EastTexasBassin

I always get on the water expecting to catch fish. I only got skunked twice this past winter, and some of the days I went out were NASTY. My friends thought I was crazy for getting all bundled up to go bass fishing in January, but I still managed to catch a few on most days. Some of my highest overall weight days with many fish over 5 pounds were during times that my fishing buddies told me I was stupid for going out and trying. Confidence is key. Don't let your own doubts ruin your fishing. I think its an extremely rare thing that conditions make it impossible to catch fish. (if it happens at all)

The waters I fish are full of trees, so I tie two ropes on two trees that are about ten feet apart, making a triangle which helps to hold the boat a bit more steady. I hate it when the boat turns and moves side to side in the wind. I use c-rigs with a heavy weight, spinnerbaits, rattle-traps, and jigs. Sometimes in the wind I find that the bass are suspended in the top 3rd of the water column, in which case I stick to the spinnerbaits and rattletraps. My favorite way to fish is with weightless plastics such as senkos, ikas, or kreatures and although it can be done when casting down wind I get easily frustrated with this - especially if the wind is changing directions. Its good that it gets windy sometimes because it forces me to try other things.

In this area, the common practice is "shoot first, ask questions later" Texans are just ITCHING for you to give them an excuse to use their guns. DON'T DO IT! Forgiveness easier than permission? Not here, they may forgive you but not before they fire shells loaded with rock salt at you. Always ask first.

I use that Berkley floro that changes color in sunlight. (gold) It helps me detect the slightest bites being able to see the line so well.

Growing up I learned a lot from Hank Parker and Jimmy Houston. They're still my favorite shows.

The pond is around 10 acres or so. My buddy owns it and its on private property. He only lets myself and a few other people fish there. That pond is HIS BABY. We put a LOT of minnows in there, (many thousands) and they're still sustaining a very healthy population. I see swarms of them in the grass and against the bank. I wasn't there when the crappie and sunfish/bluegill things were stocked. I've never fished for the crappie but I think I've seen them on the fish finder. There's a couple of 2 man bass boats chained up down there that we fish from.

One of the ponds I fish used to be this way. Years ago it was overloaded with bass and nothing was over 12 inches. We took home coolers full of bass, and introduced some new forage species including flathead minnows, sunfish, and crappie. Now, I catch a bass over 5 pounds on almost every trip. We've caught many fish in the 6 to 9 pound range, and I caught a 10 pounder in there a couple of months ago.

Mine's the rattle trap, caught 9 bass on it today.

Do Bass live in water?

They don't have coffee on them, they just smell like coffee. They do however have a TON of salt on them just like those 'annoying YUM' worms. I took one out of the package to check it out and got salt everywhere. I haven't tried them out yet.

Mine was 10 pounds 2 ounces. Caught her just a couple months ago on a t-rigged GYCB flappin hog. If I lived somewhere that only had 5 pound bass, I WOULD MOVE!!!

Wow, they sell sonar units too. I never would have guessed.

I don't usually have one with me, but there have been a few times when I wish I had.

Most of the waters I fish are on private property, so if someone who isn't welcome shows up I'm expected to fire a few warning shots.

pages load instantly for me

I use tooth picks, never had a problem

GYCB Flappin hog

I finally got to get back on the water again today. I've been taking care of my newborn son for the past few weeks but today my wife had some family come over to keep her company so I could go fishing. Went to a pond near Canton, Tx. Caught 8 bass. One on a Fat Ika, one on the GYCB Kreature, one on the GYCB flappin hog, 2 on senkos and 3 on a tiny rattle trap. I usually catch at least one fish over 5 pounds at this pond but today the best fish was almost 4 pounds. The day started really cloudy but then the sun came out. I also caught a really mean sunburn today. The water temp got up to 64 in the late afternoon. I saw and heard that the frogs are out, and heard many splashes in the grass. I've gotta get some frogs before my next trip. I can't wait till my son is old enough to go fishing. I bought him his first rod&reel before he was born, its on the wall in his room.

Every day of the year! There's no wrong time to throw soft plastics. I always have a t-rig and a weightless rig ready.

In Texas anything smaller than 5 pounds is considered a dink. lol, jk Seriously though, a dink is shorter than 12 inches in my opinion.

Cool, thanks everyone! I think I'll get one pointer, one X-rap, and one smithwick. I wasn't sure what the difference was between the different pointers. Sounds like the 78 is the one I should try. This pond is pretty big and I usually fish it from a Buster 2 man boat, so if I get hung up I can just go get it. I appreciate the suggestions!

That sounds like a great idea, we'll just rake out what we can. I hope he doesn't decide to do something that will hurt the fishing. I caught a ten pound bass in this pond, I released her and she's still in there. We catch many fish in the 5 to 9 pound range there.

Yeah RW, we have very strict laws about grass carp. I think you have to have someone out from TP&W to ensure that there isn't a risk to public waters. As a general rule they don't allow them. I read in last months 'Texas Fish and Game' that if you catch a grass carp in texas public waters, you are required to kill it immediately. I'll advise my buddy to call them for direction.

The pond is about 10 acres, with an average depth of about 5 feet. The deepest point is 14 feet. The shallow side is about 3 to 5 feet. The banks have a few feet of moss at the edge, and its growing in huge balls in 3 to 4 feet of water. The water isn't so clear anymore, recent rains have brought in a bunch of silt and mud. Maybe this problem will just work itself out.

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place. My buddy's pond has started growing a lot of moss this year, which has made fishing very difficult in the shallow areas. I'm wondering if any of you pond owners know of a good way to control pond moss without harming the fish or plantlife. Is this even possible? My friend is considering putting a couple of grass carp in there, but I've read that they will eat all of the hydrilla and other plants first before they will eat moss. It said they would only eat moss if it was the only available food. Any ideas?