bigbill

Welcome to the greatest bass fishing forum on the WWW. There is a awesome bunch of guys here but we need more women who also enjoy our love of bass fishing too. We share information in two directions too. I'm sure you have some knowledge to share too. We learn something new on every fishing trip. It's great to have you here with us. BigBill BTW, I'm getting ready to build on my land in central by soon. I'm going with a 12volt solar system. I figure I can run on 12volts, a 110v generator if need be as backup and propane for the other stuff like the well pump, cooking stove and fridge too. I been using 12volts for years there. I'm too far off the grid in the wilds to run power. I'm going with a two story one car garage with a loft for sleeping upstairs. The basement is the garage and the first floor is the living area. I can't wait to have indoor plumbing. I own a piece of heaven. I'm a few minutes from town and the white river that's known for 20" browns too.

I wish we had two sections here one would be a list of the good companies online to do business with. And another list of the bad ones to avoid. Some of these smaller tackle sellers are outstanding. While other ones should be avoided. I just wish we had a spot to spread the word. I deal with a lot of different online tackle shops and tackle discount places. While most are awesome I did have one bad experience so far. This place sold me a new defective product that was broke. Then they told me they might not be able to replace it when there website lists three more items exactly like the one I purchased. We need to avoid these places. I don't care about myself I just don't want to see others get stuck too. Bigbill

I have a headmaster in my scent box. And a hook remover in my three tackle boxes. My backup has backup. Two of the hook removers have side cutters too. I never killed or hurt any fish yet. The auction site has plenty of stainless hook removers from China there cheap. But look ok quality wise.

Does anyone check your rod balance on your spinning rod setup? There was a kit with a screw and flatwashers to adjust the rod balance to the reel we were using. I been wondering if we could use a larger heavier reel than we should be using this would put the balance of the whole setup off kilter. I'm not sure if anyone checks this today or not. I was just wondering this because I installed a 20 series spinning reel on a rod I usually put a 30 series reel on. I check the balance of the setup by putting my finger horizontally in front of the reel on the handle to see where the rod setup balances. I'm thinking when the rod is out of balance the reel end is heavier. It makes handling the rod with one hand harder to do. This would be tuning the rod setup. I know this was done years ago and I think that BPS still offers a weight kit for it. BigBill Do a search for a "fishing rod balance kit" then click on wikihow on how to balance your fishing rod and which baits we use that our rod setup should be balanced.

My 6'6" spinning rod with my #20 okuma exipor spinning reel with 8lb yuzori hybrid line is probably my best casting setup throwing a 5/8oz spook. The key to casting longer distances is the line. No one comes even close to my casts. I get other fishermen commenting me about my long casts.

I been using a cherrywood spinning med action rod with a viva spinning reel for my carolina rigged senko, brushogs and worms for quite a few years now.

I had to pay for the return shipping. I figured why put more money and get nothing out of it but if I fix it I'm out the parts cost. No more shopping at the sleezy places for me. The parts were $7 with shipping. Like $5 just for shipping and $2 for parts.

I purchased a new quantum code red bait caster reel online from a place I been dealing with for well over a decade with. I liked the first quantum code red 6,2 bait caster so much I went for the 7,0 ratio one too. When it arrived I found the line leveled wasn't moving. I talked with the place I got it from and they weren't sure if I could get a replacement or not. I checked there website and they showed three more in stock. You know I can't even trust people who I been dealing with for many years now. Both reel boxes seemed to be sealed the same when I received them. Well I'm stuck with a brand new reel that's broke. He did offer me a full refund but I wanted another code red reel. I got frustrated and took the reel apart. I found the driven gear broke with the broken piece missing. I found a online place for reel parts and spent $7 for the gear plus extra gears and the "c" clips that hold it inplace. I ordered an extra driver gear too. I figure since I own two code reds now I have extra parts. The cost of the parts were cheap anyway. Now the broken gear has me puzzled on a new reel? This was a $100 list reel and it was discounted for $49. I never had a problem with my cheap $12 Shakespeare bait caster yet. I think I'm cursed when it comes to the more expensive stuff. I know you guys are going to say I'm purchasing the wrong reels from the wrong people. I think these reels were demos. Counter show pieces. There is no visible wear from line on them at all. But I'll live and learn from this. Bigbill On a good note I'm learning how to take baitcasters apart now. It's like fixing tractors, transmissions, rebuilding automatic trannies, rebuilding carbs only the parts are smaller. Btw, I got my quantum reel parts from tackleservice online. Easy fast online shopping they get my vote.

We were fishing once on a lake in a boat when I hooked something. I pulled up a rusted rod setup. It was junk. So I sent it back to davys locker. My son goes after every snagged lure even if it means swimming. One day two sons were fishing when his lure got snagged in a dead tree that was over hanging the water. My son crawls out on the branch to get his lure and as soon as his whole body is over the water over he goes. I had no clue why he was soaking wet till I heard the story.

We're in a post cold front after some heavy rains hit us. Now the nights are cooler and the daytime highs are in the lower 70's if that. I'm still fishing my old haunts so I'm certain the fish are there. The last trip yesterday morning my white 1/4oz spinner bait wasn't catching anything above the sight line in the shaded areas. As soon as I lowered the speed and my spinner bait was below the sight line the action picked up. The speed was the difference between success and going home after drowning my lures and practicing my presentations. I did switch to a #4 panther Martin spin fly in silver/yellow fly for one more bass. After the front day by day my number of fish caught is picking up. My average catch per outing is between 7 to 9 bass. With my fishing time being limited to 1 to 2 hours that's not bad. I don't rush when I'm fishing too. I read the water conditions first. I had a gutt feeling the white spinner bait and any inline spinner/spin fly was going to be the hot lure yesterday. As soon as the usual topwater and crankbaits didn't work it was a day I call "they wanted something spinning". They need that thump feeling. Ive seen these type of spinning days many times now. I'm throwing the same Mann's classic 1/4oz white spinnerbaits the big pickerel ripped off my line onetime. I think it has one Colorado gold blade with a gold Indiana blade also. I put on the blue glimmer skirt with a mister twister 4" split double tail grub as a trailer with a trailer hook. Next I'm stepping up to the 1/2 & 3/4oz Mann's classic white spinner bait setup the same way. I don't use bigger spinnerbaits from shore but it's time to break the norm and throw different size lures. Plus I read alot of guys bragging on how good the 3/4oz Mann's classic spinner bait really is.

You don't need a boat to catch fish. I find that even fishing a heavily pressured place you can still catch fish in used water if your throwing the correct lure. I see many shore fisherman beat the water up for no success. I also switched from fishing in the evenings when the area is crowded to fishing in the early am after the area calms down. At this time being stealthy is the key so we don't spook the fish that are close to us. They do offer a vertical jig for striped bass. You could use it off the pier the same way they use it from a boat. They also use surgical tubing eels too in saltwater for strippers too, I'm sure they do feed on freshwater eels too. Don't forget the topwater plugs too. Bill

Bill Dance and Dr.Loren Hill of OK. UNIVERSITY where the color and combo c lector were first developed the tests proved the bass can see different colors. Being new to bass dishing at the time I was looking to jump start my experience by purchasing a combo c lecter. I wanted to test it out. I chose my spot off a low bridge in 10' of water. I had three different colors of the same bomber crankbaits. A redapplecraw craw, a brown craw and a green craw. The first day the combo c lector chose a red in a multiple of colors on that day. I threw the redapplecraw and caught bass. Then I tried the brown and green craws and caught nothing. The next day the combo c lector chose green so I threw the green craw and caught bass again. No other colors worked when I threw them. The third day at the same spot the combo c lector chose brown so I threw the brown craw crank. Again I caught bass and no other color worked. On another day without the combo c lector I used all three colors and they all worked. This tells me on certain days only one color works while on other days any color will work. It also supports there theory that the bass can only see certain colors sometimes. It's the hues in the water, the lighting conditions and the water conditions that determines what colors they can see. Bill Dance quoted if the bass can see all the colors all the time there wouldn't be a minnow left in the body of water. I think it's mother nature protecting itself when the vision of colors is limited. I wish I took notes during my test of the combo c lector. I left some info out or forgot about it. I did test it for a week. But don't forget this tester was developed with the dull one color plastics we had back then with no graphics. When I see these older lures that are color numbered to the combo c lector I can't believe they used these lures at that time. The first color c lector chose the lure color only. The combo c lector told us the waters PH, the waters TEMP, and chose the lure color by turning a selector switch. After learning this I learned to throw different lure colors till I get action. One color has to work. Then it's up to figuring out what style of lure will work at this time too. Fishing from shore I will vary my lure selection and color choice too. To me it's a challenge as to what lure and color will work at this moment. Now I look at the water conditions and lighting conditions too. It's time on the water that we spend that's the best teacher. But I did learn that the bass can't see all the colors like we do sometimes. I guess they can smell the scent and hear the rattle, feel the vibration but can't see the lure. But on other days it sees all colors. BigBill

Mike, Swim jig order placed I want to beat the holiday rush. I have three of your jigs put together with the rage trailers ready to go get them wet soon. As the numbers of my catches are going up per trip now I like to drop the hammer and offer a new bait to me when the fishing is positive. So it's my presentation not the fish. It's time to get jiggy with the swim jigs.

I just purchased a split ring pliers and a hook remover pliers from the auction site. I also carry a wooden scent box that has a stainless operating pliers in it too.

I was using my Chinese bait caster today. I just purchased a quantum code red. I need another rod setup to try it out too. This brake design isn't a magnetic system. It appears to be a sort of fly weight setup.

We found a spark plug inside a bonefish once when we gutted him.

I throw a ritual of baits and colors till I get action. I start off with a topwater lure first. Then it's the crankbaits next. Then I go with a spinner bait and inline spinners next. Then I breakout the Carolina rig with senkos and bushogs next(go deep). My newly lure added to my list are jigs. Now if no action happens yet I go back to my crankbaits and try the brighter colors and vary my presentations. I've seen nothing work till I put on a firetiger colored crank. Another time I switched from a YUM Shad scent to a baitmate garlic scent and the bite started. It's like my lure is an amusement ride and every bass wants a turn when we get it right.

I fished in front of two beaver huts today. One beaver came out and seen me and left. I stayed fishing and caught two bass and a big pickerel. Two days since the heavy rains and it's picking up.

Ok one dumb question, Before you cast with a bait caster do you make sure the level line winder is in the middle of the width of the spool? Bigbill

I been casting the 9" cardiac trout lure every so often. I swim it perfect but nothing yet. These were $30 each. I'm sure it will work in time. I'm not giving up on using it.

There is lots of info in the articles here. Great videos on how to do just about everything with fishing. Basic colors, I use a spinner bait with a white skirt(blue glimmer)in clear water, I also use a spinner bait in stained to muddy water In hot chartruese. The water and light conditions will tell you what color to use for skirts. Worm colors the black is a basic color. With the red shad next. It's a good starting point. But purple, blue, black shad and green shad are good ones too. I would start with a few colors to see what works for you. Colored hooks some swear by them. They put the red hooks at the front hook on crankbaits. They say the red hook gets the bite first.

I went out fishing today and I wanted to put more time in practicing with my bait casting reel setup. I can cast my bait caster up to about 15yds now. With a 3/8oz spinner bait. I'm not sure if that's good or bad? I know the bait caster setup will never match the casting distance of a spinning outfit. I been planning on using my bait casting setups for my spinnerbaits and jigs so far. I'm thinking one spinning setup for the lighter inline spinners and smaller spinnerbaits. What's the smallest, lightest lure that you can throw using a bait caster setup? Bb

Colder temps here today too. I tried topwater and nothing hit it. My white spinner bait caught one bass and a large pickerel. Then I put on a panther Martin spin fly in silver with an orange tail and caught another bass. With the spinner bait I felt a thump first as it fell into the water while it was sinking after the cast. So I went really slow in reeling it. It didn't take long to wait for the second strike. The bass I could tire out but the pickerel was very fisty and fought more in my hand too. It's the second day after the heavy rains. I guess the place is finally getting back to normal. Throwing a topwater lure is always first on my list of lures to try. Bill I just go threw my ritual of lures till something works then I nailed down the pattern for a while.

How about Mike Siebert of Siebert Outdoors? He's a Spencer here and he offers custom jigs and spinnerbaits. Go to his sight and look. Bb

Another box of Mike Siebert jigs showed up today. Mike numbered each one as to what it was to my order list. This helped me out big-time not really knowing the difference between them all yet being new to jigs. Now I can sort them all out as to there style. Once I have them all sorted out to style, color and size I can order what I'm missing inbetween. Again thanks, Mike