Bankbeater

Texas rigs, swim jigs, and spinnerbaits. If the bass are not deep biting the Texas rig, then they will be up shallow biting the other two.

WRB and Catt straightened me out on fishing jigs and understanding the rate of fall.

Just the critters I run into out on the lake. Birds, rabbits, squirrels, and an occasional tick.

I'll use ultra light gear, but it depends on the body of water where I'm fishing. I'll have something tied on that won't get snagged on the bottom like a small floating minnow or a 1/16 oz. spinnerbait.

There is a lot of good information in this video!

This is some good news!

Welcome to the forum.

I put the spool in a box so it doesn't bounce around then run the line through a couple of heavy books.

I like either a 150 or 200 size. It depends on how the reel feels after it's on the rod.

That bass is a beast! Good job!

Is it possible to fish from the shore? Around here the bass are moving in within casting distance from the bank.

Tie the end of the line to something solid and back up until the spool is empty. Then reel the line back in keeping the line tight as you walk toward where the line is tied. If the squeaking is still going on then it's not the line.

Booyah, Strike King, BPS, War Eagle, and some I can't remember.

It was a jig for me. Where I fish I hardly ever saw anyone fishing with a jig so I decided to learn how to fish it. I started my education in March, and most of year I don't think I ever had a bite. There were a few trips when the only bait I brought was a jig. Six months later in October we were fishing in a cove, and the crankbait bite was on that day. For some reason I just picked up the jig and started fishing with it. I felt a tap-tap, and set the hook on my first jig fish. After that I got more confident with it, and now I always have a jig on the water.

Somewhere where the water doesn't freeze in winter.

A jig and craw, and a Texas rig are my two constants.

Just Bass Resource.

I still drift when I'm fishing thick vegetation from a jon boat. It's easier to raise up the electric motor and just let the wind move you across the mat.

I'm sorry for your loss. It's never easy losing a good friend that's a family member.

I have several brands but mostly I use a Rat-L-Trap, Cordell Spot, and RES. There's too many snags on the bottom of the lakes I fish, so I keep the baits in the water column. If the bass ignore a straight retrieve, then I'll retrieve the bait for a few feet then stop to let the bait drop down. After two or three seconds I start up the retrieve again.

With clouds and wind I fish with a spinnerbait, bladed jig, or a lipless crankbait. I'll throw a heavy swim jig if there is a lot of cover.

A 1/8 oz, unpegged weight with a Ultra Vibe Speed Craw. Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Red, or Black w/ Red Flake depending on the water clarity.

Orange / brown, black, black / blue. A painted spinner bait blade helps too.

Super Hog Baby Brush Hog Pit Boss Rage Craw Ultra Vibe Speedcraw

Zoom Ol Monster in black grape, or black with red glitter.