Rattlinrogue

Fifteen years ago,I did.But only to be fried up and eaten.Now,with bass I'm totally catch and release.Our lake's biologist tells me that I should keep some of the smaller bass that are 15 inches or smaller.He says it's actually good for the fishery.I'm still catch and release,but I don't have a problem with anybody that does keep some to eat.

By nature,I'm an angler who has about ten confidence lures that I go to time and time again...even when they're not working.That is a weakness in my game.Since being a member of the forum and hearing about new(for me)and different baits,tactics,and methods;I've expanded my variety a little bit.For example,I'd tried to use a c-rig before but never gave it a chance.After hearing all about it here,It's developed into one of my favorites.The same with straight tailed finese worms.And I've really become proficient pitchin'and flippin' tubes,jigs,and creature baits.

Of course when lightning is present don't even think of getting out on the water.When rain is coming,that means falling barometric pressure is also on it's way,and that's great fishing.I'll fish in the rain(but not in lightning).It's generally good depending on the season (Summer=good;dead of Winter=bad).In the late spring and summer,I love an all day cloudy day.The fish will stray away from cover and cruise looking for food.Also the topwater bite is good as long as it's cloudy(my favorite way to fish).I'm told by members of the forum that you can catch 'em all day in sunny weather on topwaters and that may be true for them,but I've found it to be just the opposite.I even like to fish during a cold front day because it gives me a chance to use my 2nd favorite technique,pichin' and flippin' tubes,jigs,and creature baits into dense,heavy cover.In other words,go fishing any day except days with lightning.You just have to change your gameplan a little depending on the conditions.

My favorite pattern(if you could call it that)is and has been for years is to be on the lake when everybody else is still in bed.Relatively shallow flats(2-6 ft.) with loads of grass and submerged stumps and brushpiles,creek channels and ditches running down it and deeper water nearby.Baits include the following:Floating minnows,prop baits,buzzbaits,shallow running crankbaits,spinnerbaits,etc.I usually slay 'em,although sometimes I go fishless.The big girls like to move up into the shallows at this time,and you can expect to catch at least one really good bass along with the others.This is a late spring ,early summer deal.Also,a split shot watermelon seed lizard or finese worm is a standard bait to take along.

Bass fishing ,for me,is a way of life.I totally agree with what you said.Of course,I love fishing for bass,but I enjoy all the other things that come along with it:this forum,working on my boat and tackle,gameplanning each fishing trip,recording in detail how everything went,learning new and exciting techniques,and just being there amazed at God's beautiful creation.

I fish for size,but I won't turn my nose up at numbers!

South Mississippi-I voted weeds,but I could 've went with wood just as easily.

Amen to that brother Fly.Me too!

Unless you're Aaron Martens,it's definitely not the time for slow,methodical finese fishing,As many have said before,tie on a spinnerbait and get to flogging that water.Try to go with the current or across it,but I've caught 'em going against the current.I think Rick Clunn won a Classic running a spinnerbait from behind the bass causing vicious,reaction bites.

Tiki,Rogue here.How ya doing up there in the Delta?Somebody may already have said this,but I probably would have tied on a spinnerbait and went to chunking if nothing else was working.With all the snags and laydowns you were describing,I'd throw up into all of the thickest,nastiest cover and bring that spinnerbait right through it.Don't worry,It rary gets snagged.When you bump a limb or come over a log,kill the bait for just a moment then start reeling again.The fluttering of the blades as you kill it mimics a dying baitfish.Many of your bites will come when you do this.You'll be able to make hundreds of casts and cover a lot of water.When not throwing into cover,be throwing close to it.Hope this helps.Tight Lines,RR

Outstanding!!!

I like a foot controlled TM.I'll take the old fashioned cable over the wireless remote.

I'm just like you.I'm an early morning(5:00 AM on the water) basser by nature.It's like pulling teeth waiting for the water temps to get high enough to do any good.Frequently,I go anyway and fish up to and through the warmer part of the day.You'd be surprised how many topwater bass I catch early in the morning when experts say that they just won't bite.

10+

Makes sense.Thanks.

I start topwater fishing in earnest when the temps hit the 60's.A warming trend doesn't hurt.I'm sure others may experience different outcomes,but early and late in the day and overcast days are my most successful times to catch 'em on top.

If it's like my lake,they restock every 1-2 years and don't announce it.The only reason I know about it, where I fish, is because our local state fisheries biologist is a good friend of mine.

Has "Angler on Tour" been cancelled?I really like that show. Joe Thomas is one of my favorites and seems like a really down to earth guy.

I have a cap that I got for signing up for a BASS membership.It's a sharp looking cap,and I used to wear it from time to time.I've ALWAYS had lousy fishing days when wearing that cap(I DON'T ever wear it fishing anymore).It's become my mow the lawn;work around the house cap.Boy,we seem to blame BASS for everything...LOL.On the other hand,I have a beautiful blue with white trim Yamaha cap that is money in the bank when I go fishing.I know these are all just superstitions,but why take a chance?

The fisheries biologist at my home lake(who is also a good friend of mine)told me that during a population survey,he shocked up a 16 lb bass.He said he's been shocking it up for several years in the same general location.He knows it's the same bass because it has a blind left eye.He let me know exactly where it's at.I always give that area a good hours fishing every time I go.Hooked a monster there last year that broke 15 lb Big Game.I'd like to think it was the big 'un,but who knows.That's my goal to catch that bass.It weighed 16 pounds 1 1/2 years ago.It's gotta be bigger or dead.

I've seen it a time or two,but it doesn't seem to come on ,on any regular schedule.It's my favorite fishin' show.

Remember those fond memories of dear ole dad(and don't give him too much hail...LOL).Most kids dad wouldn't think about taking 'em fishing.One day you'll look back at this and smile.I wish I had my Daddy.He took me trotlining for catfish every Saturday night that he could.

As I understand it, a crayfish has a blueish tint to it after freshly molting it's exoskeleton. This is also the time the little bugger is most vulnerable. I think that explains the blue. Thanks! I always want to know why.15 years ago my father-in-law and I were using a solid blue jig(no black) with a #11 Uncle Josh pork frog in what was called "natural".It was an orange tint of brown,and we used to tear 'em up on a private lake over in Natchez,MS...

My goal is to become a more versitle basser.I mentioned pitching,flipping,the c-rig,and finese presentations among others.I've become proficient fipping/pitching (jigs,tubes,creature baits,etc.),I'm good using the c-rig,and use the split-shot rig to catch a fair amount of bass.I must develope confidence with the drop-shot rig.

Yes,they do.I've missed a few big 'uns,and came back the next day to catch what appeared to be the same bass.