Bankbeater

I use Weather Underground, as well as, a couple of weather apps from local news stations. I never plan a trip based on just one weather report.

I like to do research before fishing a new lake too. I try and find out where people are catching fish and what baits they are using. Once I get out on the water I'll look for a spot that looks good, check it with the electronics, and then see what the bass are biting.

I have a short list this year. Shallow running crankbaits were it right up through the end of September. Make, model, and color really didn't seem to matter as long as I was pulling it over submerged vegetation. SK Bitsy Flip with a Zoom super chunk. Either in blue/black, or green pumpkin. 4" watermelon Zoom finesse worm fished on a split shot rig. Zoom ultravibe speedcraw in watermelon red fished on a 1/8 oz. t-rig.

Misses: A back spasm in early May kept me out of a boat and fishing off the bank for a month and a half. Then I had a trip to the ER on Memorial Day to get a hook removed from my palm. May was not a fun month. Ended up breaking 2 rods, one was repaired, but it's about 3/4" shorter than it was originally. Hits: Broke my PB on numbers this year. I was able to keep the skunk off of me all year until the middle of October.

Dang. I hope everyone made it ok. Sometimes people just don’t realize what type of problem they have until it’s too late.

I like a 3/0 hook, weightless, on straight mono with a MH rod. I cast the fluke out and just let it sink down on its own to the bottom. I bring it back with small jerks and let it sink back down between the jerks.

I’d try a shallow running crankbait or a wakebait. You might also try swimming a finesse jig since you have had luck with jigs there before.

Nice going! This year October has been tough around here.

Thanks for the video. Sometimes I forget that you can work a work worm at a steady retrieve.

October has been an off month for me too. I’ve caught a total of 3 bass this month. All of them dinks. Shallow water and big temp swings don’t mix very well around here.

Reservoir. I have a number of ponds around me and this time of year the bite is very inconsistent.

I said a crankbait because it’s been my best bait this year. All other things being equal I would choose a jig.

I’ve been wearing bifocals for 9 years now. Been wearing glasses since I was 18. The transition lenses that get dark in the sunlight are really nice. No clips, or second pair of glasses to keep track of.

4 and 6 inch finesse worms, small craws, and 3 inch stik-o baits.

Don't forget about auctions and garage sales. Sometimes you'll find really good deals at these places.

I'd go with the uninsulated one. Around here if it's cold enough for an insulated suit then the water is usually ice.

To me it's like driving. You can watch instructional videos, and read all about it, but until you get out there and start doing it you're not going to know how things actually work.

My first real rig was a Shakespeare 2200II spinning reel on a yellow 5’0” Eagle Claw rod. The rod met an untimely end due to a tail gate, but the reel served me well for about 31 years until I retired it.

I like the Smithwick suspending rattlin rogues. They are fairly cheap and run pretty good right out of the package.

I start off with a 1/2 ounce rat-l-trap. If that doesn't get any bites I go up to the 3/4 ounce size. If that doesn't work I try the 1/4 ounce size. I do the same with other baits. Sooner or later I find the size the bass will go after.

Thank you!

It doesn't bother me to be out in the wind and rain, but if it starts to lightning I run like a scared rabbit.

It's been pretty limited this year so far. Largemouth Warmouth Bluegill Green Sunfish Black Crappie Muskie

I try and get the top of the bait up to the eye of the hook, but I've never noticed a difference if the eye is exposed.

I only trim off the end after it gets torn up. As long as the worm is in good shape I leave it alone.