Mobasser

Good replies all! Since we're on this topic, what about worms and weights? I'm using Mann's, Culprit, Zoom, and some old Mister Twister worms I found in my tackle. I might pick up a couple more bags. I've spray painted slip stinkers too. Usually, black , red, and blue. I think it may make a difference at times. I've gone back to using straight shank worm hooks too. Gramma and Mustad- various sizes. I thing I hook more with a straight shank hook.

There's been a lot of speculation over the years as to exactly what a plastic worm looks like to a bass. I've watched smaller bass swim along and watch my plastic worm, looking like their mesmerized by it, then suck it in at the last minute. To me, I think it looks like an easy meal, too easy for them to pass up. It falls into the predator nature of bass. They go for the easy meal first. I think this is why they are a favorite of trophy bass anglers. A worm moving slowly through their living room is just too easy to pass up. Because the Texas rig can be fished in these hideouts, it works very well.

I've tried wacky rig and shakey head worm rigs. I've caught some on shakey head, but the 2acky rig hangs up too much in milfoil weeds. Again, the Texas rig glides through these weeds better than anything else. Still the best- in any cover. Another plus- they can be used with a casting outfit, spinning rod, or spincast setup.All fisherman can use this. The more you practice with a Texas rig, it only gets better.

Be prepared! Your gonna get bit!

All plastic worms can be T rigged. Get some bullet weights, in 1/8 to 1/2 to start. I like straight shank worm hooks. Lots of good hooks out there now.Good luck! Call me old school. I still use mono line, lead weights, and a fast action m/h casting rod. It's worked fo me for at least 25 yrs now.

For fisherman on a budget, plastic worms are a good way to go. You can pickup worms, hooks and slip stinkers for the price of 1 of the high end plugs on the market these days. The Lucky Strike worms from Wal Mart, will catch a lot of bass. As others have said, it can teach a person to slow down, and fish a spot more thourouly, which is often what it takes to catch fish.

Theyll never go out of style. They work! I love em!

That first plastic worm fish makes a difference. I still use them maybe 80-90% of the time

I agree Catt. Other rigs come and go, and can work well. But the Texas rig is still very hard to beat! My all time favorite

If I had to choose one fishing lure to use to fish for bass for the rest of my fishing days, I would choose a Texas rigged plastic worm. Hands down, without hesitation. I love fishing lures of all kinds, but a Texas rig is still the best bass lure of all time, bar none. In over 35yrs of fishing it's landed me more fish, than all other lures I've tried. I use other baits too of course, but I've known successful bass anglers who used little more than a simple Texas rig, and did very well. The reasons for its effectiveness have been well talked about for years, but maybe Doug Hannon( the bass professor) summed it up the best." The action of a plastic worm is never mechanical. With each lift or shake of the rod tip it can do something slightly different which mimics natural prey. It can slither and slide over, beside, and through cover better than most any fishing lure you can use". This makes the Texas rig worm the king of bass lures.Its been the best for me. The tap- tap sensation of a bass striking a plastic worm is one of the most exciting things in fishing. Any thoughts? Comments? l love plastic worm.fishing.

The best jitterbugs were made in Akron Ohio. Look under the lip for this info. Not worth a lot, but good to fish with

One of the carpenters on our crew loves the Spyderco knives. I've never had one, but they seem really nice. One hand opening too.

Yep! Lame! How about this concept. Take your dog- gonned reel out there and catch some fish! Works for me, whatever you use!

Catt, us Missouri boys like your knife!?

Catt, I have an old Sharpfinger too. Mine has a gut hook on the blade. Great old knife

I like Swiss Army knives too. The older knives that I like most are getting harder to find, and pricey too. I pick them up when I can

Yes, I forgot to mention my nail Clippers. I fish with mono lines, so nail Clippers handle line cutting jobs

Most outdoorsman appreciate a good knife. For fishing, I've never seen the need to carry a large one. I received a leatherman multi tool for Christmas years ago, and I've used it for several years. The only thing I don't like about the leatherman is that when you want to use the knife blade, you have to unfold the tool, open the knife blade, then fold back the handles. Then, repeat this process to close the tool. Otherwise,the Leatherman is good. I mainly use it for the needle nose pliers, which work well. So I carry a pocket knife. Mine is an old yellow handle knife made by Case. It measures 3" when closed, and has 2 blades. I love the older U.S. made knives by Case, Shrade, Buck, and other similar knives. The medium stockman pattern, with 3 blades is another favorite, especially with bone or stag handles. These tools, along with a small v- groove stone to sharpen hooks, is what I've carried for many years. What knife and tools do you take on fishing trips?

You can flip/pitch with any casting reel. It's more about the teqnique. I've flipped and pitched for years with an older ABU 4600c.Its works good. It's all about thumbing the reel

J Francho, 100% correct. They havnt been abandoned at all. The fact they've been improved so much tells me their is still a big demand. Like you say, guys writing them off probably havnt fished some of the newer models. They would not be my first choice, but I'd never slam on anyone for choosing one. Good points here!

You can use many of the same baits you use during the daytime. Spinnerbait has always been good, plastic worms nd jigs too. I've used a 5/8 oz Jitterbug for years too. All can work.well at certain times.

Here's something to consider: I used to watch Virgil Wards Championship Fishing every week. Mr. Ward endorsed Johnson reels at the time. I watched several shows where he was fishing on Table Rock, Bull Shouls, and other Missouri lakes, catching both size and numbers with a Johnson spincast reel. Of course, we were not nearly as high tech in the early to mid 80s as we are now. I started this thread to simply say that a spincasting reel may work for you,. I'll never judge anyone for their choice in tackle. If a spincast reel works for you, than by all means use it. And, have some fun and catch some bass! That's what it's all about!

Probably 25yrs ago, I quit carrying lures which didn't work for me. I narrowed it down to 6 baits in different colors/ sizes for bass fishing. I'm positive this has caught me more fish over the years. The one bait I'm always trying to improve on are jigs. It's a bait you have to fish with and gain confidence in. Then, stick with it

A marabou jig, in various sizes, has become a generic, no name bait over the years, but catches scores of fish for people all across the country. You'll see them hanging in tackle shops, where they've hung for years. Another cheap no-name bait that catches fish very well

Catt, that's why I started this thread. I don't use them anymore, but for lots of fisherman, they still work.