Lottabass

I have this goal as well. Underspins and Glide baits are new lures for me so I'm excited to start learning them. A drop shot? I need to learn it but my mind isn't crazy about it!

When you get old, routine is your best friend. When I saw "The New Forum" it scared me. That being said, I've already figured out Dark Mode, and I like it!

At 76 years old I'm very happy where I'm at and how I fish. Comparing to Katies 2 flips: I think I would fail at both. I experiment with electronics, but they mostly confuse me. I've fished big water but would not enjoy the peace I get from small waters if I went back to a big boat and all the stuff that goes with it. So I'm happy where I'm at. No flippin for me.

@Joedodge @Pat Brown All good advice from Pat. I bought Berkeley Nessie last year. Never used a glide before. The Nessie has one hook and I missed a few fish because I think they grabbed the tail (tooth marks on the rear end) and coulda been small bass. I gotta lot to learn about them but I think I will get some with 2 hooks next time.

Fishing from the bank or a small boat restricts the number of rods you use. I use a MH rod with 14# Sensation to throw 2.5 and 4.0 squarebills and deeper diving baits. A M rod with 10# floro for small cranks and jerkbaits. If you got a big boat you can go crazy with different setups if you want to. Line diameter is a big factor in proper presentation, but I make those two work for me.

LOVE them battle scars!!!!! You got the right bait when it ain't got no paint!!!!

I'm gonna find a new doctor.

Thank you, I've had that surgery. See the eye doctor every year. New glasses every year. I'm disabetic and 76 years old. I don't know what else to do.

I think that anglers who have good eyesight and good dexterity in their hands can't understand the knot tying challenges that anglers who don't have these things face. Can you tie on a lure blindfolded? I use snaps on all hard baits and have never had one fail (yet). This is going to sound crazy to many of you but I'm gonna try a snap or a split ring on my jigs. Mono and fluorocarbon are completely invisible to me in the last few years so I use hi vis braid (and sometimes struggle seeing that). Yes, I've tried the hi vis floro but can't see it anymore either. I'll be damned if I'm gonna quit fishing!!!!!

Old time Bomber. Photo is of some of the first fish I caught with it back in the 1970's. Still works today crankin' standing timber. I have 3 left.

Thare are multiple techniques that will catch big bass. Intense fishing pressure and clear water will be the biggest impediment to success. Fish where there is limited access and stained water.

Here in Iowa we had open water for one day then it froze back up the next. Thin ice now so it won't take much to thaw. When it does I will fish the same way I did just before freeze up as water temps will be 39-40-41. BUT if we get sun and a strong, warm south wind I will be fishing a spinnerbait or a trap on flats next to deep water.

@FloridaFishinFool Man, you got some good stuff! Photo is from early 1970's. Still use the reel and 5 1/2 foot, pistol grip rod today (I did put new line on...hehe!)

I don't think there is any disadvantage to using old reels, as long as they are maintained. I love Tatulas but still use the first baitcasters I bought. Probably for nostalgia if anything. Anybody else?

@Glenn Good announcers make the game for me. Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson, Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt are my favorites. I don't watch the pregame talking heads spew their BS.

Nov 3rd. 7 pounder on a War Eagle heavy finesse jig with a PawPa E's pork chunk. Black jig, brown chunk. Stump in 6 fow on a steep channel bank.

Many years ago I fished a "twin spin", heavy V arm spinnerbait, small blade on each arm, Uncle Josh frog on the back. Fished this bait on deep channel swings in cold water. I have not used this bait in years, don't even have any more. Anybody else? Can you even buy a twin spin anymore?

My condolences to his wife and family. I only knew him through BR. Anytime I saw his post or response I came to attention because he was such a good fisherman. A huge loss for all of us.

I think bass are very spooky. I have caught them within feet of the boat too. My strategy is almost the same as you describe. It's just a good way to fish.

Awesome bass! You are driving us northerners crazy!!!!!

You got a gem!!!!!!!! If I lived in Florida and had that book and a canoe I'd be in heaven! I'll bet Katie would too! Please post photos of LUNKERS!

When the water is in the mid 40's or higher I do well with jerk baits and crank baits when the fish are "up". When the fish are "down" finesse jigs work. Water temps that are just before freeze up, 39-40-41, is when deadsticking or super slow works. A small Dark Sleeper or what I call a Ned Jig works. I don't use a Ned rig because of too much brush. A Ned jig is just a light finesse jig (with a brush guard) with no skirt and a half a stick worm. These are fished on channel swings or banks in 8 to 15 feet (water is usually 3 feet of visibility). You know you are right when the bass you catch have brown bellies. Green weed beds will be in deeper water and are good if you can find them (maybe they are in those warm pockets the biologist talked about.) These pre-freeze up temps don't last very long usually. The whole late fall period doesn't last long enough for me! I only like ice in my coke-cola.

"I kind of think this thread went off the rails a little." @rboat @Boondocks Hunter Yes, my fault. I apologize.

" It reminds me of whale song, where humpbacks on one side of the world will change their song and humpbacks on the other side of the world do so at the same time. How? Again, who knows?" The magic of the natural world, gotta love it!

Katie, "That's discernment of a higher order". So is that experience, intelligence. instinct, emotion? Or all of them? I know you are thinking, what kinda rabbit hole am I going down? Just trying to make people think, I guess. It's winter and I ain't fishing so that's my excuse!! @casts_by_fly @Pat Brown Good reply. Great study!