EastTexasBassin

Jerkbaits are something I've barely used at all. Since some of you guys can't seem to put them down I thought I'd ask for some tips. One of ponds I fish has a bunch of moss now, it covers most of the bottom in shallow areas. This has made it hard for me to use my usual slow presentations because t-rigs, c-rigs, and jigs are just pulling up a crapload of green goo. I'm looking to get a jerkbait that I can slowly work though the 'middle' of about 3 to 5 feet of water. Any tips on working jerkbaits would be appreciated as well. I've just never really used them. I looked at the Pointers at BPS, but didn't know enough about them to make a choice.

It seems bass and women have something in common.

If I found out that one of my employees was fishing while I was working harder, I would surely fire them. But my folks all know that 'going fishing' is a perfectly acceptable reason to ask for a day off, and all they need to do is ask ahead of time. (I'll probably be going with them:) ) But...I would use a 'family emergency' rather than some kind of BS illness. (and next time plan ahead )

Its an excellent largemouth catcher. Rig it as RW suggests, weightless and rigged backwards. I tried them out because of RW's posts, and I was impressed. On my very first cast with the lure I caught a nice fish, with many more to follow. It doesn't take long at all for it to reach the bottom in 12' of water. It wobbles side to side as it falls but its not a slow fall. It casts like a bullet, no weight necessary.

Well, ok...maybe 'sure thing' was the wrong phrase. I caught some fish though, and that sure was better than being skunked. The pond has since cleared up, and fishing has returned to 'normal' Last trip they were hitting almost everything I threw at them.

Yeah, I would give it some time to warm up and/or clear up. Fishing muddy water is difficult but can still be productive. Same with fishing cold water, but when its cold AND muddy thats a really difficult combination. The fish can't see very far and they aren't willing to go chasing anything. You pretty much gotta hop your jig right in front of their face and even then they will probably ignore it. When one of the ponds I fish became muddy a few months ago, I decided to cheat a bit so I could catch a couple fish. In cold muddy water the only sure thing is some live bait. (uh oh, now I'm gonna be struck down by the artificial purists ) In my defense, thats the only time I've used live bait for bass. I went out a couple days before and was completely skunked, which had never happened at this pond.

A GYCB Flappin Hog t-rigged or a Lake Fork Tackle magic shad

I doubt there's any lizards or newts in the ponds I fish, but a c-rigged lizard does very well for me. I think the only important thing is that it looks alive.

I took the skirt and trailer off of mine and put a Lake Fork Tackle live magic shad on it instead. I use it more like a crankbait/swimbait for bass hanging out around deep water structure. I think I only caught one fish on it the way it came in the package. Many other anglers have had more success with a fluke, paddle tail, or some other shad imitation on it.

I like the classic H&H. It might look goofy compared to others but it still catches fish after all these years.

My number one producer this past winter has been the GYCB Flappin Hog in color 301, t-rigged and worked REALLY slow.

Am I the only one that sets the hook in their sleep??? My wife says I set the hook in my sleep all the time. Sometimes it wakes me up... I'm fishing at my favorite lake and I see my line jump, I cross her eyes and the next thing I know I'm in bed with my hands clasped together over my shoulder.

I use my 7.1 to 1 daiwa for really slow presentations with jigs and soft plastics. The speed, for me at least, is used to get fish up out of heavy cover like brushpiles quickly so I don't get hung up.

We even saw a bit of snow down here in Texas this morning. Some of it didn't melt until noon!!! By afternoon we were in the 60s again though.

I use a permanent marker for the color and then a clear coat of nail polish

same here. its the only knot i trust

Nice videos. I just watched most of them. Nice to be able to see how a bait moves in the water before I buy it.

yes, same thing with different colors.

Wow, I had to look it up to find Odessa. You're way out there. Most of the good bass lakes are in East, Central, and Southern Texas. Head East on Highway 20, Lake fork is only a little over 400 miles away. Welcome to Texas! Its freakin huge, but the fishing is good.

I bought some Fat Ikas because of RW's post about them and on my very first cast with the lure I caught a 4 pounder. I throw it a lot these days, especially when the bite is slow.

I had a nutria take my bait once. You'd be surprised how much of a fight you'd get from a 12 pound aquatic rat. He eventually broke my line. www.nutria.com

a 6 inch Senko, black w/ blue flake

#1 - 6 inch Senko (blk w/ blue flake) #2 - GYCB Flappin Hog (green pumpkin w/ purple&green flake) #3 - Tiny Trap #4 - Lake fork tackle 'live' magic shad 4.5" #5 - GYCB Kreature (green pumpkin w/ purple&green flake) #6 - Fat Ika (brown)

Thats exactly what I was going to say. If you're throwing the same baits as your buddies but you're not getting bit, you might be getting too anxious and messing up your lure presentation. Take a deep breath and slow down, the bites will come.

do not try to bend the spoon...that is impossible. Instead, try only to realize the truth....there is no spoon.