Outdoor Zack

Trick worm anyway you choose

Try keeping a spinnerbait setup handy too. I would say you could start with a 7' MH-F with a fast reel (casting setup). Use this to cover water quickly or slow roll when they're not hitting top water

Put my newest rod- st. Croix triumph x, to the test today. Asked my dad to go with me and he did, ended being a great time. Went out to a small pond (10 acres) with just my spinning rod, a casting setup for squarebills, a few bags of plastics, and some crankbaits. The weather was overcast for the most part, with little wind and incoming rain. Pretty clear water, about 4 feet of visibility. Fished from about 12 to 4. I get there and meet dad. He needs a rod (short notice trip) so I give my new one. He rigs up with a Texas rigged manns jelly worm in motor oil and 3/16 oz weight. I'm watching as he plops it into a little pocket and we both see the line jump. He sets the hook and brings in a nice 2 1/2 pounder on the very first cast. a giant in this pond (mostly stocked with panfish for kids to c&r) and one of the biggest of the day. So i I rig up with a KVD 1.5 in gold sexy shad and get to casting. Before long, we both start catching small 3/4 to 1 lb. bass that are stacked up on the bank. We work our way over to a large dock and are still catching them pretty good. We get to the dock and action slows down as the sun comes out. He gets a phone call and has to leave around 2:30, so I'm left with the pond all to myself. Around 3 storm clouds move in and the bite starts up again. I switched to a baby brush hog and get this: Taped it at about 15 1/4 inches. Good fish for this pond. Then the rain starts. It pours for about 20 minutes, slacks off, then comes back about an hour later. Around 4, the thunderstorm really comes so I start moving back towards the truck. i fish one more stretch of bank with a trick worm. Standing in the middle of a downpour, I hook into something nice: I estimate about 3 pounds. After this one, I think I may caught about 2 more, then had to get going. All in all, it was an awesome day of fishing. We caught about 20 between us and spent some quality time together (can't beat it).

Everything he said. But I also like to use suffix siege and elite

Amazon has the shimano stimula for 15.00 every day. That's the rod I use and I love it. I crappie fish more than I bass fish and this rod is my go-to for every trip other than that, I think DSG has some rod deals

1. Sargent tools fishing pliers- for rigging and cutting hooks (these are made for saltwater, but are nice anyway. I got them as a gift for surf fishing but use them when tying on hooks and such. You can probably get them under 40 if you look hard enough or get a sale) 2. Hemostats- for unhooking fish 3. Cheap pair of split ring pliers- got 5 pairs for $0.99 each at the local tackle shop, they come in handy for replacing hooks, crimping split shots, and unhooking fish in a pinch 4. Cheap scissors- for cutting braid. Get the kind with a Phillips head center lock so you can keep them tight

I'm a sucker for squarebills and this didn't help any.. I've got 11 coming my way now (in all seriousness, thanks for the heads-up)

Compact spinnerbait around "fishy" looking spots (laydowns, brushpiles, ledges, etc) is my favorite searchbait. Use a fast reel and a quick but erratic retrieve. Also a squarebill on hard structure, especially rip rap. Smack it into anything you can and crank it at a wobbling pace, not really fast

Found some deals: Sufix siege, 14 lb- smoke green (going to use on my spinnerbait rod) zoom brush hog, GP green zoom big critter craw, junebug Zoom Super speed craw, blackberry magum trick worms, GP blue Zoom Magnum UV speed worms, pumpkin seed zoom horny toads, black and chart. Bomber bushwhacker spinnerbait, 1/4 oz, white, chart. rapala dt 4 rapala x rap, subsurface walker All For $23

Cabelas also has St. Croix triumph x rods for $50. Picked up a 6' 8'' MF spinning for medium sized texas rigs and weightless senkos. Looking forward to it

Rebel pop r can't be beaten (my opinion).

For $20.09 at a local chain store: Baby brush hog, sprayed grass Baby brush hog, GP and purple flake Baby brush hog, blueberry Baby brush hog, African special Zoom fish doctor, junebug Zoom Ol' monster, Cali 420 Bomber bushwhacker spinnerbait, 3/8 oz., white/chartreuse Rapala shallow crankin rap, no. 05 6' tape measure (for taping bass) Mini split ring pliers ( x2 pairs )

this. exactly.

Try both?

Light Texas Rigs: 6' ML/F spinning rod, size 30 reel (Pflueger) 15# braid with leader or straight 6-8# mono. 2/0 round bend hook, Palomar knot 4 - 5 inch worm or similar size/profile soft plastic

I use and highly recommend the Bottom hopper and bottom hopper jr. The tails float really well on a t rig and they seem to be of decent construction. I have others hers from that line but have not used them as much, such as the hawk hawg, boss dog, and papa pit boss. But in general, they are cool baits that I really like, especially for the value. Only complaint is that I Wish there was was a better color selection though (like zoom, Yum, and others around the price point)

Do these baits kick as well as the zoom on a slow retrieve?

Could you link the BBB craw please?

Panfish killer

Anywhere I can access and still be able to get some decent fishing in. For example, if I can find a long stretch of rip rap on a lake,I'd rather fish there than at the boat ramp on a pond.

1. Squarebill 2 Finesse worm on 1/16 oz t-rig 3 Grub or other similar soft plastic

10 - 12 lb. mono is as "versatile" as they come in my book

My favorites: - H20 Express CRS+ (my go-to for just about any situation) - KVD 1.5 (another good one for most types of structure) - Bomber square A (small size is a killer in ponds) - Rebel bluegill (nice light/flat-sided bait for more 'finesse' type fishing) - Sebile squarebill sunfish (decent for the price, but I like the "warmouth" color a lot. You can also fish it faster than most others on this list)

Exactly. I love my Bomber crankbaits, especially the square A

@ohihunter2014 Yes, try casting a squarebill about 12 inches away from and parallel to the riprap. Then crank back and move out a little further. Be sure to bump anything you can with the bill and pause for a couple seconds after. Probably the best way to catch the most aggressive fish in the immediate area.