monkeyman3dee

Lost a rapala x-rap to a monster cat, or maybe a carp. Never will know, didnt land it, it was pulling drag like crazy (i keep a tight drag) couldn't get ANY line in. Wrapped up against a stump and sayanara. -Joshua

I Suggest dragging a jig all over the place, just it out parrallel to the bank and slowly inch it back to you. Get to know the bottom, is it soft,rocky,weedy etc. this will help you key in on any available structure, with the added bonus of a chance to catch a bass. Just slow down and really interpret your body of water. I know for sure there are areas of my home waters I wont even try fishing, and others I found to be high percentage spots I can throw a bait with confidence.

Hey Guys, Just found out about this little contraption, looks legit! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/493585278/origo-boat-foldable-easy-to-transport-eco-friendly Looks like I have some saving up to do . . . . Any other boats similar to this?

Jig fishing. Only one of the day, slammed it no subtle jig bite! Put up a good fight.

or go technical and call it "light red"

SO funny when sometimes I can't catch fish fishing the fishiest mega bait out there. Just strap on the tin foil on a bare hook and catch away!! -Joshua

1. Good to have two rods for two different presentations 2. Cast along the bank and it helps to have a lure to interpret bottom structure 3. Rocky reservoirs it may be less pertinent to be quiet. No saying it isn't a must, just don't get discouraged if your trekking along a you cause a boulder to slide down the hill into the water. Just got back from a trip where a big bass I caught was probably less than 6 ft away from me. This was after a rather exciting perilous trek across rocky sliding rocks who betray you at any given moment you set foot on them. Made 3 casts with no hook up ( he bit my craw claw off) then bam bass on a hook. I was usin a jig 4. For me I took maybe 2 hrs to move maybe 20 yds down the bank. Just take your time, thoroughly cast and work you area then move down a few feet and work the shore some more. 5. Study bassinholes post, good info.

All I can say is high 5 for landing a woman who loves to fish. My lady fishes with me too, she is more comfortable with spinning reels, a couple times I taught how to bait cast, she is the type that just prefers spinning with a drop shot.

It's all about the dredge series brush jig! Just got back from a successful trip using the 1/4 oz sweet craw. Really like the style of hook, kept em on and buttoned on tight. Funny too passed a fellow fisherman who said he couldn't catch bass for the longest time at this lake so he switched to carp. I smiled and couldn't give up my secret weapon

I have the rage 6'8'' MH casting rod, really enjoy it. And I was surprised the rage hat fit me, most hats dont fit, especially the one size fits all size. Thinking of getting a spinning too as well while they are still in stock!! Let me know how it fishes! -Joshua

It's a slow process sometimes, stay positive, and hold on, my experience Jigs have been responsible for my larger fish, hardly ever a dinker. I've learned a lot on these forums/website from these guys, nice to know i can help too!!

I casted towards the structure I located (felt like a sunken tree with branches, paired with some grass) and let it fall and hit the bottom (it was a 1/2 Oz jig, so took maybe 3 seconds to hit bottom). Left it there for 5 seconds or so and snapped a small hop and started a slow drag-pause-drag retrieve using only my rod from 9 o'clock to 11 o-clock, and my reel to reel in the slack line (pretending I was a homely craw going about my merry way). I could picture when i was dragging followed by a pause, the skirt would flare and ungulate paired with the fuzzy beaver making bubbles etc, it was a killer presentation. On the pause is when I felt the tell tale tick, reeling down and set the hook right when I felt the tick. The trick for me was to maintain contact (even when reeling the slack line) and locating the structure by mindlessly casting all over the place feeling for anything hard or different. Also at another reservoir where I caught this bass, I was casting along the bank with a football jig. Much the same way, cast it out, let it fall, slowly drag-pause. For this reservoir, it is really tricky as there isn't any visible/underwater structure within casting distance. Casting along the bank is the best way to get bit. My last three fish from here have been at or around this size, all on jigs.

Hit up a local reservoir that I have never fished at before yesterday. Took some time traversing treacherous rocky reservoir terrain, but eventually keyed in on some killer structure within perfect casting distance. 1st fish landed with my siebert brush jig in okeechobee craw (riot baits pumpkin fuzzy beaver trailer), pushing 3lb is my guess. Hooked into one more within 10 minutes of my first one, lost him at the bank, I turned my rod to the right which left slack in the line = sayanara!!! felt bigger than my first one!!! Had to retie when my super cast met with the bush behind me. Knot must have been compromised some how, cuz the third one hit snapped off my precious jig!!! Must buy more! -Joshua

yeah on the local radio station here in south bay area, they ask a bunch of CA big shots what they are doing to save water. Apparently everyone has a 5 gallon bucket to collect water while the shower is warming up. Used for watering/flushing toilets/etc. I call bs. Drought definietely stinks, my poor 4 year old knows nothing of rain storms yet!! -Joshua

For the longest time all I knew were two piece med action spinning rods. I like my new rage m/h, used for jigs mainly along with the other standards spinnerbait/chatterbait/t-rig. I chose 6'8'' because it seemed like the perfect balance to fit in my car, yet still have some length for casting and leverage. I am mostly on the bank as well.

I wonder if this would replicate the notorious bad hook up ratio of frogs if applied to crawbugs. Neat idea though. -Joshua

What is the advantage rigging this way?

My first big one (maybe about 3lbs) was on a bitsy bug jig. It was my first time fishing one to boot, my adrenaline was pumping when it first jumped out the water, when I lipped it, stared into it's eyeballs!!! Fun, I remember my nerves shaking/tingling, and bragging to someone walking by. Fun fun fun.

I Got it. The Malarky Jig. Not that it's nonsense, In that it works so well it doesn't make sense!!!! Mind boggling!!! Malarky jig. Catchy aint it??

OP, Dont let these debbie downers get to you. I too like to squeeze plastic baits. Sometimes even jigs. In the car and out of the car. As long as they do not have scents on them. And yes it is a fetish. -Joshua

I ended up going with the St. Croix Rage 6'8'' MHF. On sale for $89 from 150, couldn't resist. Let's see how it goes, this is my first major rod purchase. Rod Rooster made me do it!!! Now to play the waiting game/ praying it doesn't get damaged in shipment. I purchased a yamaha MX10 (battery powered guitar amp) and first one arrived with the protective foam IN PIECES and the input jack knocked off it's seat. Guitar center hooked it up with another one, but still, the shipping industry scares me o.O -Joshua

Thanks for the responses guys. Especially the tips on Abu Garcia's rod labels, I remember reading this on a different site. I was looking up those ***, i do like the longer handles as well. I am leaning towards this. Of those three I would also like the flexibility to even cast treble lures (drag dialed down seems to be the most effective way to accomplish this) , seems like that rules the Veritas out. You all gave me some more insight I can factor in to my decision!! THanks and tight lines -Joshua

Looking to buy a new rod. I want a 7ft MH, which I will use as my workhorse rod for all casting applications. (jigs/ t-rigs etc) I hear a lot of good things about the *** black, and one guy recommends the Abu Garcia Veritas (what are the advantages of the micro guides? should I stick with regular guides?) Anyone have any recommendations between these two? The 100 dollar price point is important, i don't have the luxury to buy anything more expensive (200 and up), I feel like it will be wasting away in my room since I cant get out as much as Id like too. Thanks! (edit adding the dobyns fury) -Joshua

A simlar thing happened to me a couple months ago. I lost a Rapala x-rap brand new =( Twitchin it along something slammed it, tried reeling and pulling, all i got was drag out (i have my drag really tight) Next thing I know it makes a dive for a log, and end up breaking my line. Must have been a large cat or carp.

I Like those swimbaits, I picked one up off the ground one day, the nose was all torn up. I pinched off the spot that was torn, threw it on a 1/8oz weighted 3/0 EWG hook, slow reelin and BAM. Dink ate it. Not bad. Still gotta buy a pack though lol. -Joshua