Texfisherman

I can't thank all of you enough for taking the time to give such detailed replies. I have read and will re-read all of these replies several more times! I was using a single hook - texas-rigged plastic worm when it hit. Thanks again, everyone!!

I really appreciate the amount of information provided. We are hitting the lake again Monday, so maybe now I will have a much better chance at breaking my record. Thanks, guys!

I was on a lake a few days ago and for the second time in my life, I hooked into a lunker. I set the hook really hard after I felt the hit, and began fighting. About 8 seconds into the fight, she jumped out of the water and my friend and I got a great look at her. She was BIG!! Only a few seconds after she jumped, my line suddenly went completely slack, as she had somehow spit my hook out. I tried keeping steady tension on my line the entire time. I'm not used to fighting 8+ pound largemouth, and am not really sure how to do it. Should I keep my rod tip pointed up during the fight, or down, pointed towards the water? Should I reel-in as fast as possible? I need some really soild advice on working the rod during the fight. Any help/tips are greatly appreciated!!

If there's one thing I've learned over the years of fishing, it's that bass learn what anglers are throwing at them. Keeping a fresh, new presentation can trigger strikes when they are otherwise lethargic. I've only recently delved into nail weights, but now they are a permanent part of my tackle box. **TIP** If you can't find any nail weights in the stores, you can make your own. I go to the local hardware store and buy a box of wide-thread screws. I take a pair of dikes and cut the last 3/4" off from the tip of the screw (the pointed end). I believe I found some screws made of yellow zinc that I was able to cut into and bend, until they gave a nice, clean break. I prefer wide-thread screws over nails, because they hold much better in place. What to do with them: If you are fishing a wacky-rigged worm (Zoom trick worms work great!), try sticking a nail weight in the head of the worm. This gives an awesome display, as the left-half of the worm is dangling downwards, and the right-half of the worm dangles upwards. Try going with a Texas-rigged french fry, and stick a nail weight in the bottom of the worm (furthest from the hook). No bullet weight on top. As you lift your rod, the worm will go up a bit and then fall down and back, potentially right back towards the bass that was sitting there watching it. Irresistable! If you have found any other effective tricks with nail wieghts, feel free to contribute.

Hello, everyone! I am truly glad to have come across this site! It sems to be a very active site and that is exactly what I need! I have been into largemouth bass fishing for 21 years. I've grown up fishing ponds in South Texas and even golf course ponds, catching 3-5 pounders. But now I am getting into lake fishing with Lake Conroe, Fayette and others and I need to sharpen my skills. This is the place I hope to accomplish this. I hope to learn from many of you and at the same time, I can offer fishing tips and tricks that I have learned throughout the years. Thanks!