Lard_Bass

Randall, You said you caught your biggest fish on trickworms. How did you rig them? I am just curious on the presentation that help trigger the strike.

If you have outriggers / stabilizers, do any of you guys stand up in the canoe to fish?

I got a canoe last fall and got a motor mount. I am going to buy the trolling motor this spring (you won't need a separate mounting bracket for the fish finder if you use a trolling motor). Also, based on Avid's advice, I am going to get outriggers / stabilizers this spring. As for electronics, I have a portable Eagle Cuda 242. I read some very favorable reviews on kayak forums about this portable fish finder. I haven't used it much (yet) but plan on using it a ton this year. I also built a crate with rod holders and a small platform for the fish finder similar this one: http://cybermessageboard.ehost.com/paddlef/viewtopic.php?t=11242&sid=0108304ff1e18afa96bbb58ad1c219bb I found out on a lot of kayak forums on how to maximize the limited space in a canoe / kayak. What kind of canoe do you have? I have a 12 ft. Radisson canoe (very ligthweight, only 40 lbs).

I have the Spike It Markers and use them a lot. My son and I have been using them over the past year and have done well with them. I do have to warn you that they do stain. I usually use an old piece of cardboard to color the tips of a worm.

I 2nd Earthworms post. Alot of handpour's small business make better baits and usually reasonably priced. The main benifit is custom colors and softness You guys want to share some of those mom and pop shops that we should try? Links would be nice.

Avid, Great advice. When I reeled those bass to my boat, I was reeling slowly because I thought I snagged my hook and didn't want the line to break. Now that I have rods with more sensitive tips, I tend to try to set the hook once I feel a nibble.

Unfortunately, I only could put 10 companies in the poll.

Thanks for the info. I haven't seen the Pro Model Spot Remover yet. I just got a pack of the old ones last week. I will definitely keep my eye out for the newer ones.

Here's my Powerbait story. The bass do hold on: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1170035243/0

Here's my Powerbait story. Last summer, I went camping with my son and his Cub Scout Pack. I had a cheap rod that I bought to learn how to freshwater fish on. Well, there was a small fishing tournament over the 5 days and I was in 2nd place with a 17 inch bass (length not weight was the contest). On the last day of fishing, I cast a Tequila Sunrise Powerbait Worm around a rock while in a rowboat. Well, I thought I got snagged up on some rocks and my son starts laughing that I lost yet another lure. I keep reeling and, lo and behold, there's about a 20 inch bass on that I am dragging. I never set the hook and the bass eventually opened its mouth and spit out the worm. My son laughs that the Mr. Bass didn't like the fake worm I gave him. I cast around that rock and, on 2 more occassions, a bass hit the worm, I dragged it to my rowboat, and the hook was never set (I only had small hooks left in my box). I had the 3 winning bass on the last day but couldn't bring it in. I got home and the bait monkey took over. I went to Cabelas, bought a new spinning reel, 2 new rods, and ton of hooks. Ever since, I have been hooked on fishing. This story reminds me that I need to give Powerbait another look.

I know this is a tough question, but which company do you gravitate to? I know each company has their special bait, but which one does the bait monkey consistently push you to? Factors to consider: Variety, Quality, Cost, Availability (ease of finding) I typically gravitate to 3 companies: Zoom, Yum, and GYCB. Zoom has been a dominant purchase for me but Yum has been coming along lately. I like GYCB a lot but cost typically tempers the bait monkey.

I never thought about a Crawbug with a spot remover. Thanks for the idea. Do you use the smaller crawbugs (2 1/2 in.) or the larger ones (3 1/4 in.) from Yum? I was thinking of getting some to use as a jig trailer but I love the spot remover option. Would a fat baby craw by GYCB work too?

Power worm in Tequila Sunrise has been money for me. Bought a bag when I first started fishing a couple of years ago and my son and I have been catching fish on ever since. I bought a Frenzy Ratlr crankbait in the bargain bin and eventually lost it. I didn't think it was anything special and have been buying Rat-L-Traps since. However, I have a couple of deep diving minnows by Frenzy that I like. They got some recognition at either a Bass or Walleye tournament (you'll see it on the packaging). I caught some bass on them and like they run to 11 feet deep. I am going to try for some walleye this year.

No problem. I just bought some new spinning gear myself. I got a Shimano Sedona and Daiwa Laguna at fantastic prices. This forum has been a fantastic source for information. I usually try searching the forum (usually a question is asked within days of me thinking about it). If I cannot find a answer, then I go to the board for help. BTW, definitely use the plastic bag trick to set your drag. I learned it from this forum last fall and it was a great trick. The best one so far (because it didn't cost me a dime!). RW, one more question. Any tricks to putting this UltraSoft on your spool that I need to know? I was just going to lay it down, run it through the guides, and spool it. Didn't know if you have any tips to make to avoid memory.

Will do. It must be why they are dumping it out at $2.88 a spool. If I am not mistaken, RW's picture is of 2 river smallies caught on the Ultra Soft line (6#). I remember him saying that somewhere.

I am not much of a jig guy. So, I apologize for the following ignorant question. I have several jigs but haven't used them much. Can you swim any jig or do have to specifically buy a "swimming" jig. For some creepy reason, I see the bait monkey about to say that there is a substantial difference and I have to run out, right now, and by a kit of 50 swimming jigs. Any good swim jig recommendations?

In the South Hills, near Peters Twp and Canonsburg. Are you around here? Also, I see BPS has a special on the Yo-Zuri X-Tex line. Anyone with experience with this line on spinning gear?

RW, Thanks, all those answers make sense. My biggest confusion was the labeling of the line. 6# denotes the pound test but the yo-zuri average break strength is much higher. I saw the plastic bag trick a couple of months ago and have been setting it according to the label on the spool not the average break strength (which Yo Zuri discloses). For all those confused (like I was) see this (see, 6# or pound test has a average break of 11.9 lb): Also, RW, they do sell the Ultrasoft in 2#. While I cannot find the average break strength, I figure its probably 4 lb. I was thinking of getting the 2# for trout gear.

Megastrike. Also, a little garlic marker at the end of a worm (in a slightly brigther color) has been money for me. A green worm with a little yellow garlic at the end of the tail has worked well.

Do most of you guys shorten your worms (especially trick worms) on this rig? I have read people use the trick worm as is on a shakey head.

I probably should have just sent roadwarrior a PM but I'll poll other veterans on this board. I am thinking of switching from Trilene XL to Yo-Zuri. Several questions. 1. Is Ultra Soft the better way to go for spinning gear versus the original Hybrid. 2. How do you set the drag for this line (do you use Yo-Zuri's test rating or the average break rating that they disclose which is usually higher). Do I set the drag according to 6# or 11.9 lb? 3. For those trout fisherman out there, I was thinking of getting some mono in 4 lb test. Should I step down on the Yo-Zuri given its high break point rating (get 2# instead). 4. Should I bother using KVD's line softener on this line (similar to Reel Magic). 5. What is the best knot to tie lures on this lines? I typically use a cinch knot or a rapala knot. 6. Any color preference? I am thinking clear for trout fishing and green for bass? Thanks to those on the board for educating me on this line. I have been amazed by my google search to see the overwhelming positive feedback on this line.

"I've got a gazillion fancy pants japanese lures to cast" ............ah, the good ole bait monkey's trademark. I think the Johnson Silver Minnow may be considered the Anti-Bait Monkey given Avid's testimony.

For a trailer, I was thinking of using the bogee tail this year. Especially a black one with silver flakes. I think that attached on a Silver Minnow would look like a nice baitfish for a bass to eat. I wonder though if the bogee tail is too long though?

Alpster, I am sorry to hear of your loss. Thanks so much for sharing that story with us.

Welcome riverat! Nice first post. The fish up north are smaller so that's why I gravitate to the 1/4 oz over the 1/2 oz. Like Matt Fly suggested, I also use a garlic marker. I like the rubber skirt idea also. I have a couple laying around a will try it. Do you use a trailer hook as well with the skirt?