Bankbeater

I'm 53 and over the years I have broken my knee, seriously strained both ankles to the point I am starting to have foot problems, and had both shoulders operated on for torn labrums and rotator cuffs. My Mom's family has a history of lower back problems which I have inherited. In the fall and spring I am getting arthritis. If I don't work out on a regular basis, I don't move so good.

I use Stik-O's in the 3", 5", and 6" size. Usually they work and catch fish, but every once in a while the bass want a different bait.

It's always fun to bring in a bait and see a fish you didn't know you caught.

That's great! When I took my kids fishing I always seemed to take more pics than I fished.

I don't cancel, but I do rethink about where I will fish. In 10+ mph I will try and find a smaller size lake that is out of the wind, or fish from the shore.

Chrome with a blue back 1/2 ounce Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap.

My Dad taught me how to fish for bass using crankbaits when I was about 10 or so. He turned me into a fisherman. When I got back into bass fishing seriously, after about an 11 year break, it was this forum that helped me the most. No matter what the question there is always someone with the answer. If I couldn't find an answer, someone always pointed me in the right direction.

Nice!

Congrats!

Maybe between 3 and 4 pounds.

Well next time you will know what not to do.

Bladed jigs seem to work best for me in the late fall, winter, and early spring. I can't get a bite on them after the temps start to warm up. Jigs work all year. I match the hatch with crankbaits all year except in the fall. In the fall it is all about size. Lipless crankbaits are good in the spring and in the fall. Again in the fall it's all about size.

Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas.

It's always fun when a dink falls off the hook into the boat, and then flops around on two or three other rigs, tangling them up before you can get him back in the water.

Had a good hit.

One more vote for Shimano.

At least you got out and checked out some water. That's something.

I haven't had a whopper in about 15 years. No regrets.

I have seen a lot of days where changing the color of a bait will make them bite, or turn the bite completely off. I have also seen days where the bass will hit anything you throw at them regardless of color. There are also a lot of days in between. You just have to let the bass tell you what they want.

LOL!

For me it's a crappie on a bass rig. I always think that I'm pulling in vegetation.

I would use Fluoro, Mono, or Copoly in the 15 to 17 pound range.

I t-rig them with a 2/0 EWG hook and a 1/16 bullet weight. Sometimes I peg the weight depending on how much vegetation I am picking up.

Nice one!

Good going on the new PB!