Nitro-bass

In my experiences bedding bass can be very skittish. They can be very finicky as well. Like others have said you have to experiment with different baits and presentations to entice a bite. In these scenarios I like to burn a swim worm through the bed a couple of times then come back with a trick worm and let it sit in the bed for several minutes. I might even burn the speed worm beside the bed while the trick worm is sitting in the bed. Sometimes it takes a lot of time to agitate that bass to bite. Also, a shaky head rig in and around the bed can produce a bite. When other presentation fail.

I've used a husky jerk for LMB with some success. On lakes that I usually use a soft plastic jerk bait I will use the husky jerk when the water gets stained. The husky jerk makes more noise. Also the Rapala count down jerk bait is a good lure to use when bass are suspended.

I have used the Everstart maxx and have been very impressed at the life cycle. For the money it is a great battery.

In my opinion smallies are a better fighting fish then the large mouth bass. So I would have to vote for small mouth bass.

I have seen water temperatures rise as much as 4 or 5 degrees in just a few hours. Every lake is different though. Usually the coves or banks on the north/northwest side of a lake will warm quickest. Also the clarity of the water affects how quickly the water warms up. With colder nights it takes water temperatures even longer to get to that magic number for that particular lake. The magic number in most of the lakes I fish is between 65-70 degrees. That is when I start to see LMB is the shallows starting to spawn or if it is sunny, just warming up. Again, every lake is different. The bass in northern states may start spawning in lower temperatures. Good Luck

My top colors for senkos are: Watermellon seed Smoke Silver Pearl I use the 4" and 5" sizes rigged wacky style and weightless T-rig.

I use the uni knot on my braided to flourocarbon leader. I have not had any issues. I am getting to the point now that I can tolerate and in some cases like braided line. When I first tried it, I hated it. But I am still learning when and how to use it to my advantage.

Just got back from a farm pond today (4/21/09) LMB were destroying a 5" Manns swim worm (grape)and 6" *** finesse worm (pumkinseed & purple) I am not really sure what the temperature of the water was since I was fishing from the bank. If I were to make a guess it was probably 63-68 degrees.

I like to throw a 3/8 to 1/2 ounce spinnerbait for smallies when the water is muddy. I like using a Colorado blade with a black or dark blue skirt. A Rat-L-Trap (lipless crank) produces for me in these conditions as well.

I am not from nor have ever fished the IL region. However, I would think that nightcrawlers and minnows would catch bass with regular success anywhere.

I went with the Motor Guide Pro Series. I gave it a test run yesterday and it works like a champ. thanks for all the suggestions.

I have pretty good success with a swim worm. I like the 5" Dragin swim worm buy Manns the best. However, I don't think I would limit myself to just that bait. It all depends on the water I am on and the mood the fish and myself are in. These are the factors that determine what lure I am using.

I am a righty and use the LH retrieve on my bait casters. It just feels more natural to me. If it is more comfortable and I have better control by doing it this way then that is how I am going to do it.

I too can't spend $150 plus on a rod. So the cheaper rods that I like to use casting - Diawa Heartland Series / Ugly Stick spinning - Ugly Stick

Looks like a great club. I may be interested in joining. I fish all the smaller lakes in the Richmond area: Swift Creek Reservoir, Lake Amelia, Lake Nottoway, Powhatan Ponds, Powhatan Lakes, Sandy River Reservoir, Briery Creek Lake, and a lot of the smaller lakes on Fort Pickett. Just to name a few. I know longer have a jon boat. However, I still fish these waters often. Some of them I know quite well.