Bluebasser86

C rig is the only exception to that rule it seems. Even if you do try to get them right away, you've got a bunch of line out and it's down 10-30' the winds blowing and the fish are biting light. What do you think your odds are you get the fish before it swims a couple feet through the rocks you were dragging and your sinker sticks and makes the fish spit your bait? Not saying the pre-made rigs won't catch fish, but I don't trust them and wouldn't suggest them to anyone.

I really, really wish someone would come out with a mold just for Ned rigs, something like 2 1/32, 2 1/16, 2 3/32 or 3 1/16, 3 3/32. I'd be all over one with 6 1/16 since that's almost exclusively the only size I use. A heavy head is a death sentence for your bait in our lakes with zebra mussels.

I've been catching fish, but the size and normal numbers have been lacking. I don't know if it's the fish or me because I've really just felt lost the last month or so on the water.

Blue Tilapia I believe. I've caught a few at a local lake that use to stock them.

I use Big Game for cranking 8-15 depending on what I'm doing.

I feel like these reels would rattle if you shook them.

Welcome!

Welcome from another KS member!

Welcome!

I'll be looking for her here in a few weeks

No problem. I thought maybe there was some smallmouth in there that I didn't know about.

They jump over the low water dams on the rivers around me by the thousands. They look like spawning salmon, except they do it all day and night all year long when the water is warm enough. Bass will learn to eat them I'm sure. I know the big catfish in the rivers around here have gotten to where they almost seem to prefer them over other fish. It makes sense though as they're numerous and they have very small scales and no sharp fins so they're easy to swallow and digest.

Man it's too bad they don't make that mold with any cavities small enough

I'd probably catch it again and find someone with a koi pond or some place you could keep it temporarily until you could advertise it and find a buyer. Not sure on the potential legality issues though. It's possible you may need special permits to sell live fish in your state.

How are you wanting to fish for them? Where/what type of water are you fishing for them? What size fish are you dealing with? Most any medium spinning rod and reel with 20lb braid will handle most catfish and carp that people catch. The only reason you'll need specialized gear is if you're fishing large baits, heavy current, making long cast, dealing with large fish, or any combination of those.

A Hotpot II is less than $50. Get one of those and do it in your garage with the door open or in a well ventilated shed or something.

I had the pleasure of meeting Zona at the Elite series at Table Rock a couple years ago, and he's the same guy in person as he is on his show. One of my dream days on the water would be getting to fish with Zona and Hackney. Don't care where or what we fish for, but they're 2 of my favorite guys to watch and listen to and together is just a big hot mess. Zona's big fish slang term crack me up too. I still bust out a "Fence Panda" every once in awhile.

First, lose the premade rig. Bass have to drag the sinker along behind them with that rig and it pulls and jerks on their mouth if it catches on anything which could make them drop it. You have to tie the same amount of knots anyways. Second, you can C rig about anything. My personal favorite is a full sized brush hog. As for where, I like points, ledges, and rockpiles.

If I can run down a bank with a Cavitron and catch fish, I'm happy.

While the rod looks hideous, it feels great. Really interested in the 7' 4" MH. Might have to pick one up when they go on sale.

Do what you're comfortable doing. During a tournament is no time to be trying to learn a new technique. I also like to take the "just go fishing", approach. I fish so much better when I'm just doing my thing. You better get some rain gear, or it's going to rain buckets. Frogg Toggs are cheap and will keep you dry. Wear way more clothes than you think you'll need. You can always take layers off, but you can't put on what you don't have. I went under dressed for a winter tournament on Table Rock once when it didn't make it above 30 degrees all day and we had rain, snow, and sleet along with 20mph winds. I was huddled under the console by noon just trying to stay warm, it was miserable.

It's a pigmentation that bass often get when the water is cold and it's actually a sign of a healthy fishery, no need to worry about a thing.

Renosky used to (and maybe still does), make a tiny jig that came with about a 1.5" long craw trailer. I used to buy them from Wal Mart when I was a kid and caught so many bass with them. It was one of my go to lures for a long time but I haven't seen one in forever.

I'd probably try some live bait. If you can't catch a fish on a live shiner under a bobber, there's no fish in there.

8-9 pound range, great looking fish.