roadwarrior

I only fish on days ending with a " Y ".

Re-read KU_Bassmaster! That's EXACTLY how I fish Senkos and I rarely miss a fish. If I do miss, I cast right back to the same spot- the fish had the worm by the tail and never felt the hook. He will pick it up again, promise.

If you haven't read the article, do so. It's interesting. Just thought I would make a few comments contrasting recreational fishing on a river v. competative fishing on a lake. I can appreciate certain situations on a lake where noise might impact the fishing. However, on a river, particularly a big river, noise is not a concern. The current itself creates energy waves, though not audible to humans, this must have some "background" effect on fish. The big boat and barge traffic greatly impact the surface of the river and would seem be significant at all levels. Fishermen constantly moving up and down the river contribute to what I'm describing as a nearly constant background noise. So speak up, play your music loud and catch some good ole big ones and big ole good ones!

Thanks EW! The weather forecast has improved, sunny and a high around 45. Headed to the river again Saturday! Gotta stick with the minnows this time of year, but I'm looking forward to giving your jigs a workout next month.

Shimano, period.

Senkos are #1 in my book, too. But I only fish them in relatively shallow water (<10 ft), only weightless and always weedless. For deeper water I like the Kut-tail, Texas rigged or with a jig head in open water. In '04 I caught the majority of my bigger largemouth on the Ika and I HIGHLY recommend it. But still, all my 10s have been caught on 6" senkos.

I smoke...a lot. Either the fish I'm catching are smokers or they don't care. We practice quick release too, so they won't drink our beer.

I experimented with a couple of different products throughout '04 (MegaStrike, Kick'n Bass, Yum & Powerbait). I like MegaStrike the best mostly because it's easy to apply without getting it all over yourself. In theory scents are suppose to cover up the "bad" scents and create a slime like you find on most live bait. My experience was that they do NOT add anything to my fishing success. I'm still applying it to soft plastics, but that's mostly just to use it up. I don't recommend scents and won't be buying any more.

It's not just about the way they fall or the quiver they make. Senkos feel good/ taste good to fish. I have boated some little fish that were NOT hooked, the little guys just wouldn't let go. The knock on the bait is durability- so what? Would you rather catch a REAL BIG bass or two per worm or fish all day with another brand and not get a bite? I quit using the 5" worm 'cause I caught too many fish. My biggest largemouth have been caught on 6" Senkos although last year I actually landed more 5+ lb fish on the Ika.

Wow! There must be a zillion articles on this website discussing jigs. Read 'em all! If you still have some specific question, maybe someone in the forum can answer it, but the library here is EXTENSIVE.

My biggest largemouth have all been caught on Senkos, but I caught more 5+ lb fish on the Yamamoto Ika last year. I have never caught a smallmouth over 5 lbs on anything but live shiners, but this spring I'm going to give earthworm77's hair jigs a workout.

Carolina rig, slow retrieve (drag it along the bottom). 4" lizards for smallmouth, at least 6" for largemouth. I really like the Yamamoto laminated lizard with the white belly, but any dark color probably works.

#1 for numbers, Heddon Torpedo As you add to your collection, these are the topwater lures I would recommend for catching quality fish: Heddon Zara Spook (5" 7/8 oz) Lucky Craft Sammy (4" 1/2 oz) For smaller lures like the Torpedo I recommend using a medium action, medium power spinning combo. For the larger, heavier lures a medium action, medium heavy or heavy power baitcasting combo.

For guys that are technically challenged, like me, $15- $20 is a GREAT value! I haven't actually sent anything down to "The Reel Lady" but I have read several great recommendations for her shop. (Must be a good egg since she joined the Forum).

Use bigger lures. You don't know if there are big fish in the pond or not. I catch monsters in heavily fished public parks and farm ponds. Most guys are fishing for brim and catfish or throwing spinners and little lures like you are. Specifically, I use 6" Senkos weightless. I also have tremendous success with Fat Ikas. One more tip: Walk the bank and fish parallel to it, about 5-10 ft out and fish slooooooooooooooow.

For general storage I have separate Plano boxes for all my soft baits (I like the Shimano plastic cases for hard baits). Separate boxes for hooks (in their original packages) and another for weights. When I'm fishing live bait on the river, I have a small, hard plastic Plano box, it's the little gray & blue box that opens on both sides. This little box has compartments for weights, hooks and three-way swivels. I carry only what I plan to use, generally two sizes of circle hooks, shiner hooks and two sizes of split shot. On the other side, striper hooks and 3-way swivels. It's neat, compact and I only take what I'm going to use, plus a couple extra. For pond hoping I pack a Plano 12 X 8 that fits nicely in the back of my fishing vest. It has several divided sections and I carry (1) Senkos, (2) Kut-tails, (3) Ika and (4) gizits in seperate slots. Another slot is divided in half, hooks in one, weights and beads in the other.

You can click on JT's message and go direct to the site. Several used books offered at $1.47, new is $24.99 plus shipping.

LD, You need to come down and fish the Tennessee River, but a 5 lb smallmouth is a prize anywhere.

JT, Looks like a promising topic for some future feature. I don't think a lot of guys have had much success with jerkbaits.

I don't know about using it as an attractant, but I can say that regardless of what the reel manufacturers say, you can use it virtually without limit as an external lubricant.

Earthworm77: I thought you didn't like Senkos.

I'm using a medium power/ moderate action rod and most importantly, a Gamakatsu circle hook...So there is no "hook set" just a pull. With standard shiner hooks, or jigs and grubs, I use fast action/ medium power to get a better hook set.

I'm trying 4 lb diameter (8.5 lb test) Yo-Zuri Hybrid during the winter months. Will report the results of this test later.

I know it's legal in most states, but I don't like guys bed fishing. I'm not preaching just making this point: Not all bass spawn at the same time, but the buck bass are all trying to build nests and attract females at basically the same time. If you're fishing the beds, you'll generally catch smaller male fish. If they are guarding eggs, those eggs are lost. If they are clearing debris for a nest maybe they'll start another, or maybe they won't. Why not fish the deeper water where the big females are in transition. Catch and QUICKLY release, these females will still produce offspring.

Give the Ika a try. I rig them weedless and weightless. Fish them like a jig in gnarly cover and structure, you'll catch some big fish and won't get hung up all the time. I also have great success fishing them like a weightless Senko, pulling a little at a time and letting them sit (not hopping or slow rolling).