Mobasser

I realized years ago that many of the styles of pro anglers didn't fit with how I fish, so I haven't bought stuff endorsed by them. I have been influenced by the teqniques some have used. Mainly, Larry Nixon with plastic worm fishing, and to an extent years ago, DeeThomas, with flipping.

I might also add, I'm going to stop trying to force feed the bass altogether. After all my years, I'm still guilty of doing this at times. It never works out well.

That's easy. 6" plastic worm, t rigged with 3/16 oz weight.

My thing has been tubes, and not throwing them enough. I've ordered some new tubes and heads. Looking back, there were several times that they would have worked well, but I stuck to my same old things that didn't work. I plan on using tubes more this coming season, and develop some confidence in them.

4lb.LM. Bitsy Bug Jig, Zoom trailer

Zoom Critter Craw

In some ways Top water Charlie and JP remind me of Bill Plummer. One bait, one style, and catch a lot of bass. Guys like this never follow the hot trends. They only fish what works best for them. There's a lot to admire about them.

I met him years ago at BPS in Springfield Mo. Very nice, humble guy. He told me all about spook fishing. One of the best from Missouri.

Cart, I've known guys who never owned a boat, but did well. They knew when to time they're trips, and where to fish

The general assumption among bass anglers is that many more fish are caught by anglers in a boat, as opposed to anglers fishing from the bank. I say this isn't always true. What does everyone say here? In your opinion and experience, are more fish caught from a boat, or, from the bank in an average fishing season?

A-Jay, yes, we all do this to some degree. I thought this was cool because he catches so many fish each year.Hes been doing this forever, and I guess saw no reason to change.He told me that a lightly rigged tube bait was the best thing he's ever tried. He called it" the death spiral". I'm sure many guys would dismiss him, but, his catch rates prove his system works so well.

There's an older man who's earned a reputation in my area for being one of the best bass fisherman in my town. In September I was finally able to meet him, and talk with him about his fishing. I expected to see a fully rigged bass boat, with multiple rods, and the latest electronics. What I found was the exact opposite. JP fishes from a twelve ft jon boat. The only things in his boat are, one casting rod, one spinning rod, a small one tray tackle box, and a home made padded seat, along with an 8ft push pole. Here's his method: he launches his boat and always stays no more than 10ft from the shoreline. He makes long cast in front of his boat, with only two baits, a lightweight tube, or a straight tail plastic worm. When his bait hits the water, he starts a slow steady retrieve, keeping his bait high in the water, close to shoreline cover. When his bait reaches anything different along the shoreline, he kills the retrieve, and let's the bait fall. As the bait is falling, he gives the butt of his rod a light tap. This is when he gets almost all the strikes. He said he feels that the push pole is better than rowing, and he insists on a quiet presentation. He originally started fishing this way with plastic grubs many years ago. When tube baits became popular, he switched to tubes for the slow, deadly falling action. He catches scores of fish each season with this method, and, has caught some big fish over the years. The basics to his fishing are things many of us know. 1. There's always some fish hanging around shallow shoreline cover. 2. Bass love to get under a falling, wounded food source, and attack from below. 3. A quiet approach works best around shallow cover. Shallow fish are easily spooked. 4. Probably the most important for JPs style, bass always relate to something different, even the smallest change in cover. JP probably outfishes me every season with his simple style. Thought I might put this out there. He catches a lot of bass each year. He's come up with a method that works perfectly for him, based on old bass fishing principles which still hold true. I'm glad I got to meet JP. Sometimes, in the high tech world our sport has become, it's good to be reminded of the basics.

Don't worry Mike. These things happen. I'm the same way. Slowly becoming an old fuddy-dud. My wife teases me about it I'm all the time...

This for me also. Up to 10lb on spinning reels, over 10lb for bait casting.

I've had good luck with Owner screwlock heads, and SK standard style. I lean to 1/8, 3/16, and occasionally 3/8 sizes.

Either rod would probably work well. For a reel, I'd choose a Shimano Nasci, or Shimano Sahara, size 2500. If you like a reel with an AR switch, both Lew's and Diawa make good ones in this price range.

It's been said on BR, pack less, catch more. There's really no need to haul a bunch of stuff that probably won't work. Keep it simple, and carry the baits that work best, depending on the time of year.

I've done best with a limber mono on spinning reels, and stiffer on casting reels.

Purple and grape are my two best colors, so I usually keep some flake colors tf these on hand. I like silver or gold flakes with these two colors

Well, New Years Eve is coming up on Friday night. There's a good cafe near us that has some fresh walleye brought in from Wisconsin each year. They serve a good fish dinner. My wife and I will go up there around 5:30 or 6:00, have dinner, then head back home and find a good movie to watch. That's the extent of our New Years fun. I'm not a big party guy, and New Years can be a bad night to be out running around. It's been this way for us for a long time. New years is important,but, at my age it's just another day. For those that are going out to celebrate, please be careful. Get someone to drive for you, and play it safe. My New Years resolution is the same every year: Catch more and bigger bass. In 2022, I plan on making that happen.

I would also take along a light line outfit to throw some smaller baits if need be.

Catt, I'm really glad I've gotten to know you here through BR. What you've gone through is rough. I think it was JFK who said" it takes a certain amount of toughness to make it through each day". Hang in there friend, you'll get through these hard times. And merry Christmas to you and your family. Hoping 2022 is a much better year in every way.

Merry Christmas to all BR members!

Years ago, when pork rind was popular, it was called a jig and eel. Now, just a jig and craw.

Happy Holidays to all here on BR. And best of luck in the coming new year.