hitormiss

I'm not so sure about the idea of bass seeing you and not biting. A week ago I'm cruising a lake 15' from the bank with a t motor and catch 20 bass on t-rig worms. We're talking, laughing and the bass still bit. Shoot, I've caught bass before at my feet when bank fishing. I'm sure most of you have hooked one 5' away as they follow the bait on the retrieve.

Yep! http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1175134400/10#10

Maybe it's me but I have had no luck with spinners in the ponds I fish. Texas rigged worms and Carolina rigged lizards are my most successful baits. When it warms up a bit (cold today in G'ville, NC) buzz baits and poppers work in the morning. When in doubt throw a worm, bass don't seem to remember that they got hooked on one before. I've caught the same fish more than once, I know because he broke me off the first time and the second time I got my original worm and hook back.

This would be a good real for both fresh or saltwater. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=VHD2EK50QI2W4CWQNWRCCOAK0BW0GIWE?id=0029873119552a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=catalist&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=catalist&noImage=0&_requestid=33153

Yep, I caught a 5"bass on a 7" worm right at my feet! Dumb bass with a big ego.

Good news for you eastern NC pond fishermen (I hope). Went to my golf course maintenance pond on Sunday. Cool but not cold. Wind was howling but the area I was fishing was protected. I went to the NW corner (thanks guys) where the warmest water should be. I caught two approx 2-3lb LM in about an hour. This is the good news, they were right next to the bank! I'm tired of chunking it to deep water and hope I hit him in the nose. The first was on a green watermelon Zoom lizard and the second was on a grape curly tail 6" worm. Both were Carolina rigged. These were the best bass I've seen all winter. They were still lethargic in the fight but maybe the pre-spawn is about to begin.

When you c-rig, how from the bait is the weight?

It depends a lot on who's driving. Same with fishing equipment. You can't buy fishing skill just like you can't buy a good golf swing. The fish have no clue what you are holding in your hand, just how you presented what is in front of them. Just my $.02.

My nephew used to take Christmas trees every year and tie a gallon milk jug full of sand to them. Then he would row them out and dump them. You would be surprised the number of fish they attracted.

Thanks for the offer Jimmy, I'll definitely keep that in mind once I get a little more experience. I just bought a boat last week and once I figure out how to back it, launch it and retrieve it I'll get back to you.

Glad I'm not the only one! Thanks for all the replies and advice. I'm already using a 1/8 once bullet on worms, and yes it is t-rigged correctly. My problem with worms in brush is often I'll feel something that feels like a bite, then WHAM, I've caught a nice limb. Since bass can spit out the worm so quickly, I'd hate to wait and loose one. I've starting using light wire worm hooks and 20lb PP so sometimes I can at least straighten the hook and get it back. Haven't had the same luck with my Bitsy Bugs. I've donated several of those. Glomis7, I'll give that tip a try.

I'm just north of you in G'ville and I'm having the same problems. If you contact the wildlife folks let me know what they say on this thread. Personally, I'm getting ready for the shad run. I heard they have been caught as far west as Kinston already. If you've not tried it before, go to your local bait shop and they will set you up with shad darts and spoons. They jump like a tarpon when hooked. What a hoot.

So many times I read on hear about dropping jigs and T rigs into underwater brush, limbs, etc. Is there a secret to not getting hung up and losing lures and hooks? You guys talk about bouncing a jig through or off of lay downs, if it's there I hook it! Help.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

I know this has been asked 1000 times but I keep forgettin' the answer. Is it light colored lures with clear water and dark with murky or just the opposite?