Mobasser

I'm still liking WRBs controlled slack line method the best. I've had fish drop a t rig quickly if they feel resistance. Not all bass will do this, but some.

I was talking with a local tournament fisherman recently, about bottom fishing t rigs and weedless jigs with soft plastic baits. This makes up the bulk of my summer fishing. He told me he fishes a t rig with a constant tight line, never allowing any slack in the line. Immediately after he cast, when his bait hits bottom, he quickly reels all slack line, and, after each hop or drag of the bait he turns his reel to have a constant tight line. This method is counter to the way I was taught, and the way I've fished t rigs for a long time. I was taught years ago to leave a slight amount of slack in the line after each hop. Not much, but a little slack. I turn the reel handle just maybe half a turn, depending on the reel, and always have a little slack in my line this way. When I have fished t rigs with a tight line, some bass have picked up the bait, and spit it very quickly, feeling some resistance when they strike. I've done far better by having a small amount of slack line. When I feel a strike, I quickly take up the slack, and set the hook. His method may work well for him, but, I'm inclined to think a small amount of slack line will hook more fish overall. What are your ideas on this? Do you do better with a little slack, or a constant tight line with a t rig?

My fave 7.5 ribbon tail was always the Culprit. This sounds like a good buy on these Yum ribbon tail worms.

On one of my smaller lakes, I usually start with some type of faster moving bait. It always seems to work better in the spring or fall. In the heat of summer, most days I've got to fish the bottom very slowly to get any strikes from bass. And sometimes drop down in line size and bait size to get any fish interested.

I'm more enthusiastic now than I've ever been. Yes, I get excited about a quick bank trip or a longer boat trip. I love fishing

Yes. My dad and I watched Virgil every week. He was endorsed by Johnson, and caught a lot of fish on the Silver Minnow.

Beautiful dog A-Jay. She deserves a good home. I'm sure you'll see that she gets there.

Plastic worms, buzzbait, spook, popper.

It's a shame, and younger guys should be ashamed of not working. I retired not long ago. At the end, it was me at 63, two guys both in they're 50s, and one young guy from Michigan who worked with us for a year. Pay scale started at 17.00 per hr, with the potential to make 25 dollars per hr. But, if guys don't want to work, the pay doesn't matter. That's the problem. Nobody wants to work anymore. Not sure what will become of these guys, but at some point, they'll have to go to work. The longer they wait, the harder it will be for them.

I was 28 yrs old when I caught an 8lb 12oz bass. Now I'm 63. Still trying to top my old PB.

I'm 63, and still throw some older baits too. The thing is, most of the best designs in bass lures were created decades ago. It would be hard if not impossible to come up with a totally new unique bass lure. And, the older baits, cast into the right location, will still catch fish as they always did.

Yes

It has a large cupped face. Like a Hula Popper, it delivers a good BLOOP, when you work it as a popper. You can also chug it with shorter rod movements. Ditch Panda, you could sharpen or replace the hooks and still fish it. It will still catch bass

I have one I've had for probably 30 yrs. Mine is black shore minnow color. I think they stopped making these in the early 1990s. I don't remember seeing them. As I much after that. I actually still fished mine a little last year,but havnt thrown it this year. I'm not sure on any collectible value. You could see what they go for on E Bay. Cool old plug for sure.

Another thing is the type of bait your using. I've landed far more fish on single hook soft plastics, than crankbaits or lipless baits over the years. For me, lipless baits have been notorious for losing fish, regardless of cover type being fished. I still like and use them though, but I use a composite rod now- with a little tip flex.

Agree. Ideally, a powerful butt section, that tapers up to a slight tip flex in the top 10" to 15" of the rod would help land more fish. Rods like this are out there, but you've got to hunt for them. Kind of an old school type of rod. These days, everyone thinks a " tomatoe stake " is the best. I might add, I read a good article by Billy Westmoreland years ago. I distinctly remember the part on his rods. He said " my rods are light in weight, with power in the rear section, and a little tip flex, to help cast lighter baits, and play bigger fish. This was years ago, with mono line, mostly under 10lb strength. Much of this is lost in rod design now, because everyone thinks they need 60lb braid.

The trend for a long time has been xf, stiff rods, especially with bottom contact baits to increase strike detection. These rods are good for this, but there's a learning curve with these rod actions, as opposed to a rod with a slight tip flex. I don't know the percentage of fish landed on ultra stiff rods vs rods with a little tip flex. But, I believe more fish are probably landed with a little softer tip rod. Others have mentioned lighter line, and a more forgiving tip adds a cushion to help land fish on lighter line. But, I've lost fish on both styles of rods.

Both casting and spinning can work from the bank. It's personal choice, and which one you like.

Thanks Tom. Good info here.

This time of year, t rig plastic worms and craws, buzzbait Zara Spook or popper.

Not long ago, we lost our yellow lab, Lady. 12 yrs a loyal trusted friend, bank fishing companion, and all around great dog. We're still saddened when we think about all the good times this dog brought into our lives. I'm sorry for your loss. I understand the feeling.

Lots of rain in June, now hot, humid and drier than dirt...

I guess fishing in general.

One of these days, I'm going to make a dedicated smallmouth bass trip. With some of the smallmouth bass posted by A-Jay, J Francho, and others here, it's got me ready to go tangle with some bronzebacks. Maybe up north, somewhere that has some good smallmouth fishing, and some nice scenery also. It never hurts to daydream a little. What about others here? Do you have any " one of these days " ideas?

Shimano Sienna- 2500. Cost around 29.95