Mobasser

At this point, I'm not giving up on anything. I already gave up on the baits that don't work for me a long time ago.

Some of my best memories are between 1965 and 1969. My older brother and I spent 4 weeks or more at my grandparents farm helping out there in the summer. We bailed hay, and did general chores, and fished a pond for bass every evening.My brother was a good teacher, and I'm sure it took all the patience he had. " Quiet Junior" your gonna spook em. " Don't cast so hard", you'll end up snagged all the time". "Or, "let it sit", if you wanna catch bass you've got to learn to slow down a little". I heard these things over and over. We used older surface baits, borrowed from dad and grandpas tackle boxes. Hula Popper, Lucky 13, Bass O Reno. Daredevle spoons, and a Heddon River Runt were are below surface baits. Between us and a boy from a near by farm, we constantly talked and argued about which was the best lure. I liked the black Hula Popper, my brother favored a smaller frog colored Bass O Reno. One evening that first summer, it all came together. Having overshot my cast 2 or 3 times, I cast the Hula Popper within inches of the moss, which formed a rim around this pond. " Let it sit!, my brother said, then pop it lightly 1 time." When I did as he said, a 14" bass hit it. I caught that bass over 50yrs ago. Now, when I'm fishing alone, or driving by a pond that's rimmed with moss, my mind automatically goes back to that evening. I can see a battered, black Hula Popper landing with a soft splat near the moss edge, and a bass striking it. That experience lit a fire under me that's never burned out, and I'm probably more enthusiastic about fishing now than I ever was. We all fish for different reasons. Building great memories has to rank with the best of reasons to be a fisherman. Great post Mike

My favorite all around line for baitcast reels is Big Game also.

Merry Christmas to all here on BR. Catch a bunch of fish this coming year!?

Missouri- Bert Hall. Inventor Road Runner underspin jig. Blakemore Lure Co.

Fred Arbogast- Ohio tackle inventor. Jitterbug, Hula Popper etc

Some might disagree, but I think the state's of California and Texas probably dominate this list as far as bass fisherman go. Lots of great anglers from these two states. From California also: Bill Murphy, big bass expert

Charlie Brewer?

Roadwarrior, my dad and I watched Harold Ensley every week.

Who were some famous fisherman from your state? Your answer could be a famous tournament fisherman, tackle inventor, or TV host of a fishing show. My own state of Missouri has some good ones. Guido Hibdon, Harold Ensley, and Virgil Ward are three of several. Who are some famous fisherman from your state? Let's recognize these men for the contributions they've made to our sport.

I still fish monofilament line, and, I don't like flourocarbon

Agree! Green pumpkin is my least favorite color. With all the talk about high priced plastic baits these days, I still catch a lot of bass on the Lucky Strike worms from Wal Mart. They work

Thanks Catt. I've got a little extra money this winter to spend on a new reel. I havnt bought one for quite a while. I like the Lews casting reels, and think they offer a good value for the money. I was going to get a Lews LFS model, but this one will work good also. I'm ordering this one today.

I've never bought a Wopper Plopper, and don't plan on it either.

A 4" plastic worm.

I bought a new president size 30 on friday, and took it back yesterday at academy. I'm going with a Diawa or Lews spin reel too. I was disappointed in the President. It felt rough right out of the package

I bought one at Academy yesterday. Mine is the newer version, size 30 for bass fishing.

I've been spittin on my knots forever.

I also like the Kalins 5" grubs. We t rig those. It's about the only plastic bait I use with a wide gap hook. I havnt fished the centipede for a while now. Probably my all around favorite has been the Zoom finesse worm. Academy has a good selection of those.Like all the plastics, there's a lot of them.out there.

I like a short handle, medium hvy, with some tip flex.

Favorite colors give the angler confidence. They can all work, depending on the day

Thanks Catt. Winter bass fishing has always been hard for me. Our weather this time of year is up and down. Days in the mid 50s down to 2 or 3 days close to freezing temps. Catching many fish for me is tough right now. Good video

I'm in North central Mo. Things have slowed way down here. As others have said keep trying something small and slow. I like Kalins 3" grubs, fished very slow on the bottom, with a lift drop retrieve.

Dang Catt! I know your sorry to have to let this stuff go, but I understand. Gotta do what you gotta do?

They took it off most of the best ones. I'm a backreeler too. Hope they'll put it back on!