BrackishBassin

I re-pasted the original link, but it would appear that the word coming up as asterisks is on the blocked list for these forums. To avoid getting myself in trouble, I’m not going to try and get around it. It would appear that Googling the name of the article is a good way to access the information. My apologies to the mods if this post causes any issues. It wasn’t intended to do so. Just wanted to share some research with the group.

Smaller guys are just unhooked and slipped back into the water. The bigger guys, if I am going to weigh them, are weighed using grippers like yours. Seems to be more effective (in my opinion) and apparently, according to what they saw, a safe way to do it.

Worth a read. More scientific than a lot of the other stuff I’ve seen, and it was released very recently. https://***/outdoors/bass-fishing/Article/What-Happens-When-You-Hold-a-Bass-109802650 I thought it was interesting that they included a veterinarian as a part of the study. Generally speaking, they don’t have much education in the way of fish care. I wonder if they needed them to read the radiographs, or if the particular vet involved has done an Ichthyology residency somewhere.

I’d more than likely go with spinning in that scenario. But I fish from the bank and there’s quite a bit in the way of vegetation (trees and shrubs, etc.). It can make casting a difficult endeavor, even with spinning gear. Anything lightweight like that is a guaranteed backlash on anything other than spinning.

You really think he has the capital for that type of buy out when he just dropped all that cash? I’d be shocked. Pure Fishing is a giant.

I’ve seen Iaconelli do it.

I fish the same two neighborhood ponds once a week. Never really noticed them getting used to baits. More of a chase or won’t chase thing with them, in my experience. I’ll throw a moving bait first then switch to weightless plastics if they’re not chasing. Still get skunked some days. Just the name of the game. Nothing wrong with changing things up though. Makes you a more well rounded angler in the long run.

Makes me wish I’d bought a few of the Black Max combos when I got my first one. Ended up running $35 with the rebate and sale. Would’ve been perfect for the salt because I’d wouldn’t have worried as much about messing it up.

Would love to hear some information on this as well. I’ve stuck to my spinnning gear when fishing salt due to concerns about corrosion. But every time I’m throwing a lure (fishing bait I stick with my spinning gear), I find myself wishing I was using a baitcaster instead. No clue why.

Not familiar with any of those lures, but I’ll keep an eye out. I’m bank bound for the foreseeable future. Kastmasters were a gift from my dad. They worked so well that I replace them every time I lose one. Went fishing for stocked trout one day this past spring. Everyone around me was using a split shot rig with dough. They had a couple in their buckets when I got there. I was there maybe 20 minutes. Threw a pink Kastmaster and had my limit in 15 minutes. Ended up giving another guy the lure before I left because he couldn’t believe it worked like that.

Definitely find it more effective when it’s not dealing with chop, but it still works when the wind is up. I’ve had bass hit it on both situations. I’ve caught them near cover/structure and in open water. Steady retrieve has always worked best for me, but if I’m going to be pausing a bunch, I’d just as soon fish a popper. Don’t think that really helps narrow things down for you, but in my somewhat limited experience with the bait, I’ve caught fish when I’ve fished it.

I’ve actually used the Kastmasters from piers much like you described doing from a boat. Guess I should have read more closely. It seemed like you were suggesting that their usage was limited to people with boats, but I’ve had plenty of success using them without. Didn’t want people to get the impression that they’re useles lures without a boat. They’re actually one of the most productive lures I’ve ever fished, if you’re counting all the species I’ve caught with them. Ah, understood. I thought you were referring to the lure itself as a jigging spoon (which is technically correct), not the way in which it’s fished. I’ve actually used them both ways (casting and jigging) and both were very effective.

Are Kastmasters jigging spoons?

Believe it or not, I use ‘spoons’ quite a bit from the bank. The little Kastmasters are great for trout, perch, and sunfish. I lose them occasionally, but they still work.

Local lake I fish has tons of frogs, bass, pickerel, sunfish, osprey, eagles, herons, etc. Still advised not to eat fish from the lake (specifics are like 1 serving every two months of sunfish only) due to Mercury levels. Many contaminants that we find in our waters may not have effects on the wildlife that are visible to our naked eye, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

Easily had on eBay. Got mine for $89 and free shipping. Love the reel.

If you come from spinning rods, i would bet $100 that you’re snapping your wrist when you cast. Works great with spinning rods, especially in tight quarters. But it’s a guaranteed backlash with a baitcaster. It was the hardest habit for me to break, but virtually eliminated backlashes for me.

I’d suggest an Ugly Stik GX2 (medium or medium light) and a Penn Pursuit. If you’ve got a few extra bucks, upgrade the reel to a Penn Fierce 2. Worth it just for the braid ready spool on the reel. I know now that Ugly Stik and Penn aren’t regularly mentioned on these forums (seem to be more popular with the saltwater crowd), but I have a medium light GX2 with a 2500 size Penn Fierce 2 on it that’s caught everything from my PB largemouth to bullnose rays out of the river with zero issues. Both the rod and reel are tough as nails. I also feel like (and I’m sure not many will agree with me) that the fiberglass tip on the GX2s are relatively sensitive for their price point.

You do any saltwater, or is it a strictly freshwater setup you’re looking for?

Jealous! Enjoy!

In my relatively limited experience (have only been chasing bass for about a year or so), the solunar tables have been less of a predictor than my own personal comfort. For whatever strange reason, the more uncomfortable I am while I’m fishing, the better I do. My PB was caught in the middle of the day, in July. It was hotter than Hades, and I had questioned my sanity multiple times during that trip. Who fishes during heat advisories? One of the best numbers days I’ve ever had was in March. Barely 45 degrees and with 35 mph wind gusts. I couldn’t get my line on the water fast enough. Sounds weird, but it seems to be the ticket for my location. If I don’t want to be outside, the bass are munching.

The most productive frog in my box, by far. Outfishes the Spro everyday. I feel like the softer body on Pad Crasher makes it much easier to hook up with fish as compared to the stiffer body on the Spros. I wanted to like the Spro frogs because they offer colors that Booyah doesn’t, but they just don’t compare. In my opinion.

If the FG is tied correctly, your terminal knot should fail before it does. I use it for saltwater and had issues at first. After quite a few jigs and Gulp lost, I’ve got the hang of it now. I routinely throw 1 ounce jigs with Gulp baits on them and haven’t lost one since. Even broken off on oyster bars on the bottom with a 40lb mono leader. FG knot held fine.

I was afraid someone would say something like that. So, my moss green should be fine? The waters I fish have quite a bit of aquatic vegetation.

Before I ask my question, I’ll say that I wasn’t quite sure where to put it since it relates to lures and line. So, if it’s more appropriate elsewhere, please feel free to move it. Here’s my conundrum - I’ve heard guys say over and over that they color the last few feet of their braid black so “the bass don’t see it”. Those same people then turn around and recommend that you throw dark colored lures, black and blue being a common suggestion along with straight black, in dirty water conditions so that the bass can see the lure. So, my question is, what’s the deal with black? Is it a high visibility color as suggested by the guys saying to throw it in dirty water, or is it a low visibility color as suggested by the guys saying to color a few feet of your braid with a Sharpie? Curious to hear thoughts on the subject from guys that fish frequently. Thanks!