Todd2

Seems like everybody is saying close to the same thing...with just different terminology. Good thing Bass don't care..lol I like these screen shots. I'll add one. I fished this creek yesterday, it's fairly popular at this lake. I was pretty much skunked until I hit the spot where the creek bed pulls away from the bank. That part of the flat where the "V" is just to the left of the 600 is where I caught 3 fish in about 5 casts...nothing huge, big one was pushing 3lbs..didn't catch another fish in that creek. Even though this spot is not out away from the bank, it has deep water access. These little spots are golden IMO.

Yup...I always complicate things...lol

Ok, I'm gonna venture out into left field here. Flats are structure right? So are drop offs, humps, saddles, points, ditches, etc. What's left? Everything on the bottom is structure right? So what we are talking about is fishing structure changes. Pea gravel to chunk rock transition, the end of a flat that drops off to deeper water, ditches have deep water in the middle rising up on each side, points taper out into deeper water, humps rise up into shallower water. For me I try to visualize these areas and fish something that makes contact with the bottom. My confidence level goes way up when I'm feeling the lure come through cover in these places. An old man told me one time to cast to the distance that most people have their boats...kind of goes along with the 180 degree thing. Great thread...

Yup....@Padon pretty much nailed it...C Rigs, Split Shot, and Mojo rigs usually just drag the lure on the bottom. This works a lot of the time and is an excellent presentation. The drop shot Will suspend the lure off the bottom. You might be overworking it. Light shaking on semi slack line with dead sticking mixed in for a while. Drag a little, repeat.

I've tried several on spinning gear...8lb Stren or Spiderwire EZ are my favorites as of now...I retain the right to change my opinion in future posts...lol What is MG blue?

I really like Stren CBF, I just recently switched a couple rods over to Spiderwire EZ Mono in CBF and I think I like it a little more..seems a little more sensitive and has a little less stretch. Both are great lines. Braid is not for me, I like the sensitivity of fluoro and there is no doubt it's a little more sensitive than mono. But knot strength (especially lighter line), manageability, and price are why I stay with mono. Not to mention I like that blue. To each their own.

The jointed version is my favorite crankbait...JSR5 to be exact. They catch Bass of all sizes!

Those should work fine. I've used several different brands usually in the 1 or 1/0 size and I don't notice much difference in hookups. The one exception are those circle hooks where the hook point bends back toward the shank. I didn't like those. I've been using the cheaper Eagle Claws in the 50 pack and if they're still on after the fast reel down and lift, they usually stay on.

Your title contains "Unfortunately caught a bass". No person should ever piece those words together in that order. Yeah, I think most have had a fish in situations similar to that. The worst is when you get a big one wrapped down deep and your line is sawing up and down into wood and there is nothing you do but wonder which lb test is on that reel.

I've fished it for two years and still haven't figured it all out so I'm not sure I'd start in a tournament. From what I can tell...there are two main camps...shakers and non-shakers. Most things I read say not to overwork it...but several pros shake it the whole time. I started out holding it fairly still and that works...but I'm not convinced that it's better than continously shaking on semi slack line. If anything, I'd say my numbers have gone up some the more I lightly shake the slack. Maybe others with more experience will chime in on shaking??? Either way...good luck!

Chrome/Blue cranks work for me in both. I don't throw top water enough to answer that one.

I'd head to Sugar or Duncan on the KY side of LBL. Ford's or Pryor on the Barkley side of LBL.

Pretty much the same here...I might say 90% spinning..I always keep a jig on a baitcaster for pitching. But any open water or cranking I prefer light line spinning reels.

So if I'm dragging along and the normal is 2", as soon as I hang on anything it's gonna load up more than that...right? That's the only thing that confused me in the video.

Hard to beat the time tested black/blue. I like Arky style jigs in 3/8 to 1/2.

I literally laughed out loud...good stuff.

I'm lucky to get out once a week with everything going on...but it's honestly more than most guys I fish with. The most consecutive would be about 4 or 5, those are long 8 hours or more, that we do on our KY lake trip in the Spring. By day 4 I'm usually feeling it pretty good.

And the endless debate goes on...much like Ginger or Mary Ann (yeah, showing my age). There likely will never be a winner...I'm a mono and Mary Ann guy...lol

I've tried a bunch of different monos, a few braids, and a few fluorocarbons and I've settled with plain ol Original Stren. It's my favorite by far..Not too limp, not too stiff. Great abrasion resistance and knot strength. I don't need to stretch it, spray it, or anything else. Lasts one season easy,...and it's cheap. Not Big Game cheap...but cheap enough. 8-10 on spinning 14 On baitcasters.

Just curious....why the leader when vertical and not when horizontal? Also, this question would be for anybody... Do you feel bass hold a drop shotted worm longer than other presentations? I use mono, I'm sure I miss bites, but with drop shots it seems less likely to miss them since there is a direct line to me, assuming very little slack. Just reading the comments and over thinking here..

Beetle Spins are often looked down on by Bass guys but they can be fish catching machines. I know a guy that throws it a bunch. You will catch big crappie also.

Wow..that's some good info. I usually go lighter thinking I'll get hung less..but I was just about to order my regular 3/16 oz ds weights. I'm gonna bump it up to 3/8 or 1/2. I know last weekend I was working it down some drops and lost contact just like a jig bite sometimes and that little alarm in my head went off to reel fast and sweep. Landed about a 3lber and never saw or felt any line movement. Heavier weights should help with those bites too..staying in contact..thanks.

I'm probably breaking every drop shot law that exists. I use 8-10lb Clear Blue Original Stren, Eagle Claw plain shank hooks, and sometimes I'll just tie on a bullet weight if I'm out of DS weights. Still, it's my #1 presentation when things get tough and I rarely lose one if they're still on after my reel down and lift.

I tell everyone pink buzzbaits. Nah, I usually don't mind sharing info.

Check out the Allstar Rods..I have about 5 that were all well under $100 and they're my favorite rods.