Ozark_Basser

The only way to know for sure is to make a crawdad trap where you fish. Look up "crawdad trap"

Think back to when the Rapala Original floater came out.....Yeah it's been around that long or longer lol.

Red is supposedly the first color that disappears once the bait gets so far down depending on water clarity. It would appear as black to us. This is supposed to happen at about the 17 foot range in perfectly clear water. So it seems to me there are way too many variables to come up with a definitive answer.

Who makes the most durable matte finish powder coat paint? And where do I get it?

This has probably been covered more than once, but I'm starting the topic again because I feel I might have specific questions for those in the know. I have read that bass, like humans, have cones and rods in there eyes. However, bass don't have pupils to adjust to light, so in instances of bright or dim light, they adjust their vision by repositioning the rods behind the cones in bright light and the cones behind the rods in dim light. Cones are what a bass uses to see color, so in shallow clear water with high skies, bass can perceive color very well, but do they have as many cones as humans? In other words, do they see as many colors as we do? I have read they actually have more and better rods (used to see shades of grey) than humans. This would explain how they can see at night so well. Also this suggests that color is of no difference at night due to the repositioning of cones behind rods which means that black would be the best color followed by white. But, again, what about the number of cones? I have a feeling if anyone actually knew if bass didn't have as many or as good of cones as humans, the tackle industry would like to keep that information as secret as possible

Thanks. Just checked it out. Those are some awesome looking baits! I had to keep myself from drooling lol

I'm pretty sure Excalibur and Bomber are one in the same. Excalibur is (or was maybe?) a little more expensive and seemed to be the same as Bomber but with some upgrades.

I'm interested in trying out hand poured beaver/creature baits as jig trailers for flipping/pitching. Anybody know of any good products? I checked out ghost baits 4.2" BugX and they looked legit, but I'd like some more options.

In ponds, they'll be up on the shoreline buried up in cover with a small strike zone. In other words, fish the same stuff you always do but make repeated casts tight to cover with a bait you have confidence in. I've been doing better in the late afternoon as well.

Sunline FX2 actually sinks as well. It's weird because it's kinda made for frogging. Either way, Sunline FX2 is almost second to none stuff if you want to try some good braid.

I don't fish any northern lakes, but a lipless crankbait ripped out of the grass is a good way to catch fish all year. I'll even do the same technique in shallow pressured waters with no grass to get one to bite.

I own both. Never had a problem with either. I've owned the previous generations as well. Never had a problem. I guess I'm lucky. Casting is kind of up to you, but with 50 lb braid with all the breaks turned off except one on the centrifugal brake (STX only) on a 7 foot MH I can bomb a frog .....too far.

For fishing lighter jigs in less than 20 ft of water ... yep

How's the fishing pressure?

Sounds like a good name for a thread lol. "Baits that you use that don't catch fish in water temps below 50 degrees"

Really good article. I didn't know gravel and clay bottoms held heat so well in the winter. Thanks for posting this.

I honestly don't feel it matters too much when it comes to trailers having no action in winter as long as the water isn't just about freezing temperature, but I do like pork on round rubber jigs for a good slow fall in the winter. I feel that is most important when it comes to jigs in the winter. Especially shallow jig fishing in the winter. Don't get too hung up on that whole no action for winter fishing, it doesn't get that cold where you live.

I catch a lot of 1-2 pounders. The weird thing is that I catch as many 3 lb + bass as I do < 1 lb fish. I don't even own a spinning rod or a rod powered lower than MH

Beaver can be hard. It takes on water from Table Rock to prevent flooding which changes the conditions a lot. A lot of folks around there will just drive up to Table Rock or over to Bull Shoals. You really need a good fishfinder to consistently do well throughout the year at all three.

7'MH Casting Rod with some tip to it. Spinnerbait fishing to me is all about making a bunch of roll casts with extreme accuracy. A good soft tip makes roll casts easier and allows the spinnerbait to enter the water quietly. Anything over 7' is just too long for the way i throw a spinnerbait.

This is just about word for word what I would've said. Only thing I would add is to look at jigs from Dirty Jigs. They're not hand tied but those colors are legit. Also the Fred Roumbanis Boom Boom swimjig with a spinnerbait blade on the back has got me some real good bites this year.

Uncle Josh's website has the Kicker Frog in white. They probably have some more trailers in white as well. www.unclejosh.com/P/KICKERFROG/542

Spinnerbaits are one of my most productive baits as well. Pulled this baby out of the Arkansas River today in 45 degree water with a spinnerbait. You know she's a pretty goodun' if she barely fits in the shot from this angle lol. She was about 4 lbs I'd say. She went 20 inches though. I don't carry a scale anymore. Need to get another one. I'm 6'3 with basketball palming size hands if that helps with the size comparison. I've only thrown the one's with big colorado blades a few times at night. It's the only bait I could think of.

TFO

I love everything revo and have never had an issue with a single one. I own the stx gen 3 and use it is my favorite baitcasting reel in that price range. They are a solid workhorse of a reel. Only reels I love more are the zillions, but they tend to hurt the pocketbook a little more.