The Bassman

Been missing your posts. Always good to see those smallie pics.

I use both 1/4 and 3/8, 1/4 for when I'm using lighter spinning. In reality I can't tell much difference.

I've starting using Mustad KVD Triple Grip Elites on my hard baits. I smash down the barbs because the hook angle seems to hold pretty well.

I'm part of this chorus that's been saying how tough it is. This evening made a liar out of me, though. Hot, humid, and calm. Everything that I say kills the bite. Except after an hour and a half I'd caught ten including two over 2.5. Lost a bigger one. I went finesse instead of my bigger Ikas. Followed @Team9nine's pattern, a 1/16 weedless slider head and finesse worm.Sometimes you just have to listen and pay attention.

This. I look like a real pro with my practice plugs but can't get bit on 'em.

The ponds I fish have been tough lately. Also, weed growth has been an obstacle. I guess HOA's back off on weed control knowing the stuff will die down soon.

I can see boat control being an issue and factoring into the decision. I fish from shore and always follow the wind. The difference is obvious. If it's real windy I'll fish some kind of moving bait so I don't lose contact.

Mine's not going anywhere and I fish almost daily. She's glad to get rid of me for a while.

I used to have a problem with the page top ad loading and bumping me down a couple of lines about the time I was clicking on a topic. Seems to have stopped, though.

Smallmouth always seem to hit hard but I learned with largemouth not to assume a light hit is a small fish. I've had good sized bass suck them under with no more disturbance than a bobber going down.

As you said just unscrew it. Don't let it get parallel to the shank or it will start attaching to it. You usually have to give it a little push to pop it off after unscrewing. They really help plastics from tearing up so fast. The one thing I don't like is the way they get turned over the knot after catching a fish. Make sure to reorient it.

Would've been a wicked excavation bill what with the "abyss". You could have had a mountain to name after your cute girl.

Maybe it's just me but something about the late Aug./mid Sept. period always seems tough. It's usually very calm. I refer to it as the doldrums after the situation old time mariners faced when they couldn't make any progress. Did manage several today but none over 15". Waiting for that first real cold front. They're predicting temps near 90 this week. Seems Sept. has been an extension of summer in recent years. Good job Bull. Would love to experience New England.

Congrats and welcome to the forums. Beautiful backdrop. Wish we had scenery like that where I fish.

Article said the reel had 50 lb. line. Obviously, daddy did a little modifying. I wouldn't think 50 braid would cast very well on a small spincast.

Late summer and low water mean small buzzbaits. I always liked to remove the skirt and replace with some kind of swimming plastic. Less resistance and casts farther.

I buy stuff up when it's on sale................then when it's on sale again I buy more. Probably speak for others on here. Maybe we need a support group thread.

Bass don't have the instinctive ability to pack on weight for the winter. They're opportunistic feeders. @WRB's observation would be the best reason to throw big lures in the fall.

Just saw this. Missed supper, didn't I?

^^^^This. You won't do any better.

I agree with OP. Would add to that Yamamoto Fat Ika. It's been a real eye opener this season. You can even fish it in slop like a frog

I've got a 100B with a Chronarch 50 spool and upgraded handle. Casts as well as anything I own and that includes Aldebaran 50, Chronarch MGL, and Bantam MGL. I can see the benefit of maybe a little quicker retrieve for contact baits but give this reel a little TLC. It's timeless.

I'm working through the holiday. Got blanked last night except for one dink. I'll show those bass. No offerings from me for two days. So there.

Zodias 6'8" ML would be perfect.

I've minimized a lot of my losses by using more Z-Man stuff. One exception is my Yamamoto Fat Ikas. No substitute for them. At nearly a buck a pop I hate seeing those go flying from a jumping bass. As salty as they are I bet they'd spook someone real good if they got hold of one that had been soaking a while.