gobig

I think your the only person in Oroville that doesn't throw a dropshot. You can dropshot anything from swimbaits to plastics.

Swimbait

Maybe he has big hands.

Its so hard to tell by pictures. I have a pic of a 11.2 that looks like an 8 and I have pic of a 7 that looks like a 10. If I had to guess I would say 4.5.

I dont use these type of vests. Every time someone bites the dust out here its with one of these style jackets. To undependable in my opinion.

I am really sorry its taken me this long to reply. I have just had a ton of stuff going on. As far as displacement goes and what I remember from school. An object can only displace the equivalent to its own volume. So if an object is dense enough to sink, the bigger it is the more it displaces. A floating bait is only going to displace the volume that is below the surface. The long and short of it is... size matters. If they know a 3/8 oz jig is there, they definitely know a 8in hud is there. Sound travels a long ways under the water. So a hard bait is going to transfer more sound as the hinges squeak and make contact. Add rattles and there is even more sound that transfers and calls attention. The more sound it makes the less natural it is. That is probably why the huddleston had accounted for more trophy fish than any other swimbait. Its more natural. In a tournament setting a bait that makes more noise will allow you to cover more water at a faster pace in dingy water. Billed baits push more water then baits with out bills. This disturbance also calls attention but is more subtle and natural then a rattle. Two piece baits thump harder then three piece and three piece harder then four. Now, here is what I mean by keeping it simple. Stick with proven baits. Don't get caught into the hype that you have to have some $300 bait to be successful. Fish prime locations, points, humps, ridges, creek channels and flats. Fish up hill pulling your bait into cover and structure. Fish use these elements to pin prey. You have three parts to the water column, top, middle and bottom. Select the right bait accordingly. In other words if you have 6ft of depth and weeds on the bottom you might want to go with a weedless hud or a mission fish. Even though neither of these are hard baits that make a ton of noise they may be the best solution for your circumstances. Sift through the information a lot of it is BS. This is just the tip of the ice berge. There is so much to absorb here that you are going to go through several realizations if you stick with swimbaits. Not to mention you will become a better angler all around because you will see things differently.

I have not forgot to reply. I have just been swamped. As soon as I have a moment I will.

cjam, Try to keep is simple and don't over complicate it, It can be overwhelming. Things can also seem somewhat contradictory. Your placing to much on water displacement when there are other factors at play. I have to go to work but I will try to pop back on tonight and simplify some things for you.

Just because the bait does not look good in your opinion does not mean the fish feel the same way. If you saw how little action there is fishing a Hud in the winter you would really be surprised. I know its hard to fish baits that visually give you no confidence but if you want to get better you have to push though based on the success of others.

Sometimes they don't eat it right but I would venture to say that your hook set is premature. They don't generally hit the back of the bait. Try reeling into them until you feel the rod load.

Just because you don't physically see the shade on the surface does not mean there is not shade. Things like docks create obvious shadows that are easily seen. Rocks and ledges create shade under the surface. Pay close attention to the suns position and the cover and structure that's down below. You will start to see why some spots are afternoon spots and some are morning etc... You can get really dialed in on how fish position. This is where you start to learn how critical timing and angles become.

I use bait wraps for hard baits and the plano boxes suggested for soft baits.

What is wrong with people? Why don't you just go talk to your neighbor? Why try to implement and enforce new rules? That takes time and cost money.

The only problem I have ever had with the trokars is the needle point of the hook can bend out on a snag. At that point the hook is shot.

1. I catch plenty of small fish on swimbaits. The idea that swimbaits only catch large fish is one of inexperience. One thing I have found is some lakes and ponds for what ever reason are more productive with swimbaits then others. 2. Yes I use swimbaits year round. The optimum time of the year for swimbaits is from Sept- May. That does not mean that you cant find a good swimbait bite at other times. I always have a few swimbaits tied on and try them on key locations several times through out the day. 3. You can beat the bank with swimbaits but it is less productive. The casts that you see Bill make are key and put the bait in the optimum location to potentially ambushed. By beating the bank you will also tend to catch smaller fish. The locations and directions that you throw a big bait have a lot to do with your level of success.

I tend to do better in dirty water with hard baits.

There are guys in the swimbait world catching them anywhere bass live. Texas is not the exception.

Fish that size will have no trouble eating a slammer and just like any other bait some days it works and some days it does not. If the big baits are not being used around you, you are at a distinct advantage.

I really like the xraps. I would venture to say that it was my most productive rip bait I threw all this last year.

Its amazing how different my perspective is. The only bait mentioned so far that I would consider a wakebait is the MS Slammer.

Well said Matt.

You should be punching

Punch, punch, punch. Did I mention punching? Sounds like someone has been spending time on the Delta. There are really only two ways to attack pennywart. You can throw cranks, senkos, chatterbaits etc...and parallel the outside or you can punch. Getting fish out of this stuff can be tough and takes some practice. In many cases you have to go in with the boat and get them. Some days will go your way and some will make you want to pull your hair out. I try to go as light as I can as far as weight goes in many cases thats 1.5 oz . I snell a straight shank hook and tend to stick with beaver style baits. You can use a punch skirt if you like but I dont know if it really matters. Fish tend to eat the bait pretty fast. Be ready for the bite at all times. They don't always slam it. In many cases things just don't feel right and learning to read the bite takes time. I use Bubs punch rod paired with a shimano castaic and 65lb braid.

Even if you didn't show someone a spot with today's technology there is nothing sacred. Secret spots hardly exist any more and are few and far between. I can drive by a spot, see a boat on it, come back later with a graph and pick it apart with picture perfect clarity. Its more about the intricacies of a spot and how it fishes. About the only way " my water " carries any weight anymore is through situational etiquette. For instance if you were fishing a two day tournament and someone ran to the spot you caught them on the day before because they knew that's where you got them. That is BS. But after the fact that place is fair game. There has to be mutual respect, but it is public water.

Or you could take up golf to fish the ponds.