CJ

M-H1977,I also started keeping a log last year.I'm curious to how things may change this year.And yep I think casting is part of presentation too,especially when it comes to placement and how soft or hard your bait hits the water.Whether you are trying to keep from spooking a fish or trying to penetrate cover.Thanks for sharing your rattletrap presentation MH1977 I do something similar in the spring.I will crash one in to rocks off of steep banks then let it flutter to the bottom.It works awesome especially in a craw color.I'll have to try that deep in the summer,must get good reaction strikes.

When you talk about schooling your talking about fish packing up to feed.LM do this by year-class.SM do not.When fish are staging or just in a normal feeding mode I don't think it matters.I have caught 6lbers with 1lbers,but they weren't schooled.And it always seems the big fish eats first.Another thing I have caught 4lb.smallmouth that were schooled with 2 lbers.This is only my experiences on my lake.Different lakes could mean different cultures sometimes.

Looks like your post got put in the wrong spot.I don't have alot of exprience pouring,but the guys I know usually have a diecast mold made at a machine shop.What you need is a prototype of what you want.I would try to post this as a new topic.You should get some good advice.Good Luck CJ

I have sit and recalled some of the catches I have made in the past.The lures I used are commonly what I remember the best.Though the lure is what I caught the fish on,It wasn't the only thing that caught the fish.We have all read articles on presentation,but most of them I have read seem to fall short of "fine tuning".Sure I have read about slow presentations,fast ones,pauses,colliding with structure,etc.To me those are only basic presentations.I'm talking about those secret ones the pros don't talk about.I am also talking about ones that may go against what has been wrote. To me difining presentation isn't easy,it is a large realm.Color,size,shape,retrieve speed,and action is a start.Line size and even rod length,action,and power also are a factor. Okay,with all that said,I will share some of the "fine tuned presentation"that have worked wonders for me. The first one may not be a big secret and most of mine probally aren't.In pre-spawn stages a jerkbait is an excellent go to lure.It is well known to pause in between twitching.When you buy a Smithwick Suspending Rogue it will slowly float up when stopped,but one suspend strip placed right behind the front hook will give a slow sink when stopped.Most of the time bass love to strike a lure on a fall and a jerkbait is no exception. During the spawn alot of anglers may have trouble getting a bedded fish to strike.Alot of the time shaking or working a jig slow will produce.One technique I have found to work is a little out of the ordinary.Alot of the bass on my home lake will make their beds in an opening around the yellow flowers or a weed type vegetation.Instead of targeting the actual bed I will target the vegetation around it.I run a jig over the bed slowly,shaking it.If that doesn't get the strike I will hang it on the weeds and shake it as vigorously as I can with out jerking it away.If you get the chance try this it works. During the summer months I move out to deep ledges.The fish like to suspend alot during the day.I usually always start out with a jig or a 10 inch worm,working them close to the bottom.As the sun comes up and the water warms,I have found to down size my presentation is critical.I go to a 6 inch finesse worm on a 1/4 ounce t-rig.If the bite dies out on the bottom thats when I start lifting my worm off the bottom.Sometimes may even lift it as much as 6 or 7 feet.Sometimes only a couple of feet.This presentation has put number 5 in the livewell a few times. Some of these presentation may sound more like tricks.And some of them probally are.All I am trying to do is show some awarness to the topic.I feel it is critical for bassfishing sucsess.It is one of the elements that make it so fun. CJ

Oh yeah,THANKS GUYS!

You busted me Whittler.That is actually a new top coat that is water born.It actually has a tough finish(not as tough as epoxy).The only kickbacks are,its not as glossy and it has a 30 day curing time before it is 100% absorbtion free.Do you use epoxies?I have heard they are hard to work with.And I noticed there pretty expensive.

Well there are 2 different types of airbrushes.A single action,which the paint is externally mixed with air.And a dual action,which the paint is internally mixed with air.Single actions are way more affordable,but I don't think you will get as smooth of a blend or fade with a single action.Yet a single action is much easier to clean up.I use both actually.I do most of my painting with a Badger 200 dual action.It cost about $90.Most single action will only cost $20.I use the single action for primers,my base coat,and splatter backs(which there is a trick to).Another thing you will have to check on is an airbrush compressor.They tend to run around $200 bucks.I would subjest using cans of airbrush propellant to start.Hope this is some help. CJ

Congrats man.It gotta be nice to have a job that will interest you.

Thanks Glenn!

Maybe this will work

Well I can't get the pics on there.Do I put the URL after the insert image icon?Or what do I do?Thanks CJ

These are a few of the crankbaits and jerkbaits I have painted.I am new to this art.Tell me what you think.Thanks CJ

Thanks Whittler I'll read that.I just started custom painting some lures this year I'll see if I can get some pics through.

Archer,I take it you have never seen Randy Jones Strike Zone.Anyway,Jimmy has wrote a letter to his forums on his website with an apology.You can read it and judge for yourself.His wife has also posted a letter.

Alot of this will depend on where you are fishing.I'll list some lures and presentations for starts.I'm sure alot of the guys will help you out on this.In early March to mid April is post-spawn around Western Ky(Depending on water temps).I usually start out with a jerkbait,smaller crankbaits,rattletraps,jigs and tubes.I work most everything slow.Fish are usually going to be sluggish until the water temps hit mid 50s.One of my favorites is a shadrap in crawdad color(its orange and brown)I throw it along main lake points and breaks usually looking for chunk rocks or just rocky bottoms.An important thing is to make sure you are making contact with bottom almost constantly.My other favorite is a jig.I also work it slow,though I may lift it some off the bottom to try to get suspended fish to strike it.By the way pre-spawn fish suspend most of the time,but not all the time.Thus pointing us toward a jerkbait.I like a smithwick pro rogue.I throw it as far as I can reel it down to depth then try to find the prefered presentation.For example twitch,twitch,pause or twitch,twitch,twitch,pause.The pause is important.Thats usually when they hit it.I fish all of these presentation usually close to a point or break that drops steeply into deep water. When water temps hit upper 50s to lower 60s,this does depend on lake elevations,the fish will usually move toward shallower water.I put down the suspending jerkbait and pick up shallow running cranks like a Bandit 100,a jig,spinnerbait,and last but not least a t-rig.This is when I start fishing heavier cover and not rocky structure.I will work a little faster.I usually always start out the day fishing a little slow,this gives me time to observe signs that may tell me whats going on.I have found in the past some lures will work consecutivley,but the presentation may change daily.I try to place my lure right in the brush or right on or next to the log.There may be some days in the spring that the fish don't bite as well.I found that if you down size a lure,I usually go to a finesse worm on a split shot,it usually pays off.Well I hope this helps.Good Luck!Spring is the best time of year for bassfishing.

Thanks GL.

I have talked to atleast 3 tournament fishmen who have said Jimmy was the nicest and most outgoing guys in the TV/fishing industry.He would talk to anybody about fishing and has spent alot of time talking to people personally at his showings.I have not had the chance to meet him,but still anxious to.Even though some people think he is a peice of crap,nobody has more fun fishing on TV than Jimmy Houston.I feel he has played a big part in where the fishing industry is today.

I know you guys have probally been asked before,but how do I put pictures on my post?I have a a Kodak and its software and know how to use it,but I am really computer illiterate.

Whittler,that is a great looking crankbait.I will eventually try to make some for my self.Is there alot of overhead,say for tools,etc.?Again,I love the looks of that crankbait.

Avid,I with you on the fact that there are probally alot of TV anglers and hunters who are guilty of canned hunting and faking a catch.Although I don't think Jimmy is going to pull a "Jose Canseco"and tell all.It would be interesting though.I hope he does come clean and give an honest explanation.He owes that to his fans.I think the celeberties who found themselves in a bad situations,for example Canseco and O.J have used the "write a book and get rich while bringing everbody else down with them",are cowards!

I have seen pictures of the different species of bass and a redeye was one of them.I have seen alot of smallies with redeyes though,and if RW don't know than there is probally no explanation.

That's awesome ranger50.People like that are what makes the world a wonderful place.I always said all you have to do is love bassfishing to fish with me.

I'm with Rattletrap on this one.I just don't know the whole story.I am however in total shock.Say it ain't so JIMMY!Say it ain't so!

>:(I hate you guys from Texas,California,and Florida.I hope your lakes dry up!LOL ;D Okay,I admitt it.I have to go freeze my butt off right now for only a bite or two.Can't wait for those warm, long days and toady bigmouths.I am coming to pee in all of your lakes someday!

Welcome to the forum.There will be bass in that cove sometime or another.Alot of it depends on water tempature and lake elevation(the water may be 1-2 ft. now but will it go up?)In the spring the bass may come to the shallows, before they actually spawn, to feed.This is when its alot of fun.When the water temps hit upper 60s to lower 70s,maybe even a little before,bass usually move to the shallows.If the water elevation rises during these temps that's when it should get good.I'm not sure how bass fish in Virginia.I diffanently recommend you reading some of the articles and taking notes about bass fishing on this website.Good Luck! CJ