just wanted to know, Whats your favorite rod or reel?

Although a native to the swamps and bayous of Louisiana (hence the name), I have been in and around Georgia, particularly Atlanta, for quite some time, and for my own personal reference as well as that of others in the Bass Fishing community, would like to compile a list of some pretty decent fishing spots IN and around the Atlanta area. There are a few spots in the Atlanta area, and a lot of small lakes and pond south of Atlanta in the Fairburn and Fayetteville areas. Here are a few spots I have been able to either fish in personally, or know of from other fisherman that have pretty decent Bass fishing. Feel free to share any information on any places in Atlanta you may know about. 1) Clarence - Duncan Park (Fairburn, GA) I used to play tennis at this park in the late 90's, and did not associate it with fishing until recently. A trusted source and fellow fisherman shared with me that park restocked the pond a few years back and now has a decent Largemouth population. It IS a small area, and is certainly more suited for off the bank fishing, and nothing extensive, although from what I understand it is actually much deeper than it appears. 2) 3 Hole Golf Course (Tyrone, GA) I have not had the chance to fish this Lake personally, but again it is recommended by a trusted source and respected fisherman. Supposedly this Lake holds Bass, Bream, Sacalait (Crappie) and Smallmouth as well. 3) "Hidden Lake" (East Point area) Due to some pending circumstances I can reveal the 'actual' name of this Lake as it not technically open to the public, but neither fully private. (if you are interested in fishing it contact me for details) This Lake is currently my favorite place to go because it is relatively secluded and holds Largemouth, Smallmouth, Crappie, Bluegill, Redear, Catfish and some HUGE Carp! Due to the 'undefined' zoning of this Lake I feel it may only be a matter of time before it is shut down completely and sold to some one who probably wouldn't know a Zara Spook if it hooked them in the nose. But for the meantime, it is a great place to catch some Bass. The average size I catch are between 3 - 6lbs but I have seen others pull a few 8 - 12lbs out too. If anyone is interested in fishing this hidden gem in the South West Atlanta area, just message me privately and I will be glad to fill you in on the particulars. 4) Twin Lakes (Fulton County) Nice from what I have heard, never been. Probably worth a try though as nearly ALL the small Lakes and pond in this area contain a decent Bass population, unless they lack a healthy prey fish population. 5) Twin Bridges (Lawrenceville, GA) Cost $10 to fish, but supposedly does have a few Bass and Catfish. Looks like more of a 'family fishing' spot, and not a real avid angler type of a spot. But hey...where there is water.... ...... more will be posted as I acquire more 'hands on' information on them. Thanks, enjoy.

I am new to the area (I am in Venice.) I was wondering if anyone had tips on some good places to bank fish until I get my boat? I went up to Lake Tarpon today, about 1:45 minute drive and there was very little bank fishing to be had there. I've looked over google earth countless times. I see numerous bodies of water, but I am unsure of a lot of them. There are no "No Fishing" signs around most, but they are by roads, in the middle of fields and such. Back in Ohio, if you try to fish something like that you could get arrested for trespassing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hey guys, I'm looking for a solid and versatile reel for my punching set up, any suggestions? Specifically, I'm ONLY interested in a baitcasting reel that has a "flipping switch". These seem to be impossible to find, but an example of a reel with a flipping switch is the Lew's Super Duty G. Also, I heard that Abu Garcia's black max and silver max have them in specific models. Please help me and list some suggestions, I've scoured the internet and can't find many options. Finding a reel with a flipping switch is my main concern. What do you guys know (P.S. This is unimportant but im throwing it on a 7'3 Okuma Scott Martin Signature TCS Casting Rod Heavy, Fast action because I like the way Scott martin fishes and I'm using it in a kayak so i can't really work a legit 7'11 Ex Heavy flippin stick.) What are the best baitcasters with a flipping switch option? Idc if it's $20 or $400 Thanks!!!!!!

I have a story to tell, which all began a couple years ago. I was out fishing one day with a Keitech minnow on a Vtec jighead. All of a sudden I started catching crappie, each one bigger than my foot (I wear a size 13). I caught about six of these slabs and then they stopped. It was enough to get me hooked on pan fishing again, which I haven't done a lot of since I was a kid. Anyway, so I started chatting about this with some fishing buddies and they told me I should use something called a road runner. They said it was the cadillac of crappie baits. I searched high and low for these road runners and couldn't find anyone locally who carried them. I didn't even have any success looking online. So now let's fast forward to a couple days ago. I was at the tackle shop looking for an ultra light setup, because I was getting that urge again to fight some fish on a smaller setup. The tackle guy suggested this combo, which he said he used himself. The rod was really nice, but it had one of those cheap crappy reels on it. I found a Lew's Speed Spool 1000, which of course was more than the combo, but I knew it would go great on the rod that had that crappy reel on it. The guy took the combo down and was saying how great that reel was, then I handed him the Lew's and said 'try that.' He did and his eyes kind of lit up. He said 'wow'. Yeah, wow. So I bought the combo in order to get the rod. The next day I had to work so I'm driving around with the windows open. It was a windy day and as I was driving to another store (I'm a vendor) I rolled up the back windows and heard this crunch. I looked back and saw the end of the rod had been sticking out the window and was now just hanging there. I was devastated especially since now I couldn't take the rod back because the night before I had sold that crappy little reel to someone. Now I had to find another ultra light rod. Since I drive around the area a lot for my job I started looking for places I could find fishing rods. Meijer sucks for fishing stuff, so I tried Walmart, which is only a little better than Meijer. Unfortunately I don't live in an area that has great tackle shops like Cabela's or Bass Pro, so finally I saw a Dunhams Sport shop and pulled in there. I was shocked at the huge selection of fishing rods they had there. I searched through all of them and the only one that grabbed my eye was this ultra light Berkley Cherrywood. Now I'm not a big fan of two piece fishing rods, especially two piece ultra light fishing rods, but then this one was only twenty bucks so I thought what the heck. I was checking the guides to make sure they were all lined up and not bent or anything when I saw them.....road runners! There was one entire section of road runners on the opposite wall. I almost dropped the rod I was so shocked to see them. I'd looked high and low all over the place and here they were. It was almost like everything that happened that morning was leading me to them. Ha ha! I didn't go overboard, although I wanted to buy them all, so I just bought one to try it out and see if it was as great as everyone told me they were. That evening I picked up my buddy and we took the new setup out to the park. I told him the whole story and he said 'well, it sounds like fate'. I don't know about that, because I had no great confidence in the rod, or even the line (I was using 6lb Sufix Elite low vis green). I relayed all these misgivings to my buddy as I made the first cast and was reeling and giving the road runner little twitches then BAM! It was a four pound largemouth. He fought and pulled and jumped a couple times and then I lipped him out of the water and while we were both oogling his beautiful greeness I was honestly amazed how well the gear had performed. Next cast BAM! this time it was a 3 1/2 pound smallie. After fighting and a couple acrobatics I lipped him and now I was truly amazed. After that a huge slabsize sunfish and then a decent size rock bass. I was like, what the heck is going on, I'm catching one of each species - and large ones, too (large by ultra light standards anyway). After all this I reminisced about the day and how I had ended up here. Obviously the hype about the road runner was certainly true, but I was more amazed by how the rod and line had performed. Of course there's more fishing to come and only time will tell if these things hold up, but for right now I'm content and willing to give quarter to seemingly cheap two piece rods and line. Now if I can just remember to bring the dang GoPro next time....