Josh Bassman

I caught a 4 lbs small mouth on one of these this summer. Texas rigged casting to shore.

5/0 hook... what size Ika?

By request, I mean suggestions. I fish a deep water lake and I'll be fishing a finger of the lake with standing timber both above and below water. I will be fishing a full moon, the lake turned over about three weeks ago and the shad are the number one bait fish. The weather has been stable: high 80 low 51. I'm planning on top water just before dark and then after dark playing around with black/blue spinners and black/blue jigs with rattle... or Bass Resource's "request". I'll be giving an update Tuesday or Wednesday... unless I get skunked. lol

http://www.flwoutdoors.com/flwondemand.cfm The three fivers video at 23:00. The pro has the same thinking I have on t-rig tubes. I'm just looking for something to increase my hook:land ratio with t-rig tubes. I use zoom 3 inch and the berkley 4 inch flipping ones. I love using tubes. The best way to improve hookups is to use a tube jig with an exposed hook.

Do you use a 4" fat ika with a 5/0 hook? What is the bite like? Would you fish it at night? I do good using small senkos at night, and I'm thinking the Fat Ika might work as well. I'm going out Monday night and I'm thinking about giving it a try.

3 or 4 jigs... Why so many? I'm going to fish Monday night and usually do good with large senkos, but I really want to use jigs. I'm planning on using black/blue jigs with a rattle and zoom chunk trailer. I'll be fishing rocky points and standing timber. Do you have any jig tips?

I love tubes. I use light line and an open hook. When fishing a tube, think of it as a small bait fish and work it with small hops back to the boat. Slow rolling it back to the boat while keeping contact with the bottom also works good. As far as which works better jig or tube. I'd pick the tube because it can be moved like a bait fish. And I have little faith in myself as a jig fisherman. Although Monday I'll be throwing a lot a jigs... Trying to get that confidence thing and I need to make more noise (night fishing).

I have a question. I fish a clear deep lake and almost always rocky points. How far away from the boat would you fish a jig? Not swimming it.

My fishing buddy has a couple GLX's... I don't even like to touch them because it makes my wallet start to burn. They are great rods.

I'm wondering if anyone uses a drift sock to slow their boat for trolling. I have a 190 hp open bow ski boat that I fish out of and I would like to use the main engine to troll for trout. I can get my speed down to about 2.5mph but I would like to get down around 1.5mph. Do you have an opinion about using a drift sock for this?

I have been thinking of buy some clackin-raps... do you like them?

"Put the plug/lure in the water at boatside and observe its action. " If it runs good at 2.5-3.0 mph, is that to fast for the fish?

What speed would you run the boat?

Nothing under a 1/2 oz, why?

Have you tried the rapala clackin' rap? Looks good, but I haven't used a lipless crank much... in fact hardly ever. I do have one in the tacklebox, but hardly ever used it. It isn't a high quality lure, and runs funny... kind of on its side I mostly use tubes and spinners. I'm committed to break out of my comfort zone, and trying new lures and techniques. It's hard when I can go out on my lake and catch fish the "old way", but I want to add the enjoyment of learning something new. I caught a 4 lbs smallie on a speed trap up at trinity lake after throwing tubes all night without luck. A light went off in my head and now I'm determined to learn and add to my fishing arsenal.

Thanks... Tackle warehouse has good prices on xcals.

I'm looking to give lipless crankbaits a try. I'm thinking about starting with four (~$40). My question is what size 1/2oz or 3/4oz... or whatever... should I get? I fish a large deep reservoir with a lots of rocky points and underwater forest in one finger of the lake (trees didn't get cut down before the lake filled).

Thanks, I've bookmarked the cabela's Techna av page. I may just might buy it.

I'm looking for a spinner and jig rod for around $100. What rod would you buy? power, action and length?

"give me ideas as to what you look for in an associate." Pretend I'm not there and don't even look at me. If I need help, I'll ask. Your sales manager will not like this plan, but I will be happy. Real World: If you want to be a successful salesman, get in front of every person you can and try to sell them something. First build rapport, then sell FFB: Features, Functions and Benefits. Always benefits! If it doesn't benefit the buyer there is little reason to buy. Building rapport: In your case, I would start with asking open ended questions and avoid questions that will allow them to tell you "no thanks" or "just looking". Try to relate to them on some level and use that to sell them. Remember your boss hired you to make the store money and people come into the store to buy something, so don't be shy about asking for the sell. You'll have to hear a lot of "no" before you hear "yes". Good luck and treat people with respect.

I like this reel. I use it for light crankbaits on a 6'6" compre. It's a good setup.

"I would not be fishing a hump in open water on a foggy morning to begin with. It is everyones responsibility to try to be safe. And knowing that people drive like morons I would not put myself in a dangerous situation like that." Its a large lake "Trinity Lake NorCal" and I was fishing a hump that was pretty close to the shore. I could almost hit the shore with a far cast. The other boaters were racing to get to "their" spot and were clearly thinking about their tourney and not boat safety. You might not put yourself in a "situation like that"... you might as well give up going out on the water. I was in a safe spot and the boater that almost hit me was also in danger of running aground.

"Which people are you referring to?" People who drive their boats like they are the only boaters on the lake. The morning I almost got T-boned by a tournament fisherman is a good example. He might have been the only one who almost hit me, but there were other who were going to fast for the conditions. I couldn't see them because of the fog, but I could hear them all to well.

People drive their high powered bass boats like jerks. I almost got t-boned on a foggy morning by a guy going full blast in the fog. I was fishing a hump when a bass tour. started. A hand full of fisherman left the docks at full blast.

I say use the red light to tie your lure or land fish and then turn it off. I use the red light and it works great. My fishing partner has a light that kills my eyes every time its turned on... too bright