Mobasser

I'm sure I'm not the only one among BR members that's thought about this. If your fishing over very thick weeds, grass, pads, or any thick similar cover can a bass actually tell what your lure is trying to imitate? Now, we have frogs, mice, toads, rats, baby ducks, snakes and I'm sure a few more I havnt seen yet. Over the very thickest cover, do you think a fish can tell the difference between a white mouse, or a white frog? Do you think they can tell the difference between a baby duck lure or a rat lure moving across the surface? I'm not sure, but I believe they can't tell what these baits represent. They sense something moving slowly across the weeds, that moves like a food source, and quickly attack. I've never seen a bass eat a mouse off the surface, nor have I seen one eat a baby duck. I've never seen one eat a rat, and I can't recall ever seeing any rats on the surface , yet each year some big fish strike these baits. I'm convinced, that when casting these lures over the thickest weeds it may not matter what actual bait type that you throw. These strikes are true reaction strikes, and many times the fish probably don't know what they're actually striking at. These lures are popular for summer fishing, and just like all bass lures, are designed to sell. But, for a novice, I would choose maybe one mouse and one frog, and see which style works best for you. Either could work on any given day. I'm convinced that many times, the bait type may not matter very much. What's the consensus here? Agree or disagree?

I fish monofilament line on my spin rods. I would imagine my backcast looks a lot like someone using a braid/leader setup.

In the late 1960s, my older brother and I rowed around a 2 acre farm pond almost every evening. His favourite was a small, frog colored Bass O Reno. Mine was a black mid size Hula Popper. We always talked and argued about which one was better. One night after dinner my brother caught a 4lb bass on the Bass O Reno. That settled that argument. But, he was a much better fisherman than I was, older, and could cast better. I think both these old baits are still good.

My " timing " is best in hot summer, at sunup until around 11:00. Hot weather is usually easier to pattern bass and find the bite. Spring and fall are hit or miss. I like to fish shallow for about 1 HR when it's really hot, then check on deeper water areas to finish the trip.

Bill Lewis Rattletrap. 1/2 oz chrome

What's your favourite size spinning reel for bass fishing? Mine are mostly Shimano, and I like a 2500 size. In Phlueger reels, I like 35 size. The Diawas I've owned I like size 2000, and 2500. What everyone like as far as spinning reel size?

I'm not sure of the exact model, but Diawa makes a good underspin reel.

I remember seeing ads with Billy Westmoreland promoting this lure. One I always wanted but never found...

I'd choose a Shimano Calcutta. I'm used to round casting reels, and these are some of the best ever made.

Yes, Charlie Brewer was 100% right.

I would do this, but there's way too many weeds for a crankbait or much else. I'm almost forced to fish a t rig.

On one of the smaller lakes I fish, one of the most consistent fish catchers is a 4" plastic worm, fished as a light T rig. We've always been taught that if you can find the bait, the bass won't be far behind. I think this is true. The main forage are small bluegill here. The bass love them, and the bluegill love the plastic worms, or at least they think they do. The gills have taken a pop at the worms so many times, I can tell right away if it's a bass or a bluegill. With the bass, it's a " tap" , almost always on the fall, followed by a slow swim off. The bluegills, on the other hand, grab and run, then drop the bait. Some run a few feet, others drop it quickly. Others just peck at the worm with several small pecks, then move on. If you've made a cast, and your line tightens up real quickly, chances are it's a pesky bluegill. As kids, my brother and I would entertain ourselves on summer days, by dropping night crawlers off a dock, and watching the bluegill attack. Once one of them got a piece of the crawler, they all moved in for the kill, ripping the crawler to pieces. The crawlers never made it to the bottom. And, to top it off, the bluegill like the larger worms also. I dug out some old 8" Producto worms I had and they grab the tail and try to run off with these larger worms too. Pesky little guys, and, just part of summer worm fishing. But, the truth is there usually are a bass or two hanging around where these smaller gills are, waiting for the right opportunity to get a meal. I've found the forage, and the bass are close by. It usually just takes ignoring the bluegill for a bit, before a bass strikes. If you can learn to tell the difference in these types of strikes, I think you'll catch more bass. What's everyone think here?

Happy father's day to all the fishing dads here on BR. Hope everyone has a good one!

Catt, very true!

Soft plastics are my favourite types of lures, and I'm sure many here on BR would say the same. Some may work better for any number of reasons, color, shape, bait type, etc,. But all will and can be good. In forty years of bass fishing, a simple plastic worm has caught me more bass than all other bait styles combined. I've used many styles and brands over the years. Some of the best were Manns, Culprit, Zoom, and Ditto. But, the little Lucky Strike worms from Wal Mart also work too. Try a few different brands or styles. You really don't need a huge amount. Good Luck!

I bank fish a small lake 2 or 3 times a week in the evenings. What's worked for me is to fan cast from left to right and cover the water. You could also downsize your line/baits. A Zoom finesse worm or similar has been good. Fish slowly. Good luck!

I recently talked with a store manager of a popular sporting goods store I've shopped at for years. He told me that the trend in bright colored rods and Reels was starting to fade out. He said" expect to see fewer lime green, orange, yellows and other bright colors on many of the newer rods and reels coming in". He also said that Shimano, with the new Vanford reels is leading the way here. Dark colors and not too flashy. Personally, I'm kind of relieved. I've always kind of preferred more traditional looking rods and reels, but, all of them will catch fish, and if you like the bright colors that's your choice. If any of this is true, we should expect to see more toned down colors on tackle next year. For many, it may not matter at all, just thought I'd throw this out there. Any thoughts or opinions? We'll have to wait and see....

You can buy a small tool that looks like a tweezer, but has a small punch to open the eyes on painted jigs. You could clean out several before your trip, and not worry about it while your on the water.

What's the deepest water that you've ever had a bass strike a Spook, or similar walking bait? So far, mine was 16ft. Sometimes, over some clear or partially clear water, bass will shoot up and strike a Spook from some deeper water. I learned this year's ago before I ever had a boat while bank fishing. Making long cast out to the middle of a large cove, I got a hard strike on a frog colored Zara Spook. Later, when I got my first locator, we marked this spot at roughly 16ft. Ever since then, I always make a few cast over deeper areas when I'm fishing a Spook. What would you estimate the deepest water you've had a bass hit a walking bait?

Fenwick HMG med spin

Hot melt glue. This way, you can reheat it and replace it again if you need to

Two years ago, I bought two new rods from a company called All Pro in Arkansas. I paid 50.00 each for 1 6'6med hvy casting, and one 6' med spinning. They originally sold for 150.00 dollars each. They've been great rods so far. It pays to look around for sales. I bought two Shimano Sienna size 1000 spin reels for crappie fishing seven years ago. My wife uses one of them. They're both still working good. I just think that with ANY rods/reels keeping them clean and lubed up makes them last a long time. I use some older stuff also. ABU Zebco Cardinal 4- a tank. ABU 4600c , over 20 yrs old, and ABU5500c probably 25 yrs old. Another great value are clean Japanese made Shimano spinning reels from the 1980s. The Custom X models are especially good. If you can't afford all the latest or best- don't sweat it. You can still catch plenty of bass.

Robert, there are so many good topwaters for bass fishing. You might type in " topwater" in the search bar here on BR. Loads of good info on topwater fishing. Good Luck!

I have some newer nicer rods now, but over the years I've used several Berkley rods, a Diawa Laguna spinning reel, Phlueger, and lower end Shimano spin reels. They've all actually worked good.

I don't use sqaurebill a lot anymore due to weeds and moss. My #1 for numbers is a Zoom finesse worm on a light T rig, or a Charlie Brewer Slider head.