J._Bricker

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiichi_Seiko_Finger_Saver_Knot_Tying_Tool/descpage-DSFSK.html These things really help me secure my Albert knots and pretty much any other knot while saving my fingers and hands from line cuts. Hope this helps @MickD

Maybe he was thinking “I saw a guy do this in an airboat. Besides, my buddy said just drive his boat onto the trailer in the parking lot”. All kidding aside, hopefully this brain sturgeon didn’t get anyone, including himself hurt...

As I was heading to the ramp at 0530 I noticed the outside temperature display on the trucks rear view mirror was 54 degrees. This was a drop in temperature from yesterday morning’s 63 degrees at the same time. I was hoping this might get the fish thinking fall was not too far off and start putting on the feed bag. Dropping the boat in at the last half of an outgoing tide, water temp was at 75 degrees and change. What became a blue sky thanks to firefighters battling the regional fires for almost two weeks I wasn’t disappointed by the fishing. I was able to hookup with a drag pulling 5.2lb crankbait fish to start the morning off right. I then switched tactics and started to punch the mats. On one pitch, an area the size of a garbage can lid rose up and a good fish came out of the vegetation. I watched as the fish crashed down my bait and then my rod loaded up. I set the hook and felt the fish for a brief moment before reeling in a trashed bait covered in grass. My second best of the day, a 4.8lb punch fish, also that came from the same area a little while later.

A buzzbait is strung up on mine....

Yup, absolutely no issues ?

A piece of store bought Tilapia or a bluegill from your local waters secured inside by a piece of wire @Ohioguy25

Nutz.......?

@Esox pro, regarding wacky rigging using the previously mentioned octopus style hooks; 2/0 or 3/0 for a 5” senko (which I don’t throw very often) 3/0 or 4/0 for a 6” senko 5/0 for a 7” senko

^^^^ I suggest doing what @OnthePotomac mentioned above. Then once you know what size you want, go on eBay or similar site and as @wis bang suggested buy in bulk. I did that and haven’t bought O-rings in years....

@Esox pro, Owner SSW or Gamakatsu 2/0-5/0 hooks for wacky rigs and your favorite 4/0-5/0 worm hook for Texas rigs. A good file will help keep ‘em sharp, especially if you fish around rock AND save you money in the long run.

This morning’s bite seemed a little bit off. I wasn’t sure if the cause was the bottom of the tide, the projected triple digit heat or my not putting the right bait in front of the right fish. Fortunately, I did manage to connect with this 5.2lb crankbait fish...

^^^^ @lunkerboss923 as Tom mentions this is what a lot of people refer the heavy version of this technique. I just call dropshotting cause it does work for me...

Regarding the Bandito Bug @Heron, I bought a few of these baits to see for myself if they were any good. I think the plastic is similar to that of a GYCB, appendages impart subtle action and there were a couple of colors I thought might work. My only complaint is the nose of the bait will tear when used with a punch/flipping hook due to the salt content of the bait. As for Googan Baits politics, the fewer bass that see a Bandito Bug the better luck those who do throw them may have.

Happy birthday @the reel ess and heck of a celebratory morning loading the boat!

Hello @Stephenjcldrn and welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums. IMHO, sounds like you’re fishing productive areas. The state’s continued use of herbicides to kill the tulles, hydrilla, and the mats has definitely made things more difficult. The fish are there, it’s just finding the cover they want and when they feel like eating during these “dog days of summer” that is fun and frustrating. I have to agree with @Happybeerbuzz regarding fishing the mats or docks as your best bet during the heat of the day. The late afternoon, evening bite might be another option. Good luck and good fishing.

@5/0, a quality auto/manual are well worth it. And after witnessing a couple of not so sure footed moments around the dock, they definitely worked ?! And I was happy in knowing I wear the same vest....

So today I thought it was gonna be an epic topwater morning. On the water at 0520, incoming tide topping out around 0700 and greasy calm compared to the 15-20+ mph gusts from the previous day. Go figure things didn’t work out the way I planned as only one chunky 2.5lber ate the buzzbait. Good thing I was able to get on a short punch bite to save the day. This long 4.9lber jumped on my offering the minute it went through the mat and released a short time later.

My buzzbait bite continued this morning and this 5.3lber was my best of the day. From the moment she engulfed it, all I could think of was Bobby Lane saying “she just had to have it” ?!

This morning’s conditions were ideal for throwing Kermie D, until you factor in the two day UFC frog tournament over weekend. Nothing on topwater for me, so it was a good thing the fish wanted a crankbait. This 4.2lb battle scared fish was my biggest of the morning.

@Eddie101, I still use a Rapala Loop Knot on my topwater and jerkbaits. I just think it helps impart a little more action to the lure...

So today was the day my youngest decided to fulfill her 2019 Christmas present and spend the day fishing with me. Up at 0315hrs with no complaints so we’d (i.e. me) wouldn’t miss the morning topwater bite and beat the projected 95 degree afternoon heat the day began. Fortunately, the fish liked the my buzz bait and my daughter’s wacky senko ...

@the reel ess on a serious PB bite! Congrats on landing the new personal lunker, well done!

Hello @sagebrushangler from Northern California! Welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums!

Hello @TexasRig88 from Northern California! Welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums

Hello @Darrell Ethridge from Northern California! Welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums. Nice looking, well chewed on Strike King rip bait