garland7

I have been fishing many years (45 plus), and most of my baits are standards. I think you have to really take a bait and find out just how many ways it can be fished. Yes, timing, location, are a key, but the presentation is the final factor. I always have a Texas rigged worm, Spinnerbait, Topwater/Jerkbait, Carolina rig, Buzzbait and Jig tied on.

Bass at night, depending on the feeding times, are pretty much like bass in the day, with the exceptions of water temp., and fishing pressure. Water clarity and moon phase are always a factor. Night fishing spots can include points, flats, sandy beaches, boat docks (especially lighted ) grass or vegetation, etc.. You need to be very patient, and yes, fish shallower, and keep your concentration. Some very nice fish are caught at night durring the summer months.

Great post on info. IslandBass!

I can't give you to much advice on what you wrote, except to make sure you feel the fish before setting the hook.

I think the laws should be changed to read that you need a stamp for the type of fish you are keeping. I say this because many different species will hit many types of lures. So are we all getting a fishing license, or a Multi stamp license? The laws need to be real, not just money makers.

The fish Know when (and what type) front is coming through. They Know this by changing temps. in the air, barometric pressure, and also the water temp. changes at different levels. Usually a cold front shuts the bass down for a couple days once it arrives. Under these conditions, you may have to fish slower, and maybe deeper. If you know of areas where you have current ( like a run in off from a creek ), these are less affected and can be a hot spot. Also keep in mind, ( when you are talking depth or temp., it's relevant to the body of water ), a little can mean a lot!

If you looking how to find the active fish, you may have found one with your spinner bait. What I am hearing though, is you need to learn to fish different baits ( in as many styles and retrieves as you can ). Then and only then, after applying it with seasonal patterns ( depending on the conditions ), you will take alot of the guessing game away, and figure out the fish will tell you what they want. Thus, a pattern.

Congrats to you! What kind of pads in 10ft of water?

Welcome. You came to a great source of information.

Welcome!

Welcome. Lots of great info. on this site.

Welcome!

Welcome, looking forward to your posts.

Welcome, looking forward to your posts!

When the water is up like that, the fish will scatter. you will need to use some search type baits. Also keep in mind if your fishing flooded timer, some of the same rules apply as anywhere else, look for points, pockets, depth changes etc.

I agree that you are bringing the right lures, less maybe some spoons/lizards or frog baits. I also agree on trying different colors and retrieves because the fish will tell you what they want. I do not agree however that they won't hit a lure if chasing shad! I love to fish a #13 Rapala ( lost 1000 or better ), but a great jerkbait that fish will ALMOST always hit, with the right retrieve.

Great post Catt! Keep in mind the male usually does the guarding, but lots of females are caught during the spawn because the male has been removed from the nest. As for local tournaments, most fish are released at the lunch ( and yes, a healthy fish will find a home ). Bigger tournaments have catch and release boats, some dump all at once, some different area's.

Tournament fishing can be great if its not all "cut throat ". I Recommend getting into a club that i friendly, then go from there, you'll learn a lot about tournament fishing.

Used to fish tournaments from a jon boat with 1957 johson motor. Yes, you should have a livewell of sort (bought, or homegrown). Tournaments should all be catch and release to help promote and maintain the sport.

do yor homework and make yourself happy!

Just type in the words " bass identification " on your browser and you will find several sites that will show you pictures. Hope this helped you.

I think Glenn is right! Even if you don't eat the fish yourself, What about neighbors, friends or needy families? To keep QUALITY fish there in the lake, your going to need to thin the population from some of the eating size fish.

funny!

The Florida Strain Bass will be the most finicky. They will move Deeper, or tighter to cover. May seem like they have "lockjaw" for 2 or 3 days.

Anytime! Don't be afraid to test a top water even if the water is gin clear, bluebird sky, cold or hot. Just keep in mind the presentation for the cover/structure, water clarity and sun angle. Maybe long casts, and retrieve speeds altered for the situation.