Brett's_daddy

Stick with Carhartt!!! This is what I have and LOVE it...https://dungarees.com/carhartt-101444-quick-duck-camo-traditional-jacket-quilt-lined?&cs=RTX_4&size=LRGREG&cid=35. It's warm, keeps you dry and is still very comfortable and won't restrict your movements. If you're thinking about cool weather fishing you should also be thinking about a nice pair of neoprene lined gloves too.

Gambler Big EZ is a 5" paddle tail style swimbait. I just ordered some, if you follow Tactical Bassin' on YouTube at all these seem to be Matt Allen and Tim Little's soft plastic swim bait of choice this season.

If you're new to top water I would suggest just a chuck and wind type bait for now like a Whopper Plopper (or the cheaper version made by Berkley called the Choppo). For colors I'd stick to 3 basic types...Bone, Black and a Ghost type (translucent). Next year when you have more time you can learn the walk the dog technique and try out some Spook style baits.

I have purchased from here and been happy, https://www.motleyfishing.com/. You're supporting a small business when you buy from here too.

Spook (Or insert Walk The Dog lure of choice), buzzbait, Whopper Plopper, popper.

Check this out too... B Lat mentions that sometimes people get so excited when they see the explosion that they try to hammer home a hookset too early. He suggests to resist the urge to set the hook, just reel and pull and let the fish hook themselves.

Jig, wacky rigged/Texas rigged worm, chatter bait, crankbait, jerk bait, soft fluke, top water (frogs and spooks mostly with a few wake baits thrown in the mix). Hard to pinpoint just 3, take your pick depending on the weather, water clarity and water temperature.

I also like the Spro McStick 110. Jackall Rerange 110 and 110MR, 6th Sense Provoke, 6th Sense Hyperjerk 70 (great deal going on those right now at 6th Sense web site), Lucky Craft Staysee 90.

Big Bite Baits 4.5" Swimon rigged sideways.

Think t-rigged weightless flukes would work on this pond?

If you want to buy in bulk check these out... I got some just recently and they came surprisingly fast from China to my doorstep in 10 days. They are very strong and very sharp (I got the Owner cutting point versions) and for $9 including tax ansd shipping for 30 hooks that's a deal!

I'm going to a campground for Labor Day weekend that has a good sized bass pond on the property that the campers are free to fish (catch & release). Here are my questions too the campground and their replies back. A. I was told that this is a bass pond, are there other fish as well (mostly asking if there are Northern Pike or similar predatory fish with large teeth...these demons make quick work of an expensive bass lure :)) P.P. bass & sunfish only B. What forage (food) do the bass eat in the pond (shad, shiners, perch, bluegill, crawfish etc.)? P.P. there's sunfish and a few eels. C. How deep is the pond? P.P. ranges from 2' - 8' in deepest spot D. What type of bottom is in the pond, muddy, weedy, rocky? If it's a combination what areas of the pond would you find the different bottom types? P.P. a mix of weeds and sand throughout the pond. E. Are there any lilly pads, cattails or other visible weeds emergent or on top of the water that would give bass cover? P.P. not many emergent weeds - the big ones take cover under shade trees, docks & patios I already asked the water clarity and they said you can see bottom. How would you fish this? What baits would you use? Color? Style? Etc. Oh, you can only fish from shore...no boats allowed (well, kayaks and canoes but I'm not bringing either).

Is that a Dobyn's Colt spinning rod?

Don't fight the notion of braid for a frog rod man! It's like cutting steak with a butter knife, sure the butter knife will eventually get the job done but if you use a steak knife (the tool that was meant for the job) it'd be a lot easier. Mono is the butter knife in this scenario . As far as wood goes, frogs are top water so the amount of wood you'd be fishing it around would most likely be pretty limited.

You absolutely need braid for a frog rod IMO! Think about it, where are you fishing frogs??? Mats and pads generally, you want a line that's going to easily rip through that slop when you hook a giant and that's what braid does...mono just doesn't cut it (literally and figuratively). Get that SLX combo I mentioned above and spool it up with 50lb. Power Pro braid and you'll be good to go!

I am just like you, right handed and have always reeled a spinning reel with my left hand and held the rod with my right. I tried the right handed casting reels and while I could do it when I switched to a left handed casting reel I was MUCH more comfortable...it just felt more natural to me. IMO it doesn't take a lot of effort to reel a reel so I want my dominant arm/hand to horse the rod when I set the hook. ^^^This!!!

Once you learn a baitcaster you won't want to go back or at least you'll have twice as many casting setups as spinning setups. That's what happened to me anyways. I started out like you with strictly spinning setups until I finally got the nerve to buy my first casting setup and once I learned the basics I was hooked (pun intended). It's not as hard as it seems or as your own mind is telling you...lol. Good luck whichever way you decide to go!!!

Go to Americanfishinglegacy.com and get yourself a Shimano SLX combo, rod & reel for $140 shipped. Get the 7.2:1 gear ratio casting reel and the 7'2" Heavy casting rod and you'll be golden!!!

Fish Lab Rattle Toad (larger size) or the Spro King Daddy for thick mats and pads. Both of these frogs are HUGE and will definitely press those pads/mats down enough to attract the fishes attention!!!

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=30&searchtext=6th+sense+divine+shakey+head

What is the hype about these things, are they like some magic bullet lure that guarantee's you catch a giant?

So what are the real differences between these two reels? The new Curado MGL is $200 while you can get a new JDM Scorpion MGL for $156. I just wondered if the new Curado has some features that the Scorpion doesn’t to justify the higher price tag.

Evergreen Shower Blows SB105 or 125.

Absolutely agree! That's why a weekend warrior like me loves those Z-Man plastics...1 will last about 50 fish .

As long as they catch fish, who cares. One of the best fish catching soft plastics in the world the Gary Yamamoto Senko has extremely poor durability...like you said 1 bait per fish but they catch fish so people buy them, even at $8 per bag. In the end it's up to the individual fishing them if they're worth it or not!