GaBankFisher

I hope they bite the heck out of me tomorrow morning when I meet up with my brother at his pond/lake.

I caught a pretty big one in the Savannah River on a Zara Spook. I didn't even know what the heck a pickerel was so it was a pretty exciting experience. Luckily I had my pliers.

I caught a pretty big one in the Savannah River on a Zara Spook. I didn't even know what the heck a pickerel was so it was a pretty exciting experience. Luckily I had my pliers.

Apparently my boy Andrew (10yrs) is pretty excited about the possibility of a trip the Bass Pro Shop this weekend (we are visiting family in Savannah). He presented me with this list yesterday afternoon. I can't put my finger on the exact reason, but it did make me feel pretty dang good.

Right on...great fish!

Awesome! Great timing!

I think you'd be right either way with a bass that big. I probably would have kept it and suffered some guilt. Or, take photos and measurements and have one of those high-quality replicas made.

This thread has some unusual aspects to it...

Every single comment you make is spot-on...i always enjoy reading what you have to say. Credibility in the bank makes all the difference.

Thanks fellas!

That's a great-looking rig. Thanks.

Yeah...I'm bank bound so my dilemma is, do I: 1) go with the lighter weight, like most recommend. If I do this, I can't cast as far. 2) use a heavier weight (1/2oz) and violate the conventional wisdom, but gain casting distance. I guess I could fish closer first with the lighter weight then take the minute or so to change weights to hit the spots a little further away.

I've always heard that you should go with the lightest weight possible. Is this because the lighter weight allows the lure to fall slower, a larger weight will spook the fish, or something else? Sometimes I go up to 1/2oz. Is that too heavy for water from 1-10 feet deep? I usually fish a large lake with braid (no leader). Appreciate your thoughts.

Fluke - thanks, appreciate that explanation. I used your advice and caught a couple smaller ones on Saturday. I also lost one which, of course, seemed like it was pretty good sized...probably 3-4lb. Thanks again man...I've learned a ton from your posts and videos.

That's kinda a bizarre way to express your feelings about a man who just passed away. I'm fairly certain he respected mother nature also.

For spinning reels, I like Penn Battle. Really solid reel, great drag, and the spool is built so that you don't have to use any backing for braid. The reel is about $90, and sometimes BPS has the 4000 size with a Penn rod for $129. I'm sure there are many other options but this is one to consider. Oh yeah, I've caught tons of fish with an Ugly Stik. Not the best rods in the world, but if you're on a budget they are a good value. Good luck.

Appreciate it fellas...y'all pretty much confirmed what I thought (high water should generally be a good thing). Must be that I have just sucked lately. Need to do some more strategizing so see where I'm making mistakes or what I should change up. Thanks again!

Penn Battle is a pretty good saltwater spinning reel that's not too pricey. I have a couple 4000s and a 6000. Really solid and a good, water-tight drag.

Oh yeah...I only get knots when I'm using a "walk-the-dog" type lure like a Zara Spook. I always close the bail manually and make sure the line is straight before I start reeling.

I use 20-30 lb PowerPro and am pretty happy. I have also used the Bass Pro Shop brand, and a few others that I got when they were a real good deal. For the most party, they've all worked fine. Good luck...

I don't know what the law says, but I think it's reasonable to assume that if there are no signs (private property, no fishing, etc.), it would be ok. I'd say don't make a mess, don't mess with anyone, don't keep any fish, and be prepared to politely leave if someone says something to you. Just my thoughts...

I'd appreciate yall's thoughts on this: does higher water make it harder for the bank fisherman? I spend a lot of time walking the banks of Clarks Hill (Augusta, GA). The water is up about 13 feet since January. The increase was fairly gradual, until about a month ago when it really jumped up quickly. In the last 30 days or so, I have caught WAY less bass per outing. I mean, I was catching more in the middle of the winter than I have lately. Is this related to the high water, or coincidence? I initially thought that the high water would be good...more cover, insects, etc. in those areas now accessible to the fish. One obvious disadvantage is that I can no longer get to all of my favorite spots because the water is so high. Hopefully I will get me a boat when I get back from Kuwait next summer but we'll see... Anyway, thanks for your thoughts.

You need to wear one man...I'm normally not the safety marshal but getting you face fried over and over is not good at all. I wear one made by Simms and it's pretty good. It does have the breathing holes. When combined with a ball cap and sunglasses, everything from the neck up is covered.

Same thing happened to be about a month ago! I arrived at 0445 all excited, only to find the gate closed and sign saying that the gate would open at 0700. I fish on this lake nearly every weekend and the gate has never been closed before. Talk about an early-morning disappointment.