B@ssCrzy

I use a snap, but not a snap swivel. There is a difference. To me a snap swivel is way to bulkey. A snap is less bulky and to me does not seem to effect how the fish bite, and I actually think it improves the movement of most lures. I do not use it on any plastics, just hard baits and spinnerbaits. I always tie directly to the hook on any plastic bait. If you are using a snap swivel on your plastics that would be the first thing I would change. As far as where to fish. I guess I would want to know what the fish were doing in the spawning cycle. Are they spawning? If they are spawning they are going to be up close and by walking up to the shore you may be spooking them. My bank fishing has improved significantly by approaching spots that I want to fish by fishing them from the sides and walking parallel with the shore as I cast out in front of me along the shore (or parallel with the shore). Example: If I am looking parallel down the bank (lake on my right and land on my left) and 12 o'clock being where the water meets the shore, I will cast to 1 o'clock (about 1-4 ft out), 2 o'clock (5-10 ft out), and 3 o'clock (11-15 ft out). If I don't get anything I may try different lures, techniques, speeds, etc. I like to use a lure/bait that is slow, moderate and fast. (ex. senko, spinnerbait, and buzzbait/stanley ribbit or lipless crank) If I still don't get anything I move down 10-15 yards and start the process again. I may only spend 10-15 minutes or so in that one spot. It allows me to cover a lot more water and I have been much much more successful. I used to just walk up to a spot, fan cast and stay there for hours not catching a thing hoping the fish would "come in." Was not very successful. Actually this was something I learned last year by reading the forums and articles on this site and it made a huge difference. Of course there are always weather conditions, time of day, etc. that effect where the fish will be so keep reading and posting and hopefully you will get something that can help you go from fishing to catching. Welcome to the site and good luck.

Toads (stanley ribbits) to buzz along the top, or hollow body frog is what I would use.

If it is a big one....I'm swimming.

x2

Way to go!! What did you catch it on?

A snap yes, but a snap swivel...no. A snap is a lot less bulky than a snap swivel which to me could effect your catching. I only use a snap swivel for spoons and inline spinners. A snap i will use for cranks, jerks, etc.

Agree with everyone else....go with a 7' medium, with moderate or medium action for cranks. That added give will help you a whole lot with your crankbait hookups.

I use 15lb on my spinning gear and 50lb on my baitcasting gear. If your bail is set correctly I don't think you will have a problem with it digging in. I think that mostly comes on baitcasters when you have the bail tightened way down and you are trying to horse a fish out of slop or cover and you are putting a lot of pressure on it as it is being reeled in. I always like to use a leader b/c I do think that it makes a difference. Maybe not as much in stained water, but it is a confidence thing with me too.

I think that is just part of senko fishing. They love those things. I would crimp the barb with pliers. You will still catch your fish and the hook can be easily removed if it is swallowed. Especially since your not fishing for the dinner table.

Stanley Ribbits cast parallel to the bank. Work it like a buzz bait. You can find out really quick where the bass are. Can't beat top water.

I switched to braid on my spinning outfits because I hated the line twist so much. Try it. You may not go back.

I started to use a small rubberband on the bent wire so that it keeps the snap from sliding up. Seems to be working.

I am trying for consistency and hope that I run into one of the big ones. As I get better I hope to put myself in a better place to consistently catch the big ones.

Wind for sure!! Although last Friday had 15-20 mph winds and still went out. My v-hull was like a kite. However, I caught my PB largemouth at about 4.5 to 5 lbs. You better believe next time I'll be back out there again. I am not in a place where I can always chose the best day to go so sometimes it is just part of it.

x2

Stanley Ribbit

Amen!! Why not take advantage of someone else's knowledge to get better quicker. Learning to catch fish consistently is hard enough with all the different variables. Why make it harder on yourself.

These are some of the best posts i have seen in a while!!! Sorry to see this gent go. He brought out some classic laughs. Just for giggles maybe the mods could send him some more junk mail.

I am planning on going out on my local lake for the first time this year. The weather for this was has been as follows: Monday 70's, Tuesday's upper 70's, Wednesday 62-63, and then forcasted 60 degrees for Thursday and Friday with blue bird sky's on Friday. I am going out Friday. So just wondering what your approach would be. It is a man-made reservoir, with visability about 2-3 ft, with no weeds or submerged vegitation. I don't know what the water temperature is at this time. What do you think my chances are? Is this going to be a tough day? Any thoughts would be appreciated!!

Any MM rod will be fine, but the reel is where you will see the biggest difference, IMHO....Curado 50e is a great suggestion. Just got one this year for the same reason you stated and it is great. Even throw some lighter cranks than 1/4 ounce and still does well.

It will work...for me the thing with mono is not that it will break in the weeds, but the stretch it gives to get a good hookset. On a big fish you will get a lot of stretch and not be able to penetrate that upper lip of the fish and you will lose fish because of that.

I agree with the above posts. I have had some for years and still work great.

X2...Have not used the rage toads but the ribbits are great.

If I were going to buy one of the two I would buy the classic gold, but that is just me. The price may be inflated a little bit, but not $170 worth....In my opinion you will be getting a far better rod for him than the Wild.

Will probably hit the local pond, but next week the boat gets to see it's first action!!! Can't wait, but hoping the forcasted cold front does not come true!!