rosshilk

Havoc Pit Boss is a heck of a bait

Right now I would say you are in the perfect position to start using a Baitcaster. I started younger and it was so easy to figure out after some practice in the yard. I mention this because your post said you wanted the most versatile. I believe a baitcast reel fits the bill. You can get a lew's speed spool for $99 dollars and a 7ft duckett ghost rod that you could do almost anything with. This combo is not to expensive and it works great for me. I know a baitcast could seem intimidating at first, but it could really help take your fishing experience to the next level. You said you love to Texas rig and a baitcast is perfect to pitch baits in to hard to reach places which will get you more bites. Best of luck with whatever reel you decide Tight Lines!

Thank you very much for this video. I have read that pegging your weight can really help flipping grass and everywhere I fish is full of grass. This will be very useful to me. Glenn you have benefitted my fishing a ton. Thanks you!

Jigs are a technique that leads to monster bass catches. I would suggest picking up some different jigs maybe some football heads, brush jigs, and my personal favorite grass jigs. Fit them with all sorts of different trailers such as rage tail craws or the berkley havoc pit boss and you could have a lot of fun. They catch fish consistently and I never go fishing without at least one rod rigged with a jig. They are great for catching larger fish then your average bait.

Bubble gum trick worm rigged wacky would do a number on them.

I have always loved fishing with June Bug

Whenever you are ready to start winging them out there. I know mornings are particularly the best time to give it a shot.

How do you guys fish the rig. I have heard of the ned rig fished on a slack line leaving the bait alone for minutes. I am wondering if thats the only way to fish it properly.

Lipless Crankbaits, Jigs, or wacky worms

I am curious about this as well. One of the lakes I go to if I find that the bluegill are sunning themselves or at least grouped up by the surface I can catch bass around them like crazy. The only problem is some days I cannot stop finding the bluegill in the top of the water column, but other days I cannot find them whatsoever. I would like to learn more about what drives them.

Just keep your color selections very basic. Cloudy I tend to use darker baits such as black and blue or junebug. Sunny days I would use green pumpkin or watermelon. I think location of the fish might be different from cloudy to bluebird skies, but I do not believe color is a large factor. I think fish are a little more adventurous when it comes to leaving cover on cloudy days and can be easier to catch. I focus more on temperature and water clarity then I do on my sky situation.

I think to maximize your hooksets you honestly just need lots of repetition. I think muscle memory and just getting use to the feel of the bite you will develop your own hook set technique. This year I have been fishing so many crankbaits I have been a little rusty setting the hook with my jig. I have been getting caught out of position. I believe the best way to prepare and maximize for anything is through repetition you might miss some fish here and there just think about why you might have missed them and try to correct.

Lipless Crankbait Squarebill Crankbait Caronlina Rig or Texas Rig if you work them quickly Spinnerbait swimbait Topwater frog or buzzbait My favorite search bait overall is the lipless crankbait. I have caught the most fish on that bait and never seem to get skunked throwing one.

Pre spawn cold water I fish it even before it hits 50 Degree water temps

Strike king makes some nice cheaper sunglasses and they are typically found at walmart I got mine on clearance for $11 but normally they are between $25 and $30

I recently spooled my cheapest reel an old BP extreme with 8# cajun red line and it casts a d**n mile. I have caught 6 four pounders this year on this setup with a lipless and it has not failed me yet. The line is extremely cheap, but effective. I don't know what kind of fishing you plan to do with your reel so 8# might be too light. I would not go over 12 or 14 though when using monofilament I want my rod and reel to cast a mile its crucial to my success with different crankbaits in my opinion.

Lake Fort Fry worm works normally when I am out of ideas

I appreciate the help this is what I love about bass resource any questions I have there is always someone willing to answer!

I am getting a gift certificate for Siebert outdoors for my graduation. I am looking for some recommendations for jig colors, they have so many choices to pick from. I normally fish with junebug or pbj jigs and the occasional black and blue, but with all the different options it would seem like a shame to buy something basic that every company makes.

I really appreciate the feedback guys.

I have recently just started with them as well my confidence isnt super high with them. I am far more successful with lipless crankbaits so far. The only fish ive caught off a squarebill this year was a foul hooked bass. I think they might be more successful later in the year.

I have recently began fishing with a Carolina Rig and I can't seem to catch a fish. I am using a half ounce weight and dragging it slowly across the bottom and I am not sure if I have had a single bite at all sometimes it feels like I am getting bit but i cant tell if the weight is just getting hung up and pulling free. I am starting to lose confidence in fishing the rig I have watched videos on the topic and really want to be able to fish the rig effectively. I have tried using trick worms, lizards, smokin roosters, and brush hogs it doesn't seem to make a difference what bait I use. I have been catching fish on other baits so I know the potential for bites has been there I must just be doing something wrong.

Lipless crankbaits Heavy Jigs generally anything slow moving I make sure to add a heavier weight top water works well in the wind too I live in Nebraska and wind is a constant struggle for me when I am out on the water

If you are really struggling with fishing that worm in that manner maybe just try to fish it wacky style. I like to fish trick worms weightless with the hook ran through the middle so the worm dangles on both sides of the hook. The hook is exposed and generally the fish almost hook themselves. This is a really easy techniques and might maximize the use of your trick worms. I have found this method to be deadly especially this time of the year.

I always prepare before the season begins. I even go through my maps and plan stops to fish for the entire season. i have no idea if it helps lol maybe it does help just to be more familiar with my bodies of water. I usually throw out the plans rather quickly once I am on the water.