papajoe222

Wacky rigging isn't a presentation that will maximize your time on the water, but doing what you mention will reduce the amount of time spent re-rigging

You may be able to pick up one or two released fish, but I'd concentrate on getting a decent limit first. If you were able to pre-fish, stick with the areas you targeted. At the very least, start in an area that meets the basics for the time of year, water temp. and forage base and go from there. Those released fish may stick around, but the ones that do will act like spawned out females. Look for the more active ones out off the first main structure break.

I have to laugh. I'm red/green color blind and after over forty years together my wife still tells me to check out the fall colors or to get her purple scarf for her.I served in the army for three years and spent time as a FO because I could pick out camouflage so easily. Spent 35 years driving a truck and plenty of that was waiting for a red light to change to WHITE

Welcome. You don't list your location in your profile, but I'm guessing you live up north. The reason I say that is topwaters baits don't really start producing until after the females have spawned. Not that they won't, there are just better presentations then. Bass guarding their beds will often slap at one but not take it in their mouth. Chances are the fish haven't spawned out yet. Don't give up on topwaters. They are without a doubt, the most exciting way to catch fish. Time of day and overcast skies can be beneficial, but I've caught literally hundreds of bass mid day. The best advice I can give you is to vary your retrieve until you find the way the fish prefer it. You can throw the right bait in the right place at the right time and have the fish ignore it until you find the right retrieve speed. That fact goes for any bait, not just topwaters.

Welcome. I assume you are proficient at skipping jigs and this is just a concern with this new combo. I doubt whether the micro guides are making the difference. I too would suspect the stiffness of the rod as being the culprit.

I just did a review on the Pinnacle Producer LTE. Check it out. You can pick up one for $70 shipped to your door on that auction site. Add it to an existing rod, or pick up a a rod in the $40 range and you're in the game with good equipment.

I was finally able to put this little gem through it's paces a few times this week and I have to say, I'm impressed. I purchased my PD10LTE after reading Road Warior's article. For only $89.99 suggested retail, I figured I couldn't go wrong. Just the features alone warrant a look; Weighing only 5.75oz. it has 9 bearings, a machined aluminum spool, precision gearing, high performance drag along with a swept aluminum handle and star drag. One of the things that impressed me when I opened the box was the easy open side plate. No buttons to push or screws to loosen, just a slight downward turn on the side plate and the spool is accessed. The tolerances were what I'd expect from a reel costing twice as much. Not just the spool to side plate, but the internal gearing as well. No slack anywhere. As Kent had said, it's tight and I'll add that it's also smooth. The spool is supported by three bearings. Bottom line here is the reel's performance and it exceeded my expectations. Not knowing the price tag I would have guessed it to be out of my price range. Knowing I can have another for under $100, I believe I will.

One of two things is happening; they're either in pre or post spawn mode and from Bluebasser's response and a quick water temp. check, I'd venture a guess at the latter. Either way, check out the first drop to deeper water out from the spawning area and remember that deeper is realitive to your waters. A quick change in depth is what to look for. Post spawners are tough to entice a bite from as they are resting up, but the still must eat. Slow and small is the way I tempt them and I find that they will suspend out and off the breakline rather than tight to the bottom. Get your drop shot out and adjust the length until you find how far off the bottom they are as you'll need to put your offering right in front of them.

You mentioned that you remove the split ring on your cranks when using a snap (I'm assuming that's what you meant) and I do the same. Does anyone use a snap and connect it to the split ring?

What iabass8 said. This is a killer presentation I use with a 1/2oz. jig and Kalin's Lunker Grub from late Aug. through Sept. I've also used a similar retrieve with RedEye Shads up in Wisconsin for smalliess. The only difference is how aggressive I hop it. True stroking involves an aggressive upswing of the rod almost like setting the hook. Another benefit to this style of presenting a jig is that, because the jig only sits on the bottom for a very short time, the fish don't get a close look at it before it shoots up again. I've gotten many strikes on the upward movement of the jig just as it begins to rise. No need to set the hook as I just continue the upswing.

I recently had surgery to correct trigger thumb and carpal tunnel syndrome. If I don't stretch my wrist and forearm occasionally while fishing, the pain will momentarily return. My guess is you recently started feeling the discomfort. You can ignore it, sell the Fenwick, or see a Dr. before it gets worse and you end up needing surgery and missing out on 8-10 weeks of fishing.

It's likely been asked before (probably by yours truly), but how do you work a Lucky 13? By looking at it, one would think it's a chugger type topwater and that's the way I've worked it, but the only fish I've been able to get any response from have hit when I was reeling at the end of a cast. Is that just a fast way of working it, or what?

I would too, if they were paying me to. The fact that a celebrity or a pro endorses something, doesn't mean it's better. I've seen sponsored tournament anglers use baits, rods and line that weren't their sponsor's because winning was more important at the time.

You should have checked out the Zane with 580G green lenses. Too late now. Seeing as those are the only two options, I'd go with the Bronze. They'll give you more contrast than either the grey or gold. Use the black (grey) for bright conditions and the bronze for cloudy or overcast conditions. The bronze are also great lenses for driving.

If there is any type of shade, use it to your advantage. A single tree on shore at 4;00 in the afternoon will cast a shadow long enough to extend over the water. You'd be surprised how many fish the shadow of an isolated tree will hold. If there is a breeze, use that to your advantage. A slight chop on the water will reduce visibility enough that the fish won't spook as easily and it will move the food chain to the windward side of the pond. The lack of cover is a good thing, bad thing. It doesn't give the fish a place of security or an ambush spot, but it multiplies those qualities for the slightest little cover that does exist. Small baits, light line and stealth are all beneficial to your success. Use smaller versions of lures you have confidence in (4in. vs. 6in. stick worm, etc.). If your reel came with more than one spool or if you own more than one combo, spool that other one with lighter line, or thinner diameter line. Wear clothing that doesn't make you stand out from your surroundings and approach the shoreline slowly and steadily. Sudden or quick movements will spook fish that have no where to hide. Mid day fishing is often the best time of day for catching the biggest fish in the area. Put the odds in your favor and enjoy.

If you want a quality pair of comfortable sunglasses, you're going to need to spend some money. The good news is you can find something for considerably less than $150, you just need to put some time into your search. I found a pair of WileyX polarized for $50 new and that included shipping. Check out places like E Cop and sportsmanship guide. They often run specials on close outs.

What are you asking about, style, size or brand?

I've only been out a couple of times recently as the season just opened in Wisconsin. Suspending cranks and tubes getting most of the smallie action there. Here in Illinois, water temps. are about what you're experiencing. The male largemouth are on beds, but the few females I've caught have been staging out deeper and were still full of eggs. I'm guessing they'll be moving up shortly. The males have been hitting PopR's and 4in. stick worms on a 1/16 oz. jig head and the females were all taken on a 1/4oz. short arm spinnerbait with a single willow blade and a curly tail grub trailer on the fall.

I use EWG hooks for my T-rigs and straight shank worm hooks for flipping and pitching, basically whenever I want the added advantage you get when using a snell knot and bullet weight. I just started using that knot in those situations and I'm very happy with the solid hook ups I get on the majority of hits.

My first tourney was a big bass rollover at my local club (the club owns a series of strip pits), biggest bass over 5lb. wins. No 5lb. fish and the purse rolls over until the next week. Fish that size are rare in those waters, though there are some 7lb.+. Anyway, on the 5th week, I tied into a monster and was within earshot of two other boats. I started trash talking as I reeled her in. About a minute into the fight I realized it wasn't a bass by the way it was fighting. I did everything in an attempt to loose that 8lb. drum, but she wouldn't come unbuttoned. I was the brunt of a ton of ribbing at weigh in and for quite a while after.

I think you feel a cold coming on. Isn't that what sick days are for?

I can only relate to my own experience. I worked 60hrs. a week and was still able to spend my week-ends and a few hours during the week on the water. I moved closer to my job. Yard work and 'honey do's' we done immediately when I got home. If my daughter had a game that night, I'd sacrifice an hour or two of sleep to attend. Lastly, I frequently included the family on my outings, or planned vacations that included some fishing time. Funny thing is, now that I'm retired I don't think I'm getting much more time on the water than I did then.

I'm guessing there are no other lodging options. I had this same thing happen to me for one of my yearly trips to northern Wisconsin. I ended up renting a boat from a place 30miles away and stayed at a one star motel for the first few days. A spot opened up at the resort a few days later and luckily the manager called to let me know. Be sure to ask about canceled bookings and/or last minute availability (some folks make reservations, but don't show). All may not be lost.

Welcome from a fellow Chicagoan. Glad to have you aboard and I look forward to your contributions here. It will be good to hear a young person's input as there are a lot of old geezers here. What high school did you attend? I wish they had fishing clubs when I was in school.

You can get similar action to an internal jig by using an internal weight and then rigging the tube Texas style or skin hooking it. You could also rig a jig 'Stupid' style which is also a weedless rigging. As far as tubes go, most will get the job done. I would be concerned more with color than brand.