Bankbeater

The jig bite has been slow around here. I'm catching bass on plastic worms and stickbaits in the places that I usually catch them using jigs. Hopefully as the temps warm up they will start going after some 1/8 ounce jigs.

On water that I know I don't use any electronics. On new water I will use 2D mostly just to make sure I don't hit anything, but after I become familiar with the water I will leave the electronics at home.

Thanks @BASS302.

Some baits from a few past trips. Anyone have any thoughts on what the bait is with the ridges on it's back? I can't place it.

Now those are some nice bass.

1. Crowds. 2. Inconsiderate anglers on the water. 3. Getting skunked. 4. Lightning and hail. Wind and rain I can deal with. 5. Treble hooks getting into things they shouldn't.

Since my dad passed away I mostly fish by myself. I like the quiet time on the water. I also like to go at my own speed while I'm fishing. Sometimes you can't do that with a partner.

Nope, not even with rubber boots on. Around here going deeper than your knees is considered wading, and that is illegal in most of the water I fish. Besides, I wouldn't know what I'm stepping on or stepping in.

Around here the bluegill beds are usually between the bank and the vegetation growing out from the bank. I like fishing a swim jig through the vegetation..

White pearl, Watermelonseed, or Baby Bass.

I would rather fish a weightless plastic or a Texas rig in the middle of a brush pile. The only time I will fish a jig in brush is when the brush is deep, and I can get a boat directly over it. Then I will drop the jig straight down through it like punching a mat.

People, and bank access.. This is the time of year when I start fishing more smaller bodies of water. Usually no more than 200 to 300 acres in size because a lot of those lakes are either no wake speed or electric motor only. Mo. Conservation is reworking some of their lakes so that they only way you can fish certain parts is from a boat, and they may clear off one side of the lake so it is completely unobstructed. You either have to hack your way through the thicket or fish with the masses on the open side.

With the exception of one or two bass that have been caught bombing a spinnerbait out into open water, all of my bass catches have been in, or above, growing vegetation.

I have a lot of jigs in different sizes, but the one I tend to fish the most is a Strike King Bitsy Flip in 3/8 ounce.

I've never intentionally ran my crankbaits into the bottom or bounced them off of anything. Most of the time I'm trying to run the bait past something like a hump or run it parallel along a laydown or rip rap.

Definitely is not a dink.

Dislike - Hollow body frogs. They work, and I can catch bass on them, but when I fish them it always seems like one of the hooks goes through a plant stem, and I have to go cut it loose. Can't stand - Beetle Spin. See Doesn't Work. Doesn't work - Beetle Spin. All of these baits have been moved to the tackle box for odds and ends. This is after years of fishing with them and only catching one dink bass.

Good catching right there. Congratulations!

For me it depends on what is going on in the lake, and what the temp is like. If it's pre or post spawn, and the water is fairly warm then I fish brush and weeds if I can find it. If the water is on the colder side then I practice my pitching and flipping.

If the growth is really thick and matted up I will fish either a frog or a buzzbait. If there are holes in visible then I'll try and get a weightless Senko type bait in there, or maybe a weightless worm or a fluke. Let the bait fall into the hole and twitch it as you are bringing it across. If you have large sections that have a defined edge then use a Texas rig or a jig and craw. Try and cast parallel to the growth and work the bait back along the edge of the vegetation.

Welcome to the forums!

Most years I start fishing on top in April.

Telescopic lure retriever because some of those found lures can be just out of reach.

While I'm getting ready and loading the car, I will snack on a couple of Pop Tarts Before I leave I will have some fruit, and one or two cups of coffee. On the water I'll have some granola bars and some water. In the colder months I substitute a bowl of oatmeal for the Pop Tarts.

I use old prescription pill bottle containers from the pharm. I use a sharpie to write on the container the size and style of hooks.