NEBassMan

I agree, it's just a part of fishing. I don't think it's any specific thing that you are or are not doing. Just the way it goes. What are ya gonna do Jason

I would say a big part of the problem is your rod. That "Ugly Stick" is not near sensitive enough to detect the first strike, more than likely what you're feeling is after the fish has swallowed the bait and is swimming off with it. Then, you're trying to set the hook with a rod that is more like a wet noodle. My suggestion would be to use your MH rod. Will be much better for hook sets. If it still isn't sensitive enough to detect the first hit, you'll still have problems with gut hooking. What kind of rod is it? Jason

I've been looking for a quality shakey head jig for a while now, and looks like i might have found it! Kudo's to you and your dad Brent. Awesome work!! Can't wait to try some out!! Jason

Awesome Fish!! Congrats to her! Jason

in stained water i absolutely love Chartreuse with a Blue Back. DD22 or DT16 in that color should catch you some nice fish. Jason

I guess i would ask that too. Did you turn it on so it said 0lbs - 0oz before putting the fish on it. I know it sounds like a stupid question, but i've done it more than once. I use a Rapala scale, haven't had a problem with it. Jason

YUM Wooly Hawgtail

YUM Dingers have the hook slot in them, as do *** i believe. Jason

Good lord man, look at that gut!! It looks like it has a growth or something. Awesome catch man, way to go!!! 8-) Jason

Headed to the farm pond tonight to try for some topwater bass. Was only bank fishing as the rain has made the road up to the pond too muddy to get to with truck and boat. Wind was blowing 15-20. Got there about 5:30 so thought i'd throw a lipless crank for a while. First cast, hook up, tail walk, thrown bait. Looked like a good fish too, maybe 2.5lbs. The next cast, the wind promptly blew my line into a tree and i lost that trap. It was the only one i had brought with me, luckily it was one of my crappier ones. So, since it was still fairly early i decided to have some fun. I put on a Fire Tiger little tiny lipless crank to try for some crappie and gills. First cast caught this one... About 4" long LM Little while later, caught this nice gill Also got this decent crappie Ended up with 2 more small bass, a little bigger than the one i got the pic of, and 3 more crappie about the same size. Now, the slop is so thick around this pond, that the only topwater i can throw from the bank is a Hollow body frog. I tied on a black Spro Bronzeye and went to work. Absolutely no hits from bass, but did catch this guy. He must have been hungry to eat one of his own. It took me forever to get that hook out of his lower lip. Lets just say it took a nice sized tree trunk to get him off. That's all for tonight. Jason

this comes up probably every other day i like YUM Dingers Jason

I think you're right on the money. A good 7' MH/F should be able to fill all those options with no problem at all. Jason

My john is Yellow and Black. I love it. 8-) Jason

W E L C O M E ! ! ! 8-)

YUM soft plastics Booyah spinnerbaits and jigs Rapala/Bomber/Strike King/Mann's for cranks Rapala/Strike King topwaters

Spro Bronzeye

on a spinning real, you have to hold the line after you trip the bail. Put your pointer finger under the line and kinda wrap your first knuckle from the tip of your finger around it. Trip the bail. Rear back and let 'er fly, obviously letting go of the line as you come forward. Will take a little while to cast with accuracy, but keep at it. Also not, the consensus seems to be that after you cast, trip the bail closed with your hand. Don't just start reeling, letting the bail close itself. Jason

are you allowed to wear waders to wade out into the water? Since your skin never actually touches the water?? Otherwise, i'd throw a hollow body frog early in the mornings along the top of the slop. Jason

Yeee Haaawww!! You're getting there man! Just keep at it, learn everyday. Try to learn the Palomar knot. Guaranteed that you will not break off because of a bad knot. Stick with those soft plastics, you'll be catchin in no time! Jason

Split Ring Pliers. Save time and your fingers Jason

i would agree. i would downsize, natural colors, and fluoro in 6 or 8lb test. Jason

there are many ways to fish it...the most used ways is hopping, dragging, and shaking. Jason

a good time is anytime, and a good place is any place seriously.... Jason

i use screw in bullet weights, such as these http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20295&id=0043532319560a&navCount=1&podId=0043532&parentId=cat20295&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20295&hasJS=true Jason

weather could have slowed the bite some. i didn't see any mention of any soft plactics thrown? reason? Jason