roadwarrior

Man, that's quite a day. Congratulations!

Well, I wouldn't say that. I'm in Central Florida. I fish a lot of different lakes and pits. I catch small Bass and large Bass. I'm just saying that you don't have to use a large bait to get the big fish. I've gone the big worm route before and all it seems to do for me is keep me from catching as many Bass. I'd rather catch 50 Bass of all sizes than just one or two nice Bass. Usually when I fish deeper water and deeper drop offs (which in Fl may only be 6-8 ft) I find better fish on those spots anyway. I always look for vegetation as well in the "deeper spots". I certainly see your point, but this is EXACTLY why I like to fish bigger baits: I don't want to catch little bass, ever. That's not to say I don't, but bigger baits allow me to get past a lot of smaller fish. I would rather be skunked than catch bass under 3 lbs. In order to consistantly catch bigger fish, you have to make them your target.

Welcome aboard! http://bassresource.com/beginner/beginner.html Stick around here and you will be catching a few bass in no time.

Yep, just read his "International Fishing News" infomercial ad it's another beauty: Bite Lights "Three fishermen using the lure in Mexico caught 650 largemouth in 25 hours"..."Wyoming has banned the lure, Canada may follow"..."A Tournament fisherman in Florida tried everything in his tackle box and had no bites. He switched to the new lure, caught a bass on his first cast and had his limit in 45 minutes." Better get yours before they are all sold out! Only $39.95 + $7.00 s/h =$46.95 and any additional set is only $34.50, no matter how many sets you order! "If the lure you're talking about can simulate a live, bleeding fish, a few fishermen could probably empty a lake with it...Three almost did!" Order yours today, before it's too late! BTW, The formating of the advertisement is virtually identical to the Kick-Tail and his Golf Club promotion. Maybe not too creative, but apparently somewhat successful. There's a fool born every minute. I keep my Kick-Tails prominently displayed in a hard box just to remind myself to NEVER let this happen to me again!

My top three lures are soft plastics: #1 6" Senko #2 Fat Ika #3 Micro Munch Tackle El Gordo Tube A recent re-discovery is the GYCB Kreature, fished weightless in and around vegetation.

Welcome aboard! Not familiar with the lure, but today's Panther Martin is very similar.

Line visibility makes a difference. As a matter-of-fact, sometimes line diameter can be important.

When Ray Scott introduced his new light weight rod and reel combination, the U.S. Reel was part of that package. I used in once, for a couple of hours...The reel was rough and sticky. I have since heard that those original reels were recalled and replaced, but I was never notified. Also, the new U.S. Reels are said to be significantly improved over their first model...I'll never know. p.s. Shimano is about to introduce a new Stradic which I'm sure will be fantastic. So if you can wait, you can either buy the new "state of the art" Stradic or probably get the current 2500FH for a substantial discount. I feel that this is Shimano's "Best Value" and it fits the pricie range you are looking for.

GYCB Kreature, weedless and weightless. I have been having grat luck with these baits around vegetation: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1180909581

Woo-Hoo! Congratulations.

Part of it is lures, but most of it is location. To target bigger bass look for structure is deeper water immediately adjacent to even deeper water. You will catch fewer fish, but your average size will improve dramatically.

Welcome aboard! As avid noted, let the lure sit for a moment and then work it as you were when the fish struck. Bass often (usually) come back.

I quit fishing the 5" baits several years ago, they simply catch too many fish. "Wacky" is a small bass technique, I don't ever want to catch a 3 lb bass again. I fish the 6" Senko (not knock-offs) T-rigged, weightless and weedless ONLY. If you can get by the little guys and find your way to the bottom, the chances of catching a bigger bass improve dramically. Most of my biggest bass come after letting the bait settle for a minute or more. Then a movement of 6-12" seems to get their attention. The next time the bait is move, WATCH OUT! Fish real Senkos slow for better fish.

It seems to me that "dark" is the usual suspect, but white is ALWAYS an option.

Touche' 8-)

Bass ALWAYS like dark colors or white or some other color. : Well, seriously...I usually fish dark soft plastics regardless of the season, light or time of day.

This is an old thread that has been recycled. Avid ended up buying the "wrong reel." :

Welcome aboard!

Competition drives innovation and change is inevitable. However the Stradic 2500FH has been upgraded over the years. My first Stradics (1997) were 1000 & 2000 series which are now 1500 & 2500. I'm not suggesting that new features and updated technology can't improve these great reals, but the "old" reels perform better today than the day I bought them. Durability is a key attribute of Shimano reels.

Wow! It looks like everyone had a blast. Great post and pics.

'Nuff said. There are MUCH better options.

;D ;D ;D ;D Good for you! 8-)

Don't know about that net, but a rubber net is what I like: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_37130_100011006_100000000_100011000_100-11-6 Treble hooks or at night...no problemo, mon. Rubber nets are people friendly and fish friendly. I HIGHLY recommend them.

Welcome aboard!

Well, to start off the year: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1167673438