What Technique To Learn Next?

[bholtzinger14]

I have a 6'10" ML spinning *** rod I am using for dropshotting/ned rigs.

I have a 7'1" M spinning *** rod I am using for weightless wacky rigged senkos.

i have a 7' MH casting St Croix I am using for texas rigged soft plastics (mostly Baby brush hogs)

 

I am loving being out on the water and learning these techniques. What should I throw in my arsenal next? Its not that these are not working. I just want to be prepared and feel confident with other techniques and give me something else to throw.

 

 

The keitech swing impact fat just caught my attention. Maybe some soft swimbaits?

[Scarborough817]

i would look into bladed jigs. They are definitely one of my favourite techniques

[bholtzinger14]

Like chatterbaits?

[Shane J]

All jigs!! Flipping jigs, swim jigs, shakey head jigs, football jigs, brush jigs, Everywhere a jig jig!! I'd grab yourself a 7'6" MH or Heavy  Fast rod, some 17lb flouro, and get to work. You should never, EVER, go fishing without a jig rod coming out at some point. Ever. Never. All year, all places.

[PourMyOwn]

All jigs!! Flipping jigs, swim jigs, shakey head jigs, football jigs, brush jigs, Everywhere a jig jig!! I'd grab yourself a 7'6" MH or Heavy  Fast rod, some 17lb flouro, and get to work. You should never, EVER, go fishing without a jig rod coming out at some point. Ever. Never. All year, all places.

Shane I like your thought process.

[bholtzinger14]

I have been wanting to learn how to use jigs. I might have to.

 

I am liking my *** rods. Might pick up a *** *** Black 2 Cast Rod 7'6" Med Hvy

[Sam]

You not only have to master jigs but the other assortment of baits for each section of the water column for each season of the year.

 

So if you have three water columns and four seasons that equals at least 12 types of baits for each technique you want to learn.

 

Add to the above water clarity, water oxygen levels, water temperatures and the weather conditions you can take the 12 types of baits and techniques and your options are limitless.

 

Hit the jigs first, remembering that jig fishing can be slow but your probabilities of catching a big lady are increased with a nice 1/2 ounce black and blue jig with a Rage Tail crawfish pig on the end. And jigs go with the bottom of the water column while swimming jigs can be used in the other two water column levels.

 

Have fun and let us know when you and the Bait Monkey hit the tackle shops.

[gulfcaptain]

Why don't you learn to fish some reaction baits.....IE crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater, buzzbaits, chatterbaits.  Jigs would be a good choice as well, but some moving baits to cover water may be a better way to go then jig fishing (not including a swim jig). 

 

You can fish a lot of jigs on your 7'MH you're using to t-rig unless you're fishing something like a 3/4oz.  Most 3/8 and 1/2oz you can cover with that 7'MH.  

[bholtzinger14]

You can fish a lot of jigs on your 7'MH you're using to t-rig unless you're fishing something like a 3/4oz.  Most 3/8 and 1/2oz you can cover with that 7'MH.  

 

I see what you are saying.  just hate re-rigging while I am out. I'm trying to build my collection of rods/reels for each technique. 

[clh121787]

I'd like to learn jerkbaits. And ned rigs. Nobody I know in Texas uses either of them. Maybe because the water isn't typically very clear? Idk

[bholtzinger14]

Why don't you learn to fish some reaction baits.....IE crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater, buzzbaits, chatterbaits.  Jigs would be a good choice as well, but some moving baits to cover water may be a better way to go then jig fishing (not including a swim jig). 

 

 

Crankbaits are another one I have been wanting to learn.  I just cant decide which technique to try next. 

[scaleface]

I'd like to learn jerkbaits. And ned rigs. Nobody I know in Texas uses either of them. Maybe because the water isn't typically very clear? Idk

A good time and way  to learn jerk baits is to try them when bass are just slapping at crankbaits .

[bholtzinger14]

I'd like to learn jerkbaits. And ned rigs. Nobody I know in Texas uses either of them. Maybe because the water isn't typically very clear? Idk

 

i am in Texas. I had the ned rig on deck this weekend during my first tournament. I was throwing a wacky rigged senko all day. I felt like if I was not throwing the senko I was missing out on fish. I plan to get more time with the ned rig next time out.

[gulfcaptain]

Crankbaits are another one I have been wanting to learn.  I just cant decide which technique to try next. 

I can understand not wanting to re-rig.  But it's not that big a deal between a t-rig and a jig.  I just suggested a crankbaits/reaction baits simply because it gives you a whole different approach.  It compliments your other rigs.  You miss a fish on a spinnerbait, you throw a wacky rigged Senko.  All your techniques right now aren't made to cover lots of water.  They are a slow presentation.  Crankbaits/reation baits give you a one two approach.  Just my way of thinking about it.  

[Senko lover]

Another vote for a jig! Best technique out there. 

[Jtrout]

Yeah i didnt see crankbaits in ur arsenal there pretty deadly get some lipless and square bills

[DogBone_384]

All jigs!! Flipping jigs, swim jigs, shakey head jigs, football jigs, brush jigs, Everywhere a jig jig!! I'd grab yourself a 7'6" MH or Heavy Fast rod, some 17lb flouro, and get to work. You should never, EVER, go fishing without a jig rod coming out at some point. Ever. Never. All year, all places.

You have an instruction manual for jigs?

Many members rave about them and seem to catch big bass as a result. I started using them this fall and haven't gotten so much as a whiff.... I trust members' posts, so it's got to be something I'm doing wrong.

Since you're an hour North of me, I'm hoping you might have a bit of advice for Northern bass.

[Felix77]

I have a 6'10" ML spinning *** rod I am using for dropshotting/ned rigs.

I have a 7'1" M spinning *** rod I am using for weightless wacky rigged senkos.

i have a 7' MH casting St Croix I am using for texas rigged soft plastics (mostly Baby brush hogs)

 

I am loving being out on the water and learning these techniques. What should I throw in my arsenal next? Its not that these are not working. I just want to be prepared and feel confident with other techniques and give me something else to throw.

 

 

The keitech swing impact fat just caught my attention. Maybe some soft swimbaits?

 

I am a huge fan of the Keitech swimbaits ... I pair the swing impacts (regular) with the VMC Half Moon.  I also texas rig them with a 1/8 or 3/16 bullet in grass.  Go there ... you won't regret it.  

[bholtzinger14]

I can understand not wanting to re-rig.  But it's not that big a deal between a t-rig and a jig.  I just suggested a crankbaits/reaction baits simply because it gives you a whole different approach.  It compliments your other rigs.  You miss a fish on a spinnerbait, you throw a wacky rigged Senko.  All your techniques right now aren't made to cover lots of water.  They are a slow presentation.  Crankbaits/reation baits give you a one two approach.  Just my way of thinking about it.  

 

You are 100% right. I dont have anything set up to cover water. i use to fish spinnerbaits a lot as a kid, but I have not in years. 

[Starchalopakis]

Spinnerbaits have been a fun and rewarding technique that I have recently been using for the first time. The fish I have been catching on spinnerbaits really seem to hammer them hard , so it has been a lot of fun catching fish with them!

[gulfcaptain]

You are 100% right. I dont have anything set up to cover water. i use to fish spinnerbaits a lot as a kid, but I have not in years. 

 

Well sounds like you have answered your own question of what techique you need to learn next.  If you're wondering, the 7'3"M *** (I have an older one) will work for spinnerbaits/chatterbaits up to 1/2oz, and most squarebill and rattle-trap style baits as well.  The 2.5 size fishes a little big but can be done.  The 1.0, 1.5's no problems.  And all rattle traps up to 1/2oz.  Lots of baits there to fish and cover water.

[bholtzinger14]

I know it's not the best rod but I have a 6'6" MH Berkley lightning rod. I could grab a curado and throw on it. What would that be good for?

If it's a reaction bait that should work, right? It does not need super sensitivity like finesse fishing, right?

[gulfcaptain]

You could use that.  And no it doesn't need to be super sensitive.  You want a more forgiving rod with a softer action.  But it beats not having any rod to throw a reaction bait on.

[Rick Howard]

Compared to most serious anglers, I don't have much for tackle. I am not winning any money fishing either (and won't ever make a living fishing lol). However, I like to think that with a few types of lures some knowledge, and a little creativity you do not need a huge array of tackle. That probably puts me in the minority but I don't think it disqualifies my answer. A spinner bait is my go to bait for covering water and learning a little about the days fish.

A spinnerbaits is super versatile. It can be retrieved slow or quick. It can be fished shallow or deep. It also does not get hung up very easy.

Some techniques I use.

throw it past where I think the fish are and let it sink to below where I think the fish are suspended. Then retrieve at the rate I feel will put the bait in their face at the depth they are hanging.

I fish it shallow with a steady retrieve and the rod tip up a bit so help keep it from sinking.

I let it sink to the bottom and vary my retrieve to keep it bouncing off the bottom.

I fish it like a jerk bait. With a slow steady retrieve and then give it a quick tug and continue retrieving. I vary this technique in retrieve rates and severity/numer of the jerks. Sometimes I give it a brief pause after jerk too.

It fishes well in grass. Strikes often come after ripping it through some weeds. I flip it into lay downs and brush.

I fish it with and without trailers.

So my vote is for spinner baits.

My spinner rides on a Fenwick 6'6" medium-fast being tugged along with an Abu Garcia (I don't recall the model) 6:4:1

I'm only about a month into fishing with casting equipment but I love it. Wish I would have picked it up 20 years ago.

[WRB]

2 of the 3 outfits are good for finesse fishing, don't limit you efforts to drop shot.

1/8 oz dart heads with 5" curl tail worm.

1/8 oz Mojo or split shot rigs.

Finesse slip shot / finesse C-rigs.

Nail weight worm rigs.

3/32 to 3/16 oz wacky worm jigs.

Your MH outfit can be used a wide variety of bass lures.

Tom