Bankbeater

My crankbaits are organized by depth and kept in 3700 boxes in the basement. I'll go through the boxes and pull out the baits that I want to take with me depending on where I'll be fishing and the conditions.

Around here the bass move up shallow into the flooded cover. Usually the thicker the flooded grass and bushes the better.

The lower end of a lake I fish is basically a flat with a creek bed running through it. The area gets filled up with coontail. If the wind is blowing in the right direction I will let the wind push me across the flat. As I’m moving I will fan cast with a shallow crankbait, topwater, or lipless bait.

RIP. One of the greats.

I always put a trailer on chatterbaits and jigs, but I don't think I have ever used a trailer on a spinnerbait. I have fished small 1/8 oz. jigs without a trailer a few times before and have had mixed results.

I have a 5/8 black jitterbug in my tackle bag that I caught my PB on. People ask me if I have it for sentimental reasons since it is an "old" bait. They actually look shocked when I tell that I fish with it all of the time.

I have been catching largemouth 4 to 5 feet deep. They have been under vegetation mats that are on the surface. There is also a creek bed that runs through the area. I've been using a spook in the morning and when it is cloudy out. After the sun gets high I switch over to a jig or a senko.

This year either a jig or a 4” weightless Senko.

Zoom Mag II and Ol Monster.

A zara spook has been by top producing topwater bait this year. Most of the time the strike comes as I am bringing the bait close to a clump of surface vegetation.

I had heat exhaustion one time cutting the grass. I was putting the lawn mower away and couldn't figure out why I was feeling cold in 92 degree heat. I started feeling better once I got inside and into a cool shower.

I have a couple of wake crankbaits that I don't think have ever been in the water.

This guy shook and fell off the hook while I was lifting him out of the water. Flopped around a couple of times and then did a dive right into my bag. Sometimes you just can't make this stuff up.

Congrats on that nice bass.

I would fish the bottom with a Zoom finesse worm, and on top with a spook or jitterbug.

Wow! Congratulations on 56 years!

Congrats! New PB are the best.

I know the lakes turn murky without the vegetation to filter the water, muddy when it rains. I think the predator fish need to learn how to hunt baitfish without vegetation to hide in.

I like the Zoom Fat Albert.

That is a very nice bass.

I try to figure out where the edge of the cover is then I cast past it, let the bait sink to the bottom, and either drag it or hop it back. Most of the time I will be fishing with a jig or plastic. If I'm using a spinnerbait I will let it sink to the bottom ,and slow roll it back along the bottom.

We've had some local lakes treated around here. A lake I fish used to have coontail all through it, and mats on the surface. Now this lake just has water willows growing around the bank. While I don't think it physically harms the fish, I think it changes the way they feed.

The best thing I have found to cover my head, neck, and face is a wide brim hat. I have a couple of straw hats that let the air circulate and are cooler than caps.

I had a 3/8 white spinnerbait with two white colorado blades on it. That bait would always out catch the spinnerbaits with gold or chrome blades.

Largemouth probably around 2 lbs. I don't fish with less than 6 lb line. I use to fish with 4 lb, but I kept breaking off in the weeds.