The Bassman

Just got my TW Black Friday order. Got some new Berkley "Half-Head" jigs with the new serrated style keeper. Seems to work real well with Elaztech plastics. Z-Man has the same thing now but more expensive. Perfect hook size for midwest finesse tactics. Keeping the bait pinned has been my main problem with Elaztech. S'hroom heads worked fine but the hook was inferior (to my thinking).

Someone once said that a kid wants to catch a lot of fish, a young man wants to catch a big fish, and an old man just wants to fish. I can see you're a kid at heart.

As a painter I use denatured alcohol for a lot of things including cleaning cork. I've used magic eraser but they get chewed up too fast. One quart of alcohol will last a long time.

Got out this afternoon with the warm weather. It was too windy (for me) to fish contact baits that have been producing lately. Had some decent action, though with a small bladebait. Found the fish along side a submerged bar that runs out into a lake I fish. A month ago it was out of the water and I was walking on it. Fish would strike on the drop phase of a slow, pumping retrieve. Caught ten or so in a couple of hours. Nothing over 16" but fun enough. Long range maps show a cold turn in about ten days so enjoy while you can.

Enjoyed a little action the past two days. Caught several, most under 15" but one over 3 lb. Was hoping to build confidence with jerkbaits but caught all on ned rig. Between 2:00 and 3:30 seems to be the bite window on the ponds I fish. I respect you guys who fish larger waters and have to find fish as well as make them bite. I just fish the sunniest bank where the breeze is blowing in. That degree or two makes all the difference.

E-Bay's been my go to for a long time. Looking at a Curado K for 140.00 right now. Edit: Waited too long. Best deal is 154.00 now. Stuff comes and goes. Saw a Tatula CT the other day for 89.00. These prices are shipped with no tax. No brainer.

Used both Mega 8 and Fortis in 10 lb. They were both crazy thin, especially the Mega 8. Concluded that both were rated by JDM standards. I like a braid I can lean into so I should remember that in the future. Problem is that Fortis doesn't seem available like it was before. I wish Mega 8 came in other colors. Saw it in blue on E-Bay, but KastKing doesn't list it. You never know what you're getting from some of these sources. For now I'm using other stuff.

I try to determine what tackle will best suit the situation before I start. For me too many choices is a recipe for failure. I tend to change lures too often. When I get into that mode my catch rate tanks. Some of my best outings have been when I walked out the door with my rod and maybe two or three lures in my pocket. @Team9nine stated it well. That said, we're all just big boys who want more toys. Too many goodies out there.

I tried to get in the habit of using a leader this year. Actually got pretty proficient with Alberto and uni-uni knot. My problem with break offs was from lack of attention to re-tying at the terminal. My leader to braid knots never failed. Mono knots fail after being fatigued. I feel much more confident with straight braid when I'm in a low abrasion situation. I really don't think it has an effect on the fish's wariness either. Also, never cared for that little tick sound every time I cast.

First, let me say welcome to these forums. As far as your question goes you're apt to get any number of answers. This might be oversimplifying, but I never met a bass that wouldn't take a senko offered any # of ways. If you've got at least a little visibility that would be a good start. Over in the tackle forum there's a lot of info about it. Good luck.

Starting to look like the show is winding down for the season for me. Got out this morning before the storms and caught a couple but got tired of getting rained on. I envy you guys with boats and electronics. Surely extends your season to ice up.

Got out a little yesterday while the sun was still pretty high. Had a brief flurry of action on a shallow bank with a small Rapala Husky jerk. Caught five with one close to 4 lb. Sun got low fast and it was over just as fast. Sun and wind direction is everything on the small waters I fish. Just got some Big Dude bladebaits that @Scott F had recommended and am anxious to try them in one lake I fish that has a fairly clean bottom.

I use velcro lure wraps that are meant for lure management on rods. All my stuff is either in my vest or in my pockets. Trebles get a little tangled in them but a quick shake and no problem.

I would love to develop these techniques but I'm shore bound and fish shallower waters. Presuming I'll need to focus on warm spells and play the sun and wind as I did the other day. I'm older so spring will seem to come quicker. About now is when I start focusing on tackle and things I don't really need to buy.

Researched it and couldn't find anything. Looking at TW reviews it seems there's a lot of bad experiences with it.

Don't forget to get a knob seal cap also. Shimano only sells black plastic ones BNT 4150. Silver or chrome would look real good but you need to go somewhere like Tackle Trap for that. Also, your part # for the septon knob is BNT 4240 assuming you're left handed when spinning. Right is BNT 4220. I've done this with my Stradics and can't imagine anything better. Tackle Trap also carries the knobs. You have to buy the pair. (Just get another reel. LOL)

Got out this afternoon before the cold front. Fished a large neighborhood lake close to home and had some of my best action of the year. Bass were all over my One Knocker. Wind direction, sun, and location (long narrow cove) concentrated shad and bass. Caught several over 3 with two 5+. The biggest had a large shad sticking out of her mouth. Cant wait to try these sun-ward areas come spring.

Even with things murky and water everywhere I managed a few this afternoon. Nothing big. Checked the long range maps and they show us above normal temps after this week. Global warming is going to have us fishing all year. I remember so many Novembers that were very winter like in the past.

The primary reason I catch and release is the hassle that goes with keeping fish. ( I don't fish from a boat). When I was a kid I brought many a smallmouth home dangling from my bike on a stringer. Easier to c/r then go to Long John Silver's.

I would think that rod would do about anything any baitcaster would do except for heavy flipping, punching, and large swimbaits.

Got out this morning before storms rolled in. Had good action on lipless. You probably know by now that's my favorite presentation. Caught about 20 in 2 1/2 hrs. Three were 3 lbs. or so. Interesting note, I had several followers that I was able to get with a quick toss back. Lots of fun. Storms coming then a cool down but I don't think we're done yet.

Feel is a very subjective topic. That said the equipment you describe seems very well thought out. Two things enhance feel for me. 1. Tackle that is light in weight as possible. 2. A rod that is not "tip heavy". Reel size would not affect sensitivity other than the effect of slightly more weight.

Talking about big wind and storms Sun. Glad my feet are on the ground.

Makes sense that super glue on a hook with a keeper would hold better than what I just described. Thanks @IndianaFinesse. Still think there's a better way to ned with another type of jig. Gotta research that.

I used to do the super glue thing with gopher heads with the lead keeper cut off. Worked OK but I got to where I don't like messing with the glue. The bait still comes loose after several fish and even though it can be reglued when wet it's a PITA.