Choporoz

Aside from frogs and matted vegetation areas, I don't think I caught a single top-water fish all of last year. Not for lack of trying. But I have started to get it in my head that fish in my waters don't want to come up for much; especially if it isn't within a half hour of sunrise or sunset...I pretty much stopped throwing anything on top. But, I'm inspired by this thread and will commit to some buzzing and plopping next couple times out.

I haven't been this confused since I learned that the word 'gullible' was taken out of the dictionary.

I've taken to keeping a small stack of singles in my console, because I'd commonly get to a park entrance or kayak launch that I don't have pass for and not have any cash on me at all. That trip back out to find an ATM really blows when you're ready to hit the water.

I agree with everything @scalefacesaid. Except the swurm part. I have some somewhere, but never tried them. I use the same Rage Bug on a 3/8 oz 3/0 weighted hook (Rage-rigged) that I use in other cover. It too, comes across the top surprisingly well. Nothing cooler than to see a big mama come shooting up through a seemingly solid tabletop of green slime to inhale your lure.

I've actually been more concerned about the actual cost of personal tech than the risk of losing appreciation for money. Cell, cable, internet, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sirius... probably close to 5 grand a year just in my small household....its nuts

What's a quarter? How much is that in Apple Pay?

The article adds a lot more context, but doesn't lead me to conclude that there's anything 'low percentage' about fishing laydowns. I can locate a laydown with a high degree of certainty -- a moving school of actively feeding bass....probably not as easily unless they're busting the surface. I don't really care, I don't think, if a bass in a laydown hits my jig because it simply reacts rather than because it's hungry. The bass behavior article adds another piece to understanding what it is we're tying to do -- but, if I read that and approach laydowns as just hotels for neutral or resting fish, I'm likely going to be less successful.

And THAT is a good thing. All the interwebs could do with a lot more skepticism.

Last summer I caught four bass from one tree - in a single pass over about 10-15 minutes (two of them over 3# both from the same crotch, IIRC.) I'm of the opinion that the biggest (or maybe the 'alpha-est') bass gets the best room in the house -- and if I pull her out, then another bass will move in, sometimes almost immediately.

Did you catch any?

Please elaborate. I an very skeptical of your comment. I tend to think that laydowns, in general, are very often the highest percentage deal on the lake - highest likelihood of any one spot holding fish -- highest likelihood of holding good fish -- and highest likelihood of getting bit. I routinely catch bass that seem to have been buried under the thickest, darkest wood, especially at the crotch of the bigger branches/trunk

Cigars. Not sure I even know how to fish without them anymore :)

M maybe because they don't sell them at TW....weird...not that there aren't other places to shop, but TW does get 90% of my business

Been a fan of CB heads and worms for a few years now. I did go through a period where I threw ned rig a bunch more, but I've swung back to sliders over ned probably about 4:1. I find spiders and sliders come through most grass better than anything most of the time -- I will use a 1/16 mojo weight sometimes instead, however. I use MF spinning rods; 6.5' and 7' spooled with 12# Gliss and 6# Yo-Zuri Hybrid leader. For other finesse: Owner Ultrahead Finesse Ball is great; and if T-rigging, I like 1/32 to 3/32 tungsten weight above roboworms, Reins 4.5 Swamp Mover, 7" Rage Tail Thumpers -- CB used to have a curly tail worm that was fantastic, but I haven't seen them on the web site for at least a year. Yep - indistinguishable...And for 1/16, they are maybe the only option commonly available. I haven't been able to find Mojo for probably a year and a half. Phenix, I believe, used to sell 1/16 cylinders, but I can't find them that small now.

Welcome

I think they're spawning, too....they are absolutely thick in spots...I've been in the yak in Gunston Cove with snakeheads just boiling the water all around me. Landed a huge one in Dogue on Tues, but only with the help of some guys with a net on a nearby pier.

I respect the replica crowd. In fact, I've advocated for it before. I don't have any fish on my walls, but I think that if I ever do, it will probably be the work of a taxidermist. I won't try to justify it, but in my head, getting a replica is sort of like putting a cubic zirconia ring on your fiance's finger. May look as good or better than the 'real thing'....and might also be better for other reasons...but I think that it would just feel sort of....IDK....fake, maybe? Again, I don't mean that to disparage anyone (everyone?) who thinks otherwise.

Good luck. I was out from there the last two evenings. Wed, I went up -- probably not much more than about a mile and a quarter....so, in 3 1/2 hours I worked most everything pretty hard, especially the soccer flats and the shore opposite. Never got anything other than a couple 'bluegill-type' bites. Last night, I went down probably about 3/4 of the way to the splits. Strange night. Lots of hits and follows -- three that didn't commit until lure was coming out of the water at my yak. Couldn't set the hook to save my life -- no clue what was going on. Didn't boat a single fish. Mostly in shallow flats -- no bites from deeper than about 6'....but again, it doesn't mean much, because I couldn't buy a hookset. I think that if the pressure is still dropping in the morning, you might hit the jackpot.

I have looked into it a little bit (nowhere near 11 hours.) Each time, I came to the conclusion that my assumption of needing a 3-piece rod was more my problem than lack of good options. I nearly pulled the trigger on Fenwick HMG Travel a couple times, but always backed off. Turns out that my 2-piece rods from St Croix and Fenwick have been just fine....though, I admit that I haven't flown with them yet -- I always end up driving ....however, I am still debating flying next month.

Good advice. Did he have big feet?

I've never measured my braid and have no idea what the diameters of it are. But, I do know that the 20# on my MF 'light flipping' rod (and heavier spinning rods) casts much better than the 40-50# that I use on my 'heavier' rods.

I use Yo-Zuri Hybrid for all my cranking now. I now use 8, 10 and 12#. I'd suggest that I could easily get away with 10#YZH for all of my cranking - from 1/4oz lipless to 10XD's......paired with KVD line conditioner

0 - 3/16 primarily I don't even use 1/4 from boat much any more...mostly if windy or fishing more than 10'.

@Kozis correct. Google Earth and Google maps are your friends. Also, there's a lot of places discussed here.

Just checked the extended forecast on Weather.com.....Friday brings another cold front....smh...crazy....next four (WORK) days look awesome...Sat/Sun not so much