Darren.

Great stuff, man! Nice fish.

Welcome, Leeuwin! Florida folks will help with where. Can you give us an idea of what you already have and use for fishing? For folks beginning, I like to recommend using soft plastics like Senkos, and such. Rig them in the wacky style, or the Texas style and cast to fallen trees, stumps and such in the water. Wacky is simply tying the hook on and piercing a Senko perpendicular to the hook, right about in the middle of the worm. As it drops down the water column it presents a shimmy (dances a little) that bass find hard to resist. Hooks: Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse in size 1 or 2 are my favorites. Texas rigging simply hooks up the worm in the same direction as the hook. You can find all the info you could want doing a search in the forums here for "wacky rigging" and "texas rigging".

There's really no one best way to do wacky (IMHO). This season I am using weighted wacky rigs more than in years past. I'm using Buckeye rigs I picked up at BPS in 1/16, 1/8, 3/8 oz. Heavier weight on my baitcaster. All the hooks are 1/0, larger than I normally have used for wacky presentation, but it hasn't mattered. My main non-jig wacky hooks are Gamakatsu Wide-Gap Finesse in a size 1 or 2 (I go down to 4 as well). Caught my PB on a size 1 of these hooks. As far as baits, I love the Zoom Finesse worms, and I love GYCB Senkos. But I also use BPS Stick-O worms, all predominately in the 4-5" range. As far as hookups, you can have a bad hookup on virtually any hook. Some like long shank hooks for wacky, some like short, among others. IMO try several varieties of hooks and see which you like the best. I personally think small hooks are plenty capable of handling large fish, but they need to work with the bait you're using. Too big a worm on a #2 hook and you may miss that hookup simply because there was too much plastic to hold well....

That's a pretty fun video to watch. I've been out a number of times over the last couple weeks, and caught the majority of bass on my 6'6" Premier + Lexa 100H combo. Now in my Native Ultimate, I've rejigged some things this year, including my seating position. I'm higher up now than ever. Even when seated lower, pitching wasn't too difficult, now it's even better. But I tend to stand and pitch more with no problems (either spinning or BC). I've also reduced the number of rods I'm taking to 2 (unless I *need* more). With my new setup, I can slide stuff under my seat, so I no longer take my crate and store rods vertically. So I worry less about catching a rod behind me now. Made my life a lot easier.

I whooped and hollered and high-fived him. I was probably more stoked than he was.

Yep! That's what its all about!! Well done, young lady!

I've had most success with a 4 or 5" weightless Senko-style bait dropped in the disturbance, ASAP.

Sweet. Nothing like a bass on ultralight gear. Well, maybe there is, but it's still FUN!

Welcome aboard, Luke!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Great looking fish! I'm glad my wife doesn't fish....something she won't beat me at, LOL.

I have recently pared down to two rods on my kayak. I have taken as many as 5, and will take 3 or 4 on rare occasions now. I don't fish "A-Z" in techniques, just a few at a time. Sometimes I wish I had X lure or such with me, but those times are fewer.

Welcome to the forums, Gary!

Thanks everybody. He's stoked. I have three other boys that need to have the experience, too. I will have him read thru this thread, too.

Dude. Nice fish.

Gotta say I'm proud of the laddie. Weighed in at 5 lbs. was right about 20 3/4" long. Pic doesn't do justice He caught it on my Lexa/Premier casting combo. He beat my 4.5 pounder!

Welcome, Alex!

Nice fish!

I had some black plastic dip that I used for some lead weights, worked fine until they got a little heated in the sun... Gave them a more muted 'thud' when they hit stuff. A different sound underwater. Haven't dipped any since. Usually buy painted BPS bullets now-a-days. But I need to stock up on bull-shots by Water Gremlin, and I've thought about painting them, though just for kicks. I catch plenty of fish with the "naked" versions.

x2 on the nice fish! Welcome aboard, Russell!

They can indeed be used for serious fishing, if one is willing. I know of people who that's all they know to use and they catch fish all the time. I've tried it, a number of years ago, but it just wasn't as efficient as say, spinning gear, as far as my style goes. 2 cents...

If you didn't, I suppose we'll read about it in the local newspaper. Never mess with a Sicilian when pizza is on the line!

Funny, guess I was wrong about "in another few days". Mine popped today!! Here we go!

Best is NY or Brooklyn style from an authentic pizzeria if possible. For that style, just gimme a pepperoni. And the pizza slices must not be rigid, must ooze grease. Must be able to semi-fold without drooping at the point end. Minimal crust. Then there is Andy's Pizza down in Newport News which makes a fantastic Buffalo-chicken pizza with blue cheese drizzled on, baked in. Dang I wish I didn't start a low carb diet this week....