Lightninrod

Outstanding report, pics, Bass, Bassers, and guide!!! Dan

Corey: Yes, it's a very different bait. You tie to an eye right behind the front half of the bait. There is an eye on both side. Depending on which side you tie to, the bait tracks to the left or to the right on its retrieve. I haven't done it but I can see where you could get it to 'slide' under a dock for instance. Dan

What they said! Dan

Thanks Ed. Yes Avid, we're in a hard drought with water-use restrictions. Those two ponds stay pretty stable/level as the smaller one has water being pumped into it 24/7 while the larger(where I use my boat) pond is creek and spring-fed. Nobody noticed that unusual topwater bait.... :-? It's a Slide Jack. Dan

Got two topwater Bass today with bluebird skies, no clouds, light wind, and a high of 85. Caught a couple of gills on Bass baits too: Topwater gill Same gill Spinnerbait gill Wacky-rigged topwater bait--3 lber Viva Pencil 4 lber Same 4 lber I thought you couldn't catch one on topwater with no clouds....and in the middle of a bluebird day... Dan

LTA Helium Rod--price Calais reel--price Close . Dan

Each pin has a tiny, nylon 'hat'(brake) that when pushed in all the way, is 'off'. Carefully use your thumbnail to press the 'hat' outward(but not too far as it will come completely off) to turn that brake 'on'. I usually turn on half of the brakes and space them as evenly apart as possible. Dan

Great report and results! Thinking(and acting) outside the(your) box can work . Dan

I had planned to try out some ponds on Ft. Stewart but never have :-[. Great catches for both of you and may I wish you a safe mission and return. Btw, here are some more Ft. Stewart Hawgs. Dan

How much are you willing to spend(invest ) on the rod? On the reel? If your budget will stand it, I'd recommend a 7', 6" Kistler LTA Helium rod in Heavy or Extra Heavy(better for Matt's Bluegills) action. For the reel, I'd recommend a Shimano Calais 200. For line, I'd recommend 20# test Seaguar Carbon Pro fluro and you will need a tube of Megastrike to lube up the bait, making it slide more easily in a big Bass's mouth for a more effective hookset. Dan

Dead-sticking works too. Dan

Excellent Hawgs(at least for around here ) fb ! Dan

Thanks Matt. I think there's a Lake Orange down in Florida but now I know about central VA. Dan

Great report and smart thinking about that shallow area. A light-in-weight topwater lure would have probably done well too. Dan

Thanks for all the kind words(and even the song line ) y'all. They could have been twins. Dan

Almost perfect Bass catchin' weather this afternoon; heavy cloud cover, dropping BP, rain moving in, high 70s, and 10-20 mph winds. I figured a spinnerbait would be the 'ticket' and it(KVD Strike King Premium brand) and a Chatterbait worked very nicely. Caught a couple of 1 lbers on the Chatterbait from the dam and then moved to the western side of my former boss's smaller pond. As the KVD spinnerbait approached the shore, a nice one snatched it up. She was a 6/2, 25 incher. Moved on around the pond, catching a few more small ones. Got to the eastern side and caught a good-size bluegill on the C/b. Then I moved back to the dam and threw the KVD down along the side of the dam and picked up another 6 lb, 25 incher. It was a great few hours and I beat the rain home. First 6 lber Same one Chatterbait bluegill Second 6 lber Again 3 lber on a C/b from yesterday Dan

All caught on buzzbaits? Great pics and fish young man! Dan

Good report and Bass catchin'! Where is "Lake Orange"? Dan

Here's a 'different' Tube. I T-rig and then pitch them next to stumps, etc., much like I would a jig-n-pig. Dan

I posted a pic of a Bass that inhaled a smaller Bass that had just bit a T-rigged Zoom Speed Worm a few months ago but your story is much better and your Bass much bigger. You might want to try one of Matt's Bluegills next time . Dan

Outstanding 'cats' and Welcome to BR! DAn

WOW! Are those cell phone camera pics? If so, they are the best I've ever seen and the fish aren't too bad either! Way to hook 'em GM! Great looking snake too. Dan

;D Ya got me young man! And, I assume you've got the remote in your left hand? Fishing alone and taking pics can be problematic but it's worth it to be able to see a very nice, BIG Bass! Dan

I believe Matt recommends Megastrike and it's what I use. Yes, just a slow, steady retrieve at any depth you wish to fish it. I've had better luck with his Baby Bass but all his baits catch Bass, BIG Bass! Dan

I caught my PB(and several others)using his Baby Bass on a 7', 6" Kistler Heavy LTA Helium caster with a Shimano 100 size reel(Antares AR), and 20 lb test Seaguar Carbon Pro fluro. Most any 7'+ heavy rod and a stout baitcaster will work just fine. Dan