Bankbeater

Try a wakebait. Run it under the surface just deep enough so that the bait is not disturbing the surface.

You don't need child proof. That is just what we have the most of.

I put my hooks in an old pill bottle from the pharmacy. The type with the child proof tops. Then I put the pill bottle in my 3600 box. Hooks are secure and don't move around. I do the same with snaps and split shots.

I don't know anything about the newer models, but I owned two of the green Tourney Specials about 20 years ago. I ended up taking both of them back and purchasing a 5600C3.

Welcome to the forums!

Raise your rod tip up higher if you're casting out and during the retrieve you're hitting the bottom or bringing in vegetation. You can also try retrieving very slowly to keep the bait just under the surface.

Many times the bass will throw the hook about the time I try to lip them.

Very sorry for your loss.

I lose about one or two jigs a year. Most of my break offs occur when I snag a lay down or get hung up in the rocks. If I'm snagged 10 to 15 feet off the bank I can usually get the jig back using the lure retriever.

I fish with the F5, F7, and F11 size. I tie direct when fishing with the F5 or F7, and use a snap on the F11 size.

The first time I fished with a swim jig I put a replacement skirt on a pointed jig head, and added a grub for a trailer just to see how it would work. The next day I went out and bought four or five of them.

Welcome from the St. Louis area.

I'd be fishing with a spinnerbait or a lipless crankbait in those conditions.

I can usually get closer to the bank if there is thick vegetation, or if there is wind or cloudy skies. On a bright clear sunny day with no wind, I'll be out in the lake farther out making long casts.

Some good point in this video.

Glad you're back home. Take it easy and heal up.

For heavy moving baits like a big spinnerbait or a bladed jig, I like a mh/f.

I'm always finding old braid along the bank. You need a knife for that stuff.

Nothing beats time on the water.

Sometimes the colors that are out of production are the ones you want to be fishing with.

I wear a regular pair of gloves and take them off when I need to. As for tying knots, I use snaps,

It's still warm here too. The bass have been moving around in the morning, but after the sunlight hits the water they have been going back to the shade and vegetation.

When I'm fishing in the vegetation, I'll rig up a fluke weightless Texas rig style and just let it sink down on it's own. When the fluke starts getting to the point where it won't stay on the hook any longer then I'll wacky rig it, and try and keep it just above the vegetation.

That is cool. You did a good job.

Fishing was a little slow yesterday.