scaleface

I dont go that far . I gave two big sacks of misc soft plastics to my cousins boy about a month ago .

I have left them in rental boats for the next angler . Just two days ago I left a whole pack of Sheels Senko knockoffs in one . Those things were way to hard for my liking .

Some of my reels have that geary feeling through the handle during the retrieve . I have cleaned and greased the gears and the worm drive . One of the reels is a two year old Lews Tournament MB .It was a super smooth reel but now has been relegated to a backup position . Any other suggestions on how to get the reels feeling like new again ?

I have gads of lures and fishing related stuff that could be traded . A local swap meet would be convenient .

I do not keep a log . I have a bad memory on most things but not fishing . Too bad I cant free up some of that storage space wasted on fishing for something more useful .

With a 7 foot mh action rod , I opt for a half ounce . It cast better for me , better accuracy. A trailer is not needed . If a trailer is used then I will go with a 3/8 ounce for the same reason . The trailer adds weight . I remove the skirt and put a paddletail swimbait on a 3/8 bait ounce most of the time . Most people , including me , want a buzzbait to squeal . Crimp the rivet so it does not spin , to make it noisier . They have a tendency to not run straight . Thats okay . use it to your advantage by casting to the side of stuff and let the lure bump into it . As far as color a lot of folks use black . I like shad/baitfish colors in daylight and black at night . Toss them in the same tight spots , you would throw a spinnerbait .

I used the search function for this topic . 2007 is when this was asked last . Anyway , I have a new favorite color . At least for this week . "BAMABUG!!" First time using it . I went through a pack of Yum Dingers in this color and the bass devoured them .

I'm done with tungsten . After losing several dollars in tungsten weights yesterday I switched to lead . When my supply of tungsten weights are used up no more .

I caught a 5.4 lber yesterday , largest of the year . I put it on a metal clip stringer tossed it in the lake then readied my camera . With camera on a tripod , timer set I went to retrieve the bass and it straightened the stringer and was gone . 30 minutes later I hook another about the same size , it gets wrapped up in a marker buoy line and escapes . So no pictures . The lure was a 1/2 ounce Red Eye Shad tungsten two tap about 12 foot deep on a point .

Buzzbait .

Not me . Never even felt the need to learn to cast with a different hand .

I dont need motivation . I like to go fishing .

The rod I throw buzzbaits with "7' mh" will cast a 1/2 ounce model more precisely into tight spots than lighter ones . Then I started putting paddletails on it in lieu of a skirt. That made it heavier and the cast were going right of target . I then put the paddletail on a 3/8 bait and am back in business .

I usually deep crank on points . On my way to the point I look for the depth most of the shad are hanging out at . Thats usually the depth I find the bass .

I have less than a 50 per cent hook up ratio with toads and fogs . Some days 0 to 10 per cent . They do draw big fish and the blow-ups are spectacular. I'm late to the party with them but I fish in some spots where few lures can navigate . Switching to braid and locking the drag down has helped me more than anything .

I've been there once . Went to the museum ,saw Sally the T-Rex, took the fairy boat , the sail boat...stopped and looked at the carp . Those guys need Bass flipping sticks , round baitcasters and a bigger net .

Me either . Hes a stick that can hold is own . There are a lot more out there . All the top pros were locals that would qualify as an average Joe as defined by this thread .

My truck has a short bed so 7'0" is the max length that will fit in it . I typically carry 5 to 7 rods . one 7 ft hvy action worm/jig rod Okuma Epixor four 7 ft mh action rods for most everything else . Okuma Epixors one 6'6" med action rod for lighter weight lures one 7 foot spinning rod for finesse presentations

Shallow schools or deep schools . Some years I find a deep school or two in the fall . They are easy to catch once located . My two favorite baits are a plastic worm or Red Eye Shad fished like a worm . I'll use a 3/4 ounce RES if the fish are beyond 15 foot , a 1/2 ounce shallower .

It was a used swimbait , so I cut the tore up nose off. It didnt quite fit the head but it makes no difference .

Yeah, the words average Joe and dominate , the answer is no . There is not an average Joe who can dominate on the pro circuit . I think there are bunch of above average Joes who could hold their own on the top circuits .

I loved that show .

I think their are lots of guys with the necessary skillset and know-how that can catch bass and compete at the highest level . Its a huge commitment to risk it all , a steady job , away from the family, ... for a shot at making a living at fishing . Not many are willing to do that but that doesnt mean they dont have the skill set . Catt claims know several and I dont doubt him . Look at Nolan Minor known here as @everythingthatswims .He darn near qualified for the Elites fhis year through the Northern opens . His worse finish was 41 . Hes barely old enough to drink a beer .

Its going to break . My suggestion is to but some 3/4 ounce premade forms , clip the wire and transfer the blades and beads . If the skirt is tied on buy some skirts too . They dont have to be exact . Or buy a mold and pour your own . I retire my spinnerbaits after about thirty bass and transfer the blades to new baits . I have a set of blades that have caught several hundred bass and have been on numerous new lures . Sorry , I just suggested the same thing as @BassWhole!

I had my cousins kid in the boat . He has no idea what hes doing so I'm instructing him .We are out on a point with a marker buoy marking a drop off . I tell him to "Throw at the general direction of the buoy. There is nothing behind us but deep water . There are no bass out there . " He throws a plastic worm behind us and a 4 lb bass intercepts it as its falling into the abyss .