Mobasser

I don't know what it is with me and chatterbaits. I've tried a couple, but have caught nothing so far.

Most bass fisherman, if they've been fishing very long, develop favourite baits over time. These, I've been fishing with success for 25yrs. Mann's Jelly Worm 6" or 8", grape, black, and motor oil. Culprit 7.5 " ribbon tail worm, blk/ blue, or junebug. Baby Guido Bug plastic crawfish. The Guido Bug is hard to come by now, so, I've mostly replaced it with the Zoom Critter Craw in blk/blue. Bill Lewis Rattletrap, 1/2oz chrome. These for baits have caught a lot of bass for me through the years. The solid black 6" jelly worm my own PB years ago. I fish other baits but I always try to have these baits along on every trip. What are some of the baits that you've used for a long time, that keep producing fish each year?

I like to catch fish when I go. I'm.motivated by the hunt for the fish, and trying to catch them. If I don't catch fish, I'm still happy

I hope all BR members have a good Easter Sunday. Usually, Easter for us is getting together with family, and having dinner. This will be the first year we havnt been able to do that for as long as I remember. Anyway, happy Easter to all.

That's true. I fish some smaller lakes in my canoe, with a portable depth finder. Sometimes I don't even bring the depth finder, and just troll around and fish different spots.

These are like the ones I have. Mine are a red color. I've got for left. Those grape colored ones on the right look like killer.

I still carry a pistol grip rod. I use it for Spook fishing. One of the best spook fisherman uses one too. Hall Of Famer Charlie Cambell, of Forthyse Mo.

We have some great moderators on this site. They always give good info, based on years of experience. They have also all caught they're share of truly big bass- with consistency. At that point it becomes a different game, and much harder than catching smaller fish. Learning about location, deep water spots, and being able to put together all the other skills to catch these fish, is a lifetime thing for sure. It takes some serious dedication to the sport.

As WRB and others have said here, location and timing are where it's at. When I first started, my tackle was good enough, I could cast well enough, but had many days with no fish to show. When I started studying where to fish, at what time of year, my fishing began to improve. Having good gear always helps, but you still need to be fishing the right location to catch bass consistently. I'm happy to say I'm still learning about finding bass , on the tough days, after almost 40yrs of bass fishing.

What, in your opinion is the main reason that some fisherman catch bass consistently, and others seldom, or not at all ? Is it the wrong tackle? The wrong bait/ presentation? A lack of understanding bass, and how they live? What's the number one reason for a lack of success in bass fishing? What's your opinion?

Most companies make a popper type lure these days. The Rico and Yellow Magic are made to get the "spit" sound of shad breaking the surface. I've never used either, although some guys love them. My own favorite popper type bait is the Storm Chug Bug.

Like many of us, I learned on farm ponds, at my grandparents farm. My brother came home from Vietnam in 1969, and we stayed on the farm , and helped with chores there. I was 12 yrs old then. He taught me how to cast, how to read the water, and everything else he knew about bass fishing. He was a good teacher for me. Now, when I look back, I realize that the simple, laid back farm pond fishing was a way for him to unwind and forget about the things he had seen, or done, while overseas. Fishing was his therapy, and even though he never said so, I think it always was. I miss those days

A-Jay, I'll never understand the bashing on Qauntum reels. I got my first one two years ago. Mine is a Tour Edition, standard casting reel. It's a good machine. Light, smooth, and a great drag. What else do we need in A bass reel?

Lots of guys think that Shimanos heyday was with the older Japanese made spin reels. CustomX, Speedmasters etc. But I still think they make a good product. I'll stick with em, untill they prove otherwise.

I always thought that the Rebel Ringworm was a really good plastic worm. I used to fish them a lot years ago. The rings displace water on a slow retrieve, and provide less plastic for the hook to penetrate, on a T Rig. I'm down to just a few now. Does anyone recommend a replacement for this one?

I'm not exactly sure when these reels were first produced, but they have to be one of the longest running reels still in production by any tackle company. An older friend that I fish with has one that he bought new in 1998. His is still working perfectly, and, he claims it's even smoother now, than when it was new. The only drawback.for some guys may be the lack of an instant anti reverse, but that's not really a big thing. These are an example of a company getting it right the first time. If I hadn't gotten a new Sahara this year, I would probably have bought one of these in size 1300. Around 100.00 dollars new. The longevity speaks for itself. Anyone using the SS Tournament reels from Diawa?

I might be wrong, but I see no difference in the clam pack reels as opposed to the box reels. My new Sahara feels and works great. I also have two size 500 Siennas, and a 9 year old Sedona, which still works well. I don't think Shimano quality has dropped off at all. A little maintenance will make them last for years

I have a new Sahara 2500fi. It seems perfect so far. Very smooth.

Thanks for all replies here. The main reason I made this post, is my grandson and I are going to night fish together. We're going on a small quarry lake, electric motor only. We have good PFDs, lights, etc. I think we'll stay with single hook baits also. I'm excited about going again, and I would like Aiden to experience night fishing for bass. As has been said, it's a whole different world at night. Being safe is the #1 priority for us.

I agree 100% on a good headlamp. I used to walk banks and cast at night years ago. At the time, all I had was a small AA flashlight, which I kept in my pocket.Later I bought a good headlamp. It made a huge difference. I also agree with A- Jay on this one. Spinnerbaits have worked great, as well as jigs and t rig plastics. All single hook baits, and fishing as weedless as possible is always good, especially at night Those big blade CC spinnerbaits, should be a killer at night. And , safe to use too.

From what I've read, carp are a very sought after fish in Europe. Special teqniques have been developed to catch them. Still I don't think they are "smart". They become very wary in shallow water. Bass are geared towards food, and survival. They can be hard to catch at times, but, I don't think they are especially smart

I'm 40mi north of KCMo. So far all lakes are still open.

I have fished a little. Didn't do real good, cold fronts making the fishing slow. Still working 3 days per week. Today, fixed a couple of shingles that blew off the roof. In between, watching Netflix. A good movie called Hostiles, and re runs of The Rifleman.

This year, if everything works out, I plan on doing some night fishing again, as I have in years past. On past trips, I fished treble hook baits whenever I needed to. Black 5/8 Jitterbug, Devils Horse, and similar topwaters, along with lipless baits also. I may be lucky, but I never had any injuries from treble hooks, in unhooking fish. But, I've heard some stories of guys who will not use treble hook baits at night, for the obvious reasons. For the night fisherman, what are your thoughts or opinions on trebles at night?

Well said. Once you become a guide, it becomes a job, no longer a hobby.