islandbass

It certainly does not require casting gear. In simplest terms, it's a preference things. And please, don't convert for no other reason than this... that you want to. If it ain't broken, it doesn't need to be fixed. Granted, there are a few "snooty" bass anglers that would "never be caught dead" using spinning gear, but that's something that hopefully won't influence you. Honestly, a wide variety of lures can be fished well with both but there are certain areas where one might be a more convenient choice. Try casting a 1/16 oz jig on a standard casting reel into the wind... yeah, right... fat chance. or Try to get a vertical drop with no effort for you on casting gear. If you don't pull line off a casting reel, you're going to get a pendulum descent, not a vertical one. It's been said a billion times. Both reels are tools at the angler's disposal. After all, you could use a butter knife to loosen a screw but a screwdriver is a better choice. I don't know that bass angler's have an aversion to using live bait. No doubt that live bait is effective. But here's one aspect of bass fishing with artificial lures that appeals to me and I'm sure my brethren here. The challenge of coaxing them to bite on something that isn't live bait. That is an art in and of itself. The bass angler has to find the right cadence or rhythm and impart "life" into the lure to solicit an opportunity for the bass to take their lure. It is this, I believe that makes bass angling a joy and an endeavor worthy of pursuit.

You beat me to the punch, lol. I was going to it is actually a blessing that some people aren't hooked. I say it's part of God's wisdom and let me illustrate with a story a my 10th grade biology teach who was a priest shared with me. There was a farmer who grew a variety of fruits from apples to watermelons and everything in between. He was particularly fond of apples and wondered for the longest time why apples didn't grow as big as watermelons. He was thinking an apple as large as a watermelon would be ideal. He also wondered why watermelons didn't grow on trees like apples did. He finally asked God one day about both of those things. Unfortunately, he didn't hear any kind of response and was saddened. One day, he was working in his apple orchard and his hat had fallen off his head. As he bent over to pick up his hat, a large apple had fallen from the tree and hit him square on the back of his head. At that instant, the light bulb in his head lit up and he praised the Lord and said, "Thank you, God! I understand why now. I thank you for showing me how to grow fruits and I've learned how to produce large fruits including watermelons. If it were a large watermelon that hit me on the back of my instead of an apple, it might have killed me." While I too feel some sadness or pity for those who don't want to or care to fish (and my wife is one of them), there is some wisdom to why they shouldn't? Does that mean there are more fish for folks like you and to catch? Certainly, but that is not the reason and it also misses the point. If everyone had a passion and love for fishing like we do, then how in the world would anything in this world ever get done, lol?!

Bam! No amount of soap or sanitizer can totally eliminate the fishy smell from my hands if I did that. So if I say I'm going to the gym, I go to the gym, then fish. You know, maybe 30-45 minutes at the gym and the remaining time fishing. For me, even a teeny, tiny white lie would affect my conscience and therefore my fishing.

I use dev con 2T. Hope you can post a report/!review of how it holds up.

Screw eyes are okay for basswood. I use dev con 2T as my adhesive. I’d use the longest ones I can get away with. I’d advise against using them with balsa. Cotter pins are an excellent alternative. Order them from a store that specializes in selling luremaking supplies. You can use a large compressor. I use one myself. As already mentioned, I second the recommendation of using a moisture trap. I recommend tryng to make a popper or a propeller bait. They are easier to build and don’t require ensuring your lure is able to remain upright. Also, don’t make then much longer than 3” or so. It might float on its own but it might suspend or worse, sink when you add the hardware, clear coat, and hooks. As for hooks, it will be easier to compare a lure that is about the same size as the one you plan to makeat one of your hard lures that is about the same length

For lack of a better word, I almost feel a little pity or sad for anglers who are so set to be exclusive by choice to use only spinning or only baitcasting gear. Is it their prerogative? Certainly. But if we want to be well rounded anglers, we should be versed, skilled and proficient in the angler’s tools of the trade. Spinning and casting reels are the tools of the trade. Tools that help you catch and land fish. Also, just because you fish from the bank, why deny yourself attaining a new skill? There is no law that says bank anglers can only use spinning gear. I am also a bank angler. So to help you as you teeter on the fence, is it worth it? Absolutely! The next thought you will ponder and I guarantee this, is, “Why in the world did I take so long to try a baitcaster. Doh!” How do I know? Because I was where you are now and finally took the plunge. Come on in... The baitcasting water is just fine. Lastly, don’t skimp. Daiwa and Shimano have serious contender reels to pick from at a price point of your choosing.

If you don’t want to use a spinning rig, then don’t. Use what you want. There is no law that states you have to use a spinning set up. One plus however, with a spinning rig is that it is “more convenient to make your lure have a more vertical fall with the bail still open if you want to do that. To do the same with a casting set up you will need to strip line off manually or cast ahead of your intended target to compensate for a slanted descent. That is to me one difference. I drop shot with both. What do you mean by soft? Whippy perhaps?

Thanks for a prompt response! You see, I have been a Shimano spinning reel person, and I have been out of the reel loop for quite some time. The last shimano spinning reel I bought was a symetre so that tells you how long. So there I was checking the shimano models and I was surprised that many of the newer models no longer had an anti-reverse switch and that really surprised and caught me off guard. I realized deep down, it was an unnecessary feature in a practical sense, no frills, bottom line, which is my typical philosophy but for some reason I couldn't get over it. But gosh almighty, it's a feature I like to use on occasion. So it was a show stopper for me. No more, because I want what I want in a reel. So Shimano lost me on spinning reels. I still love Shimano but there are some things they make, like their casting reels and mountain bike shifters and components. I won't use any other mountain bike components. But now they have two things they make I won't buy. Their road bike components (I prefer campagnolo) and spinning reels. I've been eyeing the black gold to serve me both fresh and salt water but the "weight" I hope isn't an issue for my arms for super long periods of saltwater fishing. I am not young anymore, lol and I know fatigue will settle in. Thanks again.

Congrats! The only "bad" thing is that you can never ever go backward reel wise, lol. Ain't happening. Tell me what you like about your BG 3000. Also, does it have an anti-reverse switch?

I can’t really add much more to the excellent advice given. That mushy feeling is not as hard to detect so much as knowing to react. How so? Because you felt it, lol. You just need to react by setting the hook instead being like a deer in the headlights, thinking, “is that a bite or not,” lol. Here is the thing I try to be mindful of. If I am feeling or sensing something, anything, different with the line, and I know I did not cause it, there is a good chance something took my bait, even if I failed to detect a nibble. Set the hook. If I was wrong, it’s no sweat off my back.

Exactly. I think the stealth approach has its merit. But I also think that making a splash can spook them, it can also ATTRACT them. I’ve seen it personally. It’s a two way street and 50-50 chance to spook or attract in a normal setting. That’s just me and I’m sticking to it. Btw, I’m also a bank angler so the ability to minimize entry splash isn’t harder just because we are on the shore. Good advice was already given that I can’t add to.

It's simple. You might not think so, but you're actually letting your thumb off of the spool too late. For anyone coming from a spinning background, this will be a small obstacle they have to overcome. I guarantee that you feel like you are not letting go too late (i.e., the thumb coming off of the spool), but indeed you are. The mechanics and physics of the casting equation tell the truth. You can't break the laws of physics, but you surely can confirm them, lol. How do I know? Because I went through the same thing. Fortunately, I played a lot of baseball as a kid and I was a pretty darn good hitter. As a right handed batter, I could hit it to right field if I wanted to. This knowledge and experienced gained as a baseball player helped me to quickly conclude what the issue was. A later timed swing usually makes the ball go to right field and too early a swing pulls the ball to the left. Relating this to casting, a sidearm cast flying to the left means the angler is letting go too late. In addition, this is even more so the lighter weight you try to throw. So it will show on someone attempting to toss 1/8 oz weight who has not yet gained enough experience. No worries. All in due time and even faster if you realize what the problem is. All I can say is thank God you didn't try to overhand cast, because that same late release will translate into your lure slamming into the ground right in front of you, and thereby enabling the angler to make a glorious overrun if his or her thumb is quick enough, lol. Funny, but highly possible with a late thumb release. The solution is to release your thumb earlier than what you are accustomed to. It was also be very helpful if you practice with a heavier weight like 1/2 oz at least until you have acclimated to the earlier release time. A bass casting weight is ideal for this. If you cast overhand with 9 o'clock in front and 12 above you, the thumb release point is somewhere between 12 and 1:30pm. From this, you can take an educated guess where that release point for a sidearm cast is and fine tune it to yourself. I say this because sometimes, you will want to cast to the left of your position.

Indeed. They don’t only feel good they perform well too. With $200 from Cabelas, it’s almost like getting whatever recommendations given as a gift. Free, if Cabelas carries it lol!

Then look at Cabelas house rods that are 2-piece in either M or MH. I have a 2-piece mag touch Cabelas rod which I love to death and is a trunk rod. It has landed trout, blue gill, largies, smallies, and salmon. Plenty sensitive and everything is excellent. Now, they no longer carry this line, but if I were to buy another 2-piece rod it would be from one of their upper end lines or a Shimano or Fenwick. I have very sensitive hands so I don’t need a Loomis or similar rod in my hands. Even an ugly stik is sensitive in my hands without even using braid. However, many of those higher end rods are one piece and it therefore dont meet my needs. To others that might take umbrage about my comments about higher end rods, please note it’s got a little tongue and cheek. I wouldnt mind using one, I’m just not willing to spend $ on such rods. Too clumsy is the primary reason and secondary reason is my two piece rods get more use. It would be a crime to have high end rods become glorified dust collectors in the garage lol.

I have a flambeau backpack I love and it even came with 2 boxes. Any back pack or shoulder bag that can accommodate the size boxes you plan to use should suffice. Also no know for a designer label back pack. Be sure to leave a name tag and your Phone or email on it in case you lose it and someone honest finds it. It happened to me and it save me from losing hundreds of dollars of baits. One of my weaknesses i have to battle against is leaving a bag or two on the ground while I’m storing everything in the trunk and leaving a bag on the ground. I already did it once this season and it cost me my entire trout arsenal. And can you guess I didn’t leave my contact info on it?

Welcome and greetings from the Pac NW! Oh wait... You’re in my neck of the woods, lol. The drop shot is worth trying. As a bank angler myself, it is one of my most productive techniques. Because we live in the area where salmonids and trout reign, we have to catch a few of those once in while. Some bass lures like rapala minnows and even the drop shot hold no prejudice. They’ll catch trout too.

Well said! And absolutely, it's part of the fun. I particular love the story of his comeback after being accidentally shot. I'm looking to get back into cycling for the health benefits. Although the days of doing century-plus rides (that 100 miles in a day for those who don't ride, lol) are probably long since passed, it doesn't mean we can't still enjoy a good ride.

Yes I too have run into such people. My road bike is so old it only has 6 gears on the cog, old school cantilever brakes and the clicking latches and treads on my mid end blue sidi dominator shoes have broken off due to being too old, lol. There was was nothing sweeter than smoking them on a ride and it’s even sweeter when you smoke them on a mountain bike without slicks... on the street. It’s the engine, not the bike. Miguel indurain would kick their rears with a huffy. It’s the angler, not the gear. In the words of Warpath, BAM! POW! Conversely, I also won’t judge them and be a reverse snooty dude and look down upon them for using higher end gear. To each his own.

Spinnerbait. Doesn't matter if it's a "quality" one or a "$1 walmart special". Zero, zip, nada, not even so much as a follow. Ironically, I can kill them with inline spinners. Come on bass, give me a break! Jigs, sort of. Jig with plastic, yes. Jig with a skirt, NEVER. Why, bass, why? Buzzbait - forget about it. NEVER. Popper? Some of the biggest bass I've caught have been with a popper.

I concur. I’ve walked the dog with all kinds of line. Straight braid or mono is no problem. The only one I’d be reluctant to use is a heavier fc line. One little trick that that really works is to employ a small snap like a duo lock snap if you’re having trouble walking it. Someone shared this tip with me when I “couldn’t get the coordination down. I was blown away at how much easier it was to walk it like I talk it. I don’t need the snap any more but I tell you, one plus is that it also will enable you to switch lures without cutting and retrying. Use the smallest snap you can. Also, I mean a snap and not a swivel snap.

I don’t think that is a good idea for the reasons already given. just as importantly, you rule would deny an angler’s family members and friends who don’t fish the ability to buy them gear and tackle. Report him. I am certain you’d be able to do it anonymously too.

Just be gracious. And smile. You showed him the ropes. You’ve led by example. That’s all you can do. The rest is up to him. I dont care how good any of us are, we cannot make the fish bite their hook, lol. If you friend does get into those, “why am I not catching anything “ scenarios,” let it go in one ear and out the other. Don’t let his frustrations get to you. That creates negative vibes, energy and attitude and none of these things is conducive to productive fishing or mental clarity. You can even use a coaching t chinois when you see an example as you have described about how he hooked his worm. “You know, that’s an interesting way to hook that worm...it might work but if it doesn’t, you might want to try rigging it this.” Like I said earlier, if he isn’t willing and too stubborn to listen, be gracious and smile and say nothing more. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force it to drink.

A couple things: 1) I won’t hesitate to go to ultralight mode when I sense a skunk coming and target species of bass only changes to whatever will bite — as long as I catch something, lol. 2) Not to often these days but when I first started fishing, I watched Bill Dance’s show a lot. I thought it was so cool when he’d hook into a fish, turned toward the camera, smile and set the hook. I don’t think anyone else does this — when I get a bite, I’ve been known to turn to the side as if I were looking into a video camera, smile and set the hook.

I have considered being a machete to help cut through the brush, but need to check if it’s legal. Mine does have a sheath. I like to make ale sure I have insect repellent.

I subscribe to using the least amount of weight I can get away with. Unfortunately, sometimes that is the reality of the situation. On my home lake, you need a 3/4 oz weight just to reach the "money" spot most efficiently from the shore, so it is not uncommon. I'm also talking about a 9'6" rod too. I can get there with a 1/2 oz sometimes if the wind isn't against me or cross blowing but I also know I am also throwing it harder, which I don't like to do.