The Bassman

I'll stick with real garlic and pepper lol. To me it definitely smells about the same as when I know a skunk was nearby when I walk out my front door in the morning. Never really have mastered keeping it off my hook. 1/16 oz. is probably too heavy but helps with casting. At least it's easy to pick off. When the weed guys zap the stuff it definitely puts the bass out of sight. Makes one think that something's gone wrong in the pond.

Over two inches of rain in a little over an hour here. Gonna hit some drains in the morning. Should be fun.

In Fisherman has cited a particular study several times that indicates no claws are more appealing to bass.

Discount tackle has 1/4 oz. Bling. One knocker gets first call a lot from now to cold weather for me. Had a lot of fun with it this afternoon.

I think I remember you talking about that bait when I joined BR over six years ago.

Couldn't help but notice your brace. I've got chronic issues with my right ankle/foot that make working and fishing (I'm a bank walker) difficult. It's really got me slowed down right now and my podiatrist wants me to wait a bit before another injection. Nice to see that you're catching. I'm a little east of you and getting bit, too. Big heat coming next week. Stay cool. Getting older accentuates everything lol.

Nice pond, Brian. Lots of green space. Rebel Teeny Pop-R has been my go to for a good while this season. Lots of bites, some big ones. Neds, finesse worms, and such are bread and butter but nothing beats a topwater bite. Good job.

Where I live spring fishing is............over.

We're transitioning here in central IN towards spawn. Moving baits are giving way to topwaters and sight fishing finesse plastics. Buck bass are replacing the big females for the time being. (Maybe I'll get lucky and catch one that's a buck and a half).

Have had some wonderful experiences there in the past. Just don't like to leave my car unattended where I used to go. Times have changed.

I keep telling myself that geese don't have teeth or talons but they're sure putting a kink in my fishing right now. My green laser is pretty much useless on sunny days. I would never bother the nesters but those dang males think they own the whole lake.

Good to see your season start. I've caught a lot of fish on Rippin' Raps. I like to upsize my hooks to #8 KVD Triple Grips (assuming that's a #5 Rap).

I guess I'm doing my part then. lol

Experienced my best day so far this year. Had steady action on a KVD 1.0 squarebill that I found a couple of years ago but never fished. These were my two largest. Left my scale at home so don't have a weight on the big one. What set today apart was that my numbers were backed up with size. I caught several 2-4lb. along with plenty of smaller ones. We're on the warm side of a big storm system so that coupled with being near peak of pre spawn certainly helped.

Do you find that ponds with the blue colorant are less productive or is it all in my head?

Got mine from this site: laserpointerpro.com

We had a thread several years back where using a green laser pointer to deter geese was discussed. I bought one and it's been indispensable during nesting season. Needs to be at least 250 mw power.

Not as well known are FX Custom rods. I have two, one being a 6'8" MH Extreme Angler. I spin fish mostly but these rods are incredibly light and crisp. Made in USA, too.

Coppertreuse. The one I've been using is mottled with very little chartreuse. Color doesn't seem to make much difference to me. Just can't get this one to wear out and move on to a different one. It's caught dozens over the winter and now spring.

Sufix underrates their line strengths. 10# 832 has the same diameter as PP 15. Their monos are the same way.

I've been using my Rapala fish grippers on larger fish for some time now. Also makes weighing easy.

I'm getting these good ones handed to me because these drains, what you used to refer to as a "sucker shot". What you said about a lake going dead got my attention. A lot of the ponds I've done very well in years past are pretty much totally unproductive now. And it doesn't happen over several years. Things can change in a matter of months. Creates lots of questions as to why. I'd be interested in other guys experiences.

Got my biggest one in almost two years this afternoon, 6.82#. Caught her in front of a submerged drain on a Z-Man TicklerZ that's been catching fish since last fall. Can't wear it out. Also caught several others on it and lipless crankbait.

The only way I knew this is that I've done it, too. lol

Check your pinion yoke to see if you put it on upside down.