the reel ess

If it's a backlash, tighten your drag all the way down. Hold your thumb on the spool and reel the line forward. Then disengage and try to pull out the knot. If it fails, repeat. If you still cannot get it out, cut it out. And I agree with using backing. I do it and can see no downside.

If I go out and with a buddy who catches 8 to my 4, but I catch mine on topwaters, I WIN!!! Not that it's a competition. That's just how much I like to catch fish on a surface lure.

I have a new favorite after almost every time out. Right now it's Spook, Jr. in baby bass pattern.

I expect you'll find they both work very well.

I don't keep a score. I do write it down in the log though. I just don't go back and count all of them. I did recently count the big fish (5+lb) over the last few years. It's interesting to see where, how and on what baits you caught them. It certainly helps improve. I'm not after quantity anymore, I'm after quality. But I'm the type of dude that, if I caught a 12 pounder tonight, right after I released it, I'd just be on to the next bite. The quest never ends.

I understand. I catch a lot of bass on a gold/black Rat L Trap and Rapala minnow. But I've also caught a big shiner on a jig. This place has a good steady flow from a feeder creek, so I guess they never completely get eaten because they keep flowing in.

NM

I'd use the clear so YOU can see it. I have clear on a couple rods and I fish stained water. I also have low-vis Trilene XL on one rod, just trying to use it up. It gets really difficult to see.

I figured some years ago that if I was going to be serious about bass fishing, I should buy 1 pc rods. I haven't regretted it once since. The last 2-pc I had was so troublesome, I glued it together. I would like a good quality travel rod to keep in the vehicle for fishing on a whim when I'm on vacation or just out on work business, but it's not a need.

Black/blue flake lately is the only color that's working for me. On other bodies of water, I like purple worms. But for the Trick Worm, I like Bubble Gum, Limetreuse & Methiolate-all the flourescent colors. I can't explain it because it's the opposite of black/blue, but there you have it.

I Love the ABU Garcia Soft Plastic Craw.

If the place you're fishing doesn't have shiners, they might not be a great bait.

What are you chumming with? I'm interested in this method too because there are golden shiners in the place I fish the most as well as big ol bass. It's a good opportunity for a PB.

Generally, the clearer the water, the more natural the color. But fish will make a liar out of you.

Got eeeeem!!!

I have used several different hooks and the best hookup percentage came on a maybe 3/0 offset shank (worm T-rig) hook. I only used it because I was out in the kayak and the fish were not taking the T-rigged worm weightless Trick Worm. So I just wacky rigged with the hook I already had on. Always hook across the worm, never aligned with the body. A Zoom Trick Worm (7.5") or Finesse Worm (5") will have less bulk and be less likely to foul the hook point when a fish bites. You don't have to use stick worms like the Senko. I usually do this weightless.

I use a Chug'n Spook Jr in stained water in low light conditions with some success. It does cause a commotion that makes it easier to locate. But bass need to be looking up at bait for the topwater to be very successful. The chuggers or poppers would probably be better for muddy water because they can be used on a very slow retrieve. Bass can locate and not have to chase it. Hula Popper sounds like a good idea. I didn't realize this until the other day when I tried a new Spook, Jr for the first time. I thought "Man, this thing is a lot noisier than I remember." And I got a bite on it in a spot where the old ones had failed me. I checked and my old ones do not have a knocker.

6.5 several times. On a frog, a Trick Worm and a Chigger Craw. I can't seem to get over that hump. I know there are at least 8 lb'ers where I fish because my buddy has caught some. But he fishes 4-5 times a week and I might get to go once.

I've been feeling like I missed the spawn since I was a teenager. And not just the fishing kind. LOL!

Thanks! It's the way I prefer to fish small waters. Seems to me I catch more and bigger fish when I'm in it. The downside is having to paddle and set the rods down and the sore tailbone. I'd like my next one to be foot-operated. But I'd also like a jon boat for cooler weather.

The big ones usually don't bite. It's how they got big. I've read that bass only have a 20 minute memory. When you spook one, jut keep going and come back a little later in stealth mode with a light lure like a weightless Trick Worm.

I only use black/blue for T-rigging craws. I have bought other colors and they just don't get bites. I have extra bags of other colors but keep running out of black.

Probably. But you can cast right back to the spot and just let it sink.

I have 2 kayaks and a canoe. I own an older fish/ski that I rarely use. But I still want a jon with a trolling motor on a trailer.

I take them under serious consideration. But I don't always follow them. Like most fishermen, I like to fish MY way, not everyone else's way.