Needemp

I went fishing today (well actually just practicing accuracy and techniques for the season), and I tried using a jerkbait with florocarbon. I usually use mono pretty much for everything, but now I am a firm believer in floro for jerks. I also use floro for flippin. Does anyone else prefer floro over mono for jerkbaitin? If not, what are the reasons you don't? I know you have to be more careful on hooksets.

I dont see why this topic needs to be "killed". When I am tired of reading something, I simply dont read it anymore :-/ FLUKE, I appreciate the challenge but that is not what this is about for me. My original statement was that IMO hawg hunting and regular bass fishing is not the same. The first few responses to my original statement were off my topic. That usually happens but whatever. Look at the fact that people assumed I was comparing hawgers to tourny guys. I never originally said that. If people want to catch the biggest bass in a lake that is fine with me. Go for it man. Thats not what I am about. I had a pretty good year fishing this year but I didnt post much about it. I am not looking for 'pats on the back' ,but rather to have a nice stringer (catch and release of course) at the end of every day. Not necessarily for tournaments although I will fish a couple this year. I love the challenge of changing seasons, cold fronts, anything that causes me to have to figure out those green backs. Thats my passion. I prefer that to chasing records, BUT that doesnt make my 15 pound stringer of five fish inferior to someone elses 15 pounder in a state that produces those fish.

Those that think this is a heated arguement or a bashing of some sort probably should have stopped reading a long time ago. When we are dealing with a contraversial topic, many different opinions are going to be presented. Lets not forget that everyones opinion is based upon what they think or like. They are not necessarily right or wrong. Thats what makes it an opinion. One guy made the statement about comparing apples to oranges. Without realizing it, he was proving my point. It is apples compared to oranges. They are different types of fishing. KVD and the best hawg hunter can NOT be compared to each other. It's like saying that those that fish for muskey are better than those that fish for walleyes. They are different. Size, lures, tactics, lines, etc. Thats the point. I just never got sucked into the thinking that one was better than the other. If I lived in Cali I probably would go after hawgs. I like the fight of big fish. Thats why I like big cats. But hawg hunting compared to tourny fishing is almost like fishing for two different species. Some people can become successful at one but not necessarily at the other. Fish Chris came across as a little arrogant, but then stated "That said, I'm sorry if that statement came across to anyone as arrogant, or cocky." Well to me it did and so have other statements from other hawg hunters. But to say that he was being cocky would be wrong. I would have to know him to make a statement like that. However, at least one person has attested to his genuinity. That works for me. I believe he is not trying to be cocky. As far as this topic, this is where I stand. I do not look at hawg hunters with "a bit of awe and extra respect" when it comes to my kind of bass fishing or tourny fishing. It's different. Plain and simple. I can respect them like I do a trophy catfisherman or musky fisherman, but not as far as what I am doing. I don't get those that lump the two together as if they are the same. Are they not looking at all the facts? I dont know. Its just two different types of fishing.

Sorry dude. There was this thing called Christmas morning I had to deal with.

First off I am the postee of this one. I was feeling a little good last night if ya know what I mean and decided to comment about something I have believed for a while but didn't want to comment on. After reading what I wrote I realized my opinion seemed harsh. BOTH forms are real fishing. It takes skill to do both, but it is 2 different types of skill. I do not think that Hawg Hunters are the equivalent of so called tourny fisherman. As stated previously; niether one is better than the other, just different. One guy posted that hawg hunters sometimes have to downsize to 4 inch worms to catch hawgs. WHAT! As soon as they do that then they have stepped into our boat and became one of us. Another guy pointed out Ish and Ike as I guess an example of hawg hunters being equal. When these tourny guys fish those tournaments, they fish our style, NOT Cali style at all (BIG SWIMS and LIVE BAIT) Fish Chris, I liked your post and I know you fish for other species. It was your comment over in the "Pros not using nets" post that kind of set me off. The comment that you dont have competative juices flowing through your body is interesting. But at least I understand. I dont want to attack anyone at all. Dont need to. I dont know any of you guys personally so in my book you are all automatically pretty good guys. There is nothing wrong with a healthy discussion IMO. I just wish that the hawg hunters, which seems to consist of a very small group on this forum, would not come across as so arrogant! One guy said it makes them the elite of the elite. That to me is an unthought out statement. Some guy looks at a 15 pounder from Cali and is flabergasted because his biggest bass is 3.5 pounds. A 15 pounder here in MO is the equal of a 7 to 8 pounder. But up north it might be the same as a 5 pounder. I just wonder why people are so fascinated with the Cali bass. Just put it in the perspective of what it really is! Thanks guys

I like this site. It is a great place to gauge the average opinion of fellow bassers and pick up a few good tips. I have learned a lot from here. My only problem with this site is the perception that the guys that specifically aim for double digit bass are the same kind of bass fisherman than the other 99% of us, and that somehow the hawgs they catch make them a superior fisherman. I just don't agree with either of those opinions. I understand not all hawg hunters are like that but there are a few that come across as having that attitude. Hawg hunting has a few simularities to regular bass fishing, but not enough to be considered equal to our type of fishing. For one, you can only fish in a small portion of our country in trout stocked lakes with huge swim baits or live bait. The fact that those two lures are used by them totally seperates them from the rest of us. We sometimes have to use a variety of different lures. Also they fish pretty much in open and deep water. Sometimes we have to move up in the shallows, chase them in the deep or try to locate them somewhere in between. Cold fronts, sun light, and rain can completely change our approach, while the hawg hunters might barely be effected. Also those of us that fish know we had a bad day if we don't catch at least a handful of keepers. And a 5 pounder makes it a great day! If we come back to the docks empty handed or just a few keepers, then we realize that WE probably did something wrong and could have done better. Hawg hunters are only satisfied if they catch a "double digit" fish (some of them). Last thing, I live in MO and our state record is 13 pounds. This is around the average state records in the US. The largest bass in Cali was 25.1 pounds (not the record but she exists in her waters). That makes thier bass twice the size of ours. So when they catch a 16 or 18 pound bass, while very impressive, it is only equal to an 8 or 9 pounder. Just my opinion!

Has anyone ever owned one of these reels and if so how was it? I like the 3.8 to 1 ratio.

I am slowly but surely building my rod and reel arsenal. I need good equiptment that is light enough to use for 8 hours a day for 2 days in a row in tournaments. I also want all my combos to feel the same as the rest when I switch rods. I have decided on St Croix rods all the way through. For flippin' I use the new Curado 7:1 ratio reel. It weighs 10 oz but has the high speed I want for that technique. For all my 6:1 reels I love the Chronarch Mg. That little puppy only weighs 6 oz. But I haven't decided on a 5:1 reel or a spin cast reel. What I am looking for: A high end, light fishing reel in the 5:1 ratio. What is the lightest reel in that ratio that costs at least $200? A high end spin cast reel that also is very light but powerful. I only will need one of these. It will be for all of my finesse fishing. I will wrap 6 to 8 lb test on it. Any of your suggestions from your experience will be appreciated. Thank you!

In what techniques do you prefer to use a fiberglass rod instead of graphite? I know the "rules" of when to use glass or graphite, but I am more wondering your personal preferences. Thanx for your help!

I have a limited budget so I am trying to think of a way to put the right combination of fish finders and GPS on my boat without spending more than I need. What I think would work the best for me would be a great quality GPS, but not necessarily a great fishfinder unit by the steering console. And then put my great quality fishfinder unit without GPS up front by trolling motor. Does this make sense for my situation? If so, which units might fulfil this set-up the best. Who makes a great GPS unit with a mediocre fishfinder? And what is the best fishfinder without GPS? Thanx for your help!

What brand crankbait do you use when you are throwing it into cover for the purpose of making contact with that cover? How often does it get hung up? 1 out of 10 times or maybe 20 or better? Which one is best at the 4 feet range? At the 10 feet range? At the 15 feet and deeper range?

I am looking at the St Croix Premier rods on thier website and it gives the specific weight of how much the rod weighs. I am curious if they are lighter than BPS rods that are equivalent in price and quality, or any other rod that is equal to the Premier. I am hoping someone can help me. I looked on the net but couldn't find anything. Thanx for your help!

What are the different years in the Curado? I am not familiar with the models that exist before the model D. I have noticed a couple of older looking ones that are green and one is almost a gold color. Any explanation would be greatly appreciated.

What is the best way to go about making my own spinnerbaits? What do I need and about how much does it cost to get started? Thanx!

The record might not fall with that fish. Remember the guy that found her fished for her for 11 hours the day before. Then the guys that actually hooked it fished for her for 6 hours or so. And since it was foul hooked, it may have never actually struck at the lure. Maybe its the largest bass for a reason :-/ It don't eat stuff with sharp metal pieces!!!

:-? My thoughts exactly. I think Matt pretty much summed it up. Yep I was thinking the same thing. Frigen Mars to close to the moon dose it every time. It even throws off the dang cows ;D I just want to see how many quote windows we can get inside of each other ;D

I am starting my research for a depth finder. I want to be able to tell bottom comp, structure, cover, thermocline, and in some instances, fish. I like the color coded ones. I am also looking for GPS in the unit and at a decent price (not a cheapo). I want a quality unit that will last. If there are any other issues I should be considering, let me know. Any suggestions? P.S. This will probably be a used purchase. So your suggestions do not need to be for the newest models unless they are what you believe in. Thanx guys!

Do you think bass can see your line: 1. In clear water 2. In stained water 3. Mono 4. Braided (superlines) 5. Florocarbon

According to Kieth Jones, Phd, who has studied bass at Pure Fishing for over 16 years, bass do see colors. Humans have red, blue and green cone cells in our eyes to help us see colors. Bass have red and green cone cells that allows them to see most colors. The only colors they have a hard time seeing is blue and purples, due to the lack of blue cone cells. They appear as shades of grey. Experiments done with bass have also backed this up. Bass have been trained to respond to the secondary and primary colors other than blues and purples. Also all colors are eventually filtered out by water depending on clarity of water and sunlight. Reds being the first to be filtered. In muddy waters, it is even harder for bass to see colors. Bass in shallow water can see colors better than those in deep water. If you get deep enough, eventually all colors become shades of grey and black (which is a lack of color). So, you see that bass can see certain colors during lighted conditions, but some colors they can not tell the difference. Basicly, bass do not look at color when it comes to thier food source. The only role it plays is the color of the lure in contrast to the background of the direction the bass is looking. For instance, if a bass is looking out towards the deep water and sees your lure, a dark one would blend in more with the dark background. A chartruese or white lure would stand out more and the bass would see it easier.

I was fishin with dink last night and he told me about the bass video called Big Mouth. I am very curious to see this. Any idea where :-/?

Looking to join a club in St Louis. Juss wondering if anyone is part of one and could assist me?

Storm makes a suspending, rattling, jerk-swimbait. I cast it out and swim it real slow. I think the action when retrieved real slow and steady resembles minnows on the bank closer than any other bait I have used. A little twitch every once in awhile adds a lil flavor. I have had some unbelievable success with this lure.

Good feedback on the soft plastics. I need a little more input on the Frenzy crank baits though. The reason I ask is because I am reading the book by Kieth Jones PhD who has studied bass for 16 years at Berkley. I am just curious whether or not he was able to develop an effective bait from all his research. Thanx guys. P.S. Cart7 Where are you? ;D

RW- Why not? cpvenom- What kind of success have you had on the Frenzy baits?

I was curious if anyone uses Berkleys Power Baits with any success? I am also wondering if anyone uses the Frenzy Crankbaits with any success?