Bankbeater

I kept handwritten logs for about 5 or 6 years until I started using an excel spreadsheet. The thing that stuck out the most to me was how you can have two pond maybe 200 or 300 yards apart, and the baits that work are completely different.

X2. There is a lot of vegetation growing around here.

Some baits from the past few trips.

The bass I've been catching have either been out in the center or along the bank. Check to see what the forage is doing also. Some of the sunnies are still spawning here.

Usually I'm fishing a topwater on a m/f or a mh/f casting rod.

Between work and family I may be able to get out on the water once or maybe twice a week, if I'm lucky. Most of the time I stick to what works, but occasionally I will try out something new. This year it has been the free rig, and wacky rigging a fluke. When it's too cold to fish, I'll work on cleaning reels, and organizing tackle. Depending on ice, I may take a drive to the lake to see what it looks like.

1979?

My dad's old double sided Magnum from the early 80s. A few years ago I sorted all of the baits and put his older ones back into this box.

Years and years ago my mom had to have one of these. It sat in the shed unused until about 10 years ago when the motor on my old Lawnboy died. When we had a yard sale this thing was the first to go.

So sorry. It's always hard losing a family member.

You are definitely on them. Nice going!

If the blowup is close enough to me, then I’ll make a cast toward it. If not, I’ll ignore it.

If the bottom is weedy then I hop the bait. If the bottom is fairly clean then I drag it. Most of the time mix up the retrieve.

I have better luck fishing a crawfish bait more than a creature bait. I use Ultravibe Speedcraws, and Netbait Paca Chunks most of the time. I think it has something to do with the smaller profile.

If the vegetation is a foot or two below the surface then I'll run a wakebait or a shallow running crankbait down as close the the vegetation as possible. If the vegetation is matted on the surface in large clumps then, if I can, I'll try to circle the mat and cast at it from different angles. If the vegetation is widespread across the surface then I'll look for channels and try to run the crankbait through the channel.

I fish a weightless fluke on 15 lb Big Game with a 3/0 EWG hook. If I need to add weight I'll either tie on a belly weighted hook, or I add a 1/16 oz. bullet weight to the line.

A split shot / mojo rig around here is deadly. Especially in the weeds.

See if you can find green vegetation. Around here it's usually coontail, and it's down deep.

I don't night fish very much, but when I do I fish with a Jitterbug most of the time.

I try to keep quiet. If I don't, I may have more anglers fishing around me.

Thanks Glenn! Good tip on the dock length.

You have some good looking bass!

Welcome! My dad grew up fishing, and he started taking me when I was old enough to go.

My wife would have a fit.

I fish lipless and floating crankbaits in the same areas. Usually around coontail or milfoil this time of year. If the bass aren’t interested in a floating crankbait with a wide wobble, I’ll try a lipless crankbait.