snake95

That would be a good combo.

I put an order in for an oven March 3. Expected delivery March 15. I was told late last week: expected date is now September 15. Then they told me the best part: September 15 is when it is scheduled to be made in the factory! Good think I have a grill and a toaster oven!

@BassWhole! You might be right. Interested in why you think not and what would be logical alternatives? Stripers and catfish are the other main predator fish in this lake.

I have this net and like it too. Stupid question though: where do you keep it for easy access on the yak?

@JLBBass just wondering what you think of these rods with the passage of time, and what you have found you like them best for. I just picked one up.

Last weekend I was out on my kayak on a highland reservoir in Georgia. I watched bait balls and larger fish (presumably bass) at depth. I was kayaking a creek arm with fairly steep side slopes: dropping down to a channel bottom about 25 feet deep. I want to know how to catch fish in these conditions. On both sides of where the creek opened out to the main reservoir, I could see bait balls and larger fish down around the 15 ft mark, along the drop. This reservoir is clear by Georgia standards. Pretty sure we are early post-spawn, with buck bass up shallow guarding fry. Assume those might have been bigger females down there. How would you target them? I fumbled around and didn't get any bass... I was thinking: - Deep diving crank to the appropriate depth - Paddletail on a 1/2 oz jig swam at that depth - Drop shot?? - What about sending a shakey head down through them?? What about a deep diving jerkbait?? I really liked that idea but aren't jerkbaits supposed to be PRE-spawn?? (saying this with a wink). There are too many options and I felt overwhelmed by the possibilities. I know trial and error is key, but grateful for any help focusing me in on the right approach to use in this condition. I plan to go out and try to fish these conditions again in the coming month. I anticipate there will be more fish moving along these steep drops opening out into the main lake. Just for background: I have been primarily a pond angler over the past 6 years or so. Over the last year I have been getting into kayak fishing with a fishfinder and fishing highland reservoirs in Georgia. So I am new to this type of fishing.

I have done really well with the MaxScent General. I can't say it is better than any other stick bait, but it is certainly up there. I've collected some of the other baits but not really fished them yet.

Posting May 1. Guys, I saw spawning bass two weeks ago in Atlanta area ponds. Over the last week I’ve gotten a few committed bites from smaller bass swimming amongst bluegill pods like the bass are hungry and not just defensive. I am thinking our area ponds are moving to the later phases of spawning. My sense is we are a week or two behind normal due to generally cooler spring temps. Early in April I was in south Florida and the male pond bass I saw were defending fry and hitting but not committing. I am assuming we’re just getting to that point here. What are you guys seeing?

@Bluebasser86I had one just like it in the early to mid-80's; it was a Pop-R knock-off sold back in the early to mid-80's. I can't remember the brand or even if it had a brand. I think I got it at a K-mart in the Michigan UP in a kit. Poppers were not common lures in northern Ontario in those days (that I knew of) and this was a real oddball for me. In these days of Megabass Pop Maxes it's hard to imagine someone making cheaper Pop-R's, but it was done.

A-ha! A hoarder with OCD! ... nice! (and a little over the top ?).

@Samlook forward to seeing it but that’s a pretty good description. Much appreciated.

Thanks, that looks very good. I won't find time to be that organized in the next decade or so (LOL) but can't say I won't envy your organization. Regardless, a good example of what to shoot for.

That looks awesome and straightforward. I will try to implement something like this.

I recently "misplaced" a go box with two swimbaits (Gantarel Jr. and S-waver), Covert spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and at least one whopper plopper, plus other stuff. I may have left the box at a fishing spot. I actually don't remember. This will be the motherlode for someone that finds it. Kind of sucks but I hope a kid that is into fishing finds this collection and then gets a ton of use out of it.

Guys, I have a problem with the bait monkey. I collect. I know I am not the only one. Background: I am a jon boat, kayak, and bank fisherman. I am not big time. I have a storage closet, plus a work area where I get ready. Problem: I have a great collection, but often can't put my hands on what I want quickly. How do other "collectors" manage gear? One answer: simplify, sell off unused. I get it. Not ready yet. In any case, organizing would help facilitate that. What I am considering: Keep similar baits in the "reserves" grouped by make/model and also by category together in storage. Keep stuff in boxes. Keep those on active duty in the work area, similar grouping. Rotate back into storage if trying out new stuff. Since I can't carry tons of gear, I often make up plano "go boxes" to cut down on volume I carry. Have any of you other guys taken a different approach? Any tips?

I have several 3-pc BC and spinning rods in Daiwa's Ardito series. A little unbalanced IMHO but reasonably sensitive and strong. Maybe not as nice as the rods you are considering, but work for me.

I have fished both recently in a south Florida pond where there were plenty of bass guarding fry. I was getting follows on the Gantarel Jr (I watched them) and then they'd slam into the side of it but not engulf it. I threw the baby bullgill as a follow up - got slammed and hooked up (did not land). Soon after I fished the baby bull shad fast near the top of the water column and a spawned-out keeper took it right in. It is not a lot of experience, but they worked for me!

Very interesting. The description says: The Decoy Open Swivel SN-7 is the key component in creating a custom jika-rig (pronounced Zee-Kah). The jika rig consists of a hook and teardrop-style weight that is attached to the open end of the Decoy Open Swivel SN-7. Once in place, the swivel is crimped closed with a pair of pliers and sealed with a drop of glue. This quick, and simple rig provides a snagless presentation that can be tossed into heavy cover or dragged along the bottom. Expand your arsenal of fishing techniques with the Japanese art of jika-rigging and the Decoy Open Swivel SN-7. @J Francho does your hook slide freely around the ring, or sit in the gap and you just don't worry about it?

@Fishes in trees that's a big thanks there. Awesome. Gonna try these out in Florida next week.

@FryDog62 is there public access the quarry system or it is all gated?

Interesting. I just know our bass in N. GA seem to be on beds in April and protecting fry in early May. Beyond that IDK. I had half a mind to start a separate "bass on beds" thread, but I didn't want to try to outdo Sam. Do we have a bass on beds thread?

Thanks @Fishes in trees do you mean it occurs, but doesn't matter, or doesn't occur (because your hook eyes are big enough relative to your split rings)? I googled around and found examples of guys using snaps to connect the hook and weight. Might try that out.

Got some Gamakatsu Jika rig weights and put a split ring on as a connector. The hook eye slides loosely - but only in the small gap where the ring comes together. It doesn't have full rotation. I guess this will work but hadn't really considered split ring size vs hook eye size. Does anyone have experience picking a good eye/ring combo? I'd prefer to not have to order anything special. I see that gammy sells a ringed hook that would be ideal; while I don't mind spending to get the right thing, I prefer not to have to order ringed hooks. Here's what it looks like:

Agreed about this. Walleye and northern pike too.

I have used them a lot from the shore, and in fact were the main lure I started on. As years have passed I use treble hook baits less and less from the shore, because of the difficulties due to snagging; without a boat they can be extremely difficult to extract from a snag. I will use deeper diving cranks where I know the area very well and have a good handle on where the risk of snagging is high. I primarily stick to shallow running cranks and wakebaits, or lipless cranks. I will use shallow running Rapalas such as the Shad Rap Shallow and Original Minnow, where I know the bottom and cover well. The depth of lipless cranks as mentioned can be controlled by rod position and retrieval speed.