Bankbeater

Nice going!

First off, welcome to the forums. Secondly, I hear you about the pressure. People fishing on top of you, picnickers, and kids throwing rocks get old real quick. Night fishing at my local ponds and lakes is nil. Some of the waters close at sunset. Others close at 11:00 PM, but you have people fishing up until closing time. I choose to go when the parks open. Most of the people don't get there until around noon, and the ones that do come early tend to be more serious about fishing. Look and see what everyone is using for bait, and use something else. This time of year, where I fish, the major artificial baits are spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, senkos, and larger size creature baits. I stay away from spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits until the fall. I like bladed jigs, spooks, and jitterbugs. Instead of senkos and big creatures I'll use baits that are smaller like a trick worm or speed craw. Rain is your friend. It will stir up the fish, and keep people off the water. Look for fishing spots that are not close to the road or parking lot. Usually a hike of about 1/4 to 1/2 mile is enough to discourage some people from fishing there. Hope this helps.

One huge crappie!

The seed ticks are terrible around here. When I'm fishing from the bank I will wear white clothing so they stand out better.

You can't beat a black Jitterbug at night, but if that doesn't work I tie on a dark colored bladed jig.

Man, you had a busy night! Those are some bass!

Gamakatsu 3/0 EWG.

I'm not counting, but I would say Rat-l-traps. I have 4 3600 boxes in different sizes and colors.

Nice one, congrats!

Somewhere between 7 and 9 lb.

I stopped using beads about 10 years ago. I never noticed a difference in numbers or size.

Did you ever have a bass hit a topwater bait and not take it, just to have that bass come right back a few seconds later and swallow it? I read somewhere that bass will try to hurt or drown something swimming on the surface so it doesn't put up fight as it's being eaten.

If the water is clear and I see the bass coming up to jump I will set the hook again. Most of the time that will stop the bass from jumping.

Since the bass were hitting a whopper plopper, I would say try a spook in the same color.

Five or six years ago there was a van at the boat ramp that had a pretty good size dent in the top of it. The driver was being treated by paramedics. We thought there had been a traffic accident on the ramp, but we were told that lightning had hit the top of the van while it was parked on the ramp. The driver had been outside leaning inside the van when the strike happened. As far as I know the driver made it through without anything serious.

Nice one!

Casting the bait up on the bank and then dragging the bait back into the water. If the bait landed in the water you might as well reel it in, and try again.

Glad to hear your son is better. It's gut wrenching having a sick child.

I have been throwing deep diving crankbaits since I was a kid and I don't think I have ever caught a bass on one. Now I might fish with one maybe once a year, but when I want a moving bait down deep it's a lipless crankbait, spinnerbait, or a chatterbait.

I like the Zoom Super Hog. It's kind of a shortened version of a brush hog, and not as bulky as some of the other creature baits out there. Sometimes that smaller profile is the key.

About 25 years ago I had an abscess tooth in my upper jaw. The infection spread into my cheek bone. Felt like somebody was hitting me in the face with a brick. I don't even want to think about stones.

Prayer sent.

10 or 15 pound Berkeley Big Game depending on the type of crankbait.

Jig and craw at the lakes I fish.

I feel for you. I haven't had a day like that in a few years, and I hope I never do again.