bagofdonuts

Just to add to the list of quality jigs. Jewel bait company makes a great line of finesse jigs. I really like the 5/16 in p,b&j (for some reason around here a little purple flake does the trick). They are a round head which is good all around. Like catt, when fishing a jig I pitch it, swim it, skip it, stroke it, drag it, soak it, hop it, whatever it takes till the bass say which way they like it. The little 5/16 is easy to do all that with, any lighter and pitching is not as easy, any heavier and casting/skipping is not as easy.

Lately it’s been a Texas rigged beaver style bait.

never held one but they sound like a great t-rig or finesse jig rod/skipping rod.

just rode in a new triton 17 footer. it was a nice ride and very wide. you may be able to find a new 2017 model that's been on the lot for a while for around 17K. they're worth a look.

That's a nice green one there.

Here's another bad pic of a good river fish. They're starting to wake up around here...she pulled like a tank.

seems your using all moving baits. they work, but alot of the time bass will not chase a moving bait too much. this is especially true during the spawn. try a texas rigged bait - brush hogs, beaver style bait, lizard - they all will work. drag it slowly across the bottom. a trick worm or senko rigged wacky style is also a good bait during the spawn. both these rigs will sit right in the bass' face and won't force the bass to leave it's bed to chase it.

One of the things that makes bass fishing great is that there is something for everyone. Some folks get great satisfaction and enjoyment from the science behind the fishing, and in the end, knowing more of the science will bring more satisfaction to your hobby. But it is not necessary to know all that to catch fish. I have bass fished for a long time and know quite abit about them, but most of the time I just like going fishin. I don't think much about science, i just fish and try to pay attention to what the bass are telling me and then try and repeat it. I would say learn the science, enjoy it; but don't let it get in the way of fishing. There's an art to it as well.

should be spawning. don't know the lake at all, but if i were taking my wife she'd have either a shaky head or a light carolina rig on a spinning rod, just drag a lizard around and have the shaky for more specific targets or pockets.

that's the same guy isnt it?

a 2lb bass will demolish a 10" worm

I’m a fan of citrus shad

General rule of thumb in the spring, rising water will move bass shallow and tight to cover. You usually have to fish all sides of the cover as there will be no telling where they’ll relate and won’t chase.

just to complicate your decision. i have a lews bb1 in 5-1(might be something like 5.3) gear ratio on my sq bill set up and love it.

Watched Tin Star with Henry Fonda the other day. Mr Fonda was one cool cowboy and great actor.

Another buzzbait vote - i like jacob wheeler's buzzbait and always have a trailer on it (rage tail cut r, if i have some).

i have way too much of both, but just bought a new tatula sv and a st croix rod. its a problem. I think i could go several years and buy nothing but line.

looks like a pretty nice set up. Only change i would make is i would put my fastest reel on the Heavy action rod for flipping and worming rod, where i want to pick up line very quickly. And use the 6.3's on the moving baits. But its really whatever your comfortable with, I've got some super fast reels but still do most of my jig fishing with an old curado cu-200 just because i'm used to it and nothing else feels as good.

I store my frogs in an old peanut butter jars (we go thru lots of peanut butter at my house) , throw in some baby powder, give it a shake, and have never had a problem.

nice. hope you had a big bass purse.

got a boat or shore fishing.

Put it in the thickest stuff you can find let it soak and watch your line. Don't be in too big a hurry to make your next cast. It is a lot like a texas rig except you don't get that tap,tap bite as often. Most of the time you see the line jump or move. if it feels weird set the hook. As you improve try to make the softest entry you can. My best fish seem to always come on a nice soft/splashless entry. It also helps if you can give it a little slack so it falls straight down in the cover. I'm concentrating on those two things when presenting a jig.

Have you tried a chatter bait. Puts off a ton of vibration. Cold muddy water is tough, but it’s tough for everyone.

unfortunately, your out of luck on the quail. i've had bird dogs all my life and sadly probably own my last one now. she's 12 and there is not enough birds to train a pup on, so i'm looking for a squirrel dog. the fishing's great tho.

Try sniper, there's a big difference. it handles almost as easy as mono, especially in the 12lb and 14lb range. also, spool half your spool with mono then add the floro on top. will save you some money and handle better.