I need to add a new bait or technique to my limited repertoire

[Basser2021]

On 9/9/2022 at 12:38 PM, oldnewguy said:

I started fishing with my kiddo earlier this summer.  We caught panfish on worms and bobbers, and we were both happy.  I caught the bug, and now I fish in the mornings, 4 or 5 times a week.  I can get out for an hour or two, about an hour after sunrise.  Fishing on suburban ponds, from the bank. 

 

I picked up some 4" and 5" stickbaits, some Zoom Flukes, 3/0 EWG hooks and 1/0 wacky hooks, and that's mostly what I've been using.  I've caught some bass with a weightless Texas rig, but nothing on the flukes or wacky rig.  This is after a month of regular fishing in ponds that I know hold bass.

 

Someone suggested inline spinners and rooster tails, and I picked up a couple of each.  The ponds I'm fishing are pretty shallow and generally covered with gunk on the bottom.  The only way I've been able at fish either of these is under a float, otherwise they come back dragging weeds.  But again, I haven't caught a single fish on either.

 

Other than a Texas rig, the only other ways I've caught a bass is with a smaller live fish, and once with a jighead and Gulp minnow. 

 

It's just getting a little frustrating.  Any suggestions for something new I might try? 

With the pond you are fishing, I would fish a chatterbait or a swim jig.

[roadwarrior]

 

[oldnewguy]

I stopped at Cabelas last night and picked up a few things.  A bag of 6" Roboworms, 5" Senkos in Green Pumpkin and June Bug (up until today, I think I've only used Yum Dingers), a package of Ned rig jigheads, and probably something I'm forgetting.

 

I had a little time this morning before church, so I drove to our little neighborhood pond.  I've caught a couple of bass there, but it's usually where my daughter catch sunfish and bluegill.

 

My first cast with a Texas Rigged Senko, I caught a small bass.  I got a couple more bites, but didn't set the hook.  I need some more practice feeling the way bass bite and setting the hook.

 

I switched to the Ned rig with a piece of Senko.  Tossed it for a few minutes and caught this guy...

 

 

I played with it a few more minutes, but no more bites.  I switched back to the Texas rig and caught a third bass, about the size of the first one.

 

I fished for about an hour and fifteen minutes, but it was the best morning of fishing I've had since I started in June.  So, big thanks to everyone who posted here!  I can't wait to try out some of the other suggestions .

 

I do have a couple of thoughts.  One, I tried the Wacky rig for a bit today, but I've literally never had a bite using a WR.  For it to be so popular, I must be doing it wrong.  I liked the Ned rig, so I'd like to look into it further, get some ideas how to fish it, etc.  Same with the Roboworm, I didn't have time to try it today.  I also wasn't sure what type of hook to use, how to rig it, fish it.  Same with a drop rig, I'd like to learn how to fish that as well.

 

I'm about to order some stuff, so please throw out ideas of what I might add to my order.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

6 minutes ago, oldnewguy said:

I stopped at Cabelas last night and picked up a few things.  A bag of 6" Roboworms, 5" Senkos in Green Pumpkin and June Bug (up until today, I think I've only used Yum Dingers), a package of Ned rig jigheads, and probably something I'm forgetting.

 

I had a little time this morning before church, so I drove to our little neighborhood pond.  I've caught a couple of bass there, but it's usually where my daughter catch sunfish and bluegill.

 

My first cast with a Texas Rigged Senko, I caught a small bass.  I got a couple more bites, but didn't set the hook.  I need some more practice feeling the way bass bite and setting the hook.

 

I switched to the Ned rig with a piece of Senko.  Tossed it for a few minutes and caught this guy...

 

 

I played with it a few more minutes, but no more bites.  I switched back to the Texas rig and caught a third bass, about the size of the first one.

 

I fished for about an hour and fifteen minutes, but it was the best morning of fishing I've had since I started in June.  So, big thanks to everyone who posted here!  I can't wait to try out some of the other suggestions .

 

I do have a couple of thoughts.  One, I tried the Wacky rig for a bit today, but I've literally never had a bite using a WR.  For it to be so popular, I must be doing it wrong.  I liked the Ned rig, so I'd like to look into it further, get some ideas how to fish it, etc.  Same with the Roboworm, I didn't have time to try it today.  I also wasn't sure what type of hook to use, how to rig it, fish it.  Same with a drop rig, I'd like to learn how to fish that as well.

 

I'm about to order some stuff, so please throw out ideas of what I might add to my order.

Fantastic job!   

 

Fish those Roboworms on T-Rig or Shakey Head.     I tell folks just starting out to do nothing but reel as slowly as they can, occasionally twitching the worm.     Slower the better.    Let the beautiful action of that handpour worm do it's magic.

 

Congrats, keep up the great work

[oldnewguy]

10 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Fantastic job!   

 

Fish those Roboworms on T-Rig or Shakey Head.     I tell folks just starting out to do nothing but reel as slowly as they can, occasionally twitching the worm.     Slower the better.    Let the beautiful action of that handpour worm do it's magic.

 

Congrats, keep up the great work

 

Yeah, I needed a little confidence booster.

 

Would you put the Roboworm on a 3/0 EWG hook, like I use with a Senko?  And the Shakey Head is a sort of jig, like the Ned?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

7 minutes ago, oldnewguy said:

 

Yeah, I needed a little confidence booster.

 

Would you put the Roboworm on a 3/0 EWG hook, like I use with a Senko?  And the Shakey Head is a sort of jig, like the Ned?

Yeah I prefer to use an EWG anytime I can, and 3/0 with a 6" Roboworm will be fine.   In the future a 2/0 might be better, as I use the 3/0 on 7" Roboworms.    I just catch more fish on EWGs, so whether or not I get bite a little less on them doesn't matter.   

 

When I say Shakey head or T-Rig, I just mean a weighted, and weedless rigged Roboworm.   A shakey head is like you say a jig of sorts....connected weight and hook, but more importantly many are shaped where a handpoured worm like a Roboworm will stand almost straight up and down the water, where just a small twitch allows you to shake that worm in a super life like manner.    

 

A 1/8th tungsten bullet weight with a 2/0 or 3/0 EWG and 6" Roboworm is what I would go with if I didn't use some form of a shakey head.    A disconnected weighted T-Rig is more prone to hang ups and such, so many "peg" them with a toothpick depending on the area you are fishing them in. 

 

To me a weighted T rigged Roboworm is the easiest way to catch Bass across all the vast, and different waters they inhabit.  

[oldnewguy]

12 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

To me a weighted T rigged Roboworm is the easiest way to catch Bass across all the vast, and different waters they inhabit.  

 

Awesome, I'll add those things to my shopping list.

 

Do you use the fat Roboworms at all?

[AlabamaSpothunter]

19 minutes ago, oldnewguy said:

 

Awesome, I'll add those things to my shopping list.

 

Do you use the fat Roboworms at all?

Yeah I love the fat ones, but I'm not fishing super clear waters.   The bulk presents a bigger profile which I like.    

 

Hard to go wrong with anything in their 6 or 7" lineup

 

 

[oldnewguy]

What do you throw when bass are literally jumping out of the water??

 

I fished a pond this morning, with a weightless Texas rig, and also tried a drop shot with the Roboworm.

 

Big bass were jumping out of the water right in front of me, but I couldn't get them to take the bait.  Frustrating...

[MN Fisher]

Topwater

 

Spook

Whopper Plopper

Floating Jerk

[Darth-Baiter]

On 9/9/2022 at 10:38 AM, oldnewguy said:

I started fishing with my kiddo earlier this summer.  We caught panfish on worms and bobbers, and we were both happy.  I caught the bug, and now I fish in the mornings, 4 or 5 times a week.  I can get out for an hour or two, about an hour after sunrise.  Fishing on suburban ponds, from the bank. 

 

I picked up some 4" and 5" stickbaits, some Zoom Flukes, 3/0 EWG hooks and 1/0 wacky hooks, and that's mostly what I've been using.  I've caught some bass with a weightless Texas rig, but nothing on the flukes or wacky rig.  This is after a month of regular fishing in ponds that I know hold bass.

 

Someone suggested inline spinners and rooster tails, and I picked up a couple of each.  The ponds I'm fishing are pretty shallow and generally covered with gunk on the bottom.  The only way I've been able at fish either of these is under a float, otherwise they come back dragging weeds.  But again, I haven't caught a single fish on either.

 

Other than a Texas rig, the only other ways I've caught a bass is with a smaller live fish, and once with a jighead and Gulp minnow. 

 

It's just getting a little frustrating.  Any suggestions for something new I might try? 

i cant look at a suburban pond and not think Topwater.  

 

as a kid we used to jump fences to fish those water retention drain control ponds in texas.  at night.  a popper or propeller type bait.  it was fun.  not all snaggy and stuff on topwater. 

[Eric 26]

I fish retention ponds and have good luck on a Ned rig with Z-man’s TRD’s in PB&J color, a green pumpkin or watermelon flake Strike King caffeine tube 4” on a 3/0 round bend worm hook with a 1/8 bullet weight and a bead to protect the knot with a bobber stop to keep the weight secure, I have good luck in spring and fall when the weeds and muck are not so thick using a 1.5 bluegill colored square bill, and my go to for both panfish and bass a 1/16-1/8 oz roadrunner plain head with a Berkeley gulp alive minnow in 3” size or a crappie tube, just make sure to get roadrunner heads that have the barb to hold the gulp minnows or tubes. 

[Thembones]

I too am coming back into fishing starting in mid July  after not having done so for 30 ish years

 

you mentioned a baitcaster I personally bit the bullet, buckled down and learned

 

I have a daiwa Tatula 100hs (it was on sale or I would have gotten the other I think it’s called fuego?) and a couple shimano slx, I prefer the shimano don’t know why BUT the daiwa seems to cast a little easier it has adjustable brakes on inside and outside.  The kast king brand is actually pretty good I got a crixus rod reel combo on close out for $60 and I was hooked and moved to shimano but the crixus has adjustable brake on outside and spool tension on other side (just like daiwa and a lot of others) a little easier to adjust quickly. The slx I just set 4 on 2 off or 3 on 3 off with braid and use the spool knob if I change lure weight.  
imho use braid at first like 40lb it’s a little easier to cast for me at least 
 

the wacky worm thing is odd I have caught a good few bass on it even in a really heavily fished public lake.

 

Now remember I am a total “noob” as my 9 year old says so take this as maybe luck make sure you are using a heavier stick bait like the Yamamoto but I have even caught on trick worms 

I personally cast a little past the “zone” and let the water calm a little then I start the process of raising and reeling in on the drop. 
I get really slow as I get nearer the bank like maybe 12’ or so feet out I have caught the most of them I mean not even 6’ from shore.  I think from my limited experience the wacky worm excels at just being slow and lazy. 
 

I am totally obsessed I go 4-7 times a week so I hear you man!!

[the reel ess]

On 9/9/2022 at 1:38 PM, oldnewguy said:

I started fishing with my kiddo earlier this summer.  We caught panfish on worms and bobbers, and we were both happy.  I caught the bug, and now I fish in the mornings, 4 or 5 times a week.  I can get out for an hour or two, about an hour after sunrise.  Fishing on suburban ponds, from the bank. 

 

I picked up some 4" and 5" stickbaits, some Zoom Flukes, 3/0 EWG hooks and 1/0 wacky hooks, and that's mostly what I've been using.  I've caught some bass with a weightless Texas rig, but nothing on the flukes or wacky rig.  This is after a month of regular fishing in ponds that I know hold bass.

 

Someone suggested inline spinners and rooster tails, and I picked up a couple of each.  The ponds I'm fishing are pretty shallow and generally covered with gunk on the bottom.  The only way I've been able at fish either of these is under a float, otherwise they come back dragging weeds.  But again, I haven't caught a single fish on either.

 

Other than a Texas rig, the only other ways I've caught a bass is with a smaller live fish, and once with a jighead and Gulp minnow. 

 

It's just getting a little frustrating.  Any suggestions for something new I might try? 

Pop R, Whopper Plopper, Chug Bug. Pond bass are much more likely to attack a topwater than are bass in deeper waters. And they stay out of the mucky pond bottom. Add a spinnerbait and you have the whole water column covered. I would recommend a frog because I do so well in weedy ponds with it. But it works best with a heavier rod and braided line. This is usually a technique people pick up after they've experimented with the more conventional ones. The Trick Worm and its little bother, the 4" finesse worm, are also some great pond baits. I use the Trick Worm T-rigged, weightless. I use the 4" Finesse Worm with a 1/16 oz. weight. Hungry pond bass can't stay off this bait.