Bluebasser86

You're on the right track. Bass are predators and behave as other predators do. They use edges, funnel areas, shadows, whatever they can to gain an advantage on their prey. As with other predators that aren't top echelon predators, they must at the same time avoid becoming prey themselves. That's where the angler being and behaving like a predator comes into play. Using shadows and trees to conceal yourself and walking lightly instead of stomping around the shoreline will increase your chances of having a successful "hunt".

I'd go with the high end rods and reels and cheaper baits. I tend to lean towards cheap baits anyways, so it wouldn't be a big change for me except I couldn't fish my big swimbaits

All of our lakes and reservoirs in KS are old and silted in. You learn to appreciate longer lasting cover and structure like rocks and creek channel swings.

Me too, most of the marks on my spin bait are from the zebra mussel covered rocks. Actual marks from fish are very few and far between. Will I'm surprised you're having points roll on the Lil' Nasty hooks? It's very rare that I even bend one, but I haven't bought any for several months after ordering my last 1,000 pack, maybe they've changed them a bit since I ordered last, I hope not though. I did have a customer snap one right below the head on a hookset last week, but I've poured several thousand and only had a handful break like that. Great fish and report as always

Could be worse, I got to the lake and realized I'd forgotten to put the trolling motor battery in the truck (I was in a 2 man).

I had a guide trip Thursday and put the guys on lots of nice fish. One of the guys broke his PB smallmouth twice. In my attempt to avoid catching "their fish", I was fishing a Popping Pad Crasher and managed my first frog smallmouth of the year after a couple hits and misses. Friday was the hunt for a giant, which went terribly, but at least the PPC was getting smashed by the bucks anytime we could find a ball of fry.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

I really like the Booyah Popping Pad Crashers, but I'm really excited to try the new popping Savage Gear frogs more. I caught a bunch on one last week at my practice lake. Hopefully get to try them for real soon

Hard to beat a Heddon Super Spook JR for a smaller walking bait.

He had his first run in with one of the catfish in our pond the same day, it did not end as well.

I buy things as the monkey commands me to. No real rhyme or reason, I just see fishing gear on sale, everything goes dark, then when I wake up all my money is gone and there's banana peels everywhere.

Thanks for the heads up, just scooped a couple up.

Yes, just have to reel it very slowly. I'm going to try adding some weight to it still though. It's pretty heavy on it'sown so it shouldn't take much.

Yes, do tell.

That's what happens when I'm junk fishing. The first lake we were on has about equal numbers of largemouth and smallmouth and they can be caught in 30' on a drop shot, a foot of water on a toowater, flipping grass or laydowns, and everythingin between. I caught a fish on every rod I had out except my swimbait rod that had the big rat on it though.

Nope, off of big rocks and actually very shallow, but hiding down in between the rocks.

If you're looking for an inexpensive braid, you can get KastKing 4 carrier braid online for really cheap with free shipping. I just bought 2 547yd spools for under $20 each. I've fished with it for several months now and it's been really good line. Feels and fishes similar to original PowerPro, but casts and handles a bit better.

Glad to see some folks actually giving KK a try instead of just writing them off as inferior because of their price. They're not for everyone, but for those of us on a budget, they're great.

A custom made rod by our very own @.ghoti. with a Supreme XT. It's a great combo that has been a blast catching panfish, trout, and bass. Handles light baits extremely well.

Seaguar Finesse has been great for me, but I can't imagine it being more manageable than braid on a spinning reel. I think I'd go with a good, limp mono instead.