FreddoB

@onetime Hey Onetime - I totally get it but it makes me wonder if the big money bass tournament winners cash checks solely based on luck? Please know I don't follow the tournaments or intend to. But I know that if I could fish day in and day out without getting tired of it, I'd "know" what works like the back of my hand more than the angler that doesn't fish often at all. I suppose luck comes into play at times, it has to. Just saying that experience and skill has to help in some way. My wife wonders if a fish finder is cheating? Is knowing the layout under water we can't see a good thing? Please know I'm not trying to get your goat because you believe there is a lot of luck to fishing. I was just suggesting that skills must play into the sport to catch more...

When I tie flies for trout I typically do crush the barb but not yet for bass. The best reason to crush the barb is in case you get a hook in "you" and not a fish. I've seen this happen and it'll come right out. The 2017 New Jersey Freshwater Fishing Digest has an article chuck full of stats about fish mortality titled: " The Truth About Hooks Lures". I read it on a flight last February. The bottom line is that you can unhook the fish easier without barbs but most fish don't live due to mis-handling or gut hooking, gill cutting, etc. Common sense really... Yesterday I reeled in a 9" LM with 6' of mono hangin out of the poor thing. It ate a rubber ribbon tail worm that was t-rigged wrong. The hook looked like a typical Aberdeen and never came out of the bait to hook the fish! I'm not sure if the line cut on a rock or how that all played out. My barbed hook helped be clear the little bass of the mess he was dragging around to grow another day. I'm not advocating barbed hooks, just a story. Here's a link to the publication if you'd like to read the article (starts on p. 12): http://www.eregulations.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/17NJFW-LR.pdf

OK - I'll add that I'm a self-proclaimed "gear head"! There - I said it. Enough is enough when stuff isn't being used and we're still holding onto it for "some" reason. Learning to fish for bass now (as a newb to targeting them specifically), I've started the collecting new baits as I'm learning new techniques. I've see a post telling a reader to but every color worm you can get and other posts stating one or two colors are "enough" (well maybe three). I also believe "less is more" but I'm no minimalist by any stretch. So "enough is enough" is when we've learned what works best in the situations we come upon. This spring, on my 5' UL, I was using an Arkie Sexee Tail Shad, a little 2" plastic on a jig head. I could do nothing wrong and I was almost catching fish accidentally. I suppose I could have quit buying other baits and learning new techniques right there. That setup caught me LM, crappie, bluegill, pumpkin seed, and even pickerel and all inside of a few hours. But we're fisherman! I'm a gear junkie! But then about a week ago I was on a familiar lake and my chatterbait wasn't getting bit so I switched to a wacky rigged worm and started catching bass like it was a different day on the water. So after all this typing I'll suggest that "enough is enough" is quite a personal thing (and spouse input does NOT count). But guys and gals.... PLEASE by all means, spend within your budget... Catchin' fish can be challenging enough!!

YUM Craw Chunk (they're under $4) but "I" prefer the SK Rage Craw (more pricey).

I use straight PowerPro braid, 30 lb tied directly to the hook and no problems with plastic worms. Bite rate is affected by other things I believe not the lack of a leader. But then "I" never tried them side-by-side to see if one setup was better for me.

Try a chatterbait. I'm new to targeting bass too and the Z Man ChatterBait Original; 3/8 oz. (black/blue) with a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss (Black Blue) for me has been a true producer. It's been great. There are MANY trailer options but the Pit Boss works and was all I could find in the shop the day I bought my chatterbaits. NO COMPLAINTS here!

Enjoy your ride! She looks like a dream that came true!

I share baits, I teach the teachable, and I love seeing a fishing buddy catch fish - period! My son was killing them the other day with Senkos and I wasn't. I asked him what "he" was doing that I wasn't and praised him for doing so well! I tried to teach a stubborn buddy once that asked why I was catching all the fish while we were fishing shoulder to shoulder on a river for trout. I said to him, "Let's swap rods for a moment!" and he said, "OK, sure..." I followed with telling him exactly where to throw the bait, and he nailed the cast and his bait drifted right into the hole I pointed out. 1st cast was a 12" rainbow - BOOM! We switched rods back to their rightful owners and I explained that his setup was causing him issues. To heavy a split shot, to big a hook, to BRIGHT and heavy a line (remember fluorescent Stren?). But this friend I'd die for wouldn't change his setup. I just always caught more. Presentation and knowing where to put the bait are an angler's ticket. When a guy sees me fishing and asks, "any luck"?, I chuckle inside. Is fishing luck? Do we need buddies and mentors to teach us stuff so our "luck" gets better"? We need to hone our skills and that's why this forum I'm new to is so good...it's full of great information to meet that end! I too as others have posted, would rather not wet a line when helping others learn and teach them. When I'm alone out there is when "I get to fish... and learn... and fish hard!"

I had my hands on a Berkley Lightning Rod (@ Walmart) that can be had for about $40 and would like to try one of those out. I do have rods in the $120- $140 class that are a blessing to own but I'd hate to break one. If I did, I'd be trying the Berkley out. It's nice and light for a MH fast action baitcasting rod. I was an Ugly Stik user all my life but I'm liking lighter/faster rods that are available now. And note, I'm not knocking the Ugly Stik rods, they've served me WELL over my life...!!

Last year was my first ever serious bass fishing year. My first on a rubber worm, first on a squirrel tail jig I tied (I fly fish and thought to try tying a bucktail type jig), first on a plastic craw (my PB too at 3.8 lbs). All this no doubt put the fire in me and I bought a kayak last fall. If you can't find me, call the lake and have me paged! HA! Year two, I found chatterbaits are deadly on bass and missed a new PB when this PIG of a bass jumped and threw my bait...UGH! Next time maybe... Also this year... first on a jig w/trailer for new PB (4-1/4 lbs).

It is a "fish" (for sure)! I had a similar issue catching a bass I thought was a LM but had the eyes of a SM. I know for those to check how far back the mouth goes based on the fish's eye. But here in NJ, I'm not sure if we have any bass other than those two species. I know with black vs white crappie, the dorsal fin spines can be counted to determine one from the other. Maybe that works for some bass species too?!? I've got a lot to learn...! I hope you get a clear answer based on your picture. Good luck to you!

Ah that's too bad but is "Fishing" and not "catching"! I use 50 lb PowerPro line on my baitcaster and I can straighten hooks that get snagged. But then I've had a fish drag me into a log or something before I knew what hit me and they come off and leave my bait stuck - UGH! I get my share of backlashes too but they're more and more rare like with you. Go find those new fisheries to try!

Spend as MUCH time as you can on the water and hopefully you can fish from a boat or kayak as they have their advantages of getting you to more fish. Bet that said, I caught a 2 lb LM last week from the bank on chatterbait so that works too! Reading and watching...that's half the battle. Hone "your" skills!

Welcome and this "is" the place to go. I'm newer to targeting bass after being a trout guy all my life. Most questions I popped into "the" search engine brought me here so I joined in! Read, fish, fish, read, read some more...and keep fishing. You'll get better and better!

Welcome Mike! You will LEARN here in this forum. If you want to target bass, this is the place. Have fun and get your lunker!

Welcome to the club Josh! I'm newer to baitcasting too but you keep at it and you'll get the hang of it. I so enjoy throwing baits with it and ordered my second reel last night. love the addiction. Now go catch that lunker you've dreamed of! Have fun!!

*Yikes* : I don't wear hats (i.e., I don't prefer to). I'll need another plan I suppose. Thanks "ALL" for your replies. They are all helpful and insightful. It's great getting info from the experienced. Best regards - Freddo

Welcome from another NJ angler. I'm in Sussex county. Hope you find guys in your area!

Welcome aboard... I'm in NJ and for new waters I spend a bunch of time in Google Maps and find lakes, then plug the lat/long into the Garmin in my "bass assault vehicle" (an old Ford Escape with a kayak on top) and I'm off to try for a new PB... Have fun out there!

Welcome sir! I remember turning 40 and thinking it was a BIG number... You're all set! Happy 40th! Now go fishing!

Welcome and have fun! I'm new to bass fishing (targeting them that is) too and I've learned a TON of stuff here inside of two weeks. I'm "hooking" more of them too, but boating the biggins?...not! I\Yesterday I was pouring all over here reading about fighting bass...do that yourself (a tip from me to you). All in all - WELCOME! You've started a great adventure my man!

Hey all - I know this is VERY old post but to the point. I thought I was having hook setting issues. But this past Monday I had a monster LM jump and throw my bait. This EASILY was a PB for me (beating my 3-4 lb). I found that bass jumping and tossing my bait was a pattern and I'm new to targeting LM and this now makes more sense than so many bad hook sets. So it appears from my research that I'll be trying to keep the pigs from jumping until I weigh them and then release them! The smaller ones can JUMP all they want, I think it's fun too! Thanks to all that shared here for us newbs to glean from! Best - Freddo

Thanks and yes... Exactly what I'm doing. I suppose time with the unit will be the best approach. I want to learn to mark some spots that have been good producers on lakes I don't yet frequent an aren't that familiar to me for two reasons: (1) to go back to said spot, and (2) coupled with the lake topo, learn where/why those are good spots. It'll all come together and thanks again!

Is this "user error" because the fish threw the bait? I'm wondering just how "HARD" I need to set the hook for ginormous LM? Today too, I had a couple larger fish come off so maybe I'm not setting the hook hard enough. When I watch the pros set a hook, I'm seeing what looks like the hookset would rip the head clear off the fish. Is that much force needed to penetrate well? I'm using PowerPro 50 test braid. I hear a lot about rod backbone and hook strength, etc. I've got all this at the ready. Could this by why I'm missing the larger ones?!? I'm curious because I'm sold on the chatterbait. I recall learning to set hooks when fly fishing being completely different from what I'd learned growing up fishing live bait and salmon eggs for trout. Being newer to bass fishing, this something I need to learn. So all of you seasoned bass anglers... Please tell me if I need to supply a hookset with everything I've got for these big bass? I'd rather be weighing them than asking how to get them in the net. Thanks again! Best regards - Freddo

Hey all... Here's a follow-up to my Friday night post about "buying" a chatterbait... Yesterday was a first time chatterbait experience for me...THEY WORK (darn well too)! I fished a lake yesterday that I've only been to once before about three weeks ago. On the third cast after I launched the kayak, it was "game on" with a 19-1/2" pickerel. Not my "target species" but not bad for a first fish on a new bait in my arsenal. I was casting parallel and close to a weed line. Not long after that, I made a cast to a cut back in the leading edge of the weed line, a hole sort of, and a 15" LM grabbed my chatterbait (maybe about 1-1/2 lbs) in a heartbeat. I spent most of the day throwing this new (i.e., new to me) bait. I did find that hitting a weed would stop the "chattering" but so does getting bit. I learned that the hard way when another LM took my chatterbait. I "thought" it was another weed because the lake has lots. I just pulled the rod tip up like I was doing quite a bit of during the day so you can't call it a proper hookset. Well... the line shot "UP" and the bass jumped. The fish's head shake threw my bait out of its mouth. It was a fair-sized bass too. Live, fish, and learn! If you haven’t used these chatterbaits, they're worth a try. I was throwing a Z Man Original (3/8 oz) in Blue Black and for a trailer, I added a whole Berkley Havoc "Grass Pig Jr." (3-1/2") in Black-Blue Silver Fleck. This combo worked! Now I want a new rod just so I can leave this setup on it to throw (bass addiction = expen$ive I suppose). I took a little getting used to the chattering and rod pulsing. My St. Croix Mojo Bass rod is quite sensitive I learned too. GREAT FUN! Thanks to *all* of you that posted tips, ideas, and experiences about using chatterbaits in this thread. I might not have ever tried one without first reading your posts! You all rock! Best regards - Freddo