travis23

What is the brand? and how much did it cost?

thanks

What is the best way to test water temps from the bank?

I used to lose a ton of fish (spring, early summer), but I have upgraded all of my hooks and trebles as well, and to be honest I cant remember the last time I lost one. I remember in the spring I couldn't stop losing the big girls after fighting with them for a couple minutes. I searched on here and the hooks seemed to be pretty important, but I didn't change yet. Lost some more and I really got sick of it so instead of buying a bunch of lures, I replaced all of my hooks and trebles and like I said, I cant remember the last time I lost one!!

I haven't had the chance to get out as much as I normally would because I have a new baby in the NICU. I have been out about twice a week to my nearby pond and I noticed it has slowed down. I normally catch 20 a day in this pond and I've been coming out with about 5 to 6. I caught most with a jig and a zoom brush hog. I'll continue to go until it freezes over, but I might not stay as long because of the cold.

So I started bass fishing in the spring and I had to buy a lot of tackle to get the things I needed to be successful. I didn't pay too much attention to hooks because it my eyes they were pretty much all the same and they all felt sharp to me. I lost a lot of fish, and especially on topwater spooks and sexy dawgs. I bought some Mustad trebles the other day and although they were expensive I with out a doubt noticed a huge difference. I didn't lose one fish on those two baits a couple days ago. I think from now on since I have plenty of lures and soft plastics that I will stock my hooks with premium and I will also pay attention to the hooks on jigs because that was another one that I noticed a difference with.

I was fishing my usual spot which is a 20 acre pond in Chesapeake, Ohio. I noticed all of the bass were killing the baitfish right next to the shore (inches away). These were tiny little minnows they were busting on. I just couldn't tell what they were. I have only seen shad once and they were bigger and I think I remember seeing flashes everytime the school would move away from the predators. I didn't see any flash or silver in these fish. I do know bluegill are in there, would that be it?

Probably not the best spot to put this, but I am having trouble loading a photo for my profile picture. It always says the file is too big. These were taken on an IPhone and uploaded to the computer. Any advice?

VMC makes great wacky hooks. I use a 1/0 and I have had great success with them.

Absolutely. I fish a lot of ponds and I constantly walk the creek banks and pitch to certain spots. A lot of time I will pitch into open water because like mentioned before...it's quiet, and a lot of times that's what the fish want. If you're walking the creek banks, this makes things easier when trying to get around limbs and branches and also be precise when pitching. Good luck!

I think my biggest goal would be swimbaits, swim jigs, and I would really like to learn how to use spoons for these brownies here in West Virginia.

I haven't heard of the Mepps or Panther Martin's, maybe I'll try these. Rooster tails were so good to me though! Glad to hear people have had a lot of success with them!

I have only been addicted to bass fishing for a year now. Before that I had Rooster Tails and that is all we ever used, because they worked wonders. We mostly fished in a small creek that ran through our town, but after hundreds of dollars worth of new lures and gear and woo woo, I realized I don't buy them anymore nor do I ever hear of anyone talking about them. I certainly don't see any professional anglers with them. Does anyone have success with them on lakes or rivers?

I'm sure some of you have used this, but I found a roll of little Velcro strips in the garage a couple weeks ago. First thing I thought of was to use it to hold that annoying little drop shot weight from wrapping around my rod a bunch of times. I'm not sure where to buy them, maybe the hardware section of Wal-Mart? There is a lot of strips to a roll and I am sure they are cheap. Trim about half or more off (they are about 6 inches long) and they work great!! Hope this helps someone!!

Yeah, I have seen that video. Tried it. Didn't work. I really like and back Strike King products, but I am debating on whether to buy another one or not (Square bills). But hey, maybe its me, not the lure!

I will say this, the 03 worked great for me today (shad colors). I really liked it. I have been having many problems with the KVD square bills running WAAAAAY off. I have bought a lot in the past couple of months and I feel like I wasted money because after a couple of hours they really mess up. So with that said, I fished for a few hours today and had no problems with the 03 size running straight. By the way...Anyone else have this problem with the KVD's?

Thanks a lot for the advice. We were on the river last month and I guess it was the barges breaking the current, but there didn't seem to be much of one (from the looks on top). From the results I saw, a two pounder is doing great. I need five 12 or 13 inchers and I will be doing awesome!!

Aright, so I have a few questions to ask about this drop shot method. I have my second ever tournament on the Ohio river next Saturday. I just purchased a new Premier spinning reel and Villain rod, and I am really wanting to take it with me, but I haven't really seen too many videos on this technique on a river. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong videos?? We stay very close to the bank and mainly behind parked barges. What length do I put the weight from the bait and the bait from the small swivel above? Being that I am going to be in less than 10ft of water 90% of the time, would I make the line shorter to the weight? 6 inches? Any advice would help and I thank you in advance!

You were right. I think medium the rod is a little more stiff than I wanted. My 7'6 Veritas seems a little more stiff too. However, I wanted a longer rod and medium was my only choice with that. 6'9 was the next down and it was ML. I did manage to get my 8lb Berkley on and made a few casts in the yard. Besides being a little stiff, the set up feels great in my hands and very comfortable, which to me is pretty important. Maybe I'll take the extra spool and shims down to the local tackle shop and ask nicely to show me how to put it on.

Yes, I guess that's what it is. I just didn't know if it was something that I was supposed to put inside. I maybe only had 5 minutes to look at it and was confused. My girlfriend was due to have our son today, and had to rush to the hospital. I'll check it out more when I get home and do as you say. Thanks!

True, there is. I just don't understand it. It explained the washers but not the big piece. I'm pretty new to all this. First reel I have bought that I have to put together. I just want to make sure I do it right and that I don't mess something up.

So I just purchased a new Abu Garcia Premier spinning reel from Tackle Warehouse. I opened the box and there is some little plastic washers and it came with another part which looks like an extra thing that you wrap the line around. If that makes sense. I don't know what it is called, but I don't know where these parts go. Can anyone help? p.s. This is a very sharp looking reel and feels durable. I hope this is the case since I spent a good chunk of money for the reel and a Villain rod 7'1, Medium. Is this a good setup for all of my finesse fishing? Worth the money?

Hey guys I have to relocate to Cincinnati, OH, October 1st. I am having a baby with gastro schesis, which is taking me there for a couple months. I would love to find someone to get out and fish with (on a boat) while I am there. I can always pay my part and split the costs for gas, but I don't know anyone from that area. I am a member of Mountaineer Bassmasters here in Huntington, WV. Thanks, Travis

I live in Huntington, WV and I am a member of Mountaineer Bassmaster's. I have to relocate to Cincinnati, OH at the end of the month because I am due to have a little boy. There are some complications with the pregnancy, however I will be there for about 3 months and I need someone to fish/practice with.

I have been killing my girlfriend and daughter for the past year with bass fishing. I have read hundreds of articles and tips, and I have learned so much in so little time. I've also practiced these and have had great results. I live in Huntington, West Virginia, and I just recently joined a club. Next month will be my first tournament, and I will be on the back of the boat. I have never fished off of a boat on a major lake/river. I do have great confidence with all of my soft plastics and crankbaits, but in a pond or small creak. I am probably working myself up a little too much but I am excited and nervous. What advice can you guys give me? Is there any seasonal patterns I should follow? Travis