Catt

Laggyman the only dumb question is the on not asked There are many anglers here who are completely willing to answer any question so fire away

The terms "structure" and "cover" often are used interchangeably by bass anglers, but it's helpful to differentiate between the two. Cover: Cover consists of weeds, trees, branches, tulles, buck brush, stick-ups, rocks and man-made objects like docks, tires, etc. Cover is often confused with structure. The difference is cover is not geologic in nature. You can also have cover on structure. An example of this would be stick-ups (cover) on top of a hump (structure). Structure: Geologic in nature, structure is any change in the on the bottom of a lake or river. IT may be a drop-off, rock pile, hump, hole, saddle, ledge, flat, channel trace, etc.)

Point: A shoreline feature where the shoreline makes a turn out into the lake and cuts back on itself forming a peninsula. These can be large main-lake features at the opening of a creek arm, or they can be as small as a boat. In natural lakes, a point may not be that obvious. It may only be discernable by weed growth outlining the point underwater. In this case, look at the weeds as if they were the shoreline. On a topo map, the contour lines of a point are shown as a V-shape. Primary Point: A point that is on the main-lake, or is at the entrance to a large cove. Secondary Point: A point that is inside a cove. They are always smaller than a primary point and further away from the main lake. Creek or River Channel: In a reservoir, this is where the old river or creek used to be before the lake was inundated. All man-made reservoirs have them and they are the deepest areas. There is normally a drop-off associated with the edge of the channel and usually old tree/brush remains Hump: An underwater island that generally rises gradually. On a topographical (topo) map, a hump will be signified by continuous contour lines that make a circle, oval, or other similar shape around the feature's contours.

One of the things I love about Toledo Bend is deep water structure fishing 8-) My normal range is 12' to 25' but I've caught bass down to 40' with Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, Jigging Spoons, and Drop Shots.

I'll leave this one to our Yankee friends since all I know to do with ice is put it in my tea 8-)

What you are experiencing is the exact reason most people hate to fish jigs but the solutions described above by everyone will help solve your problem. It takes time to master art of jig fishing and some never get it because they figure it aint worth the aggravation.

Ok let's look at this a little closer A shoreline bass lives its life within a certain distance from the mud shallow shore of a body of water. A main lake deep structure bass lives its life completely away from any shoreline. During seasonal weather changes the shoreline bass will move to a deep water comfort zone, with that depth being controlled by the severity of the weather change. The main lake bass may not be affected at all by the weather change because he already lives in that comfort zone depth. During the spawn the shoreline bass will move up to a location within feet or even inches of the shoreline. The main lake bass will spawn on under water ridges and humps in 8, 10, or 12' depth ranges nowhere near a shoreline. Many people are under the assumption all bass migrate to and from these two lake areas but that is not the case. They are two distantly different types of bass and their paths seldom cross.

Don't make no sudden moves I've fished and hunted out of a pirogue they don't come any smaller 8-)

One night at Housen' Bay Marina Pat and I were talking while grilling steaks outside, Steve was trying to get a back lash out of one of his reels. After reeling in his line Steve made an underhanded cast to check out his work and immediately went on point like he was going to set hook. Puzzled Pat and I looked at each other then back at Steve who had reeled in and cast again. Turning towards us Steve states some thing bite my jig, Pat and I bust out laughing, Steve says no seriously. Reeling in and casting he says there it is again, this time Pat and I both see his line move. Gabbing a flash light sure enough there is a big ole owl with Steve's jug in it's mouth. Pat and I bust out laughing and shout dude don't set hook!

In the fall I'll throw a 3/16 to 1/4 oz waking it just under the surface, while during the winter a 1/2 oz is needed to keep the bait near the bottom when slow rolling.

The eyes of a bass go through a night adaptation cycle beginning at twilight and are usually adapted for black, white, and all shades of gray within an hour after darkness. Bass can see color but not at night, color it's self is meaningless at night. Bass cannot see details at night, so don't waste time with meticulously painted or patterned lures. Contrast is more important by far than color at night. If you fish water where shad or minnows are the predominate prey species, then try white spinners with a white grub. The usual night time favorite black is the second choice in shad populated lakes. Black or dark hued lures give maximum contrast at night when run on or near the surface. Under water vision for the bass is reduced at night, so use lures that are a little larger. Slow retrieves work better because it lets the bass locate the lure easier and zero in on it. The moonlight provides the ideal light intensity for shallow water hunting and most importantly, it illuminates the natural paths large bass need to arrive in the shallows from the deep water. Bass will travel ahead only as far as they can see at night and will not cross voids, wide open spaces, or wander aimlessly along banks with no guiding structure. Any crossing of open spaces will be done at or near the surface. The routes available from the deep water to the shallows are more important in determining what bank the bass will be using. Move up closer to your target and waste less time in unproductive water. Give special attention to beaches, docks, buoys, rafts, rip-rap, or night lighted areas. Darkness covers up an angler's presence and most of all his mistakes. Fish don't feed as regularly at night as they do in the day but when they are feeding, it's far less of a problem to catch them. Fish the same baits, same locations, and same techniques you would during the day. The only thing different I add to my repertoire at night is a Q-Beam! Catt (Tommy T.)

With a jig the bass has some thing more solid to hold on to than a piece of soft plastic, this requires a harder hook set to move the jig in the bass's mouth. While I agree a bass can spit a jig faster then you can set hook, I also believe a bass can hold a jig tight enough to stop you from moving the jig in his mouth.

In lakes and reservoirs (depending on their size) there are two types of bass, those that relate to shallow shoreline structure, and those that relate to main lake deep water structure. The two never see each other, so both statements you were told are correct.

I've used braid line since the early 1960's, yes it's been around that long and longer, there was a time when mono didn't exist. While those were not your Super Lines of today they displayed the same problems. As a teenager I worked on my uncle's charter fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico so I have a tiny bit of experience with braided line & mono. Sorry Fish Chris there is no getting over the hump or getting past the learning curve, you simply learn to deal with it, same for mono user you deal with memory & stretch. The only advantage is between you ears

Learn to weigh your bait. Explanation: if you can go to a swimming pool, pond, or creek any where with clear water where you can see your bait on the bottom in 5 to 10 of water. First pitch your bait about 10 to 15 yards on the ground, close your eyes a shake or hop the bait. Feel what the bait feels like in no water (I mean really learn it). Then pitch it out in the water and do the same thing. I can feel a Texas rigged worm with a ¼ ounce sinker hit bottom in 15 to 18 foot of water. If you can't you need practice! Now you are probably asking yourself what does this have to do with feeling a fish bite. Well if your bait feels any different than this, drop the rod, reel the slack, & set the hook!

I think when the record falls it'll be Cali and it'll happen 3 or 4 times in session! 8-)

No What I'm afraid of is the number ways we think alike, not sure this web site can handle it? You must part Cajun? I don't feel a need to see pictures about every day fishing trips, if you have them fine, if you don't that's fine to. I trust most people until they prove other wise. The jest of this post was about the need to preserve a once in a life time memory not to question someone's integrity.

Senko77 What LBH means is the what, when, & where of fishing's? Pat and I will talk on the way to the lake about what to use or when to be where, but once we hit the water it's Get in, Sit down, Shut up, & Hold on. We can be flying down the lake nearing a spot, glance at each other and the boat slows then turns. I can tell if he's gonna stick a fish cause he kinda goes on point like an old hound dog. He knows if I need the net by the why I move right after setting hook. When we do talk it goes like this Pat: some one needs to be throwing a jig Tommy: been throwing one for 15 minutes We work the same way I'll turn to reach for some thing and Pat's handing it to me.

It's American All other types of fishing started some where else It's what football is to rugby or soccer It's what baseball is to cricket It's what NASCAR is to Formula One It's a down home, in your back yard, flag waving American tradition

Gene Larew Salty Hawg Craws in 6, 5, & 4 8-)

Fish Chris you're really starting to scare me

Why a worm is the #1 lure of all time Plastic Worm (Texas rigged) It's a long, thin shape resembles the profile of a wide variety of forage in the world of the bass, including earthworms, snakes, eels, and baitfish. Its action is almost entirely dependent on the contours of the bottom; and the rod movements of the fisherman, making it very random. It moves with little noise; the noise that it does make comes mostly from the random clicking of the sinker as it hits bottom. Bright colors and larger size can be used to increase its attracting qualities. Because of its basic resemblance to a wide array of living forage, this lure presents very few negative cues, and is hard for big bass to learn not to hit. Here is the official answer: Studies have proven that the plastic worm is the only lure made that a BASS CANNOT REMEMBER! That is, a bass will continue to strike a worm even after repeated catches, whereas a bass will "turn off" to other lures, spinner baits and crank baits etc. after wearing them out on them. That's why you cannot continue to catch them on your honey hole with the same lure over and over. Bass will stop eating that which will eradicate them. Not true with the plastic worm, however. Although we all know bass will prefer a different bait at different times (i.e. "the pattern") you can always go back to the worm to catch them.

My best friend is also my fishing partner; we have worked and fished together for some 30+ years. Our strength is we both fish the same, so regardless of who's in the front of the boat it's like one person with two baits in the water. We do fish different baits but it's more like one throwing a Texas Rig while the other throws a Jig, one throws Spinner Bait the other a Rat-L-Trap ECT. After we establish a pattern it's usually game over for the other teams. What's also helpful is when one of us is off his game; we're close enough to take criticism from the other with getting mad. It doesn't matter if it's loading the boat, launching, locating an area, or catching the fish. There is no better feeling than knowing some one dependable has you back. ;D

Right on! Fish Chris Some pictures I have may no be of particularly big bass but rather particularly big fighting bass. Some 6 or 7 lbers have fought like much bigger fish so I photographed them for the memory. Some of the guys here would be surprised at what state line weight records are within easy reach or completely open. Chris please don't tell me you use TUF-Line? 8-)

I use Baitmate or fish formula II, both can be bought for under $5.00 a bottle, I will add pure anise oil to each. I don't use it much for spinner bait but use it a lot on plastics or jigs, any slow moving baits. I proven hundreds of time to other anglers it does work, at least where I fish.