Joedodge

Right!!! I definitely just messed up lol. Next Tim I’ll just step in the water. I don’t care! lol. Always happens for a reason. Gives me a reason to go back and keep chasing. I honestly expected numbers this morning. Looking at this lil public pond I expected a lot of dinks. Not a couple bits and one really good fish lol.

Ya know I’m not sure why o even did that lol. I usually always try and hold the rod. The bank was kinda odd and I think I just reacted. Oh yeah I’ll go back to that pond for sure. Not like there was any money on the line just a fish

Went to a small pond this morning. Wacky rigging. For one but I missed. Had one that was an absolute stud. Pulled drag probably be my pb. Had to be close to 4 pounds. Right when I grabbed the line in one hand and reached down to lip him the line snapped! I fish suffix elite 12 pound mono on a baitcaster. 2 week old line and a French Hamamatsu hook. And a palomar knot. I can’t figure out what happened unless he gutted the hook and his teeth rubbed the mono up to much? Ughhh

Good old dingers is what I’ve always used But I’ve wanted to try those pocket rockets

Thanks so much for all the help and advice everyone!!!

To me it’s a confidence thing. I’ve always thrown something with a white belly or a black frog. Honestly don’t care what the top looks like. Just the size and presentation. I don’t think the fish cares either

Ours are starting to on the smaller ponds. I don’t think it got cold long enough to kill it off truly? Idk I’m fairly new to the Midwest lol. I’m from Florida

Same here. Up and down weather is getting old lol. Real old. Are y’all’s ponds and lakes starting to scum up yet? Ours here are getting big the green moss already on the bottom

While the weather hasn’t been stable at all. Fishing has been decent around the Des Moines area. 3 trips out on ponds a couple hours each. Haven’t been skunked yet. But the bite is tough. Rapala xrap jerk bait worked very very slow. Produced. This week on a morning trip before work a watermelon red stick bait produced big. Got 4 on a wind blown shallow bank in 30 mins 2 of them wend 3.5 pounds or so. Was an excellent morning. We are getting there! Just need better weather. The pond I was at as 48 degrees at the water edge

That’s literally a plan for this summer lol!!! Love a large ribbon tail. Used to fish them in pad fields in Florida with a 3/8 ounce Texas rig

All makes good sense. Thank you! I’ll take a look at the full size jigs in the same weights!

Well I mostly fish ponds and small lakes so I generally always go the finesse route. Maybe I’m doing it all wrong lol. Jigs are something I’ve caught fish on. But mostly when I lived in Florida and flipped a big jig and trailer into cat tails or lily pads I’m in the Midwest now

I’ll look at those!!!

They are in my cart lol. I was gonna try the finesse jigs because I fish a lot of urban ponds and small lakes. Scared other will be to much

Those are actually what I’m eyeing at the moment

So along with mininchatterbaits and finesse spinner baits. I’d really like to get good with finesse jigs and swim jigs! I’ve always just grabbed whatever Walmart has. Anyone have any brands they recommend?

No worries! I miss stuff in posts all the time. Especially if I’m at work or kids are around lol. Yes they are. That’s why when I see people talk about light Texas rigs and lure ratings on a rod. I always thing you’d be surprised what a hook,peg,weight, and soft plastic actually weigh.

I like it a lot. Great caster. Threw a weightless stick bait and jerk bait great. Very comfortable and sensitive. I was surprised the MH did so well on a weightless stick bait. I mean I’m no amazing caster but it did fine for me and the pond I was in. Got 4 in an hour this morning

I’m the same way. I never do it and always regret it. Have to see if I can sneak another one in past the wife lol. I’ve already stocked up good and our spring isn’t in full swing yet. d**n crazy Iowa weather. I have caught a few on a xrap jerk bait tho haha

I’ve been looking for something to try as a trailer. I generally use a fluke jr. on my standard mini max. Thank you!!!

I agree. I really like it so far. Only casted in the yard some lol. But the fit and finish is great for the price point. I may go grab the other one they had and throw it on the shelf lol

Hollow frog or buzz bait for me. I prefer the buzz bait unless it just can’t be fished in that area. Stuff like spooks and such have never produced as well for me. Definitely my technique though. Not the lures

Thanks to everyone for the help. Ended up at the local fleet farm. Got a Lews LFS 7.5.1 on clearance for $59 they were marked down further than the tag once I scanned it. And a Daiwa tatula xt 7’3” MH. Really excited to fish it in the morning. Thanks for all the info and help

Also that 1/4-1 is the rating of the rod not me just throwing numbers out of lure weights

That’s what I was thinking. It’s rated for it but how effective will it be at the bottom end of the rating. I’ll have to take a look at a regular tatula as well