Florida Bass Fishing - January Edition

[BassinLou]

In regards to the reels, I am a natural lefty, so bc's aren't an issue. When I was a kid I learned to use spinner's right handed. I didnt know you could switch the handles back then. When I hurt my elbow for close to 2 yrs recently, I had to switch my spinner to my natural side and that took some time to adjust to believe it or not. The point is, when something is new, its only natural for it to be awkward, and it will take time to adjust. Stick with it and the bc's will begin to feel natural, and it will become second nature to handle one.

[MCS]

I've been looking at a bait caster for my second rod. Never used one before so I probably won't be going high end. Is there a reason why people switch hands? I've always used a spinning rod and reeled with my left. Wouldn't it just be easier to get a bait caster that I can cast with my right and reel with my left?

I was watching a major league fishing episode and I think it was shaw grigsby who kept switching his rod over to his other hand to reel, just looked awkward.

I'm a righty and my left hand is basically worthless for anything other than reeling lol.

I am the same my left is worthless. RW made a point with a spinning combo you fight the fish with the rod so you put that in your strong hand. With a BC combo the reel is essentially a winch and the rod more guides the line so you crank your winch with your strong hand. But basically is boils down to what you feel is best. The only draw back to lefty reels is there are less models that are lefty and usually released last and hard to find on sale or closeout.

[bostonsox2904]

I actually cast a baitcaster with my right thumb on the spool and my left hand below on the rod. When the lure hits the water, I slide my left hand up and right hand to the reel.

[Jacob044]

hey guys so im heading into the bait-caster world.  Want to get the hang of it now while fishing is semi slow so im ready to go for spring.  Ive been doing a lot of research on it, I went out and purchased a nice starter (abu-Garcia silver maxx) and tried it out today for the first time.  Good news, I picked it up semi quick and no backlash......yet.  Bad news, it feels so awkward.  Now I know that's normal and its gonna take some time to get used to it but ive always fished spinners holding my rod in the right and reeling w left hand.   I got a right hand caster (rod in left hand reeling w right hand) bc that appeared to be the norm.  That was the awkward part I couldn't get a good feel on my lures or my rod holding it in the left hand.  Now I know theres someone out there that has made the transition from left spinning rod to right baitcaster.  My question is do you have any tips on getting a little more comfort or is it just a getting used to it thing, or should I just go w the left handed baitcaster?  I think im overthinking it bc I keep going back and forth so any feedback would be appreciated.

 

D, I used to use only spinning but now I have switched mostly to bait casting. I also have the silver max. I only use spinning when I'm trying to get in close and tight places. I guess I would say that, getting used to switching would be the case. I generally cast right, feather the line to stop where I want it, switch to left and pick up slack. Seems natural to me. I never thought about it much but I get so much better feel with the bait caster. 30lb. power pro line. I feel every tick. Got a 6-1/2 lb. yesterday and he only slightly ticked the worm. Once you get used to it, I personally feel that you will prefer bait casting. good luck. Tight lines, Jman

[zachb34]

I actually cast a baitcaster with my right thumb on the spool and my left hand below on the rod. When the lure hits the water, I slide my left hand up and right hand to the reel.

Exactly what he said

[Weld's Largemouth]

For the  those of you who are fishing in Florida and not having much luck, you're fishing wrong! I've been fishing last couple days here in Boynton beach and the bass have been nailing anything i toss in the water! Try using larger baits, i caught one on a sluggo, the fish was 22 in, 5lb 4 oz. It was crazy

[MCS]

Not everyone is fishing wrong bud! Lol

Jman, Lou and I seem to be having fairly good success too. Me personally spinnerbaits and smaller 4-6" worms or creatures been the ticket. Big plastics not so much.

[Jacob044]

Not everyone is fishing wrong bud! Lol

Jman, Lou and I seem to be having fairly good success too. Me personally spinnerbaits and smaller 4-6" worms or creatures been the ticket. Big plastics not so much.

Right MCS. I fished yesterday with my co angler (wife) and we got 7, biggest was 6-1/2 lb. and the rest were good size. Most all came on watermelon worms. The big one caught on a watermelon rage recon worm. I do see that they don't hold up too well though. That 6lb. totally tore it up. Kind of soft plastic. I prefer the yamamoto 5" watermelon W/ red/black fleck. Going again tomorrow to Tarpon lake to see how the spawn is going. I'm getting some hits on a silver jerk bait as well.  Tight lines. Jman

[MCS]

Yeah my biggest so far this year were on watermelon 4.5" worm and a spinner bait. Watermelon is the go to color seems like . Got one on a crank the other day too. Good luck at tarpon!

[dsidle61]

alright guys well I appreciate all the input.  I went to dicks today and took back my righty just to try the lefty figuring if I didn't like it I could just return it and get the righty back.  Well I went to the pond w the lefty and I love it.  It feels so natural having the rod back in my right hand and reeling w the left.  And I like not losing any time switching hands.  Even a half second could be the difference if a fish is hitting the lure on the fall or as soon as it lands.  So I am really happy with the lefty.  Obviously itll take me some time to get the hang of it but I spent about 2 hours and definitely left better than I started.  My toughest part is im so concerned w feathering line out w my thumb and not birdsnesting that I tend to keep my thumb pressure a little to high on the cast so my casts go a bit short and to my left.  I got few good ones here and there so with time ill get used to it.

As far as the fish go nothing biting today, was mainly using a popr just bc its a bit heavier and a little easier to learn to cast on.  Saw a ton of topwater action at the pond but they didn't want the popr or frog. 

[MCS]

Cool man sounds like your all set. What type of line do you have on?

[BassinLou]

alright guys well I appreciate all the input.  I went to dicks today and took back my righty just to try the lefty figuring if I didn't like it I could just return it and get the righty back.  Well I went to the pond w the lefty and I love it.  It feels so natural having the rod back in my right hand and reeling w the left.  And I like not losing any time switching hands.  Even a half second could be the difference if a fish is hitting the lure on the fall or as soon as it lands.  So I am really happy with the lefty.  Obviously itll take me some time to get the hang of it but I spent about 2 hours and definitely left better than I started.  My toughest part is im so concerned w feathering line out w my thumb and not birdsnesting that I tend to keep my thumb pressure a little to high on the cast so my casts go a bit short and to my left.  I got few good ones here and there so with time ill get used to it.

As far as the fish go nothing biting today, was mainly using a popr just bc its a bit heavier and a little easier to learn to cast on.  Saw a ton of topwater action at the pond but they didn't want the popr or frog. 

 

Congrats, on the switch. You will find over time that the b/c will be the way to go for a lot of your presentations. Enjoy!!

[Bassintheweeds]

MCS, having some decent luck haven't had the opportunity to hit any ponds yet will do so tomorrow. Went out on the big O and couldn't find clear water so I fished the rim canal not knowing the lake well enough to run around a bunch ended up with 5 or 6 total and one above three pounds all caught flipping hiassin.

Also hit the river and landed a nice barely slot redfish on my second cast. But no other luck than that.

[dsidle61]

Cool man sounds like your all set. What type of line do you have on?

I put on 12lb mono for now. Not fishing a whole lot of stuff or areas I need braid but once spring rolls around I'm hoping to get another setup to throw braid on for the frogs and pads

[Jacob044]

I put on 12lb mono for now. Not fishing a whole lot of stuff or areas I need braid but once spring rolls around I'm hoping to get another setup to throw braid on for the frogs and pads

 

D, you will find out that braid will work much better on the casting reel than mono. I use power pro 30# on mine and it cast's great.

[dsidle61]

D, you will find out that braid will work much better on the casting reel than mono. I use power pro 30# on mine and it cast's great.

Yeah I'm definitely going to use it when frogs come around. I'm not a fan of braid w cranks or soft plastics. I tried it for awhile and literally thought fish left my pond, put mono on and they were back. But definitely plan on having a braid and mono setup just can't drop all the money at once, it would be a tough sell to the wife to explain why I need another rod and reel already!

[Jacob044]

Yeah I'm definitely going to use it when frogs come around. I'm not a fan of braid w cranks or soft plastics. I tried it for awhile and literally thought fish left my pond, put mono on and they were back. But definitely plan on having a braid and mono setup just can't drop all the money at once, it would be a tough sell to the wife to explain why I need another rod and reel already!

 

One thing I forgot D. I proved to myself that the bass can see the braid and that will put them off.... ie. I was fishing with my wife one time on an under water island  and I intentionally set her up with hook attached to braid while I was using a fluorocarbon leader. I was pulling in bass after bass and she was getting nothing. I then took her line and attached a fluorocarbon leader and she started catching the same as I was. Nuff said. I always use a fluorocarbon leader. I see that some folks in here do not use them but I proved to myself at leas,t that bass can tell when you have  braid attached to the hook and it definitely puts them off.

[Michaelt1987]

I just got a new pflueger spinner for $30 at a pawn shop. I'm gonna put braid on it to frog fish with. I'm itching to try it out shoudn't be much longer.

[Jacob044]

Good deal 1987, go get em. They're hitting pretty well in central Florida right now.

[Michaelt1987]

Good deal 1987, go get em. They're hitting pretty well in central Florida right now.

I may go try 1 in the morning. The weather today was great got to 80's so it should start turning on here also. A small cold front is coming in this weekend, maybe that won't hurt the bite too bad.

[SFL BassHunter]

Since we are kind of still on the topic of the bait casting reels, Do you guys have any recommendations for rod action thats best for bass fishing with a bait caster? I've already got a spinning heavy fast action rod. 

[MCS]

MCS, having some decent luck haven't had the opportunity to hit any ponds yet will do so tomorrow. Went out on the big O and couldn't find clear water so I fished the rim canal not knowing the lake well enough to run around a bunch ended up with 5 or 6 total and one above three pounds all caught flipping hiassin.

Also hit the river and landed a nice barely slot redfish on my second cast. But no other luck than that.

Cool man, congrats on the redfish I am still waiting to get mine! Lol I suggest get out today or tomorrow they are bedding and feisty a front is coming through and should be good. Temp drop after that. Got 3 on a lipless this morning. Spinnerbaits, creatures, swimbaits, small worms been working. Look for any cover like culverts etc. in the retention ponds most will bed around these due to lack of structure.

[MCS]

Since we are kind of still on the topic of the bait casting reels, Do you guys have any recommendations for rod action thats best for bass fishing with a bait caster? I've already got a spinning heavy fast action rod.

Best all around would be a MH/F in a 1/4-3/4 or up to 1 oz lure range. You can do a wide range with that from lipless, spinnerbaits, jigs, Texas rigs and frogs.

[MCS]

I put on 12lb mono for now. Not fishing a whole lot of stuff or areas I need braid but once spring rolls around I'm hoping to get another setup to throw braid on for the frogs and pads

Yep I learned on mono but once you get braid you won't go back. I did go back to mono on a spinning setup unless heavy pads or salt. It is sooo much easier picking a backlash out and just in general.

[MCS]

One thing I forgot D. I proved to myself that the bass can see the braid and that will put them off.... ie. I was fishing with my wife one time on an under water island and I intentionally set her up with hook attached to braid while I was using a fluorocarbon leader. I was pulling in bass after bass and she was getting nothing. I then took her line and attached a fluorocarbon leader and she started catching the same as I was. Nuff said. I always use a fluorocarbon leader. I see that some folks in here do not use them but I proved to myself at leas,t that bass can tell when you have braid attached to the hook and it definitely puts them off.

I am going to try this. when I switched to braid on my spinning gear I really on no difference once I got used to working the bait with braid. I feel you need to impart less action than on mono due to mono being stretchy and limp. I have always been wondering after your post I wonder even more. Must pick up floro leader!