Mobasser

I usually just take them out of the package, and put them in my tackleboxes when they're new. The only reason I might not do this would be if I have a duplicate of one bait. Then, I'll save one back for later

Mike, that's incredible! I've never seen any rattlesnake even half that size. Thanks for posting this pic Mike

Mine is a short arm version. I dont have the original though. CC was always one of my heroes, and I liked this bait also. I fished it a lot like you did, and was my favourite night fishing spinnerbait also

Still digging through my stuff in preparation for fishing next month, I've found several yellow baits of different styles. Some of these are pretty old. I've found Shore Minnow pattern yellow Zara Spook, Hula poppers, curly and straight tail grubs, weedless spoons with a yellow feather tail, Ozark Woodchopper prop bait, and a couple of other baits as well. I caught fish on most of these baits years ago. Now, I rarely see yellow bass lures being sold much, or talked about much either. It seems like yellow has all but been forgotten these days. Anyone still fishing with yellow lures? Any thoughts or opinions?

Reorganizing some of my stuff to get ready to fish next month, I found a few short arm 1/2 and 3/8 oz spinnerbaits. These are older ones. Mar Lynn Pomme Special and Blakemore CC spinnerbaits. The Pomme Special was named on Pomme De Tarre lake here in Missouri. Both have a single, large hammered colorado blade, and a stiff short arm. A hot pattern years ago on Pomme De Tarre was to fish these as a dropping bait, letting them fall vertically after the cast, before retrieving them.The short arm and larger single blade really put out some thump and vibration on a standard retrieve. It was a good night fishing spinnerbait also. Anyone still using short arm spinnerbaits now? Are you fishing them differently than your long arm spinnerbaits?

Paul Roberts, you might do a search on Charlie Cambell of Forsythe Mo. He still uses composite rods, mono line, and round ABU reels. He made his reputation fishing a Spook years ago. He's old school with his tackle, but one of the best Zara Spook fisherman around. Zell Rowland is very good also

Actually, it may be more about the rod and the amount of slack line that gives any walking bait it's glide action. A Zara One Knocker Spook can be made to glide well also. I like a shorter 5'6 to 6' rod, with a pistol grip or short handle. A composite rod works good, with some tip flex. I've tried some different walking baits, but still think it's more about the slack line, rod manipulation that makes these lures glide well

With a popper, I've caught more fish on a slower pop, pause, pop retrieve. Some guys like to fish a popper faster in lakes that have shad, trying to get the spitting sound of shad near the surface. I've caught more bass with a spook fishing slower too. A slower retrieve, with the spook gliding about 4" or 5" has worked best for me. Buzzbaits, I've done the best with as slow a retrieve as possible, to still keep the lure on the surface

Mike, an 11 ft rattler is one heck of a snake. My wife's sister lives in Arizona. They've seen rattlesnakes while driving on the roads out there, but most are no bigger than 3ft.

My dad told me about seeing cottonmouths in Missouri as a kid. The one I saw was sunning himself near the bank on a large rock. I'm pretty sure it was a cottonmouth because of the thick body. The rattlesnake had to be a timber rattler. That was in Chillacothe Mo in the late 1960s. I've heard other guys talk about seeing them, but not sure when? Lots of these things get driven out of areas with building, new development, etc. I'd bet there's not many around anymore

You never know. In a few years we might all be fishing with one like this. Except with some glitter and sequins on it too

My grandkids, who are 5 and 3 would probably love this one. Makes my reels look pretty boring.

The internet was not there untill I was in my 40s. I learned most of what I know from trial and error, and having a couple of older guys teach me things when I was younger.

Yea, that's probably a good way to get rid of the party crowd!

Thanks Sam. This is what I thought it was. I've never had it, but would like to try some sometime.

Spending summers at my grandparents farm as a kid, I never developed a fear of snakes that some folks have. Blacksnakes were pretty common on the farm, and some reached a length of 4 to 5 ft. We were told to leave them alone. My grandpa said they were helpful to keep mice out of the feedsacks which were stacked in the barn. I've only seen 1 rattlesnake in my life. While bailing hay, my brother turned over a bail, and a smaller 12" rattlesnake was coiled up there. We stood back and he slithered across the pasture.That was over 50yrs ago. Cottonmouth moccasins are scarce in my area also. I havnt seen one in at least 20yrs. Last year, at a quarry lake we fished I saw more copperheads than I've seen in several years. In September we saw probably 20 or so, and I've since learned these breed in the fall of the year. Like most wild creatures, they can have some years when they're more plentiful. This is the only venomous snake close by us. I've walked around countless ponds, lakes, creeks, and some rivers while fishing. I've never been bitten by a snake. I'm not afraid of them, but won't go as far as to say I like them either. What snakes are in your area? Have you had any bad experience with them? I've heard and read some things over the years, especially with rattlesnakes and cottonmouths.It seems like with most snakes, just leave them alone, and they'll leave you alone too. Any snake problems for you guys?

I've heard some folks talk about boudin here on Bass resource. What exactly is it?

My favorite was Virgil Ward, Championship Fishing. My dad and I also watched Harold Ensley each week too

Lots of folks may take it for granted now, but one of the biggest changes over the years have been hooks. When I started we T rigged with Eagle Claw #95 worm hooks. Most of the hooks on hard baits were poor dull, and rusted very easily. Now, any good tackle shop stocks so many good hooks. Super sharp out of the package, coated to resist rust, and in every size and style for for bass fishing. We can also get lighter wire hooks in all the same types, for lighter line fishing. This has probably helped more people hook more fish than lures themselves. It wasn't this way years ago.

I still like them. Standard single and double bades, as well as smaller 1/4 oz Beetlespins too

Bankbeater, I also have a Johnson reel like yours. I started mid 1960s with a Zebco 33, then bought a Johnson reel too. I fished these untill around 1971, when my brother came home from the service and gave me a red ABU 5000.Spent much of the first season picking out backlashes. I always liked the Johnson spincast reel.

My old one broke last year. I got lucky and was given an older Fenwick which I'm using now. It's my favorite type of rod for Spook fishing.

Nice older reels.

Mann's Jelly Worm. T rig 1/8 oz weight, 2/0 hook black

Lots of folks, even very avid fisherman, fish for years before they catch a bass that's big enough to be mounted. Of course their proud of this fish, and the time spent in catching it. We all know the big bass don't always come easy. If someone wants to skin mount a trophy bass, so be it. I don't know the percentage, but would imagine these are a small percentage of the bass caught in an average season. I see no harm in it.