FreddoB

AWESOME! I feel like this all the time everytime I hook up out there on the water. It's all SO GOOD! When they bite a topwater, that's just STELLAR stuff! Thanks for sharing your excitement. I'm here at my desk eating lunch and fishing vicariously through these stories and daydreaming of being back on the water.

I'm happy to have helped this number grow recently! This is the best place I've found for bass fishing information and support! Thanks to all that pitch in!

One thing for sure - if they are panfish like bluegill and pumpkin seed - those will feel like a small machine gun fire on your bait. As I started learning "bass fishing" when I got bit like that, I'd throw a small crappie bait and prove it out. I've found, as mentioned above, that even a "tap" deserves a hookset attempt. You'll learn by trying and trying and trying. You will get to know the differences over time. I've probably freaked out many a small fish thinking it was a monster that picked up my bait when I tried burying the hook. I like the "one tap" idea mentioned above!!

I fish until I can't fish any longer! Basically, I'm like the Energizer Bunny angler without the batteries. I might stop because I'm typically in a kayak and after I've been out for "many hours" I just "feel" done for the day (but this is RARE). I don't get bored fishing even if the bite is off - I just throw something else I have in the tackle trays. I'm forced off the water only for other commitments, nightfall, bad weather, or the aforementioned "feeling done". I joke that I'm "ripped" from my chest to my neck (and that's about it) due being a kayak fishing fanatic and a worship drummer at our church. That said, my arms never get tired from paddling and casting all day which is a major plus.

St. Croix Mojo Bass MJC74HF (Heavy/Fast 7' 4") rod, Lew's SD1XHL reel, and PowerPro 65# braid. "Sweet setup"! I used it for the first time yesterday and the time on the water went TOO FAST!

Hey NiX - Yes sir - I agree! I never fished a jig until this year. Same with chatterbaits. Both work well for me and I'm building confidence using both but want to concentrate on fishing a jig like I fished for trout way back. The "idea" of "building confidence" in a bait, any bait, hit me like a brick this past winter as I crammed off the internet before hitting the water this spring. Growing up as a trout fisherman using only UL tackle, I knew my game well and was so confident in my gig that I would go out with one hook size (tiny), one bait type (salmon eggs in one style), one split-shot size ("B"), and catch them consistently if they were biting. I hope this doesn't come across as bragging; not my intention here at all but to make the point being: *KNOW your game* as we are both learning! Now I force myself to go out and throw a single bait or two all day (two different setups so no tying/untying). All of you guys rock sharing your experiences, bait preferences, and rubber meets the road stuff. THANK YOU ALL!

Uh oh Catt... You mentioned, "You want the motion to be similar to & as fast as working a shaky head..." and...well... I have "zero" (0) experience with those so ya see, I'm a newb but will look into those next I suppose. Time to get on the lakes and bring ONLY the jigs and just get good with them; learning to become confident with 'em! My new setup (not spooled up yet) will have what's needed to get them out of the cover if I do "my" part. Thanks again and to all for the jig images and explanations...all helpful!

So -- if the cast into the nasty stuff "does" keep the line in the water (it makes total sense), is hoisting this fish "UP" the approach to take after the hookset? Just cranking the reel and hoping for the best doesn't seem right to me. What's the suggestion for doing "after" the hookset? Thanks!!

Hi and thanks to "all" that posted their comments. I knew I'd learn here and I have... Lesson #1: "Get closer". This might be a big part of my learning curve. I might be fishing these laydowns out too far lessening that angle and going more horizontal; need to try closer and more vertical. Lesson #2: "More time out there". I'm a proponent of 'hands on experience' and looking forward to getting that 'feel' of what's going on under water at the jig so I might not snag up often. Lesson #3: All the above and more from all those that responded... Thank you! On the same topic, after hooking into a fish in a laydown is "up" and "out fast" the best tactic for getting the fish out of the cover? When I see a situation like fishing a laydown, even knowing it holds fish a lot of the time, the thought of getting it out of there once hooked is daunting at times. More thoughts? Much appreciated and thanks!!!

Hey All, As a newb to jigs, I've read a lot and watched a lot and use weedless (???) jigs. They catch bass! Lately, I've throwing SK Hack Attacks. Why are my jigs hanging up on wood when I "read" that they're "for" heavy cover like wood? They seem like they'd easily pull around the stuff without hooking up. Hooks are for fish lips only! Note that these jigs I'm tossing are not modified and I'd really like to put them into the laydowns on the lake I frequent to pull out a monster or two (...or more). Tricks and tips welcome and appreciated! Thanks!

My wife and I kayak together on occasion and she's never complained when I bring the "fishing gear"; she does not fish at all. On Saturday, we went out and I purposely did not bring gear to fish with and just paddled around the lake with her. I shared with her how I appreciate that she never complains about me fishing when out together and she doesn't mind paddling around and enjoying being out there. We "know" each other and the open communication is why we just celebrated 26 years together. If she ever asked, "Would you leave the gear home this outing?", I'd call it done! This works for us! "Choices" and "luck" are mentioned above in this thread and I totally agree that "we" determined the outcome a lot of the time based on choices. But then we are all individuals and our wives are all different. The woman I married works with me and me with her... SHE's AWESOME; but not just because she let's me go fishing, she's truly a blessing! One more note... My Dad lived to 75 and it's still hard losing someone close. NEVER stop spending time with those important to you. The fish will bite when you get back to the place you enjoy fishing. We get one go at this thing called life! Make it matter!

I've retrieved them slow, fast, erratic with pauses, varied retrieve rates, but always with a trailer. These chatterbaits simply produce fish. I have no favorite retrieve that I find works best but having to guess, a slower and steady. I once was burning the bait in to recast and big pickerel grabbed it...surprised the tar out of me! I've only used the Z Man Original in 3/8 oz. so far...

Here, the Walmart sells Z Man Original ChatterBait. I bought a 3/8 oz. (black/blue) and Berkley Havoc Grass Pig Jr.'s (Black-Blue Silver Fleck) for trailers. If you try these, buckle up! I do great with this combo but any matching color trailer should work. The Grass Pig Jr's were not as expensive as others I've seen recommended for trailers. Buy two if you can swing it just in case one kicks butt and you lose it to something that's not a PIG FISH! 1 on the YUM Dingers 5" Green Pumpkin... wacky rig; another stellar bait!

Green Pumpkin... the holy grail of color for bass baits it seems. No argument here, they bite what I'm throwing in that color! I haven't heard of Blair lake and wow, 2 acres! The lake I live by is about 37 acres and seems small compared t some I've paddled. It looks like that lake can get "weedy" so you might want to learn "punching". That's next on my bucket list, followed by frogs, followed by, who knows?!?

I'm learning too but I can offer you keep the rod tip down (close to the water) and force the fish to roll over; NEVER slacken the line. Here's the hard part if you are any part as "green" as I am while fighting these "jumpers".... WE'RE EXCITED! Make it a point to concentrate on the "fight" after the hookset. My son and I were out on our local lake and the bass were biting well (wacky rigs and jigs/trailers). This gave me lots of opportunities to "learn" to fight them. But as I've been told here in the forum, we'll still loose some. I don't get them "all" in the boat and doubt I ever will but more will make it in with time. Time and experience will help. For me, realizing I needed to "think" about how to fight these fish is as important as learning new baits and techniques to get them to bite. It's all part of the passion of an angler. When I was learning to fly fish, setting the hook in a trout was a new lesson in science and physics for me...go figure!

When I was a kid fishing in the river I grew up near, a small 3" painted turtle bit onto my line and didn't let go. The little guy was hanging on about 8" above the hook. When I first saw it I thought it was a leaf until I reeled it all the way in to me!

Thanks! Getting hooked into one is half the battle and I'm coming long fine for a newb too. I didn't realize diving into targeting LM's that they tend to jump and throw hooks/jigs/chatterbaits/etc... so easily. I'm concentrating now on the "fight" to keep them "down". My new PB last Saturday never got airborne so I'm getting there (I hope) and finding the "fight" part of the lore of bass fishing. Thanks for your offer to help! I do know where Warren county is. Do you have favorite lakes there? I fish Aeroflex, Twin Lakes, Swartswood (fished there once this spring but now there's this: "Swartswood Swim area will be closed until further notice for public health and safety due to the presence of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)), and my local community lake (this is a private fishery I do well in). Take care!

I catch pumpkinseed on lakes here in North NJ and they're easy to tell from bluegill. Try doing a Google search of "bluegill or pumpkinseed" and look a the differences. I find the pumpkinseed to be much "brighter" and the ear flap at rear of gill cover has red on it. But that said, you have "pig fish for bluegill"! Hang on to your rod well, they put up quite a fight for their sizes!

I'll check the Stohlquist Fisherman too for sure! Thanks for your concern and the heads up (no pun intended) about being knocked unconscious. This didn't occur to me as I fish quiet little lakes and don't think I'd roll the yak. But you are correct and no arguments here. People have gone on doing way less dangerous things!

I was not wearing my PDF but I was very close to shore and I'm a strong swimmer. In colder water, I "WILL" be wearing one without question! Anyone have the NRS Chinook to report on, it looks like a good vest to me? Yes - I'm newer to this but LOVING it! This week I update the crate to keep things "IN" it should I ever roll it again! Ha!

Thanks all! I caught my new PB for me yesterday but at a a cost! 19-1/2" and 4.25 lbs but I rolled my kayak netting the fish. It was nice the water was 77°F but I lost some gear. I know the saying, "leash it or loose it" and I've grow a little too complacent in my short time kayak bass fishing so I'm happy I was taught this lesson early on (even though the loss of gear wasn't fun; time fill a shopping cart). I've thanked God that "I" was not hooked on my way out and was able to get back in the yak safely, and measure/release the fish unharmed. It was quite an ordeal and I'm sure some of "you"have stories too! To all... BE CAREFUL! It's really not that hard to roll a small yak - especially with all the excitement!

Hi All, All this new bass fishing tackle is fun... About two weeks ago I tried a chatterbait for the first time with great success. Yesterday was my first time out with a SK jig and a SK Rage Craw trailer. I was removing part of the body to make sort of a "chunk" style trailer. 2nd cast and *yee haa*, a 2-1/2 lb LM! How exciting. So now I'm wondering if I rigged it correctly (i.e., despite the number of bass caught). I threaded the body of the craw onto the hook shaft, all the way up to the jig's head. This is "one" way that obviously works "BUT" can the trailer or chunk type trailer be hooked just into the "bend" of the hook instead? I had a good deal of keeping the bait tight to the head because the jig had no "keeper" there. I'm sure many of you have been there, done that, caught the fish, and got the tee shirt. Please share your experiences and what works for you! Thanks! Regards - Freddo

I own a Mojo Bass rod and if money weren't an object, I'd buy a few more before you finish reading this! They're light, strong, and sensitive! Awesome stuff!

I hold the rod in my right hand, I always crank with my left hand. I see vids where guys switch after each cast and scratch my head...but to each his own and I'm sure they have their reasons. Whatever is comfortable for you is what you should go with. The fish don't care how you crank them in!

If you have craws you can jig/trailer, most places will produce fish with Senko's (or knockoffs), chatterbaits work in a lot of places. I suppose you need to learn what they eat... Maybe there is no silver bullet!