frogflogger

you might want to check out the ned rig - very simple - very effective

sounds like you have the right approach if the guy is staying shallow

Try an unweighted white stick worm - work it over weeds letting it drop in openings

Over many years of fishing I've figured out any hassle other than weather and persnickety fish is not worth messing with - I won't crowd another boat, I won't fish around bank fishermen and I won't fish a dock if there are folks around.

Throw a spook - keep throwing a spook

Fished that area for years - frogs, spooks and plastics (worms, creatures, etc.) We used nothing but braid as it will get you out of the pads and grass much better than mono. If you can afford a guide for a half day get Jonathan Pate he can show you the ropes.

I tried all the stick baits I could find - I was guiding and going through hundreds so I gave stik-o's a try - they worked fine and I ended up using them for myself in tournaments - there may be times the softer ones work better but I never found it so.

Yep - ned rig

I prefer tube type shapes as craws and paddles can slow or prohibit punching through some of the densest stuff.

There are many really good to great anglers out there who are not tournament competitors - becoming a successful pro is more than being a great "stick" - it takes a certain mental toughness and dedication to swim in the pool with the greats.

Throwing a fairly big swimbait and retrieving it into the inside angles and on both sides of the points would be a technique I would give try for a big bass in that situation but I would also throw a big spook or some type of walking topwater.

love my old light and tough daiwa frog rod - parabolic and fairly light - loads of power

Back in my Florida days I could count on losing a dozen or so frogs a year to gators.

My favorite for bigger than average bass - I try not to look directly at the bait and not do anything about a hookset until I feel the "pull".

we would pull them under vigorously and let them pop back up, keep repeating this while slowly reeling - caught some big bass doing this -

just bought a garmin striker 7sv - 7" screen - no maps but excellent side imaging - down imaging - regular sonar - gps - ability to make waypoints - speed - time - water temp - real clear screen - $499 everywhere - good deal for someone like me who just wants a good depth finder with side imaging and the ability to mark waypoints - I don't care about the bells and whistles.

I'm impressed by how good hooks are now - treble hook improvements have made crankbait fishing much more effective.

I kept a fishing diary for years - quit from sheer laziness - I look at them now and realize they really helped me fish more intelligently - perhaps that's why I quit.

You're gonna have fun learning that lake.

My zebco cardinal 4 is still smooth - I got it the first year they came out - replaced a few rollers and bail springs.

I have 2 okuma guide selects I have good reels on them and feel confident they will handle anything. If you break on of these on a fish you are doing something wrong.

The mushroom or shroomz head makes a difference in the presentation as compared to the shaky head. After you fish them both for a while you'll find the subtle distinctions.

ned rig

HOUND DOG

I fished the everglades and central american rivers for years and deet was the only product I ever found effective - after applying I would wash it off of my hands and then wear sungloves - serious shower at the end of the day- I know the downside of deet but managed it without damaging gear (a little goes a long way) and (in central america) I didn't get malaria. Long sleeves of course and now buffs