Florida Bass Fishing - January Edition

[BassinLou]

I agree using braid on the B/c. You can detect bites a lot easier and your hooksets will be solid. Also agree 100% on using leaders in certain situations. You can have the best of both worlds. Fluro will provide the invisibility factor, and braid will provide the enhanced detection and backbone on hooksets. All you have to do now is find the right knot that works for you in joining the 2 lines. I prefer the alberto knot. It has never failed me when done correctly. 

 

Also Rick, I will also recommend a MH/F spinning rod. H is just to stiff and heavier. 

[Jacob044]

MCS, true that you need to impart less action with the braid as there is no stretch. AND I use about 15# fluorocarbon to lessen the chance of break offs. If you notice, the pros some times talk about lite lines in clear water as the fish can see mono. BUT the fluorocarbon is pretty much invisible under water. Let me know what you think when you decide to give it a try.   

[dsidle61]

I have always shyed away from leaders only bc I don't have enough set ups for each lure so I don't want to have to change my leader every few times I cut and re tie a lure. That's the main reason I just use mono for my "underwater" lures.

[Jacob044]

Here's a tip. I generally use a 2-3' leader with flouro and a knot that pretty much guaranteed not to pull out if it's tied right.    the knot can be cut flush with the line and you can still cut and re-tie several times at the hook. Plus, the knot is so compact, it will cast through the eyes with no problem.

[dsidle61]

Ok I'll check it out, how many times can you cut and re tie a lure before having to re do the whole leader?? I imagine after only 2-3 lure re ties you'll have to tie a whole new leader

[BassinLou]

Jacob is offering some good advice. When I  bank fish, I take only one outfit. However, I have it set up so I could fish any way I like whenever the situations call for it. From frog fishing to spinnerbait fishing. Just because I can alternate with a leader or not. Taking more than one outfit with the amount of water that I cover is a pita. That and I fish in urban environments and I don't want to run the risk of one of  my outfits getting jacked from me.... LOL.. 

 

However from my boat, whole different ball game. I will carry 5 outfits with me. 

[BassinLou]

Ok I'll check it out, how many times can you cut and re tie a lure before having to re do the whole leader?? I imagine after only 2-3 lure re ties you'll have to tie a whole new leader

 

3 ft of leader, you can re-tie 2-3 times. 

[Jacob044]

Ok I'll check it out, how many times can you cut and re tie a lure before having to re do the whole leader?? I imagine after only 2-3 lure re ties you'll have to tie a whole new leader

 

With a 3' leader I can easily cut 4-5 times when using a Palomar knot. but because I generally only use it on my worm rod, I don't cut that often. I usually tie on a #3 o r4 EWG hook and use it for all different plastics. On my hard bait rod I don't use it, as I am looking for the reaction strike and the bass don't have time to think about whether they are going to hit it or not.

[dsidle61]

That's makes sense, I would probably need 3 setups one for frogs, one for hard baits and one like you said I just throw a hook on and use it for all sorts of soft plastics. I'll look into it I usually have 2 setups but getting a third may not be a bad idea

[MCS]

Jman is giving up all the good stuff today!

I use leaders, mono, when I want to retie a lot as it saves braid or when I throw popr or jerk baits. But my mono isn't strong enough for jigs etc on the braid.

And look this way D I would do two BC and one spinning. Keep the spinner for poprs and hard baits and weightless plastics then one BC for frogs/jigs and one for plastics/spinnerbaits. I just ordered my second casting setup. And this is how I plan to roll for the time being. Until that monkey get on my back lol

[SFL BassHunter]

I have braid for my line and I use flouro for my leader. I use a swivel because I havent learned any knots yet to tie the two. But I tend to put a long leader line like they mentioned anywhere between 3 to 3 1/2 feet so I can cut the line several times to switch lures. 

[SFL BassHunter]

Thanks Jacob I'll start practicing it. 

[dsidle61]

Jman is giving up all the good stuff today!

I use leaders, mono, when I want to retie a lot as it saves braid or when I throw popr or jerk baits. But my mono isn't strong enough for jigs etc on the braid.

And look this way D I would do two BC and one spinning. Keep the spinner for poprs and hard baits and weightless plastics then one BC for frogs/jigs and one for plastics/spinnerbaits. I just ordered my second casting setup. And this is how I plan to roll for the time being. Until that monkey get on my back lol

I think that's what I'll do, I have a med heavy spinner that I can return to academy w no receipt for store credit and I'll just get a med heavy caster so I'll have med and med heavy BC and still have my med spinner

[BassinLou]

All this fishing talk made me step out for a bit, and get the line wet at the park. LOL.... Wind was blowing from the East at 15-20 cloudy skies. I took my Lews MG on 30lb braid and 3 ft of 15lb yozuri leader on my Avid 7ft MH rod and starting throwing out the spinnerbait, right below the surface under the wind driven waves. Results: Caught 6, missed 5. 

 

My last fish would have been fish number 7, she went for about 3+ lbs but she became miss number 5. Oh well... They aren't pigs, but on a subsurface spinnerbait bite, they are strong violent hits. 

[Jacob044]

Great job Lou. I was going to the lake today but the wind kept me off so I'll go fish the river in back of my house where I got the 6-1/2 lb. the other day. Tight lines, Jman  

[BassinLou]

Thanks Jman, good luck. I have been way past due to catch a real pig. Its been a while. 

[MCS]

Nice fish Lou! Spinnerbaits are fun

[SFL BassHunter]

Good Job Lou! Nice fish!

[Pz3]

I went before and out after an interview today, Sure enough. Nothing, Tried the same thing with the spinner. I did get a bite but nothing hard and no set (probably a bluegill messing with it). So not working out yet. Whenever this funk ends ill be glad it does. I must go off to my favorite spot now and fish it until my girlfriend yells at me. Then fish some more!

[Rovingmutt]

nice fish lou, seems like the spinners are working lately, and the warm up has got them moving again

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Bass Pro Shops - Port St. Lucie, FL. Bobby will be here Sunday March 2 at 2:00 pm.

[JaxBasser]

Fishing seems to be picking up here. Tried a new spot I found on my way home from work for about an hour and caught 7 fish. None were huge but still a lot of fun. Got them on a Watermelon Red Magic Speed Craw.

 

Any of you Jax guys ever fish that pond behind the Equestrian Center on Normandy Blvd? It's been there for 10 years according to google earth and it seems to have a lot of nice vegitation in it.

[John F.]

Stopped at a spot on the way home and nothing. I was in a hurry and a kid had just tore all through the lake in a jonboat right as I arrived so I didnt try too hard. 

 

All this talk about baitcasters motivated me to pick up a new rod for mine. I picked up a decent one I think, took it out back to the practice canal. After a few casts to get used to it I managed to catch a decent sized fish for this canal. Caught him on a houdini senko clone from BPS.

 

First bass after dark and on a brand new rod. I think I might skip lunch and fish tomorrow. 

[Pz3]

Fished at a pond in the middle of orlando (city area lol) Caught one 2-3lbs. Picked up some new color plastics on the way back.

 

 

[Pz3]

They are bitters, love the price, selection, and the colors. My new favorite Bait Co