jb_adams

I'm having trouble finding fish again. My home lake is Beaver Lake near Rogers, AR. It's much like Tablerock or Bull Shoals but different. It's a reservoir lake that was created decades ago when they damed the White River. So when I refer to the "river end", it's just that, the White River but it's part of Beaver Lake. Here is a Google view of the lake: Current conditions: - water temp low 60's - water clarity, (see poll options above) - water depth, 30-50ft. up-river, 30-90ft. mid-river, 90-170ft dam end of river - low temps in the 30's, highs in the upper 60's The bass were staged in 25-30ft about two weeks ago. Tons of shad were in the back of creekfed coves but no bass. The lake experienced a long algae bloom and I thinkn the oxygen level was low in the back of coves. The best place I have found fish is in deeper water in large coves (with deep channels) or off of mainlake points. Now, I can't seem to find fish at the "conventional locations". My next place to look will be the middle of the lake at underwater structure, roadbeds, channels, etc. in about 40-80ft of water.

I think he uses one of Bill Dance's "private lakes" to catch all those pigs. I mean, who has time to capture such great video footage when you're catching quality bass? The camera would be in the case and I'd be catching fish....not filming! ;D We know, it's a hard job but somebody's got to provide quality video with quality fish. Right LBH?

EVERYONE keeps saying Rat-L-Trap type baits are the best. I can't figure it out. I muse be retrieving mine too fast and making it rattle too much or too loudly. I've caught two bass on this type bait before and both times, the hit the bait as soon as it hit the water and they were both under 12" long. Is it a steady retrieve or a jerk-pause or slow reel-pause method required? I know it varies on lakes, conditions, forage, etc. but I must be doing something wrong. As for the jerkbaits working yep, I've had good luck so far. I really like them and plan on buy several more. For me, the DT10 and other shallow cranks in dark grey are getting attention. Nothing with a wide wobble though, for some reason, a tight wobble gets more attention right now.

Sounds like St. Croix is cinching up their belt and going after GLoomis. I know they can do it too because I love my Avid rods. I just put a new BPS Prolite Finesse reel on one of my Avid rods and I darn near teared up because it was so lightweight, effortless casts, so comfortable in my hands, and weighed practically nothing. When I put my other baitcaster on an older rod, I felt like I was swinging a pool cue compared to my Avid. Hi, my name is JB & I'm a St. Croix addict....

The best bait color for these type baits is clear.....trust me! If you add a feather trailer style trebble hook, that's even better. I love the Zara Puppy but the hooks are too small and you have to reel as fast as you can and don't let one ounce of slack in your line becuase the barbs won't hold a decent bass.

The nearest Bass Pro Shop (not that it's my preferred choice) is Branson and Tulsa. Sportsman's Warehouse is less than 5 miles from my house. I go there all the time. Our sells quality gear for all kinds of outdoor sports. Unlike Dicks or Sports Authority, they actually cater to the outdoor market vs. athletics. Where else can you buy a handmade wooden Old Town canoe? I like the large bait selections for plastics, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, etc. I'm satisfied with the products, selection and the prices are decent. They are no great blowout deals but they are competing with BPS and the Wal-Mart across the street. I bought all three of my Avid rods there and like Roadwarrior said, it wasn't a great deal for a discontinued rod but at the time, I thought I was getting a huge deal. I wasn't aware of the sale until after I bought them. I don't regret it one ounce though. I love my new rods. I've never had a problem with Sportman's Warehouse and the staff seem fairly knowledgable and easy to find help when you need it.

IPC & ART? Sounds good.....what is it? ;D

Well then, I must find an Avid series or I will have to go with a Falcon rod because you can't beat the feel and lightweight you get with those rods for only $70. Now if I could find another manufacture that competes with the Avid series for around $100, I'd look at it was well. I've had some tell me All Star and some other brands but I haven't been impressed with them in the store. Must be a confidance issue. I know Falcon and I know the Avid series. GLoomis.....well the name is a legend and holding one of them is like holding a jewel and an insurance policy in your hand because you need one for the price. They are awesome but too expensive. I'm already a nervous cat with my Avid series, I can't afford to go up. I'm trying to keep it around $100.

It's time for another new rod already. Got a new reel and I love my new St. Croix Avid series rods. I can't find many of them now. Eventually, I'll get another St. Croix rod to add to the family. I'm a firm believer in their quality and feel. All I can find now are the Triumph and the Premier Series. What your opinions on these two series rods in comparison to the Avid series?

I can't quit using it. My bud uses PLine now but I can't switch. He got me started on Yo-Zuri and I like how it's smaller diameter and softer than other lines. It is easily damaged in comparison with Spiderwire but, it lasts a lot longer than Spiderwire and I have more faith in Yo-Zuri than many other lines. I use it on all my reels.

I've recently began trying crankbaits more frequently considering Fall is the "season of crankbaits" around here so I've noticed color, size, and retrieve all play a huge role in presentation. Just yesterday, the fish seemed to want an easy meal. It's hard to figure out a cadence or rythem of sorts that the fish want. I had a Tenn Ghost Shad Rap tied on had a small bass follow it. I realized then I was going too fast. Slowed it down a bit and tried the pause method. No bites. I think slowing it down gave them time to look at it and either they could discern that it was fake or they just lost interest. I only fished for 1.5 hours so I didn't have enough time but I am very glad I have learned what I have by reading posts here on the forum. I feel so much more confidant in crankbaits now than I ever have. If I'm not getting bites, there are multiple reasons. No fish present where I'm casting, poor presentation, wrong color, wrong size, etc. It's not that "I don't like crankbaits" because they hang up. I've slowed down my retrieves and now that I have a sensitive rod, I can tell when I cross a log, bump a tree, hit the rocks, etc. Quality equipement is just as important as the presentation itself for a beginner. So with all of that said, keep trying the X-Rap. There may be a time where that bait is just right. I personally think the bass are very aggressive and like an active bait when the X-Rap bite is on. That may be why the Lucky Craft pointer is working better for you because it's lesser in action or you're working it differently. My buddy and I just ordered some more X-Raps off Ebay. Eight for like $30. We will put these to good use on the smallies I assure you!

I've been meaning to make a road trip to Millwood. Then I remember how many gators there are. That changes my mind. I know they usually don't bother humans but, it's the idea of something that bites back that bothers me! ;D Just this weekend, I was using a swimbait in Florida. Pulled it back and there were big huge chunks missing from it. Looked like a dog knawed on it. Whatever bit it, I didn't want any part of it. I'll stick to my clear water reservoir lake and be happy!

Oh, one last thing. Color can play a huge factor. I've learned that there is one particular color right now that has a good natural looking contrast in the green water my home lake has. Now that I know this color pattern, it's easier to select any type of crankbait, plastic, etc. Funny thing is, my spinnerbait color is totally different which tells me it's relating to a different source of prey. So, find out what they are eating in your area and then try to select a color close to that. It doesn't have to be identical, just relates to what they are looking for. Easier said than done? You bet! If you keep your fish, check their belly when you are cleaning them. That's the best way to see what they prefer at a given season or time of year. Also, ask around at the local bait shops. They should be able to shed a little light on what colors are hot. That's not as dependable but better than nothing.

The bigger question here is, do you know there are fish present where you are throwing the bait? Not trying to insult you or anything. It just took me forever to learn that. Now that I know how to read a sonar, lake map, know where the fish are based on conditions, etc., it's a lot easier to know if it's me or the fish that don't like the bait. I agree with RW on most all points. I like to fish it a little faster but I fish clear water. The smallies like to chase it. It's recently become one of my favorite baits. I've reduced to a shad rap but I'm thinking that both are needed based on what the fish want. One day, they want a big bait, the next day they want a smaller one like the shad rap. Since you're in muddy or stained water, make sure there are good fish present either by sonar or by topwater action. Then try varying your retrieves again. I would think 2 good jerks & a pause, 3 jerks & pause, then 4 jerks & a pause would be a good way to intice a bite. The first two get their attention if they are close by and the progressional jerks should get a reaction strike. Try the shad rap too. You may find that they want a smaller bait depending on local forage. Right now, there are thousands of 2-3 inch shad in my home lake in the back of coves. No bass are around though. They are out in deeper water chasing larger prey. Why eat 20 a day when you can eat 2-5 larger prey and use less effort? Again, check the local forage and select your baits based on that.

I think I would just use a live bluegill for bait. That thing looks pretty incredible. Welcome to the club Avid. The first step is admitting you have an addiction. The next step is learning how to perfect your addiction! Just ask Raul....he's really perfected the art and spends his money on exotic Japanese baits! ;D

(Knock knock) Who's there? The baitmonkey....open your wallet!! Thanks a lot....now I have to place an order for more plastics. That flirt worm looks cool!!!

I'm pretty sure it was a Super Spook with a Front Runner tied on. That's an unknown but popular bait around here. By unknown, only the tournament anglers here know about it and it's popular with them. The average angler or beginner like myself has never heard of it. I've spoken with a few guys and they tell me that's probably what it was. Too bad Norman discontinued the Front Runner. Sounds like it could have been a good thing.

I tried it again this weekend but I just didn't feel very confident with it considering weather conditions. A weightless rig with the hook going through the side is an AWESOME fluke subsitute. I used an EWG hook with the hook coming through the first "rib" so it would be easy to set the hook. I also rigged the hook through the side of the bait instead of vertical like most people rig a fluke. Rigging it sideways gives it a different action on the fall and it almost swims slowly as it falls. If you have the patience for fishing slow, this should be an awesome bait. Just have to find a color that works. Their colors are limited and in clear water, you need a nice brown or plum color.

Am I the only one who prefers senko style baits on a shakey head? These work great in winter conditions because it's an easy "fat" meal where as a finesse worm just doesn't look worth chasing to a bass. I've caught bass on both finesse worms and senko style worms on shakey heads but the senko produces all year long. I can see where a trick worm has tons of action compared to the senko. I'll give it a shot in a few weeks. I bet a watermelon candy or a plum color will be a great follow up bait in shallow water.

I thought of that but the bait was too large for a normal jerk bait. It was the size of a large offshore tube bait or ......a "Super Spook". When he cast it, the larger bait was heavier and would lead the smaller "thing" in the air so that told me it was heavier than the sinker or front runner or whatever it was. A c-rig usually weight usually leads the cast with the bait behind the weight because it's lighter than the weight. I thought it might have been a large jigging spoon, but the weight or whatever it was up the line in front of the bait doesn't make since. Why have two heavy objects? I'm really convincing myself it was a white Super Spook and a front runner. I've done a few searches and that's popped up. Anyone know how that bait combo works? What kind of action does it give, etc?

Yesterday, my partner and I were leaving a large cove and we noticed an angler on a long tapered gravel point at the mouth of the cove throwing a bait very far and catching fish on nearly every cast. It was unlike any bait I've ever seen. The "mystery" bait: The bait appeared to be white & about the size of a Super Spook (long & shad like) but the strange part was, he had something tied in front of the bait about 8-12" up from the "mystery bait". I'd say the "something" was the size of a 3/4oz egg sinker. I have heard of using a Norman Front Runner in line with a Spook and I thought that might be what he was using but I'm not sure. He was giving the bait a very fast upward twitch in a rhythmic cadence. Just like you would retrieve a spook. The water was very rough so I don't know how he was able to work a topwater on water that rough. Conditions: Just to give you the conditions, the winds were 20-30mph gusts so the water was rolling over like white caps and very choppy. I'd guess his Ranger was in 30-40ft and he was casting into 12-20ft along the ridgeline of that point. We were about 70-100 yards away so it was hard to see exactly what he was throwing. Whatever it was, he was catching quality fish in great numbers whereas the current weather conditions were horrible. A cold front rolled in the day before, high winds, lower barometric pressure, etc. It had been a slow bite since the wind picked up earlier that morning. So, what is your guess? (imagine the theme song to Jeopardy while you think)

I bought a Cavitron after reading RW's raving review on them! (I didn't know you worked for the baitmonkey part time?) Lost my first one somehow because my line broke on a cast. Got my second one and haven't used it much. I probably will in the morning though. Last weekend, my buddy got his shipment of Cavitrons in and had the honors of "first fish". Caught a nice smallmouth just before dawn. I have to admit, I like the squeaky paddle. I think that is a key feature to the Cavitron. I still like my Strike King Tri-blade and I still say i can retrieve is slower since it has a tri blade vs. a single blade. I just keeps it up on plane easier and it's quiet and not noisy like the Cavitron. Sometimes, that subtle buzzer is more natural. Almost like a "finesse buzzbait" in comparison. Don't worry Bobby, when I want a louder buzzbait, I reach for a Cavitron. If I want to annoy my partner, I tie on a "weed wacker" for the fun of it. (lol) The Bill Dance "Dancn' Buzzbait". I call it the weed-wacker. If I ever fish a private stocked pond full of lunkers, I'll use the week-waker!! (No offense Bill)

I haven't caught any fish with them either but I've only tried them a few times and I was not applying them correctly. Fan casting around an area just doesn't always produce on my lake and I know that now. I'm going to try them rigged weightless and with a weighted hook around submerged cedar trees and laydowns. My lake is a really clean lake and there is not a lot of cover for fish to group around. There are submerged trees everywhere but the bass seem to like the cedar trees because it has more camouflaging ability as well as cover. They like easy targets as they wander by. So this will be a great bait for that I believe. Especially this time of year.

Spoken by a true "Japanese bait junkee"! ;D

Thank you oh great and wise Yoda.....