FatBoy

Hey LBH! How do we attach pics to a PM? Does it have to be from a photo server? Might be a good idea to give a little primer for us newbies. BTW, thanks for putting these together! The time you spend on this stuff is really appreciated. Of course, I saw the pics of your apartment, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised. ;D

Hey earthworm! Great episode. I asked a question last week about videos on pitching a flipping techniques. I think I have a much better idea after watching this. Unfortunately, I'm on a non-fishing vacation, but I'll give it a try as soon as I get home. Thanks!

Unfortunately, I don't get those channels. But I've checked out some of the older episodes on the web. I'll look forward to checking it out when it's posted!!!

Does anybody know of any good videos that teach pitching and flipping techniques? Anything on the internet? Or any general tips to learning these techniques? I've been experimenting based on what I've seen the pros do on TV but I can't seem to get it right.

Just to add what others have said, I'm convinced that you can try to set the hook too early. Especially when you're new to this type of fishing. When I first started, every time I felt the slightest tick on end of the line, the adrenaline would start pumping and I'd set the hook. More often than not I think I just pulled the worm away from the fish. Now, when I first feel a tick-tick I wait just a second or two for some other sign that the fish has taken the bait like a tug or seeing the line move. I'm not sure what the fish is doing when I feel that first tick. He may just be nudging the worm or maybe he picked it up by the tail and hasn't gulped it all in yet. Some people will tell you that you should set the hook as soon as you feel anything because the fish will spit the bait back out. That may be a problem with a jig or a crank, but with a good quality soft plastic, especially one with scent in it, the fish will typically hold on for at least a few seconds. Anyway, my advice is to not get too anxious and set too early. Yes, hook sets are free. And it's better to swing and miss than let the fish spit your bait back out. BUT, it's VERY rare that I feel that tick-tick and then have the fish get away because I waited too long to set the hook.

Still no luck with the c-rig. But I haven't had much chance to experiment lately as I've been traveling. I'll be getting a new rod and reel very soon (long story as to what happened to my current one) and I'll be loading one spool with braid. I'll let you know if I have any luck.

RW is right (no surprise ). I bought some kinami double tail hula grubs to use as jig trailers. Turns out they also worked pretty good for me pitching into weeds or casting to a drop off a little further from shore, t-rigged weightless. After one got pretty beat up, I tore off the tails to see if it would approximate an ika. NO WAY! The body is way too short and it had NO action whatsoever. I'm waiting on my first order of FAT IKAs to arrive...can't wait!

zero, zip, zilch, nada...

chestnut, my thought was (and the reason I asked the question) that I can cast a lot further from shore. I can throw a c-rig with a 1/2 oz weight a country mile. The c-rig should also give a more weightless presentation once the worm gets out there. Try putting a 1/2 oz weight on a t-rig...the worm will just be stuck nearly motionless in the mud or cover. You're absolutely right about feeling the hits. It has to be harder. But I feel like I'm pretty good with the t-rig so I think I'm ready for the bigger challenge . Only time will tell if that's true...

I'm using a spinning reel on a 6'6" medium power rod. (I haven't had the guts to go for the baitcaster yet). Also, my reel is spooled with 10# mono right now. I was out for a short time this morning (before I got severely rained on) with no luck. A couple times I thought I felt a snag and gave a good yank but when I got it back to me the worm (tiki stick) was pushed way down the hook which makes me think a fish MAY have hit it. I think the mono may have too much stretch for these long casts. I'm considering re-spooling with a braid. Great suggestions everybody! I'll keep trying.

About 7 lbs ;D Unfortunately, I'm not joking > But, hey, I'm a newbie. And look at it this way...nearly ANYTHING makes me happy at this point. I could catch five 2 lb fish and think I was in heaven. You guys that catch big fish all the time have it hard cause your goals are too high ;D ;D ;D (I'm just jealous of course )

I'm a bank beater (for now) and I've been trying to reach a little farther from shore in my home pond. I don't think the bigger fish are coming into the close cover this time of year, at least not during the times of day I'm able to fish. Another problem is that I have no idea what kind of structure is out there or where it is. I've been thinking of trying a c-rig. Does that make any sense? Or would I be better off throwing a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig out there? Or maybe a split shot rig? I read through the c-rig sticky thread but didn't see anything about using one from the bank. Any opinions?

Well, cravenfish has a point. To be honest I don't often have to wait until I see the line move (although sometimes I do see the line move without feeling anything). I'm having a hard time describing exactly what it feels like. But my main point is that I don't think it's wise to set the hook as soon as you feel that tick-tick. I think at that point the fish is just checking the bait out. If you set the hook right then, you'll just pull the bait out from in front of the bass's face. When the fish really takes the worm (or whatever) I feel a definite pressure or a more solid thump. That's when I set the hook.

I knew somebody would take exception to the second hook-set and I almost deleted that sentence. I think I do it because of my lack of confidence. And I should add that the second jerk is not like the first hook-set. It's not a snap, but a good hard pull. Either way, RW is right. If I did it right the first time I wouldn't need that second one.

Have you tried a buzzbait? A black one after dark works pretty good on my home pond. It's the same concept as the spinner bait...lots of noise. From what I've read, the black works best because it makes the best silhouette against the night sky from below. sounds counter intuitive, but in my experience it works.

I'm with RW. I fish a lot of plastic worms on a medium power spinning rig and I don't have that trouble with hook sets. Are you sure the fish has the bait before you set? When you feel that tick-tick don't get to anxious. When you feel that, just be patient and wait a second (or several seconds). When the fish really takes the bait you'll see the line move or you'll feel a real pressure on the line. That's when you reel up the slack and set the hook. Also, I'll sometimes give a second jerk if I think I didn't get him good with the first one. You have to be careful though to not rip it out of his mouth. If you're losing the fish during the fight, that's another story. There's been several threads the past couple days with lots of great tips for keeping the fish on the hook once you've em.

My dad has a hot tub and he is always adding stuff in because the PH was off and his hands turned to raisins. So I have the materials to lower or increase PH and also I know how to measure it. For who ever the thing about Myth Busters is right. Heck it doesn't need a explosion. I see a lot of stuff on that show that don't even show any danger. Lets all email them! ;D Yep, but I bet he doesn't have anything that will get to pH 2. He wouldn't have to worry about his hands turning to raisins, because after about 15 minutes most of the skin would be burned and peeling.

Hey Corey, where is this lake? This sounds almost exactly like River Bend in Mahomet, IL. I was there on the 4th for the first time. I didn't have much luck either. We got a late start, about 11:00. A couple of friends with me caught a few bass (including a 21" one) cruising the ledge after first drop off on deep diving cranks (chartreuse in one case and fire tiger in the other, I believe). But then the bite died totally at about noon. After that we got absolutely nothing, not even a nibble. Sorry I can't help. But I'll be curious to see what tips you get!

Well, this sounds like an interesting experiment. Just a couple of additions. First you don't want to go to higher pH, you want lower pH if you want to simulate a stomach. Acid is low pH. I believe a human stomach has a pH of around 2 (pure water is 7; water exposed to air dissolves CO2, which turns to carbonic acid and so the pH goes down to between 5 and 6; many lakes will have an alkaline pH of 8-9 due to various dissolved salts). I don't know what the pH is in a fish's stomach, but pH 2 might be a reasonable guess. Things like lemon juice, soda, and vinegar are typically only pH 4, so pH 2 is pretty acidic. In fact, pH 2 is 100 times more acidic than pH 4. I'm not sure how you'll get to pH 2 with typical household products. Second, don't worry about enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that "digest" organic molecules like other proteins (in other words, meat). There are no enzymes in a fish that will do anything to metal. BTW, I'm a chemical engineer. So trust me on this one. I'm still low on the learning curve when it comes to bass fishing, but I do know chemistry Sorry for the geeky post.

Thanks to everybody. I don't think I have the nerve/guts to throw the fish on the bank. I do like the idea of having someone from the DNR take a look, though. I'll check into that.

Thanks, Ken. But by healthy, I don't mean disease free or anything like that. I just meant well proportioned. Is this what a typical 12" bass should look like or does the belly seem small for the length? Or can't you tell? Sorry for the newbie question... Thanks!

I like that...very funny! Of course, it's funnier when you're talking about someone else's fish! ;D

How do you define a foul hook? Does the hook have to get the fish from the inside of the mouth? If it gets the fish in the lip or jaw, but comes from the outside in, is that a good one or is that a foul hook?

I've been asking several questions about a farm pond I've been fishing. I catch a lot of 10-14" bass but not bigger, even though I know there are bigger ones in there (cause I've seen em when other people have caught em ). Someone (sorry, forgot who) suggested that the bass may be overpopulated in this pond and not particularly healthy. Becuase there's not enough forage to go around, maybe the majority of the fish are stunted around this 12" size. Since these are the vast majority of fish I've been catching, I dunno if they're healthy or not. But I figure you guys will know! So, this is a typical fish. This one is about exactly 12". I know the pic is low quality, but I was taking the pic myself at dusk. Anyway, is this fish healthy and well proportioned or skinny? Thanks!

Thanks for the tips. This lake is unfortunately not one I'll get to fish often since it's a bit far. But it looked promising enough to make the effort. Spinnerbaits, huh? Man, I've lost more spinners on snags than I've caught fish on em. I guess I need some more practice.