roadwarrior

Wacky works when small bass are VERY aggressive. Generally, (Capt Cali excepted), wacky rarely catches big bass, it's a numbers technique. For big bass, T-rigged and weightless is the ticket.

Just sitting here enjoying life. Man, Reba Rocks!

Several members have recommended the San Diego Jam knot. You can see on this site: http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html

Shimano offers a CTE300, but that's going to run you about $340. http://www.***.com/descpageRLCSHIMANO-SHCTE.html

Woo-hoo! Buddy, you are on a roll. Congratulations! 8-)

Near the base of the rod there should be a lable indicating the Power/ Action. This should read MH/F or XF. The "action" you describe is "slow". A Fast Action rod should bend at about 25-30% from the tip. Fast Action is what you need for soft plastics and jigs. Moderate or Slow action is what most fishermen want in a rod fishing treble hooks (crankbaits for example).

Although boat traffic may make certain areas difficult or even impossible to fish, if the lake or river normally has a lot of traffic, there is absolutely NO negative impact on the fishing. I fish the Tennessee which is a commercial river. In addition to fishermen, we have constant traffic from HUGE recreational yatchs and more importantly, barge traffic. This is a VERY busy river environment. Generally, when a big barge comes by, it actually stimulates the bite on many occasions.

White or white & silver skirt with silver tandem willow blades.

Well...great pic, too. That bass should have DEFINITELY made 10 lbs. That's a great catch. Congratulations!

If you are not in a rush, keep an eye on the "Flea Market" here at BassResource.com. For less than $100 you can probably buy a Shimano Curado in excellent condition. That would be my recommendation.

Welcome aboard! Lots of guys fish light lures, including weightless soft plastics, on baitcasting equipment. I fish both spinning and baitcasting gear, too. BUT, spinning tackle is MUCH more user friendly when making light bait presentations. For me, finesse = spinning tackle; power fishing = baitcasting equipment.

LBH and I are on the same team. There are many ways to skin a cat.

No, probably not. I would look for another pond.

Well, I think there are a few steps that should be taken to move your learning curve up a notch: #1 You need the right equipment. The rod should be 6' - 7', at least Medium Power and Fast Action. #2 Let's start by getting comfortable with the presentation and hook-up. Buy two bags of 5" Senko (not knock-offs) and one bag of Fat Ika (all watermelon with black flake); a package of Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks; and new line (mono, copolymer or fluorocarbone, not braid). For spinning tackle, #6 or #8, baitcasting #12. #3 T-rig a Senko, weedless & weightless. Cast parallel to the shoreline, but off the bank 5-15 yards. Let the bait settle to the bottom and sit for at least thirty seconds. Move it 6"- 12" with a slow, horizontal sweep again letting the lure settle on slack line. Repeat until you are out of the "zone." #4 Once you detect a bite, lower the tip of your rod while reeling down QUICKLY. The instant you feel the fish, snap your wrists moving the tip of the rod without moving the position of the reel relative to your body (snap-set). Fish the entire bag of Senko and nothing else. Next, fish half bag of Fat Ika before switching back and forth between the two baits. Once you become comfortable catching bigger bass consistantly, you can move up to the 6" Senko. That bait will get you through some of the smaller fish, but until you tire of catching lots of bass, stick with the 5" version.

Antero Reservior, Colorado. This little lake is nestled in an expansive valley surrounded by the Collegiate Range of the Rocky Mountains (2nd, 3rd & 4th highest mountains in the lower 48 states). The 14,000 foot peaks include Mt. Havard, Mt Oxford, Mt. Yale, Mt. Princeton and Mt. Columbia.

I fish Gamakatsu or X-Point 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks for the 6" Senko. I still fish 7" occasionally, but not often. For that size I fish a 5/0 Offset Shank Worm, Round Bend: http://www.gamakatsu.com/catalog/worm.htm

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout... Nice fish. Great pic. 8-)

Here you go: http://www.animatedknots.com/knotlist.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com Select any knot and it will be featured in an animated format. After perfecting the Palomar Knot, take a look at the San Diego Jam and the Braid Knot (these are not listed on that site). For attaching line to spool, the Arbor Knot; line to line, Blood Knot & Albright Knot.

All the guys that have a fvorite brand are probably going to recommend the reels that compny sells! 8-)

You know I fish soft plastics most of the time, too. However there are days and "times of day" when you just can't buy a bite on any finesse presentation. Some days in the spring and a lot of days in the fall, everything in the water is focused on schooling baitfish...period. I usually fish some kind of reaction bait in low light, early and late. It seems to me, soft plastics really shine in bright daylight. So, you might want to keep a couple of favorite lures with you, just in case!

I know it's only Monday, but I think this is the quote of the week! 8-)

That's nice, my wife will like it, too.

Maybe you didn't need the Tabasco Sauce!

Those are great pics. Green bass are a nuisance and always disappointing when you're on a hot smallmouth bite.

Too cool! 8-)