The Bassman

In central IN the post turnover period (usually early Nov.) can be real good if it's reasonably moderate. We can have 70 degree weather and 30's real close together. It's my favorite time, too. No bugs, little vegetation, little competition. The bass can be quite aggressive. I love to fish moving baits especially lipless.

Will have to try the hard rip method. I've always fished them slow and steady. Used to fish Tiny Torpedos after dark. There's nothing to shake you up like getting hit just a few feet from your rod tip in the dark. I would think that an aggressive retrieve would be best with a little chop on the water.

Wish manufacturers would incorporate some kind of bushing within the threads (like self locking nuts) that would keep things from loosening up. The ocd in me keeps snugging the locking ring and one of these days I'm probably going to break one.

Really appreciate the tip. Can they stand up to walking on pavement?

I set the hook into a pound and a half wad of grass just today. It was solidly hooked. Wish I could say the same for all the bass I've lost. It never hurts to presume that any odd resistance is a fish.

I primarily wet wade small creeks in old sneakers. Tried wading boots but they were just too heavy since I usually walk back. True, they're more surefooted but my slip ups come as often out of the water as in. Water deeper than my knees actually tends to slow my fall and let me catch myself. At 63 it's all becoming more challenging. I don't look forward to the day that I can't do it anymore.

Does that Met handle clear the drag star or did you have to bend something? The Chronarch D series are much sought after. Nice reel.

Nobody said you had to zero the brakes, just back off the tension knob before you open and close the sideplate.

Your tension knob should be adjusted after the sideplate is closed anyhow. It doesn't take much tension to keep the sideplate from locking. Always back it off when accessing the brakes.

When I'm fishing ned in creeks I catch more rock bass (grew up calling them goggle eyes) than smallmouth. They bring fond memories. They're actually pretty good fighters.

Shimano Stradic CI4 can be sourced under 200. Great reel and very light.

Just saw your post so I know it's too late. I'm just a bank walker but I live for this weather. Caught two threes and a four on lipless yesterday. Cranking gives me more control than contact baits in windy weather. I really can't use divers effectively because of bringing the lure from deep to shallow.

An old Fishing Hole program showed Jerry McKinnis fighting what he thought was a big smallmouth on Dale Hollow with Billy Westmoreland. Turned out to be a lawn chair.

The man has a good eye for color! That's coming from a painter.

It's a wonderful country we live in where we can focus on such things, and by the way it matters to me. LOL

Ald BFS wouldn't serve your needs as well. Also, first gen model was a bit touchier than '16 model. Low line capacity and 8:1 retrieve would be very limiting with moving baits. Casitas is a good workhorse reel. I owned two of them. It's certainly not high end but very practical.

I'm kind of the outlier here in that I only use 5 up and down. Have had no slippage using light braids. It also makes a very compact knot.

Curado 70 would be perfect for flipping and punching. Braid would be preferred because of line capacity. A lot of guys ned with b/c but I feel that spinning optimizes the technique.

I'd just stay with the 71HG. 50's are going for way too much $$ and in truth they're no better. But that's another discussion.

A revo tightens counterclockwise?

E-Bay's real good about refunds. most sellers are more than glad to help you.

It looks like you barely turned the drag star. Turn it several times. I think that's all that's wrong.

Tighten the drag.

Isn't Ned rigging just a 21st century name for what we knew as Charlie Brewer do nothing technique 30 years ago. Enlighten me, Team 9.

Big snapping turtle while frogging. Thought I had my PB but couldn't understand why he didn't jump.