roadwarrior

Welcome aboard! 8-)

The Other Jig Bite Dateline: Sunday, August 16, 2009 Location: Public pond, Germantown, TN Water: High & stained, 1' visibility Eqipment: BCR854, Curado 200E7, PP 50/12 Lure: 1/2 oz GMAN jig, black; Rage Tail Lobster, blue We all know about the soft bite, that weightless feeling or a slight twitch in the line. That can be a tough bite to detect, but there is another jig bite. I started fishing in a small indentation located on the northeast corner of the pond. Recent storms had pushed a lot of tree limbs and other debris into a relatively small pocket. Probability of getting hung-up: 100%. What the heck...First cast is just outside visible timber. Very slow retrieve, short pull and fall on slack line. No strike. Second cast...hung-up on what felt like a big limb. Jiggling the jig, the lure popped off and fell off the wood, but into more trash. I'm fishing to my right, so the reel is being palmed open towards where I am working the bait. I lower my rod to casually work through the mess. Light grip and not paying too much attention. And then she struck! Well now, a weak grip and out of position. Rod tip down and slack line. Not a good combination for a hook-set. The bass was probably just sitting in ambush, snacking on bluegill, but when that jig fell in front of her, she attacked! The strike was violent as she came up out of her hideout. She literally jerked the rod out of my left hand, I caught the butt with my right hand and she took off. I was in no position for a hook-set and she was pulling drag towards the middle of the pond. After repositioning myself and regaining my senses, I was finally able to engage the rod and put a little heat on her. That's when she pulled a Flipper! Fish are always bigger in the water, especially the ones that get away. When she jumped, I'm guessing about 22 lbs 5 oz. The fat girl fought like a mule and when she was finally landed, she was pregnant fat...Must have had a seven course meal Saturday night and a full breakfast Sunday morning. This was a big bass with a mouth the size of a salad plate. So, great fish, but no scale or camera. I hate it when people overestimate their catch. Some might claim double digit, I'll just say a solid 5lbs or maybe a little better! 8-)

The Secret Pond was built about 15 years ago as the central feature in a failed resort community. It was built a short distance from the river, but is not connected to the Tennessee. Although the pond is overrun with stunted bass, a friend caught the biggest largemouth I have ever seen in person, fishing with me in the kayak. The reason I'm interested in selling the kayak is simply, I don't like it! The boat is uncomfortable for my old bones. However, it's probably perfect for some else. 8-)

I fish both. For weightless soft plastics and most light lures, I have a strong preference for spinning tackle. For "moving" lures and everything heavy, my preference is baitcasting gear. As far as power, casting distance or accuracy, both types of equipment are comparable in experienced hands. 8-)

Hmm... It's pretty hard to identify a problem with a reel that has never been used. If there is a problem, exchange should not be an issue, but I suspect the reel is just fine. Well, other than being an Abbadabbdo! :

Well, you can fish just about everything with one rod, but yours is best suited for single hooks. For treble hooks, a softer tip is more desirable. 8-)

Well, no argument, but most guys can get away with wiping down their reels, occasionally oiling exterior moving parts and having a full-service cleaning and tune-up once a year. 8-)

Stay on topic or start another thread. -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Geez... How HOT! is Faith Hill?

Marty, Buy a 3/8 oz Cavitron, Black on Black. I think you will be surprised. 8-)

No kidding! You might want to consider getting a CC Permit.

It's amazing to me...The biggest, strongest, fastest football players in the history of the game and they still can't tackle. I'm not talking about a great offensive move to avoid being tackled, just what appears to be a fundamental football tackle. Wassup w' dat?

I have an Ocean Kayak. If anyone that is planning on coming to the Roadtrip at Pickwick and is interested in buying one cheap, I will make you a deal. I keep it at "The Secret Pond" so we can fish there too, if you like! -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior

Okay. You mentioned keeping a fish alive in tournaments, I misunderstood. So, a better response: Carry needle nose pliers for hook removal. Learn this procedure, too: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1128002349/16#16 8-)

Todays graphite adaptations are fine for crankbaits. If you are looking for suggestions, these are mine: Deep divers and other big treble hook lures: Lamiglas SR705R is THE BOMB! For everything else: St. Croix Avid AVC70MM. 8-)

What? Just jerking us around I think. Tournament fisherman and no pliers? Leave crankbaits with the fish? Have you ever heard a story like that? :-/

Well, good luck. Seems like quiting for awhile is pretty easy. I quit every night around 9:00 and don't even think about it until around 4:30 or 5:00.

Well, if you are sight fishing or targeting very specific spots in quite water, silent entry is probably the ticket. However, I think in most cases, a big splash attracts more fish than are scared away. 8-)

Sorel = winter boots http://www.sorel.com/mens-boots/men,default,sc.html 8-)

Spinning tackle is a much better choice. Throwing light lures on a baitcaster is not where to start. If you are determined, I'll suggest a 7' ML Power/ Fast Action rod; Shimano CH50MG and #8 Trilene XL. 8-)

Here ya go: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1189609782 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)