bagofdonuts

There's got to be lots of creeks with them in the ouachita and ozark regions

Do you have to catch them in Indiana for it to count.

I do it just like big rick above. stick the tip of my finger between hook eye and knot, tighten together to finger, pull finger out, lick it, tighten together to hook eye, clip tag, fish.

I'll try , but agree there are way too many variables to give complete answer. On baits that are target specific (i.e. not search baits) like a jig, I rarely fish them all the way to the boat. I am targeting fish that are tight to cover. So, pitch, cast, skip, or flip it in there let it fall then shake it, hop it, drag it a little to try to determine how they want it while keeping it in the strike zone. Then I real it up and hit the next target. Once you get bit try to copy the action. If your getting bit while reeling up for the next target switch to a moving bait. Spinnerbait - generally i fish it just fast enough so I can still see it beneath the water, try running it into something and then kill it, also give it a pop of the rod occasionally to flare the skirt. there are exceptions : in the early spring i pitch a single colorado blade like a jig and let it fall through the cover on semi-slack line, reel up and pitch again; and there are times (especially late fall) when a "slow rolled" spinnerbait is the way to go. Chatterbait- my best results are to use these in weedy cover. Fish it slow enough to hit the top of the weeds and then rip it out. Bites come after you pop it off a weed and the bait pauses and falls. That should get you started. Experiment and let the bass tell you how to retrieve. Sometimes the most subtle difference makes them bite. I'll add - the biggest mistake i see people i take fishing make with jigs or texas rigs is being in too big of a hurry to start the retrieve. The number one reason your using a slow bait is because the bass aren't in the mode to chase your bait down. You've made the perfect cast, don't be in a hurry to get the bait out of there. Let it soak a bit, make sure you don't already have a bass on, then impart some action.

Im with WRB on this. Braid is great for grass. I use floro for flipping woody cover or in rocks (although I like 15-20# sniper). Not saying that if I'm flipping grass with braid and come to a lay down that i switch rods. I would pitch it right in there and it will work. I just prefer FC, and actually have FC on the flipping stick most of the time. Not a fan of using a leader.

Sounds like fun. I think your list is a pretty good start. Might throw a jig in there as they are super versatile, easy to rig, and a good bait to learn strike detection.

Another vote for the longer one. Two reasons:1. I like to use the same rod for flipping, pitching, casting and skipping because I'll be doing all of those while fishing a jig. Didn't want to have to pick up a different rod at each piece of cover so I learned to skip with a flippin stick. 2. While skipping you want to keep the line out of the water for as long as you can and a longer rod helps. So, I say learn with the longer rod and you'll be more versatile with the jig.

none for me. but if i were drop shotting alot with spinning gear, i'd consider it.

Just noticed no one was mentioning the flw cup that ended Sunday. I think the flw live stream was much improved. I was a tough bite on a tough lake in August. so if you like watching the pros slay em it probably wasn't your thing. Still fond of that style of tournament where you have to win each day to win. And I learn a little more from those guys when its tough and they talk a bit more about what their seeing or looking for.

the old zara puppy kills

That is a pig. Gotta love the xd cranks.

or try partridge hunting. kinda the same thing...dog points, i walk in, bird flushes, shotgun blast, nothing....repeat

Tarpon on a fly. Had a follow once but couldn't get them to commit.

my only issue with them is cutting them off when its time to retie. takes me forever to get all the line off the hook shank.

Norman DD22 and a big worm on a texas rig or swing head.

Lots of times when you feel the traditional thump of a bite on a c rig it’s a fish trying to eat the sinker. With practice you’ll be able to detect everything other than a bass. You’ll know gravel, sand, weeds, wood; then when you can’t tell what’s happening set the hook. BTW. Search for any info Mark Davis has put out on c rig. He is the zen master of the c rig.

Love it. The fish in my avatar pic has an H2O square bill stuck in its face. Be sure to give their crankbaits a try. You may have to replace the hooks pretty quickly, but that's true of the $6 strike king as well.

There's a couple of guys on a metro water supply lake here that use them to stake out their territory on well known community holes. They'll pull up, throw down three bouys over a wide area and expect everyone to stay away from "their" spot.

find a river or stream to fish, and get the skunk off. then you'll feel better.

Anyone know of a place i can get a small panel for a trolling motor plug receptacle and toggle switch. Wanting to cut a hole near existing trolling motor plug in front of casting deck to gain access to bolt down the trolling motor and add front tilt/trim toggle. Need a small panel to replace and cover cut out, maybe 4"x 6" panel. Just has to be big enough to get hand in there to bolt down ever loosening trolling motor mount. Not really wanting to go the rubber swell nut or back to the threaded rivet used from factory and thought adding a tilt/trim toggle to the front deck would be nice addition.

i fly fish for warm water species quite a bit. This time of year, when its hot and the lakes are crowded, wading a creek with a fly rod is loads of fun. You won't regret picking up a fly rod. There's lots of decent combos that won't break the bank. 6 wt is a good all around rod, but if you're primarily after bass a 7wt would be better.

my vote would be for a flush mounted trolling motor. save me a few backlashes. makes no sense why they have to stick up so high.

I'd remove it and put hydroturf down. It's the stuff they put on jet skis, and is very popular among the tin boat crowd, especially duck hunters. Way better option than carpet or whatever that stuff is.

If you hate the c-rig, a big worm on a swing head style jig is a really good alternative. Easy to keep bottom contact and is slightly different presentation than the bass are use to seeing.

Sure it wasn't bighead carp?