Ben Eipert

My rod was a heavy flippin stick. It has a pretty stout tip. It feels like a bum-bum, like they are sucking it in then spitting it out

Thanks for all your help guys. I ended up taking line off to respool for next weekend and found that it was all kinked up and stretched out. It must have been my timing and line stretch, mostly timing though. I will see if it gets any better this weekend.

One thing I have found that helped my hook up on soft plastics is lighter wire hooks and skin hooking or leaving the point out depending on the cover. Also you have let them swallow it and run for a few seconds.

I would either lighten your line, switch to braid, or do both. It should help some

Try throwing it side armed and just angle depending on how far you want it to go. You can still get enough momentum that way and I find it easier to control

Timing probably is my issue. Also any tips on how to set it when they are swimming toward the boat? I try to take up the slack but do not want to put enough pressure on that I pull the hook out of the fish's mouth.

I had a tournament today and all I caught was short fish and catfish. I had a few quality hits but my hook sets just were not up to par. Is there a way to tell if it is me or my line? I am using Seaguar Red Label and fishing a jig. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

HD DD22 is my go to crank for big fish. You can get deep or just grind it into the bottom for a reaction strike

Try a tube or crappie jig. Those smaller baits seem to work when nothing else will.

Buy or make a mold of your favorite bait and remelt old torn up plastics

Depth has nothing to do with fishing from the bank.The bass relate to structure and cover. Use a heavy bait to get it down or just walk around the pond until you find fish. Another thing you could do is use an inner tube. I wouldn't use a regular pool one but they can be found cheap and are not too bad new.

When wishing around trees and brush I go with a 3/8 to a 1/2 jig. I like bulky trailers so that it slows the fall. You can never fish them too slow. I have caught them with the jig just sitting there untangling line. Also don't be afraid to go with ones as light as 3/16 for heavy cover. Sometimes they love it when they just sink really slow through there. The hard part is getting the fish out though.

I got 2 Do-it OP molds and love them. The aluminum ones will last forever also

7'10 jig and tube rod- medium, 7'6 flippin stick-heavy, 7'2 finesse spinning rod- med light extra fast. Tubes, shakey heads, dropshot, and jigs!

I have not used a non spiral wrap for the last 7 or 8 builds. The rods were for myself and others. Have only heard good things. I personally will never go back,\.

All of the DD 22s

Mine have held up for over 2 years. I have used them as both rain and snow pants. Won't be disappointed

Check out PacBay's entry level blanks or the MHX ones. Also Mudhole's CRB series. I have used them and they will shock you for the price. They will also take a lot of abuse.

I love my Frog Toggs

Sounds like a winner then. I have been looking for a bait to use for a while that will produce on a deep clear lake. It gets a lot of pressure and I am hoping that most of the fish have not seen one.

Gonna have to order a bag or two

How are reapers compared to like a 4 inch dropshot worm?

Ever used any as big as 5 inches?

Has anyone used reapers or leach style soft plastics for bass and had any success? Only used them while targeting walleye and crappie and didn't know if it might work for bass.

Try spraying it with a heat resistant finish or coating with epoxy. You need to make it glossy and smooth for the bait to be glossy and smooth.