Mobasser

This is what I realized at some point also. Started out worrying about all the different factors, but realized that 3 days of steady weather produce the best fishing. Now, I just go fishing- don't really give a hoot about moon, barometer etc.

Good looking baits. I used to like Norman Deep N years ago. One of my more productive crankbaits. I've never used the Goby color, mostly always chrome or shad shades. I don't remember seeing many of those. Could be somewhat rare now. I always threw them for largemouth bass

Like many, I catch the majority of my fish on plastic worms and jigs min some form or another. It does pay to be versatile, and hard baits have their place too.

I organized my stuff years ago, nd paired down too.I take what I need for a fishing trip, which is not always that much depending on time of year. I catch more fish this way too. I like keeping it simple

These are my least favorite too. Can't prove anything by "un boxing". He should start doing some reviews. That man knows everything!?

I Agree

Years ago, before the internet was widely available it was different buying fishing tackle. A rod/ reel may have been recommended by someone or you bought it because it was a trusted brand. Tackle shops pushed the brand's they carried. Now, we can scrutinize every type of rod , reel, or bait available through the internet. I read reviews of products too. It's a way to learn more about them, before you fork out your hard earned cash. Last winter, I bought my grandson a Shimano Sienna spinning reel. For the most part reviews are good on this reel, but not all. One was extreme. Don't buy this, cheap junk, poor quality, not enough bearings, and on and on. I wonder how many times this guy actually used this product, or if he is just paid to give reviews, or really doesn't even know how to fish very well! Looking through our notes, Aiden landed 63 bass with that reel this summer. Not one problem. The reel will be good to go next year, with a clean and light oiling. I think it's much better to ask on this forum, or talk to someone who has actually used the products in all scenarios. And how long they actually used it, and how often. You can never really tell how a product will perform based on one fishing trip. Anyone else wonder about reviews? Are you skeptical of them?

Like you, I have some more expensive rods as well as mid grade rods. Sometimes the way tackle is made these days, it's hard to tell a big difference.I do like my better rods for worm/ jig fishing. My grandson uses a All Star from Academy Sports which cost 50.00. Very good rod for the money. I recently looked at the new Berkley Lightning rod also. Looks and feels great for 40.00.Tackle has improved so much in the last 10 yrs, you can still catch plenty of fish with less expensive rods.

I'm with you on this. My grandson and I bank fish 2 smaller lakes, and at times have caught more than fishing from our boat. And the simplicity is hard to beat

This morning I went to my local hardware store and picked up a package of the smallest zip ties, as well as the tool that tightens and cuts them. Works perfect! Now I can repair the rubber skirt rings on a bunch of Stanley jigs I've had for years. Thanks for this tip.In fact, I'll be throwing one this afternoon

Good question Bassman. I've always assumed stunting was caused by too many bass, and lack of a food source to support the population.Not fully sure about this?

I think it's a fun way to fish. Keeping it simple. I recently read that Chuck Woods, one of the founders of Midwest finesse fishing actually preferred bank fishing. He had a rep for catching many large bass. I don't know that he ever owned a boat. Some friends and co workers, have tossed around the idea of having a bank tournament too.Each man pitch in 20 bucks, and the winner receive either the money, or a nice rod/ reel.It would be interesting to see how it turns out. I think it's harder too Catt. But it can be a good way to learn to read water, cover, and learn about bass fishing.You are limited to a degree, but as you know one real hoggs can be very close.Where I fish, the longer rod has worked best, just swinging a jig or worm into thick shoreline cover.

Very nice fish! Congrats on your catch

I love the " hunt" in bass fishing. Launching our boat, or canoe and trying to find bass is a huge part of this sport. I also love bank fishing. It's where many of us got our start. Sometimes I enjoy it as much if not more than being in the boat.I like to keep it simple. I usually take 1- maybe 2 rods, and a small flat side Plano box, which I've modified to clip to my beltloop. On the waters I bank fish, almost all the cover is right on the bank. Moss and weed beds, blowdowns and weeds are at your feet. We wear rubber boots, and walk the shoreline,casting mostly parallel with the shore. The most productive lures have been weedless soft plastics, and jig/ trailer combos.Anything even slightly different in the form of cover can always warrant several cast. It can also be deadly productive. Summer heat, early or late in the day, spring and fall- anytime, especially on overcast days. I plan on bank fishing a lot this fall, until our lakes freeze over. I'll bring my old flipping stick, and a med spin rod. Standing on the shore and pithcing out a jig, creature bait, or plastic worm into a large blowdown is just plain fun. Anyone else enjoy this simple fishing as much as I do? If so what tackle do you like, and what baits have been good?

Yes. Panfish, especially bluegill, will rapidly tap the bait, pick it up and drop it, and make it hard to tell if it's a bass or not. If this continues to happen, your in a school of panfish.

As Bluebasser86 said, these fish are feeding pretty aggressively. They are trying to stun the lure, then will come back for the kill. I've gotten them to hit it a second time by deadsticking the bait, slow twitches, or start your retrieve again slightly slower. Try to make them think they have stunned the prey, or wounded it.

The next casting reel I buy will be a Shimano Calcutta.

I've done carpentry work all most all my adult life. Gripping tools, boards etc hasn't helped. Luckily, I don't have huge hand problems. I have a friend who is a mechanic, and he is worse off. He has to take a break from fishing sometimes. One thing that's helped him is to use rods with a thicker handle, or adding foam grips to increase the diameter of his rod handles. Too many years of gripping small parts, wrenches, etc has taken its toll. Unfortunately, these things creep up on us as we get older

Agree. Downsize to smaller baits, and fish shallow first, working your way deeper

Most of my fish come from 10-15 ft deep. One older quarry that I fish has water that is 30+ deep, but I've rarely found bass that deep there on that lake. Average would still be 10- 15 ft throughout the year

I'm not really brand loyal. Use a bunch of stuff older and newer. Rods- Shimano, Fenwick, St.Croix and Berkeley. Reels ABU 4600c, 5500c. Spinning- Various Shimano, 1 Diawa, and vintage Zebco Cardinal4. Most all is mid grade tackle.

This looks good Catt. I was going through some of my older stuff, and found several original Stanley jigs. The rubber ring had gotten soft and half rotted, otherwise still fishable. Looks like a good way to repair them

Looks like you did well for just getting started in bass fishing. Plus, your own cheering section too! Nice job. Now your hooked!

I've had good success with Zara Spooks in baby bass color. It works well, but at times I'm not sure if the white belly is the real key with this color. Either way it works

I'm curious about the newer models. I've never owned one, but have had Berkley Bionix rods, which which I still use sometimes.