Mobasser

As long as bass fishing continues to keep getting more technical, there will always be people pushing they're own version of it. Longer rods and very fast reels are just one more aspect of this. After you fish for a long time, you realize that these things may not work for you. Most very experienced fisherman are not always quick to jump on the latest thing. They've learned through experience what works best for them. They have confidence in they're own tackle choices, and catch more fish in the process. Longer rods, and super fast reels are the trend now, but they may not be best for everyone. I say fish what works best for your style of fishing. If a 5ft rod works the best for you, so be it. You'll be happier in the long run, and catching more fish too. That's common sense. And I think it beats marketing hype anyday.

Going through some older rods I've got, I found a Berkley 6' lightning rod, and a Berkley 6' Bionics spinning rod from years ago. I caught a lot of fish on these rods. Both are still fishable now. I knew other guys who used Berkley rods also, and as I remember I never saw one break under normal fishing. Have you used any Berkleys? Do you currently use them? Maybe not always the lightest, or best, but good all around rods for the money. What's everyone think about Berkley rods?

I also think that all the companies make some good reels these days, Doyo or not. What color, gear ratio, handle style, and other features are up to the buyer to decide on. For some folks, ABU is not what it used to be. Don't worry. They'll be back. Fishing tackle of all types goes in trends. What's considered hot right now, may not be a big deal 2yrs from now. All the better reels made now days will work fine for bass fishing. Ive only bought reels because I think they will work well for me, and have never resold one, or plan on reselling one in the future. If it works good, I'm keep it.

We could compare this to trading in a used car on a newer or new car. You'll never get what you would like to get on a trade or sale, even if your cars in great shape. It's used, and that's how everyone would look at it. As for fishing reels, I don't worry too much about brands or Do yo made products. I.just buy them and use them untill they're worn out or beyond repair.

I sometimes throw the Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon, with a plastic trailer over thick weeds in midsummer. I also use a Heddon Moss Boss on occasion also.

I say fish what works best for you, with your style. To heck with the rest of it.

PBJ sandwich.

For most of the season, my choice would be Texas rig. It can be fished in most any cover or depth.

I met and spoke to Charlie Cambell years ago. One thing I remember him saying was : In sunnny bright weather, bass love the shade. It's a form of cover and security for them. He thought he caught more fish by casting into the sunlight, and retrieving into shaded areas , because the fish would take advantage of the shady areas to hide and ambush food and there were more fish in these areas. I do know bass don't generally like bright sunlight and shallow water, and can become spooky in this scenario.

I think this is a good point about color too. I don't know if its been proven, but maybe the fish see the bait differently as it passes from sunlight to shade. This could possibly draw a strike? It's hard to tell for certain.

Question: Do you like to cast your lures into direct sunlight, and retrieve them into shaded areas if possible? I've heard some say yes, some say it doesn't matter. I think it does. What's everyone say?

Yes. I almost forgot that one. My wife had a 72 Plymouth Duster with a slant 6cyl. Good engine

I pulled one tick off 2 nights ago, so there starting to come around too

Thanks for the replies all. Gives me some more options.

T rig is my favourite way also. The big worms have worked better for me in hot weather, July and August. You could still try your ribbontail too. The Culprit 7.5" worm is one of my favourites. Theyll work in all types of cover too

Well, as expected, the bugs are getting out in full force here in Missouri. The nats were all over me last night while bank fishing. I've used Deep Woods Off, in the past, and it's ok. What do you guys like? Is there a better product?

I use both straight an curlytail. I like the Mister Twister 6" Phenom worm and Zoom trick or finesse worms. I used to use only straight tale worms in weeds, thinking the curly tail got wrapped on weedstalks too much. WRB and Catt told me that pulling a curly tail off of weed stalks can draw a strike sometimes. They are right. I've since tried it myself, and it works.The strikes are harder doing this also

In high school a kid I knew had a Pontiac with a 400cu small block in it. What a screamer! Way too much engine for a 17yr old kid! His dad made him get rid of it. Every stop sign he pulled up to, he wanted to run somebody... The very worst motor I've ever seen was in a Pinto station wagon that my mom had. I believe a 72. 4cyl with a carb. At 80, 000 miles the engine started to lose compression. You could barely make a hill on a hot day with the AC on. My dad hated that car. He spent too much time working on it. He couldn't understand how they could even build a motor this bad. I still love a V8, but it sure isn't fun anymore when gas goes up, especially if you have much driving to do.

Agree. I see more and more of them on the roads now. Right now, gas prices are low, but that can change. Me too. My wife has to remind me to turn my blinker off!

I don't race anymore, I did some when I was young. We always wanted GM smallblocks, 327 or 350. They wrap up so much quicker. In 1/8 mile runs, small blocks usually dominate. 1/4 mile- big blocks win out. But it depends on how they're built too.

I also might mention I owned a 1989 Chevy Cavalier. It had a 4.0 4cyl. Went through me, then both my daughters. A girl backed into it at my daughter's high school one day, and the insurance totalled it. It had 302, 000 miles by then. Probably won't have a car like that again....

Yes, I used 14lb Stren mono. Sometimes I think the shorter rods may have been better too. You could set the hook really fast I've wondered the same thing too. Lots of guys want a 7 to 7'6 rod. It's more rod to move, and more line out also. With a shorter stick, usually one crank of the reel, and your ready to set the hook hard! I use a 6' 6 now. It's long enoupgh for me. I remember when most of the worm rods were not more than 6 feet. Then, they kept getting longer and longer. Maybe not always better though?

I fished t rig like this a lot. 5'6 pistol grip rod, and round ABU reel, 14lb line. I'm sure it would still work now

Catt, I'm pretty sure my grandpa learned it from the Jimmy Rodgers version. It's a good old song too

Over the years, I've had the very best luck with GM small block V8s. I started with a 283, and I've owned 350, and currently a 327. I also had very good luck with a Dodge pickup I owned, which had the old 318 V8. I always felt that GM got it right early on. The 350, 327, and 307 were really just slight variations of the old 283 V8. All good workhorse engines. I've done well with GMs V6 also, but I've only owned one, a 2005 GMC 1/2 ton pickup. I've only owned one Ford. A 1980 Bronco I had years ago. It had an inline 300cu 6cyl. I probably got a lemon, because I had horrible luck with this one. But, I think Ford makes some good motors too. I had to lift the distributor cap, and dry it out with a hair dryer many times on a wet morning, even after replacing the cap with a new one. Any engines will last with routine maintenance, but I'm sold on the GM V8s as the all around best. What engines have you had the best luck with? Any size or make?