TWMstr

What do you think is the best Baitcaster and Spinning Rod&Reel Combo for under $150?

First off I should list the gear I'm using. Abu Garcia Black Max 7' Medium Heavy Rod Abu Garcia Low Profile 6:4.1 Reel SpiderWire 10lb UItimate-Mono Eagle Claw Extra Wide Gap Worm Hook 3/0 Gary Yamamoto Senko / Green Pumpkin Blue Went fishing today at a local pond here in fayetteville, NC. Not sure if you guys are familiar with Bayfield Subdivision. Anyways after fishing the Senko texas rigged with a 1/4 ounce tungsten weight for about an hour and a half, ( 6pm - 7:30pm ) I decided to remove the weight and go weightless texas rigged. After about two casts I noticed my line start running and didn't expect it so instead of setting the hook, I started reeling as hard as I could and after about 10 cranks of the reel I remembered I didn't quite set the hook so I let some slack in the line and went to set the hook and....... nothing was there. This would've been the biggest fish I'd ever caught If I had paid attention in the first place. Atleast 8lbs. Lesson? Just remember guys and gals, that even when you think there might not be fish this big or even fish period in any pond or lake that you heard about or maybe even your friends told you about, be prepared at all times. I had all the right gear to land this fish, I just honestly didn't expect anything to take the bait. Now I know this pond has got to be loaded with huge bass.

How should I approach a small to medium size lake with very little to no cover? Some shallow points, but yet the only cover is medium heavy moss on the bottom. No downed trees, no trees leaning over the water, no reeds, no tulies, no hydrilla, no cover at all. I don't quite know how to approach this lake especially with it being the middle of spawn season. What would you suggest?

I went fishing this past Sunday after a cold front passed by late Friday night. I was out on a pond from about 6am - 12pm and didn't catch a single thing. Used a texas rig trick worm the majority of the time on the water. Different colors including black ruby, green pumpkin green, and junebug. Nothing worked. Had two good bites but I guess I didn't wait long enough to set the hook. I'm having terrible fishing issues right now. Water temp should be about an average of 60 - 65 degrees holding. If any of you guys live in north carolina you'll know what I'm talking about. Any advice??

The absolute best time to throw a topwater bait is right before a cold front, overcast skies, and med to heavy fog. Either of these weather activities are a prime time for a topwater bait.

Well warm rain actually increases the pond/lake water temperature so cold air doesn't make a difference. 50% of bass tournaments are played in the rain. It usually doesn't affect the bass before or during rain but i'd wait for atleast 24 hours before hitting the water again to allow the bass to adjust to the new water temp. Hope this helps. haha.

I've been having terrible luck with bass fishing so far this year since late march to present. Fishing several ponds where people told me good size bass lurked around, and nothing is working. I've tried every possible bait you can think of. Spinnerbait, Super Fluke, Trick Worm, Brush hog, Rage Tail Craws, Various Topwater, and so on. Nothing works. I've heard of spawning bass being stubborn but this stubborn? Most times spawning season is the best bass fishing you can do. Any advice?