p-funk

Anyone used the Huddleston Huddlebugs? I thought Lightinrod and a couple others purchased some a while back and I was just curious as to any reports on how well they worked?

Hey Chris, so you haven't had any problems on snapping off any of the BIG swimbaits on the braid? I just see so many recommend it all the time for swimbaits that I just completely stayed away from braid with them. I use braid for everything else and I have snapped off quite a few lures on the cast, which I'm sure is because I cast too hard or didn't check the line before casting. Just hate to see one of my expensive swimbaits soar through the air while using braid. I know mono can snap too, but it's just what everyone seems to recommend. Just curious on your thoughts on it with the big baits.

I'll agree with FiveBassLimit, if I don't have a picture to go with the story, then more than likely I'm not going to post about it. Same goes for the "one that got away", unless it's a specific thread about those type of events. People can be so far off when they guess the weight of their fish if they don't weigh it. Some people don't realize what a "5lber" is until they put it on a scale and see that their 5lber is really a 3lber. Scales and cameras take all the guess work out of it. Also as Chris mentioned, I like to go back and relive the catches, compare the photos of the fish and of course to have proof of a story. You can get cheap cameras and cheap scales so I see no reason why not to have them in the boat.

Amen! Makes me wanna go out and chuck them now. You hear basically the same thing from all the guys like Matt that are catching big fish on swimbaits so you know it's proven and tested. Check out swimbaitnation.com. There are guys on there from Oregon, New Hamshire and other states that are catching their personal bests on swimbaits. They may not be 10lbers but they are big bass for their states and they are the biggest bass they've ever caught.

If everyone outside of the big 3 states were constantly throwing swimbaits, replies would be different I think. Most of us think that plasitcs and jigs are the best big fish producer because that's what we've thrown all our life. Big fish are caught on those because there are a lot more people throwing those type baits. It's proven swimbaits (depending on the size of the bait) will catch fish from 1lb on up to whatever the biggest size fish is in your lake. Obviously you have to be fishing in the right spots but I think if more people were throwing them or had more confidence in throwing them opinions would be different. It's a different mindset. I know it's not a guarantee, but 8" and up sized swimbaits rule out a lot of the smaller fish that will bite a jig or worm and that's what I'm looking for. That one big bite.

A 5lber this year could be a 6lber or bigger next year when you catch it again. That is a big reason California has all the big bass they do. Catch and release.

Here is a radio program to listen to as well with Bill Siemantel. He explains some of the thoughts of his book, Big Bass Zone, and how to change your thinking on targeting big bass and on using swimbaits. If you haven't read the book, it's definately worth reading. Take some time and listen the radio show as well. http://www.catch-n.com/audio/bills.mp3

I just started throwing swimbaits last year and didn't put forth a quality effort until this year here in Virginia. I have fished a small pond with worms, jigs, crankbaits, etc that I knew had bigger fish in them and couldn't get them to bite for anything. I threw a 3:16 mission fish and on my second cast landed a 6lb 10oz largemouth. Another small pone I knew had a few 4 and 5lbers in it. Again they wouldn't take any plastic presentation I gave them. 3 consecutive casts with Mattlures produced two 4lbers and a 3lber. Not huge fish but bigger than the norm and they produced when other baits wouldn't. I know those results aren't typical but I have caught bigger fish this year on a swimbait than on a worm or other soft plastic. Swimbait fishing takes a totally different mindset. I am ok with going out and not getting bit or catching a fish while throwing a swimbait. Heck, there have been plenty days where I've gone without a bite on worms and soft plastics as well. I know when I do get bit with a swimbait, the chances of it being a good fish are high. A 10lber is not all that common here in VA but I know they are out there. My personal best is an 8lb 3oz and I think a swimbait can take me to the double digits if I'm fishing a lake that is known to have big bass and I target the right spots. Most people think of swimbaits as a 10lb + bass catcher and get scared of using them. But in truth they will catch just as many 3, 4 and 5lbers. You'd be surprised on what will hit an 8" bait. 4lb 4oz on an 8" Spro BBZ-1 I look at swimbaits as a new personal best waiting to happen. I don't have the same high confidence in a worm, jig, or other soft plastic.

If fish are hitting topwater at night I honestly believe color doesn't matter unless you are fishing the bait extremely slow. For example a buddy and I got on fish that were hitting a buzzbait the other night. It was a full moon, I was throwing a white tru tungsten buzzbait, he was throwing a purple. We both caught fish, several between 3-4lbs. He snapped off his purple buzzbait on a cast, so I give him a firetiger color one. He continued to catch bass. On a moving bait, I don't think color matters. Had the same thing happen with a jitterbug. Yes black catches fish but I've also caught them on firetiger as well. Don't limit yourself to just black or dark colors.

Totally off topic Chris, and not to hijack your thread, but I've got a tshirt with you and a bass on it. It's a heat transfer. Just curious as to if you got that started or if someone got your permission to do it and you get a cut of it. No reason behind me asking just been curious ever since I got the prints a while back because I had seen your website before I got the prints and I recognized the picture.

;D

I'm right there with you. Most of the bass I catch are in between the 1-2lb range. Add in some 3 and 4lbers and the occasional 5 to 8lbers.

You never catch fish smaller than 2lbs? :

Evidently that's not the correct picture. Someone mentioned earlier that the picture in Bassmaster has Perry holding a baby in diapers and the fish. Someone just scan it or take a picture of the page and post it.

There is a guy here that has a Stratos 1998 179V Bass Boat for sale. $1000 for boat and trailer. Now here is the catch(s) (as usual) Here's what I saw. There is not gasoline motor on the boat. The previous owner blew it up and took it off, never replacing it. There is a crack in the fiberglass on the top part of the boat where it hit the boat dock once. The front livewell would not drain. It was filled with water and slowly and I mean slowly drained. The steering wheel was off the column and under the deck. Don't know why? There were 2 gauges missing from the dash, not sure which ones? The carpet needed some cleaning but wasn't ripped or anything. The front receptical for the trolling motor (I believe) was pulled out with wires exposed to trolling motor. No fish finder on boat. It had a 65lb thurst Minnkota up front and a 30 on the back. Seats were dirty, need to be cleaned. Trailer looked a little beat up and he said the previous owner had removed the brakes on it? Again, I'm not sure why??? The boat has been clear coated and the clear coat was peeling off pretty bad. Now knowing all this and not really sure about a lot of other stuff I should be looking for would you pay $1000 for it? Is that too high, if so what would be fair or would you just walk away all together. I fish out of a 14' Jon boat right now so I'm looking to upgrade to this if it's worth it. Opinions?

I went today as well and was pretty dissapointed. I had never been before and was expeciting more products. Seemed like 3/4 of the place was buzzbait and spinnerbait manufactorers. I did pick up a couple chatterbaits as well, that was one reason I went down there, and a pack of the 10" worminator lizards. They are some pretty expensive plastics but I liked how they had the megastrike attractant in the plastic and the larger sizes of worms and lizards. I may order more soon. Other than that I was pretty dissapointed I guess because I was expecting more "deals". I did go to the Greentop sale and picked up a couple of lucky crafts. They had 10% off all LC's and they are pretty cheap I think to start with. More than likely I won't be attending Bassarama next year after what I saw this year.

It's not worth the $30 (with shipping) in my opinion. I bought it when it first came out and was pretty dissapointed in it. Goes over a lot of basic beginner stuff. Very very little fishing. Maybe the next volume will be better but I'd take the $30 and invest in some other videos. Just my .02.

26.5" long, 8lbs even Largemouth out of Briery Creek Lake in VA. <----- That's the one!

Not really a suggestion for cold weather night fishing, but for spring, summer, fall throw a black jitterbug. I prefer the large jointed version. Just be prepared to have the crap scared out you when you get a big hit when you least expect it or aren't paying attention

Just got a 55lb thrust MinnKota All Terrain 12v foot controled trolling motor for Christmas. I have a 14' tracker tadpole (bassically a jon boat) that currently has a 30lb thrust motorguide on it. The previous owner just rigged the motor to the battery directly and that is the same thing I continued to do once I purchased it from him. The MinnKota I just got though is calling for a 50amp circuit breaker and 6-2 wiring. Is this necessary for my boat or can I just connect directly to the battery like on the other motor? Any helpful info would be appreciated.

Top pic is of the fish. Bottom pic is of an approx 2lb largemouth.

Here's a pick of the dorsal fins if it helps.

Yeah, that's really why I'm curious because I saw the state record for a spot when looking at the VA Game website looking for info or pics for a spot.

Fat spot for comparison???

I think/thought they were different fish as well. My buddy thinks they are the same fish. I have never caught a spot so I have nothing to base it off of. You are right on the color of the bass. All bass caught out of this pond had the pale color to them because the water is muddy pretty much all the time. I just threw it back thinking it was a LM. I just remember thinking how small the mouth was compared to the body. I really have no idea.