OHIO

The ponds around you aren't iced over? I'm not talking about ice strong enough to walk on, but it would definitely prevent you from fishing. The ponds around me have been iced over for about three weeks now and I don't see that changing in the near future. If you are able to fish I would go with slow presentations and small baits such as jigs and certain plastics.

I wonder who said they like it. : Just messin around.

OK. I'm not trying to prove you wrong or anything, but what does having the bait sit lower in the water do? What are the advantages of having it in the water rather than on top?

And do you notice that your bait is not on top? Edit: Why did you delete your post?

BASSclary, do you fish your topwaters fast or slow?

I wasn't disagreeing with him, just giving him something else to think about.

It kind of depends on how fast he fishes them. If he fishes them fast then I don't think it's that big of a problem, but if he goes slow then it will be. Most people I know don't fish poppers fast though, but that's just me.

Yeah I have been told that a lot, but it works for me.

What is comfortable about it? How do you hold the reel? Palm it, two or three fingers ahead of the trigger? Two handed casts - where are your hands? Those are the inferred questions. I have two fingers ahead of the trigger with my thumb and index finger on the reel. I make two handed casts most of the time with my right hand on the reel and my left holding the rod where the handle splits. I feel like I have more control of the cast with a split grip for some reason.

Just curious, why do people like split grips with techniques that require you to chuck the bait around all day>? IMO full grip handles allow me to throw all day with more comfort. Everyone likes different things. I prefer split grip for the comfort as well. I never questioned the fact that people like split grips. My question was WHY?? do people like split grips for these techniques... My answer was comfort.

Nice fish man! Looks like the tail fin is a little torn up, but a lot bass seem to live through those types of injuries.

X2, but that would be hard. I would buy a nice boat and truck, some land in Kentucky, then give my family some and call it a day.

Pro Qualifier. -Durable -Inexpensive -Light (for me anyways) -Casts well I haven't tried many baitcasters except for Quantums and BPS reels, but this has to be my favorite for the price. You should also take a look at the Carbonlite. Pretty similar to the PQ, but it's uglier. ;D

You're really limiting yourself by just using one color. If that color isn't working, what are you gonna do? You can't switch to a different color if that's all you have. I would take the advice above and get some other colors as well such as, junebug or watermelon. JMO

I would go with a 7'MH Abu Garcia Vendetta with a 6.4-7.1 BPS Pro Qualifier. It's a fairly inexpensive setup and it has served me well this past year.

Just curious, why do people like split grips with techniques that require you to chuck the bait around all day>? IMO full grip handles allow me to throw all day with more comfort. Everyone likes different things. I prefer split grip for the comfort as well.

WOW!

There is no lure that will work all the time, but the Senko or Senko type bait works a lot. You won't get a fish every cast, but you will probably get at least one every time you go out if you keep at it. If anyone knows of this lure that works all the time please share. ;D

Well whatever works for you.

Oh wow my mistake. Still a great fish.

Why not braid? I barely have to set the hook with spinnerbaits now. A little stretch in the line allows fish to inhale the lure more deeply, resulting in a better hook-up ratio. You can always use a softer rod with braided line to compensate for this, but generally speaking, braid is not the way to go with reaction lures, IMO. Kind of why I said that I barely have to set the hook now. With braid you don't need set the hook hard at all, it's like the fish set it already. Just my opinion.

That thing is huge! It's like half his size. I've only fished with a young kid once and it was a blast. It's always nice to see them fishing.

Why not braid? I barely have to set the hook with spinnerbaits now.

I looked him up. Is it Jim Trelikes? And is he also a tattoo artist?

X2 except for the line. On my worm rod I like to use 6 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid. On my spinnerbait rod I like to use 30 lb PP. On my pitchin rod I like to use 50 lb PP.