Mobasser

I catch more fish on t rig plastics than jigs, but I like jigs too. Jigs really are a different feel and strike than a T rig. It does take some focus and concentration to get good with jigs. More folks probably miss more fish on jigs than most other baits. They also can work year around too. Practicing with jigs under different conditions is the best way to learn. It takes some time. I might also add that I met Guido Hibdon many years ago, and had a chance to speak to him briefly. He told me that he thought that on most any bass lake, the best fisherman were jig fisherman. He felt this way because he knew that by the time a guy got really good with a jig, he had put in a lot of hours learning it. He also thought that if you can consistently catch bass on a jig, that other baits would come easier, because of the soft, almost no feel bites you get on jigs, especially in colder water. Jigs teach you to focus and be on the ready at all times.

I think PBJ is a good color overall. Along the bottom, a good craw color, or any other depth a good bluegill imitator.

Catt, I agree here also. With pitching and punching so popular these days, casting your jigs is almost a lost art. But, it still works very well. Sometimes it's better to stay back a bit and make accurate cast, before you get closer for a pitch or flip.

Happy Thanksgiving to all here on BR. Just a small group at our house this year, but we'll make the best of it. Hoping everyone has a good one!

Some examples of cheaper baits that work well are plastic grubs, Lucky Strike plastic worms, generic craw and tube baits etc. With hard baits, your paying more for better paint jobs, hardware and good hooks. But, you don't always need the most expensive baits to catch bass. Many times it's more about where your fishing that makes the difference.

I have two lucky charms. 1. Good fresh line. 2. Super sharp hooks.

I usually buy the plain unsigned Creme worms. Purple is my favourite color. Un rigged I meant to say

I fish both casting and spinning gear, and I throw what I feel will work on any given day. I carry less tackle now than I ever have, and catch my share of bass still the same. Favourite bottom bait is a T rigged plastic worm. Favourite topwater is Heddon Zara Spook. But, I like like most things in between too.

My season is winding down now. I caught a good number of bass, but nothing of any real size. As with most years, spinnerbaits early in the season, then once it got hot, the plastic worm ruled. Didn't get to do as much night fishing as I had hoped. Probably the best part of the 2020 season for me, was seeing my old friend Mike get back into fishing after 12yrs. I made a thread about him a while back called" From Younger to Older". Now he's fishing again, almost every weekend and two or three nights a week. Mike got me to throwing some older plastic worms again, ones that he likes. Mr. Twister Phenom, Zoom U Tail, and the Zoom 6" lizard. My goal for next season is to continue to learn about deep water structure fishing. I'm looking for that " spot within a spot". Hopefully next season I'll find it more often.And, I miss fishing with my grandson each Saturday morning. Since Aiden got his job at the grocery store, he's working every Saturday. They're keeping him busy up there, so, I guess that's a good thing.

One thing is for certain here. There's a big difference between what we would consider an " expert", and those we would consider a " know it all". As a general rule, I try to avoid the " know it alls". I learned a long time ago, that most " know it alls" are probably just full of hot air.

A- Jay I agree. I have a brother in law who recently retired as a chemical engineer. A very smart guy, who had 40 yrs experience in this field. I considered him an expert, but he would deny this, because, according to him, " how can I be an expert when I'm still learning? Your right here. Learning, and applying your knowledge is the key for all of us, in becoming better fisherman.

I'll say location first, followed by bait type, then presentation, then color, and timing.

I believe our site moderators here are experts, or as close as can be to one. There are a handful of others here who qualify also. You can tell by the way they comment on questions here on the form.

The word expert, defined as a noun, is a person who has a comprehensive and authoritive knowledge in a skill. I've head this word used in bass fishing many times over the years. Things like," he's an expert in crankbait fishing". Or, he's an expert worm fisherman". I'm not sure if we could really define anyone as an expert in bass fishing. There are many here on BR that I would consider close. Through experience, they've become very, very good at it. There are so many variables in fishing, can we ever become an expert at all that's involved in bass fishing? I'm far from an expert, even after all these years at it, and, I'm still learning too. But, this is what makes bass fishing so addicting and fun too. Do you think there's such a thing as an expert in bass fishing?

Hello and welcome from MO. Lots of great fisherman here with tons of good advice. If you want to know about bass fishing, you've come to the right place.

After so many years of getting up at 5:30, I always wake up before my alarm goes off. It's my internal alarm clock. Even if I try to sleep in I can't do it. May as well get up and make coffee.

A heartfelt thank you to all our veterans, not just today, but everyday. Thank you for the service you've given your country.??

At 63, I've noticed some hand cramping on my fishing trips this season. I'm sure this is because of the type of work I've done over the years. Gripping hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches and other tools. It's not really bad yet, and some days I don't notice at all. A friend who is 10 yrs older, suggested that a thicker grip would help. He has the same problem. We both wrapped Winn grip tape over the entire handle, and reel seat area. It has helped tremendously. I may even put a second layer over one straight grip cork rod I use, to make it even thicker. The Winn grip tape feels good, and has helped to alleviate any hand cramping. Just a suggestion, if your having trouble with any hand cramp issues, you might try the Winn grip tape. You can double it up if need be, and still be casting, without annoying hand cramps. It's worked well for us.

A -Jay. I like it! A good machine!

I've mostly used Tabasco sauce over the years. I'm.also fond of Zatarains Cajun hot sauce. A few shots on some crappie fillets. is really good.

The first plastic worm I ever used was the Creme Scoundrel. My brother and I bought a small card with three 6" black Scoundrel worms at a hardware store in Chillicothe Mo. The owner of the store had a reputation as a good bass angler. He stocked a small area in the back of the store with some fishing tackle. Above the tackle area was a dusty mount, a bass of around 8lbs. He had caught that fish from a large farm pond, on a day when it was spitting snow, on a Scoundrel worm. I still remember what he told us, over 50 yrs ago. " Boys, you need to learn to use this one. On a daily basis, these will catch more fish for you than anything else". His only instructions were to fish them slowly, and on the bottom. We started out nose hooking the worms, and we caught bass this way. At some point, my brother read about the Texas rig, and ordered some proper hooks and bullet weights, which changed our fishing completely. I've been a T rig worm fisherman ever since. I imagine many here at BR had an experience similar to mine. Was the Creme Scoundrel your first plastic worm?

One of my favourite winter pond baits is a smaller jig, like the SK Bitsy Bug. I use a Zoom chunk trailer. You can trim the trailer down if need be. I like the blk/blue color, fished with a slow crawl on the bottom. Some days a lift/ fall retrieve can be good also, with an occasional pause. Fish them slowly. When it's cold, the strikes can be light. Good luck!

Mike, I'm following your post. I wish I could be of help. I have an older Sedona with the same problem. Mine is still a good reel, but I can't get the spool to travel up and down as it should. Hopefully some guys can comment here, and help us out with this.

Agree A-Jay. Incredible!

I would say most any bass reel on the market has enoupgh drag to land bass of all sizes.