Josh Bassman

Last Friday night I fished from 8pm to 2am. I caught 20 fish with the biggest being 4lbs. All fish were caught using a peanutbutter and jelly colored jig. I like to fish with a black spinnerbait at night but the jig was bring in the fish.

They're great reels.

Baby flukes are crazy good on dropshots

{LUCK}I snagged the tail of a 17 lbs carp on Clear Lake last year. The fight was unreal

What company makes those lures? The Relay for Life lures are awesome. Have you painted any baby bass?

I rigging my like picture one. I like the way the bait has freedom to move and swing.

1/8 oz spot removers are the best. I use ball heads only when I run out of spot removers... has only happened twice. :'(

I still practice in the back yard. I work on hitting targets and keeping my bait low for a quiet landing. I practice with the weight and line I'm planning on using. If you are having a hard time, lighter line and a heavier weight will make it easier. But, before you go out on the water, practice with that you plan on using. Baitcaster can drive a newbie crazy, but once you get the hang of it you'll never want a spinning reel again.

I like a long leader. Two benefits: last longer and my FC leader sinks and my braid floats. I use braid with a leader mostly for shakey head fishing. Floating braid drives me crazy, but with a 10+ foot leader it isn't so bad.

I like Pro-Cure Craw in the gel. I've also heard great things about JJ's.

The great KVD wins millions of dollars, catches the biggest and the most fish, and does it with equipment you don't approve of... hmmm... What have you done lately? BTW, I use Shimano rods and Pflueger reels. I have never touched Quantum gear. I look at it like basketball. If I go and buy a Kobe Bryant basketball, I'm not going to be an MVP in the NBA. Like wise with KVD gear. It takes years of practice and skills I don't have. KVD would kickass with an Ugly Stick. He could have won the last Classic with an Ugly Stick and a float tube. The guy is amazing.

I mostly slow roll my spinnerbaits, yet I prefer a fast reel. I have no problem slowing down my hand and sometime I need to reel fast. It's nice too a have a reel that can take in line fast.

Now there will be a rush to get the "magic lure". It's like buying a Kobe Bryant basketball and thinking your going to be an NBA superstar... not going to happen.

I have a 6'6" m xf spinning rod. It's best with light cranks.

I like to fish tubes with the smallest weight I can get away with. Also, I like put a little pro-cure up the tube. Most of my stikes come on the drop. I will try the stupid tube rig next time I'm out, but I prefer an exposed hook.

Be careful buying anything off the internet. One time I was getting ready to buy a new shakey head rod (Cumara 6'8" M spinning). The picture on the checkout page was a casting rod and after backing out to the main page, I saw the lure weight was 1/4 to 1oz... not what I was looking for. I called and ordered over the phone.

I've seen used Shimano Compre's for around $50. They are good rods.

Pfleuger President. Great reels.

"Jig Worming" shakey heading or whatever... I love it. I fish an open water deep lake and it's the best way to put fish of any size into the boat. I use the smallest weight I can get away with (feel the bottom) and dead stick it, slow drag it, hop it, swim it or anything else I think might catch a fish. Most of the time, I cast it out and let it drop on slack line. Then I weigh the line and start a slow drag and pause retrieve. Robo worms and spot removers are my favorites.

You might be able to find a used humminbird 717 or 718 in your price range. They're pretty good for the price. Check ebay.com

Walmart has the storm baits that look a lot like the bait you're looking at for a great price. I don't like fishing bass on beds... but the best bait is a tube. ....

You are in need of a wire leader.

I'm getting ready to get a new shakey head rod. Right now it's a coin flip between a Cumara or Verdict. I wouldn't mind saving some money, but I don't want to end up disappointed.

Is there a good shakey head I should try?

I like fishing a spinnerbait in cold water during a rain or right after. The big fish come in to eat and enjoy the warmer water coming into the lake. I start where the water is coming into the lake and work my way out hitting secondary points. The best is a 1 oz spinner slow rolled just fast enough to hit a rock once in awhile. Sometimes a 3/8 oz will work better in the shallowest water. I just cast it up and try to slow roll it down the cut.