Bankbeater

Went out Saturday morning to several ponds that I haven't fished in a while. Weather was bright and sunny, and temps were warmer than expected. First pond was dead. Didn't see any fish moving, and there was no breeze at all. No bites on any of my usual pond baits.. I was using a tube, crankbait, and fluke around rip-rap, willows, and milfoil. Second pond picked up a little. There were fish jumping at low flying bugs, and I was spooking fish out of the weeds. My fluke was getting hit, but the fish just wouldn't take the bait. Finally, using a green pumpkin craw, I managed to get a little bass to the bank where he got off. I walked over to the third pond, and finally started to hook up using a 4" watermelon worm, and a green pumpkin senko. The third pond was deeper than the first two ponds. Slight breeze picked up and started putting a ripple across the water. I picked up three small bass on the finesse worm. They were all in grass growing along the bank in 1 to 2 feet of water. The senko produced three slightly larger bass. Biggest was maybe a pound. I'm not getting out the scale for that size bass. All of the senko bass were in the grass that was growing maybe 5 feet off of a point next to deeper water.

A finesse bait on a 1/16 bullet weight, or a weightless senko is what I have been using. I have been pitching into vegetation that is growing up out of the water usually it's some kind of grass. The vegetation needs to be thick enough to create shade on the water. Even better if it is near a deep drop off that is close to the bank.

Last time I hooked myself was about 20 years ago. Ever since then I am very very careful.

Except for jigs, I don't think I have a favorite.

My favorite episode has to be the one with the pickles. Every time I see it, I bust up.

Nice video!

I went out and hit a couple of ponds early in the morning. I caught 20 or so that were all around a pound. There was a very slight drizzle coming down, and the bass were pretty much hitting whatever you cast out to them.

Growing up we only used live bait. Mostly shiners and nightcrawlers either on the bottom or under a bobber. Artificial baits are a lot less hassle. You don't need to keep them cool in the heat of the summer, and worry about them dying on you.

It can be funny around here. Sometimes the rain makes the bass bite more, and sometimes it turns off the bite. I just keep going through the tackle bag until I find something that those bass like.

Try dead sticking the bait and move it about every 15 sec or so.

I'd be snagging that umbrella all day long.

My 14 yo transom mounted MotorGuide trolling motor bit the dust this past weekend, and I am looking for a replacement. I can't decide on a new Minn Kota or a new MotorGuide. I am leaning toward Minn Kota, but I wanted to hear what everyone else thought also.

Mono: Berkley Big Game Fluoro: P-Line CXX Braid: Power Pro

Google search for me too.

Congrats!

Congrats on the new PB!

Must be something in the water.

Wow Hope you are feeling better soon.

Did you ever get a good deal!

Wow!

We were getting these a couple of months ago. I asked the guy for his number so I could call him back. No more calls.

Ouch! I wear a wide brim hat. If I don't get sunscreen on in time, I still have some cover over my shoulders and neck.

Congrats to you and your family!

I'd rather have the heat than the cold. At least the water is not frozen solid.

Back in the spring the number of bass caught with chatterbaits and spinnerbaits were about even. Since it warmed up the bass don't seem to want either of them.