Mobasser

I could probably fish this whole next year without buying any new baits. I'm pretty well stocked up, but I might buy a couple things to try. Fresh line is one thing I always buy.

Excellent!!

Plastic worm

Yes, the Chiefs are hanging in there. Seems like they like to get down to a nail-biter finish here lately. They need to stay on their A game. It only gets tougher from here

As others have said: practice makes perfect.

This knot looks ok, but not while I'm bobbing up and down in a boat in the wind.

Good point J Francho. Play the fish, don't horse em. Plus it's more fun too

Kyle S, there are so many good rods out there now, it's hard to pick. I like Shimano rods, which no one seems to really like that much. I also have Lews and one St Croix, and they are all good. They'll all catch bass

Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs will all catch big bass at times. But, as Catt says here, it's the location your fishing that matters most.

I've seen this reel. A wide spool ABU is more than you would need for bass fishing. It will cast far if set up correctly, but I would go with a standard size or narrow spool reel if you can.

I go with green. Been using this line for years in this color

Location is such a huge part of bass fishing.Many experienced fisherman would tell you it's not always the bait or tackle but the location your fishing. I would suggest trying to learn a little about where the bass may be according to season.

I've thought about getting a small casting reel. I've been fishing ABU 4600s, and 5500c reels for a long time. I've looked at some Lews reels, but I like the Shimano small baitcasters better. I've heard good things about the H20 reels that Catt mentions also

I like to keep my soft plastics in the bags they come in.

One thing I've noticed in this thread is the guys who say that the first plastic worm fish was their most important, the game changer for them. This was true for me also. When I actually hooked and landed that first one on a plastic worm, I felt that I had really accomplished something. At that point, you've taken your fishing to a new level. Your fishing a bait that requires more skill, more concentratiion etc. You've put yourself in that class of anglers who can do much more than cast and crank. And with weedless riggings, your fishing your baits where other baits could never go.

Good rig here. A jigworm. These were popular here in Missouri as far back as the 1960s that I know of. Predecessor to the shakey head, a souped up version of this with top quality hook, head shape, and line tie position. I've read that the first were fished with an open hook, then later inserted for weedless fishing. I like that color also.

The plastic worm has been my favorite bass bait for over 25yrs now. I wouldn't ever want to be without some worms on any bass fishing trip. When I started learning to fish plastic worms, I pretty much spent 3 seasons throwing them most of the time untill I felt I had learned to fish them. The worms I used starting out were, Creme Scoundrel, Mann's Jelly Worms, Culprit 7.5 ribbontail, and Ditto Gator tail. I also learned to like Charlie Brewers Slider worm and jigs, and still do. Now I still fish Jelly Worms, and sometimes a Culprit worm. When you started out what worms did you learn on? Did you learn on a traditional Texas Rig or some other way? Did you catch on quickly to worm fishing, or did it take you some time to learn? It took me some time. I missed a lot of strikes, and bass, trying to learn this but I'm glad I learned it. What about your early plastic worm fishing? Worms, methods, etc?

Yep. Just like deer, quail, squirrels etc. If your not gonna eat em, put them back unharmed. Obey the rules and respect the laws, and all is good.

Catt, the jigs we use most are Bobby Garlnd shad and tube jigs by different companies. BPS, Southern Pro, and Arkie all make good tubes. I get most of my crappie tackle at Academy. They have a good selection of tackle for crappie. Big Bite Baits makes some good plastics too. Floats- we use the quarter size weighted floats by Comal tackle and simple slip floats much like Toxic uses. We rarely if ever take minnows. Sometimes I think they may be better, but when the bite is hot you can catch 3 to 1 with jigs, not having to bait up each time. One thing that's fun about all this is you really don't need fancy tackle for crappie. Everything from cane poles to nice graphite rods can work depending on the season.

Yes, I won't say it's replaced bass fishing, but I do enjoy it too. There is just as much involved with all the teqniques out there. In our area the first big spring spawn brings out crappie hunters from all over. After they move to deeper water, locating them can be a science, and we sometimes fish 20ft and deeper. In the hottest months, we use floating lights, and jig over the side of the boat. Recently I picked up 2 10ft jig poles made by B&M. They telescope down to around 5ft. Lots of folks using this type of rod now, with and without a reel. I can see a benefit in shallow water for these, but not so much deep water. They feel awkward- long whippy poles compared to our other crappie tackle. I've found crappie are sensitive to colors also. Some days they'll tear up one color, the next day you need to use something else. White, chartreuse, and yellow or combos of these have been the best, but my wife tries off the wall colors, and many work well. For casting into and through wood, Brewers crappie slider is good too. Last year, I got hung up on the sickle hook jigs. I sharpen the hooks to a needle sharpness, and I feel my hook up rate improved on light biting crappie.Ive caught them on rattletraps, spoons and bass crankbaits, accidently but the jig is the crappie getter day in and day out. Years ago we took minnows, but now never do. Like you guys, I've seen crappie fishing grow a lot over 30 yrs. Lots of specific tackle, methods etc.Now it's become hugely popular.

Myself, and many guys on the forum like mono and still use it for all fishing.

I do too. He has forgotten more about jig fishing than many of us know! He's right. It's a fact.

Yes, I guess it is irrelevant Tom. Everyone defines cover in a different way.

It's a constant learning process. You can spend a lifetime bass fishing. I have been addicted for years, and I'm more enthusiastic about it than ever

Nice!!! Good catch! Best tasting fish of all I love em! My wife doesn't bass fish, but goes crappie fishing with me. She's pretty good! We fillet them, and stock the freezer. July 4rth fish fry is a tradition for us