nubasser

This is my home lake and lately the fishing has been tough.I have not fished the lower end where your tourney most likely is out of, but you may still find some bass in the backs of creeks feeding,if they're not there, the creek channel edges will hold fish.Cranks and flukes are taking some fish now and You can manage a few on jigs right now,but the jig bite will get better.I've had several follow a fluke to the boat lately that would not take it.You should be getting there after the "turnover" should the temps stay cool and the longer nights.Not sure what your home lake is like but start with things your familiar with and try to locate the fish.Note I'm by no means an expert on this but even my friends who do quite well here are fishing similar to what I have said here.If you can find some vegetation that's still alive ,which there is not much of ,we have found them holding onto that.Also there are tons of docks there as well.I'm sure others more knowledgeable than I can give you more detailed advice. Good luck in your tourney.

All of this advice from these other experienced anglers out here is great.One of the best worm fisherman I know when I asked him the question about a worm bite replied."something will feel out of place" as others have said here.It could stop before reaching the bottom or the cover you are fishing it could feel spongey like there just a tiny bit of something soft on the line he said to really get a feel you have to watch the line and know what the bait is doing at all times.Basically feel is something you will get with experience but when you're fishing for example on some laydowns work the bait over the limbs and branches letting it fall-note this will be what a tree feels like.fish rip rap work it down the rocks this is what rock will feel like sand bottom = this is what sand feels like.gravel,grass,all of these things have a feel to them too.This knowledge of the feeings of different things will "tune you in"and as you continue to fish you will get different bites.Another thing kindof related to feel my friend instructed me on to imagine what the worm is doing as you work it u can do this in a bath tub just put in water tie a t-rig to the line and move it in different ways.Then you will know how your bait looks to the fish"presentation is everything"as far as getting the bite in the first place.hope you catch a bunch.

I have the Lew's ss I bought with a gift card.I've been using it to throw deep cranks.It is the 5.4:1 and I feel it does just fine for this purpose.I've only used it for one season but all in all I like this reel and will probably purchase another.

Baitcasting:Abu Garcia Spinning:Shimano

Been doin well on wacky finesse worms they really seem to like the slow fall.Most come on laydowns toward the backs of coves and creeks.Last time out though was last wed.all of these cold rainy days probably have changed things.

OK, I tried the solder.I bought 1/8inch diameter.It works fine as a nail weight but I probably should find smaller diameter.When the fish shake after hook up the hole the thick solder makes in the worm seems to allow the thing to come out of the worm.It does serve the purpose though if anyone is curious.One pound of the solder is way cheaper than 1 pound of nail weights.

Instead of nail weights which i usually cut in smaller sections to place into a worm,could i just use lead solder from a roll and just cut and insert what I need.Has any one tried this?

I'm pretty familiar with Smith Mountain lake.I'm by no means a great angler but thanks to this website and some friends who fish I'm starting to get a bead on the place.I'm gonna try to PM you some info.But also check out the VA Outdoorsman and 5 bass's info.

This is great to find ethanol free gas.just know this.I bought from a local store once that had ethanol free gas but it was cheap gas.I actually thought when I had mechanical troubles that there is no way my gas is bad and I knew the trouble was a fuel type issue.It ran like it was lean.Mechanic checked carbs lines filter fuel pump etc.He replaced some lines and primer.This fixed the problem only for a bit.When problem resurfaced he said u may just have bad gas.I put gas from a big name station.no more issues.Yes get ethanol free gas, but cheap gas is not a bargain.I'll use an additive in gas with ethanol before I will buy from that place again.I know of others who use it without issue though.

that looks like a nice idea.You may also wanna keep a spark plug wrench and extra plugs in a box if you can.

Do you know what caused the inline 20A fuse to blow.You may have done this when testing your connection but if not you should try to locate that issue.

rods:abu reels:abu line:braid-PP,flouro and mono,berkley hardbait:rapala softbait:roboworm storage:plano terminal:gamakatsu

6"roboworm straight tail.Went through about 25 bags last year.Luckily the tackle store down the road had them for $2.50 a bag.Well had them for that.Think I got most of them. ;D.

Jesus Christ. he spent alot of time with professional fisherman.He even told them where to cast.

I also use both and I find that learning to use both confidently is the key.I use my spinning gear for most anything from1/8oz down to weightless.and bait-casting from1/8 oz up to Whatever my rod will work best with.A good balanced setup on either type will go a long way.I still got a lot of practice to become proficient at light baits on a bait-caster but even if I do get better I love my spinning gear too. ;)So like any way you fish each style is another tool in your tool box,and the right toolcan make alot of difference.

I have only been bass fishing for a few years and a lot of my biggest mistakes fall between two areas 1.)patience(not trusting things which will probably impede me developing instincts) 2.)and looking at each cast as an opportunity to catch a fish. eight more i see myself and others do. 3.)fishing a bait because it's hot(seen on tv)but not matching it to conditions or presentation. 4.)When your co-angler or fishin buddy is wearing you out not paying attention to his presentation*ask him/her if they will tell yah 5.)scared to leave what u are familiar with(sure they were there hitiing *insert lure here*the last five trips out."they must not be biting"well maybe they aren't there-this I'm also very bad about I'm a chronic bank beater 6.)Not keeping some kind of log or record>(u can learn alot by knowing what worked and what didnt) 7.)not visiting bass resource(especialy forums and articles) 8.)equipment.You dont need the best stuff but take care of whatever you use.Clean what can be cleaned and lube what can be lubed.good line sharp hooks.If you cant take care of your equipment find someone who will for you. 9.)being out when it's not safe(have all safety equipment available especially if fishing from a boat 10.)if you are an amateur and you arent doing this last thing you are really making a mistake....Expose someone you care about to bass fishing.Spouse,kids,parents friends,co-workers(thanks Bill)and any others.

this site offers a free fishing log in the tacklebox section here is the link http://www.bassresource.com/fish/fishing_log.html i use this for most of my trips when I remember to log an outing.

thank you,Wayne m heading to twin lakes on Wed till probably Friday.plan to camp there and fish both Sandy and Briery.U gonna be there this week?

When fishing braid with a flouro leader I know braid will float and flouro will sink,my question is will heavier #test flouro sink quicker,and will a longer flouro leader sink quicker.I ask because if I'm finesse worm fishing and want the fall to be a little faster will these affect the fall rate.I also crappie fish and sometimes the fall is the key to getting them to bite as well.

I have never paid more than $100.00 for any rod or reel because i am on a budget.My advice is like the others here about catching sales on stuff.I would wait till certain mid-to higher priced stuff gets clearanced.It may be last years or the years before stuff but I buy it brand new and take really good care of it.example(revo stx reel release price $200 gander had em for under $100.Also bought Vendetta rod for less than$60.I bought a daiwa black widow 2 for less than $80 and these came out at over $130.Now I will wait for something else I like right now to go on cleareance in a year or 2 as I have alot of other stuff.My local gander has American Rodsmith Rods regularly$149.99 for 1/2 price.good things come to those who wait.If these things are good 1-2 years ago they still are.

What i have found is is you want something but you dont absolutely need it now you can wait till it goes on sale(I do this alot on rods and reels)you can save huge bucks the same goes for electronics.The difference is that most high end models rarely get reduced that much if at all and it seems fishfinders may be out for 2-3 years before they are reduced.But the mid to low end stuff maybe after 1 or 2 years.If the item is worth it to you at a certain price then buy it but if you're gonna beat yourself up in a month or so when they sale/clearance it maybe its best to wait on that. If the baitmonkey lives with you though waiting is near impossible.

I cannot give a review but I've used some of the(store brand reels and they perform quite well.)If ir performs 1/2 as good as it looks it should be fine.If you take care of it by lubing the bearings with oil{one drop each)and a drop or 2 on the worm gear.And break it down and clean it when needed.It will serve you very well for a long time.Also you will want to back off the drag completely when you get back from fishing and re tighten it to where you want it at the start of each trip.Then after using it let us know what you think of the reel. this is just a summary of what I've learned from these other fine posters here. What rod are you gonna put it on?

Congratulations and God bless you both.

pure fishing:I first began using Berkley Lightnig rods and I then used the Tactix rods and now the Vendetta.I know these are not very high end but they suit my style as well as my wallet.It lets my bait monkey get more tackle and stuff.

most likely you will be fine with them on the same battery.Make certain you use an inline fuse that matches the sonars specs and have good connections,and also make sure that the transducer (which should have a crease or line on it) is parallel to what would be the ground if the boat is floating on water and not how it sits on the ground or a trailer.You may know that already.I use 1 battery to crank only and another runs my TM,livewell,lights,2 sonars(a hbird and an eagle)and bilge.I can use the TM + the 2 sonars without issue.I hope you enjoy your new boat(whichever kind you get)as well as your sonar,and read the sonar articles on this site,if you haven't already.They've helped me greatly. catch em' all :)release em all