the reel ess

What's your rig for these? I got 2 bags of them mail ordered because I didn't pay close attention to what I picked. They're the smaller version of the Zoom Speed Craw-I T rig those. I don't find that I have a hook small enough to T rig these little guys. But I know they'll get bites since the larger version does. The smaller ones should draw more bites. Thanks.

I would start with whatever they bite everywhere else I fish. You might hit them just right. But if not, I'd fall back on the finesse approaches everyone else has mentioned. My fishing buddy showed me something with the old do-nothing worm with a splitshot lately-the rig with 2 small pre-rigged hooks in a 4" worm. He has 2 fish over 5 lbs on it in the last 2 weeks plus a lot of dinks that weren't biting for us until he switched to it. Use natural colors. I like a weightless trick worm for new waters because I know most people don't use it, therefore the fish haven't seen it. If it's really tough, I'll use a C-rig with the Zoom Finesse Worm on a 2/0 hook and a light bullet weight. I've tried the ned rig to no avail lately, but I'm sure it works. If you like the Senko, but get no bites, downsize.

Catfish for me. They just roll and get slime on your line. That's fine if you're fishing for cats, but I never am. I know there's a lot of interest in trophy size blue cats nowadays. But to me, the bigger the catfish, the bigger nothing you have on your line. I don't mind eating them, but when you clean them they seem to have more blood than a human being inside them. Hardest fighting fish I've caught is the striper. That's one strong and fast fish. I'd target them if I had the right boat or the $$$ to get it. Maybe one day.

"Now Aint Bee, JUST CAAAAWLL THE MAN!" Sheriff Andy Taylor Man, back in my day we had to call the girls up on the land line phone, get past one of their parents and ask them out on a date. But the phone was a firewall for embarrassment in case we got shot down (in flames). If she said no, just say "OK then, goodbye." A girl's dad once told me to get lost and hung up on me. LOL. But I didn't despair, I persevered. The meek may inherit the earth, but they won't get what they want in this lifetime.

Yeah, unboxing tackle is un-fishing IMO.

I caught 5 good fish on 5 casts with a regular Spook one morning, then nothing for years. I started fishing a lot of ponds lately and it's one of my top 4 baits again. It beez like that sometimes.

Purple worms and black and blue craws and jigs.Gold Traps. Gotta have 'em or my confidence will suffer.

One starts by fishing where there are big bass. If the average is good, you'll catch big ones. My buddy sent me a pic this morning of a 6.2 lb he caught on a 4" do-nothing worm. My PB came on the frog in my avatar and I've caught a lot over 5 lb. on Trick Worms, Rat L Traps and T rigged craws.

4 Booyah Pad Crashers. Or 2 bags of jerky. There was a time I would have said about 12 Uncle Buck's spinnerbaits. They were an awesome value and I still have some.

Bon jour!

I caught my biggest bass to date, at least that I weighed, on a Snagproof Original Frog. The one in my avatar, actually. And it still catches 'em.

I only carry an old, but quality, pair of needlenose and a pair of Rapala scissors for the braid.

As long as Cabela's stays open I don't really care. There's one a lot closer to me than there is a BPS.

They fall right off and the frog fills with water worse than other brands. It's a shame because it really does look like a real frog and the action is great for a couple minutes. Booyah Pad Crasher for me.

Rat L Trap or other lipless crankbait.

Yes

I'd say Lew's between the two. I have a lew's reel and my next will probably be one too because I really like it. But I'd advise spending a little more money. You'll get a lot more reel for that extra $20-30.

I'd throw a weightless Trick Worm a little. A couple hours before dark, I'd throw every topwater I own until it's too dark to see. Especially the frog, Spook & Chug Bug.

Do the best you can. But you cannot live in nature and not leave a footprint on it. Don't sweat it. If it died, it became a meal for other animals and organisms. If it didn't, great!

What your friend is using seems to be doing the trick for catching big'uns.

My favorite rod is a Falcon Lowrider that's more than 10 years old. It's a 7' MH/MF tip that's supposed to be for big crankbaits. But I use it for T rigs/jigs and find the action and power perfect for that use. It's by far the most sensitive rod I have. I have it paired with an older BPS Johnny Morris reel that's smooth as buddah. The rod would have cost $129 new but I bought it from a coworker for $50. He was a really good guy who passed away unexpectedly not long ago. Every time I use the rod I'm reminded of him. Not surprisingly, I usually use this rod more than 50% of the time. If I had $130 to throw at all my rids, I'd just buy Lowriders from here on out as long as they stay on the market. But the fact is extreme sensitivity is not necessary, maybe even not desired, with some techniques.

I use 15# Berkley Big Game mono for all my topwaters as well as lipless cranks. It's strong, has some stretch and floats, which makes it good all-around for topwaters and trebles. It took me a long time to settle on it, but I haven't been sorry once.

I just recently caught my first bass ever on a Hula Popper and I'm 45. LOL. The time of day you're using them can have a lot to do with success. Early morning or evening are the best times for topwaters. I'd prefer the Hula Popper in a smaller body of water with weeds. I just see this as a frog imitator and that to me makes it less likely to draw strikes in open water. I use the popper when I see some surface baitfush activity or when bass are chasing the bait to the surface. Then you can just throw to the swirl and pop it fast and loud. Neither of these require walking, but practice the cadence of the retrieve until the fish show you how they want it. I usually will start with three short pops-rest-repeat. Then adjust.

What are they?

Don't stop fishing even when it's cold. I always keep a poorly balanced combo to justify buying either another reel or rod. My phone doesn't work when I'm fishing unless I catch one worthy of a pic. Then I notice I have calls and texts. When I think they won't bite, they will...and vice versa I'll be home "after dark". The less they bite, the harder I fish. I'm stupid like that. The fewer gadgets and motors you use, the more time you get to fish (I kayak fish private waters and even rivers/creeks and K.I.S.S.) Last two times I used my big boat, I fought the trolling motor all evening. Though I plan a trip days, even weeks in advance, and tell my wife, she will still look for something for me to do when the time comes.