Bluebasser86

I don't understand what is going on with that lake. Looking back at pictures and videos from last year, it had already popped off well over a month ago by this time last year. I'm hoping it's the dirty water and not the ridiculous amount of pressure that lake has been getting. I'd hate to see it go the way that Wilson has.

I do both, especially on larger fish when I'll take the girth in addition to the weight and length.

It's a spotted bass. The spots below the lateral line are a dead giveaway. You can tell from the first picture where the mouth is almost closed that the jaw isn't going to extend past the eye. I bet the fish felt rough too. Something about spots, their scales feel much rougher than a largemouth, just a personal observation. Both spots and largemouth have a dark stripe down the side (not actually their lateral line but often called that), whereas smallmouth do not.

I have the "Mat Daddy", it's a great rod. I'd like to try some of the other rods from the lineup but really have no need.

I haven't used the Freedom but I make a bait that's similar with a swinging football head. I used similar tackle for the same reasons I'm sure you are, (what's the point of throwing it if you're not throwing it in the stuff?) I didn't have much issue with using a hookset basically like a hard spinnerbait hookset. You can drop the rod and let them have it for a second, but in a lot of cases if they didn't get the hook on the first hookset, I'd continue the retrieve and they'd just come back and hit it even harder.

"Bass palm", as I call it, is always a good thing. I've also got a case of flathead knuckles after another accidental catch during our tournament last Tuesday night.

A dark colored bladed jig or a dark colored jig are pretty much the only 2 baits I fish at night. Sometimes, they'll eat a spinnerbait and not touch a bladed jig though.

What's a "finesse swimbait"? To me, that's something like a 6" line thru that's probably going to be around an ounce or so. To some, that might be a 2.8" Keitech on a 1/8oz ballhead.

You have to get to some better lakes man. The last few weeks have been the best bite I've had in a long time.

They both have their purposes. Comparing the two is kind of like comparing a spinnerbait to a senko. Yeah you can use one to do what the other does, but it's not the right tool for the job.

I remember, I was in high school, 1st period of the day. I was in American History class ironically enough. Our teacher got a phone call and I remember the color draining from his face. He turned the TV onto the news and we sat and stared in complete silence for what seemed like an eternity. I've never felt that mad and confused at the same time in my life. I was ready to sign up that day, but was still a few years away from being old enough to. 15 years later the confusion is gone, but the anger is still very real.

Welcome! Check out or "Other Fish Species" forum for advice on catching carp and many other fish. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/forum/20-other-fish-species/

Welcome!

Looks like a War Eagle

Coffee stirrer

I use the chartreuse and the clear. I keep mine in a small plastic bin that has an airtight seal and stuff paper towels in it to keep them upright. The paper towels are also good to lay the plastic on after dipping to give them a few seconds to dry without risking getting dye on anything else. Since I've started storing them like that I've had no spills or drips.

And one post below this one is; LOCKDOWN!!

I've had the chance to fish with several members, and plan to keep expanding that list. I enjoy reading nearly everyone's input on the forums and everyone has their Q&Q's that I can appreciate and I think would make a fishing trip with them enjoyable. If I was to choose for my own selfish reasons, I'd like to fish with Dwight or Big-O in hopes of finding one of those monster brown or green fish they're each so adept at finding.

What reel do you have?

Smallmouth tend to be more structure oriented while largemouth tend to like some form of cover. They also seem to prefer a smaller or slimmer bait (minnow profile versus a shad profile), but of course there's always exceptions to the rule. When it's topwater season, always have one tied on and never be afraid to fish it. I fish topwater all day long for smallies, even in water less than a foot. Last time I fished for them, my dad and I were on a clear water lake and our biggest smallies were coming out of less than 2' of water on flat rock banks. We could see the bottom, it seemed like we should be able to see the fish, but when we'd throw our baits onto what appeared to be barren banks, the "rocks" would come to life and destroy our baits. This was in the middle of the day with the sun high overhead and very little wind. Smallies really have no regard for the rule book.

It crashed landed into a brier patch and the hooks pulled out thankfully.

I like braid mainline with a copolymer leader, usually 50/15.

I catch smallies on the big hooks on my Deps 175s, they'll be fine. I'm not sure what the hooks on the 130s are now, but when I bought mine I switched them to #2 4X EWG hooks and the smallies have had no issues with them.

Interested to try the new Arashi rattlebait. I got one a few weeks ago and messed with it after loading the boat today. It has a small fin at the back that seems to allow for a slow retrieve, despite being 5/8oz. Also of note, I must have ripped it off the bottom 50 times and let it settle back, it landed on it's belly and remained upright every single time. Not a fan of the Arashi lineup, but this one might be a winner.

I prefer to put the hook on the keeper and wrap the sinker around the rod, lay the combo down and pick up something else. It's a target bait for me, especially vertical cover or deep structure.