SJS

Have never had a lot of luck fishing the Texas rig. I have been forcing myself to fish it and try to learn to do better. Yesterday I had two good bass strike and had the feeling I had set the hook, but each one threw the hook soon after. I have only light, medium light and medium rods and wondered if I just need more backbone in the rod to get a better hook set, since it seemed to happen most often with bass and the Texas rig. Not the same problem with other fish or other rigs. So, this morning I went to Dick's and bought a cheap Lew's Medium Heavy Fast Action rod. Went to one of my local ponds and within 5 minutes got my PB largemouth. Had to be the rod, right? No scale with me and I had to release it, but it measured 23.5".

At 77 I am a long way from my physical prime, but I am enjoying fishing as much as I ever have. I will never again wade deep into a large powerful river while far from civilization to cast to fresh, unpressured fish. I may never set a new PB for any species. But the main thing is the same as the first fish I caught at 6. There are so many wonderful things about fishing, but the main thing remains the same. What is the main thing? When I first retired, I used to fish almost daily at a large fishing pier in a tourist destination. It had many anglers every day from every age, race, social position, economic position, education, ethnicity, etc., etc. I noticed one thing that every one of them had in common. It was the look on their face the moment of the hook set. I don't know what to call it. Thrill, joy, satisfaction, relief, or what; but I knew what they were feeling. It is the same for all of us. And, that moment in time, that feeling, never dims regardless of age. And that, my friends, is the main thing. So, there is much to look forward to for you . . . unless you never get another bite.

I was reading an Inside Fisherman article about several scientific experiments they did years ago with bass and was surprised at the statistical advantage of using fish scent. They mentioned Dr Juice formula, so I bought some. I applied it liberally and it didn't make any difference at all. In fact, if anything I caught fewer fish, though the mosquitoes seemed worse than ever. I mean, I wasn't cheap about it. I put a bunch on my head, on both hands, my forearms and my lower legs. I nearly used the whole bottle. But then I read the label and saw my mistake. I had mistakenly bought the one for saltwater fish. I have ordered the one for bass and can't wait for it to arrive.

Because I don't own a boat, but maybe I'll cast out today and run along the bank and see how it works out.

"They last forever in a sealed package" Yeah, that kind of got lost in my original question. I am not asking how long they last in the sealed package. But, once you take it out of that package and use it, do you continue to use it outing after outing when that particular worm has been out of the sealed package and sitting in the tackle box? Of course, it is plastic and will last forever, but the question is, will it catch fewer fish than if you use a new worm, fresh from the sealed package, each trip?

When you open the plastic container for plastic worms, they are moist, slippery and smelly. One outing and they are not. Just caught a few small bass on brand new worms and I wondered how much it matters if they are fresh. Usually, I will fish them until they are torn up in some way. How about you? Do you think fresh worms are better?

I used to live near the Susquehanna River in PA and fly fishing with streamers was actually the most effective way to catch a lot of smallmouth. Now I fish small ponds in SC and still water is different. I use it sometimes at dusk with small poppers near the banks and do OK with small largemouths and bluegill. There is definitely a learning curve.

Thanks guys, glad it wasn't my imagination. I do use both of mine for lighter lures so it makes sense now.

I recently bought a Miravel for my bass fishing and I liked it so much I went back and bought a Stradic, I use one for light line and lures and one for medium. I got the Stradic because I assumed it would be better due to the higher price. Thing is, I actually like the Miravel better. It just feels smoother and better overall. I have tried both with mono, floro and braid and no matter the line I like the Miravel more. I have read and compared the specs and see no reason why I would. As for the marketing descriptions, they both sound great but I can't tell what most of those hype words actually mean as far as the feel of the reel. Anyone else have both reels, and if so how do you compare them?

Thank you. I feel much less confused now. Not smarter, just less confused.

I have tried to figure it out and cannot come up with an answer. I recently joined B.A.S.S. and today got my goodie bag with free gifts for joining. What in the world is this thing?

Do you think marabou or bucktail skirts on jigs are more effective than synthetic, or synthetic are better, or no difference?

I dunno, geese can be very nasty.

This is mine. I mostly fish a small pond near my house, and it is full of gators. I fish from the bank, have a gimpy knee and am not originally from SC, which is the gator capital of the world as far as I can tell. So, I am not entirely comfortable when they get real close. This little guy is a baby, a little over 3 feet long and I have a pet name for him, but it is not a term of affection and not suitable for posting on a family friendly forum. Every time I get a fish on, he shows up and tries to scoop it up before I can land it. He is small enough that I could probably beat him in hand to hand, combat but I think he would score some serious damage to me in the process. This is annoying because I can't get a bite these days except on light tackle, currently 6lb floro, and I can't land larger fish quickly on that. I went to worms yesterday and got a large catfish on and it was a close call. The real problem though, is he has a Momma and she is about 9 feet long and not at all a lady. She doesn't seem to accept my explanation that he is bothering me, I am not bothering him. She gets very aggressive and I take the cowardly way out and walk away when I see her coming at me. Problem is, she snuck up on me a while back and roared. I jumped, wrenched my knee and hobbled away as fast as I could while screaming like a little girl, well, not out loud anyway. I have told this story before and always end it with the comment: if you don't hear from me again you will know what happened. Is your fishing buddy this much fun?

Lures are fun and convenient and have other advantages but today it was 88 degrees here and I couldn't buy a bite until I said uncle and went to earthworms. I put them on a drop shot rig instead of a plastic worm and had some quick fun.

I am focusing on finally learning how to fish a bucktail jig effectively. I confess I have not spent hours on the internet searching but all the jigs I have looked at have artificial tails. I have found fly tying stores that sell real deer tail hair, but I don't tie my own anymore. Anyone know a source for quality, real deer hair bucktail jigs?

Eric 26. Well, it's about an hour drive in bad traffic to get to my BPS and I never found the time to drive it. So, I went to my local Dick's and as something to use for now I bought an Abu Garcia Max combo for under $100, and I am enjoying the heck out of it. Turns out modern cheap baitcasting gear is pretty darn good compared to the old stuff I had been using. A pleasant surprise.

Thank you, TLHSS

TLHSS, specifically, which thin wire hooks; i.e. brand, type, size?

FloridaFishinMan, my one complaint is that my ultralight rod fails to set the hook often. I saw from your link that Scott's line of rods talks about that and that his rods give you the light action for handling light line and lures but also the backbone to set a hook and play a large bass. I didn't do exhaustive research but my quick check of rods that claim to be good BFS rods are either too whippy or are not listed for lines smaller than 8lb test. Are there some currently made rods known for having the right combo of features?

Jig Man, do you mind sharing what specific jigs you like and how you fish them? Eric 26, what baitcasting reel is that?

Summer doldrums seem to be here in my neighborhood. Been in the 80's and I got skunked yesterday. Today I went to ultra light gear and finesse fishing. Not a whole lot better but got one little 12" fellow. Got it after I got bored with drop shot, wacky rig, ned rig, real slow jigs and said, darn the torpedos I am going to have some practice casting and put on some very small crankbaits, spinners and swimbaits. Funny thing is I actually enjoyed fishing with that little stuff once I gave up on finesse. Maybe I just enjoyed a shorter lighter rod and low expectations. My bass was ultra light itself but I had some fun with the small and light rig. Anyone else enjoy the light gear or do you just use it when nothing else works?

I'm fishing from the bank on several small ponds. All shallow and the structure underwater, if any, other than the bank drop off is a mystery. In these ponds I have caught one large bass, and the rest are either 8" +/-, or 12" +/-. I was sort of kidding about being a fishing dufus (though I am in other areas). I have caught bass on a t-rig and caught a small one today, but it is rare and I keep reading that it is everyone's go to technique. Strangely, because it is so similar, I do catch a lot on the Ted Rig. Currently the Ted rig is out fishing everything else.

I've always used general purpose rods that can be used for more than one kind of fishing. I have also always been pretty unproductive fishing T Rig plastic worms. Either I completely lack the ability, or I just need a better rod. Being a fisherman, the obvious solution is a new rod. I have been looking at the advice given in various videos and articles and the general consensus is 7' MH or H Fast action. But, this is always mentioned in the context of mono or fluoro line. I think I want to fish braid with a fluoro leader. Given the lack of stretch in braid should I back down on the power and go with a Medium rod? Should I just admit I am a plastic worm dufus and not waste the money?

As tempted as I am to keep this secret my duty as a bass fishing fan is to report the facts. I have concluded an exhaustive and rigorously controlled scientific study and the results are amazing. I have been reading and listening to the various articles, comments and videos about the relative pros and cons of the different types of fishing line. I noticed less than unanimous agreement on all issues. Recognizing my superior credentials could make a possible contribution to the controversy I resolved to remove all doubt. The test concluded that fluorocarbon line, as the main line and not merely as a leader, uniformly defeated mono and braid. Why should you believe this? The methodology employed should convince you. The control factor: Previous use of mono. The variables: No previous experience with flouro or braid. Frequent harrasment by a 9 foot alligator called Henrietta. The sample size: One small pond near my house. 1 hour with braid on a baitcasting and a spinning rig, 1/2 hour with light spinning rig. The gear: Medium baitcasting, medium light spinning and light spinning. Credentials of testing humanoid: Old, half deaf, half blind, half lame, half senile and cranky with the usual fisherman's expertise at giving accurate fishing reports (e.g., size, weight, etc.) Results: a. mono: 0 fish. 0 strikes. b. braid: 0 fish. 0 strikes. c. fluoro: 4 fish. 5 strikes This unequivocally proves that all fluro, all the time, on all rigs, under all conditions is superior. Or, could it be my rig, line, lure and conditions just rhymed with when and what the fish were eating at that time? Naw, I don't think so. I wonder if some fishing line manufacturer wants to sponsor me?