Goose21

Quake, any idea how long it took the lake to settle down? I'm a few or more hours or south of you and currently dealing with the turnover on about a 250 acre lake. Thx

Great fish. Up in Rockford I see, man I can really tell fall is in full swing by the background in those pictures. I'm curious, has that lake you're fishing tturned over yet?

I always feel bad for those fish. At least in prison they don't throw you fake cheeseburgers on a string even.

Bo that's exactly what I'm seeing. With basically very little action of any kind regarding the fish. Will be on the water again wed. I'll check in again.

Interesting and I have read that the 50* mark is key, I would guess the water temp is mid to upper 60's. I still can't explain the sudden change in water color. We've had no large amounts of rain fall since the remnants of Isaac rolled through. I'm still fishing though. Man have rod break out the crappie gear Thanks for the input

Hey Bo, not fishing little Dixie I've only heard of it. Lake is a private lake called Holiday acres lake up near Macon/Cairo about 40 miles north of Columbia. You may or may not have heard of it. Anyway I went out again today to take a look, same deal, kinda bumming.

I use that same mag trick worm I think same color. Lots of action with it

What is the brand name on the packages? I've never had the pleasure but of heard stories of some good finds at local yard sales. Mostly ancient lures in good condition selling for nickels .

I rarely fish hard baits but man if you're a rapala enthusiast you can find some flat out steals on various cranks in the walmart bargain bin. I'm talking under $2 even.

48 cents now that's where it's at

Na they're just fine out of the plastic shell but I don't tell Wal-Mart that.

I've seen a few packages of rage craws in the bargain bin at Wal-Mart without the plastic. I assume folks take them out of the plastic package to get a better look and then put them back in the package carelessly (I've been guilty) so the employees just take the plastic out all together. I could be wrong. Anyway Wal-Mart by me lets them go for like $2.19 a package. I make sure there are 7 craws in each pack and as long as there is I clean 'em out for that price! Most here probably use the craws as a jig trailer primarily but I've also caught some pigs this summer T-rigging them on a finesse set-up with small hook, light flouro, small tungsten bullet weight bottom dragging on a high pressured conservation lake here in mid Mo.

I've only tied one knot all of my life, and Im curious what you all refer to it as. Switched over to flouro in the spring and just love it. I run the line through the eye, twist 10 times, through the bottom loop, clinch a little, through the top loop and then clinch knot fully. Wetting the line prior to clinching is essential. Is this the palamor? I have no reason to switch to another knot as it's been nearly flawless -only breaking early on if I failed to wet knot thoroughly. I do it every time now.

Thanks, I picked a hell of a time to take some time off! Will be interesting to see if there is any change by wed.

Have a question for you all. This year I started fishing again after taking about a 10 year break. Live in Missouri near Columbia. The lake I fish the majority of the time is around 250 acres, and I'm thinking it's very much in the process of "turning over". In just a week's time the water went from a summer stain to muddy to very muddy in some spots especially along the bank. Silt and other gunk was evident. Nights have turned cool here (40's even s couple of nights.) Those of you in the Midwest are you seeing some of the same in your lakes? Just so happened that yesterday also was my first day on that water with some new Costa polarized shades so I'm questioning whether the lakes usually that dirty and I just don't see it, but Im doubting that's the case. Had the slowest day I've had on that lake yesterday since dropping my boat there early this spring. I've been reading a lot of different things online about the turnover. How long does it typically take before things "settle"? Took some time off wed, thurs, fri off next week so I'm hoping conditions improve .

Bo, you all have many more years on the water than I do, but could the geography play a part in the size of bait that is productive around here when fishing for big bass versus that of the California delta? I mean bass in general grow much larger year around in warm waters there than in the midwest, no? Either way I think big worms are a good lure for trophy's across the board.

Alright man thanks for the review!! Nothing like adding another weapon to the arsenal. I placed my first order for a few Northstar flip &swim jigs a couple of days ago myself.

Great write up. The 10" culprit worm is my number one lure. I'd venture to guess my top five bass were all caught on a 10" red shad culprit Trigged with 3/16 or 1/4 oz bullet. The old man introduced me to bass fishing with 7.5" culprits, tequila shad color I believe. He had a lot of patience because I must of set the hook into wood 1000 times before I finally dialed it in. I swore it was a fish though. Just the other day he looked at me like I was an alien when I told him I was fishing with a space monkey.

I fish a t-rig 99% of the time when bank fishing, as long as the brush/cover is minimal I will throw a jig occasionally. That being said I typically bring no more than a zoom trick worm soft plastic bag that slides right in my pocket. I'll bring two extra t-rig outfits, three or so different types of plastics and a couple of jigs. Lately the shallow crank bite has been good at dawn and then dusk so I'll bring a balsa square bill

Autocorrect, sorry. Meant to read Bo's. Poster suggested his jig was being ripped here which isn't the case.

No one here has Knocked Boss's jig.

Tom makes a good post along with others. I've had a lot of success across the board with simple green pumpkin or watermelon with red flake, and have caught some of my biggest bass on red shad or June bug 10" culprit worms this year. Both night and day. Rather than obsess over color selection I go with my tried and true and focus more on the process of finding the bass in different situations and taking note of where I was and what I was doing when catching quality fish. This year I've found a better quality bite using larger or thicker profile creature and worm baits than I've used in the past. I'm always learning new things on the water, and slowly I'm becoming more successful and consistent, but I admit I've got much to learn yet. Over the winter I plan to invest in quality fish finders and tackling that bear next season, always looking for room to improve. (As I've always been a shallow water angler fishing from banks, or throwing to the bank from someone else's boat on the rare occasion I fished from a boat).

For the last four weeks I've caught a friend of the farm how to fish. Started out with live worms and crickets to give him plenty of action and keep him interested. At first the biggest challenge was getting the hang of tthrowing a light spinning outfit. Once that became routine I moved onto small crappie jigs and cranks, and at this point he's got the fever. Moved onto a medium sized spinning outfit with a Texas rigged trick worm or baby brush hog. Lots of action, and frequently landing shorts. Biggest challenge has been distinguishing between the way structure feels as opposed to a fish, and then setting the hook. Of course this takes years to master, as well as routinely making a good cast and providing good action staying within the strike zone. This guy spent a lot of time in trouble with the law growing up, so it's been extra rewarding for me introducing him to a healthy hobby. Bass fishing also teaches discipline and persistence. Nothing like sharing your passion with others. I've found a new fishing buddy.

Mike D you're going to love that combo especially the MGX.

Thanks for the clarification Nick.