Mike L

Ain’t that the truth!! I had a discussion with some friends who like me call Okeechobee home and fish it every chance I get. Fishing The Lake is the closest but there is a difference for some reason. Mike

One of the best pieces of advice you’ll ever get! This is me also It’s a prerequisite going in when the intent is get on a punch bite. My only exception is when sight fishing bedding bass because we both know I’m there, there is no guessing or hunting. I’ll hang there until one of us just gets PO’d enough and leaves for good. Mike

Totally agree The “normal” thinking as evidenced by the majority of responses is to down size and throw some finessey type bait. Relying on slow, light line, small bait techniques to get a hit makes me crazy! Mike

Looks like a Culprit Fat Max. That’s what I got my PB on and the only color of them I throw Mike

Excellent Video Especially his definition of a subtle version of power fishing. That’s a good name for it Mike

That’s my point. Some don’t make that or any other distinction Mike

It could possibly just be a local or regional term for something that we’re all familiar with. Something like in my world a fishing competition is called a tournament, but some on here call it a “derby” which I’ve never heard it called that before Mike

A very overlooked point about finding bass. Most everyone knows that grasses of certain kinds depending on where you live can hold fish. But most times especially where we fish down here, the first and last place to hit are always those isolated areas. Especially near deeper water but still within a long cast to the main field. Mike

Yep But I’m just an old fashioned guy. 😃 Mike

Putting everything together when sight fishing… Bait choice Color Approach Flip or pitch entry angle Working the plastic Plus the most important of them all, reading and reacting to her actions with each presentation. Or Not Trying to match wits with a predator is the ultimate mind game Mike

Nothing to add All good information that you’d do well to heed Mike

It’s all relative to each person, there’s no direct answer to your question. My price point is $250-$300 ish for rods or reels. There doesn’t seem to be a great disparity in the overall quality of most things in that range. However, I have 2 $100 rods that I use every outing. In my opinion, The point of diminishing returns is the point where your satisfaction level doesn’t increase for products that meet your needs. Mike

As with all things fishing wise that’s why I always try to buy the most expensive ones I can afford depending on different factors tho. Don’t misunderstand, even the “top of the line” anything sometimes wasn’t the smartest decision. I have a tendency to replace something right or wrong if anything seems off. It’s just what I do, there was a time I couldn’t Mike

For me it’s probably a crank bait and to some degree a jerk bait, most anything with low hanging trebles. Its really not that I don’t like them it’s mostly because I don’t throw them enough. I almost always have my most success with single hook t rig’s… Over, in, through and under any and all the vegetation I can find. The only exception would be a trap, but just don’t throw them enough as I’d much much rather pitch, flip or drag a plastic 100% of the time. Mike

Zoom Magnum UV Speed Worm Junebug Rage Cut R Honey Candy Rage Bug White, Junebug Rage Craw White, Junebug Culprit Fat Max Red Shad Mike

I get it I’m sure you know how to do it without causing injures. I mentioned it because I’ve see more damage done with those things that I care too. Mike

Same for us. After Aggie the min Schnauzer and the 2 Great Danes (Butkus 1 and Butkus 2) that’s it for dogs. The darn cat will probably outlive me Mike

Thanks And you will for longer than you think. Mike

No Doubt! Not implying that they don’t. I’m on the Lake (Okeechobee) more than any other for longer than I can remember and in certain areas they are the only thing keeping me company, but in others I wave as they go by. Mike

You’ll Love that dog! We had a min Schnauzer for 12 yrs until recently also. She will get into your heart quick. Mike

Sometimes it’s hard to know what your senses are telling you. Not every flying bird will tell you where the bait is. Not every splash you hear is a bass coming up. And not every “tick” you feel is a hit. Relying solely on your senses is a lot like playing poker where you don’t play the cards, you play the men at the table. The trick is to accurately read what they’re “telling” you. Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

Happy Birthday Enjoy Your Day Mike

Did you move or stay in one spot? If you didn’t move then yes, you should have packed up and tried something else somewhere else. Did you change your angle of entry? If no, next time try that subtle but effective change, sometimes you’ll be shocked that’s all that was needed. Did you change your plastic with more action to enlist a reaction strike? If no, see above Did you change your rof? If no, see above Having a bait and presentation that you have confidence in is great, we all have them. But consider why.. because they were where we were and we caught em more times than not. I’m all for having fun as much as the next person, but if I’m on the water my fun doesn’t come from looking around and bird watching for 8 hrs. All these things really need to be considered before I give up on a spot or even an area. A wise man once said “confidence is everything” But sometimes they’re just not there Mike

What I do is if it’s a larger 3-4+ or using a treble hook that is not wholly in its mouth, I always belly land. Maybe that’s what you’re seeing. For smaller ones I’ll boat flip or lip. If hooked with a single hook It doesn’t matter as much because I make certain that the lower lip is always straight never bent forward. What I would NOT do is use a Boca grip kinda thing. If you’re not careful the clamps will grab thier jaw too tight causing unnecessary damage or worse they will jam and grab the tongue! Yes, lipping a bass will momentarily “stun” it but it must be done right. The problem comes in when it’s held by bending it’s jaw forward too much as I said, especially with a heavier fish. Mike