deep

Excellent!

Yes!! I think Mrs. Bass sees and processes things differently than we humans do. I also think it's important to find a color that she likes to eat, which need not be realistic (to us). As for the specific topic, I have no input, since I don't throw lipped cranks. From my experience with jerkbaits, lipless cranks, and topwaters though, the answer is yes (un-needed).

It doesn't. I might change baits or presentations though. I do have one or two special colors that seem to work better at one or two lakes than others.

And that alone is the reason I put up with all the disadvantages like possibly shady knot strength, higher price, lower manageability and all the other crap.

Great story Paul, and a nice catch. Bet you'll miss her.

1. Knowing what a *bite* feels like- which comes only from experience. 2. Premium fluorocarbon line. Hold your line between your thumb and index finger. A good fraction the time I set the hook on a bottom bumping bait, I don't even feel a real bite, I do it from instinct and sure enough there's a fish on.

<- that's an 8-08 NLMB in my profile pic (from the bank), btw. Small structured reservoirs.

When (season) do you fish these, and what are one or two or the better all-around ones? Price is not a problem, since I'm only going to buy one. Thanks,

I said it before, and will say it again; if you're not catching the quantity or quality you want, it's because 1. you can't reach useful structure from the shoreline => in which case, find yourself another (smaller) reservoir. 2. or you don't know how to catch them => in which case, work on your fishing tactics- knowledge about bass, baitfish, structure, baits and presentations. Here's a 9-07 NLMB from walking the banks. *Post-spawn* fish btw.

All my rods are 7'6" or longer. I'd go 100% eight footers if they made them in the actions and powers I prefer. Making accurate casts is definitely not a problem for me, but I fish "cover" a lot less than some of you seem to do. Definitely a personal preference.

Sounds like a decent trip to me! Other than the lost fishies.

I use 6.x:1 and LH retrieve reels for everything. Seems to be working all right so far. You can use your combo for pretty much any baits that the rod can handle. Versatile rig.

Thank you. You mean a craw worm without any (spider grub style) skirt, right? Any specific brands you'd recommend? Thanks!

Thanks, I will check it out. A little difficult to implement that technique from the bank though!

Catch and keep some (if that's an option).

That's what I've got over there (where I can't catch big fish on jigs).

Last year, I posted a thread about missed bites on jig because I wasn't catching anything big from one particular reservoir on jigs, in spite of a whole lot of time I put in, and I was convinced I was missing bites. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/146477-missed-jig-bites/ Now, I'm not so sure. I have had a lot of success with *adult* bass on jigs from another reservoir. Granted it's more stained and fishes shallower. But when I set the hook, either on instinct, or because I felt a bite, I'm hooking a fish- usually a good sized one. So detecting bites is probably not the problem. Maybe the fish in my other reservoir don't prefer jigs? I've tried different skirt materials, different colors, different trailers, different retrieves. Nope, nothing- as far as adult bass are concerned. *Location* is not the deal there- of that I'm sure. *Timing* might be, but I've put in so much time here over the years, I can probably eliminate that as well. Thoughts? Tom, Catt, others?

Hit the local CPL for a short trip after work, and caught a 4 lbs 2 oz fish (again! lol). Muddy muddy water, pitched a bunch of laydowns and that was the only bite I got. Number 8 over 4# this April from this place. Wonder what's up with her reddish anal fin. My (semi) homemade jigs have been putting in some good work. Also, my Kistler Helium3. Best $140 I ever spent. It rained a bunch today, and Wally Creek is in spate.

Lol, that's a much better selfie. Job well done!

You need to ask yourself - which deep water spot did it come from - what route it took to get to the shallows Thank you Mr. Perry!

Oh not again. Fluoro is way denser and provides a more direct connection. Stretch/ lack thereof has nothing to do with it.

This should be interesting.

Funniest **** I've read here in a while!

Agree with everything SirSnook posted. However, I roll 100% casting gear. There's one thing I can't do well/ comfortably with spinning gear- hold the line between my thumb and forefinger on my non-reeling hand to feel for bites. That, and I'd have to go get saltwater gear to fish swimbaits on a spinning combo.

If you can feel bites with braid, there's no need for fluoro. Can you? Disclaimer: most of my jig fish come off the bottom from water deeper than 15' with 50' or more line out. No way I'd feel half the bites I get if I fished braid.