Black Hawk Basser

X 2 I also don't agree that flurocarbon line is so much less visible than mono. If it has a round shape, it still refracts light. Apparently it needs to be square to truly be "invisible".

I use that app too. Super easy.

I think that most of us over-think this. I try to focus more on what color is visible, but not too visible, according to the water clarity. I want the fish to be able to detect the bait, but not so much so that they can see it in enough detail to reject it.

I am also a jig maker. I can usually find great deals on eBay for hooks in 50 or 100 packs. I have found skirts in 25 packs, and pretty much everything else in bulk, too.

I'd say you're in the majority camp, especially for this time of year. I use jigs and plastics ~75% of the time. Early in the year I may be more inclined to throw a crank, before the weeds get thick. I try to throw spinnerbaits and chatter baits all summer, where I can get away with it. I'm a fan of fishing with moving baits, so that is my first choice if the waters allow.

It looks like we have the same kayak.

Those were some aggressive perch! Sometimes at my home lake they will blast an X Rap while I'm walleye fishing.

2004 Colorado that always contains at least 2 rods and a dozen Plano's. It is also my daily driver.

I've been using this one, in 5/0 mostly.

I use the belly weighted w/ a screw lock and they come through weeds really well. Even when they have a little veg hanging on, a good rip usually removes it.

Tom is correct - Take some of what you learn on here and anywhere else that you can, but take your time and you'll learn more from your experiences on the water.

I hadn't heard of this crew until people on this forum expressed their disapproval. You guys are giving them a ton of publicity! ?

I would get some soft plastic craw or creature style baits, some soft plastic straight tail worms, and a couple skirted bass jigs. Keep colors simple, mostly natural like green pumpkin, watermelon/red flake, or plain black or black/blue. Get some extra wide gap offset hooks for Texas rigging the soft plastics. 4/0 is a good all-around size that will work with almost any style and size of soft plastic bait. Definitely check out some videos on Texas rigging, and working a jig.

I don't see any issues with jigging from shore, aside from the possibility that the vegetation is so thick near-shore that you would have to pick a salad off the jig every time you need to cast again. That's the problem I have once it is around mid-June. If that is ever the case, then take A-Jay's suggestion with the skirted Texas rig.

I do prefer to fish alone. There are only two people that I really enjoy fishing with. One is my 5 year old boy. He is getting pretty good at dragging a Senko around, and doesn't mind playing for awhile once he's done with fishing. He lets dad get some more casts in before we head home. The other is my best friend. He is the only person I know who is as hardcore on bass as I am, so are always in agreement on the what/where/how of the trip each time out. In the last several years, I have gone fishing with 3-4 people that I had never gone with before. None of these outings were very enjoyable. A couple of them talked a big game, said they had all the tackle; then I find out that they want to use half my stuff because they weren't well equipped. They also both lost patience and gave up or wanted to change spots way before I would have wanted to. I don't have time for that. Quality time on the water is relatively rare for me, and I'm not about to waste my *possibly* one time a week trip with people who aren't up-front about their interest and skill level in the hobby.

I make my own baits because it's incredibly satisfying to catch fish on something I created. For the reasons you mentioned, it is not a money saver. There's always a desire to obtain more colors, sizes, etc, which obviously adds to the net cost of each bait. However, I've turned my fly tying into a decent little company that specializes in ice flies, so I am definitely "in the black" at this point. It has helped tremendously to obtain a commercial account with one of the major fly tying suppliers.

Through the ice, 90% of the time I use baits that I've made. I tie tungsten bead head ice flies, and sell them online. As far as bassin' goes, I make my own jigs with the Do-It Poisontail jig mold. I soon will be making my own chatter baits with that same mold. I also fish my own big hair jigs occasionally, mostly in the spring before vegetation renders them useless. I will definitely not be making a foray into pouring plastics, but I've considered it. I already have too many things going to get into that.

Only river smallmouth here for me. My all time best is a Bomber Square A (1 5/8") in firetiger.

I haven't used any worms yet, aside from the Senko types. I suspect that I'll be busting out the Zoom Ultra Vibes soon to do some slithering around grass mats. My favorite worm is a BPS 10" curly tail in a motor oil type color.

I think we all have the notion to "force feed" fish with what we want to catch them on, whether it be something new, or something that seems fun to fish. More often than not, staying with the basics as you did is the way to go.

I would try Gulp! 1" minnows. They are really durable, and should entice any panfish. Thread one onto a 1/32 oz jig, and suspend it 1-2 feet below a float, depending on the depth of the area you're fishing. You can always cut the head end off of the bait to make it even shorter, if 1" seems to be too large for the fish. It's key to use a very small float. That may be more important than the lure you're using. If your float is too big, you'll spook fish, and they will feel too much resistance on the bite; they will let go before your little ones can get a good hook set. Don't leave the Gulp! baits on the hook after fishing. They will dry out so hard that you'll have to cut them off the hook with scissors. And the bait will probably cause the hook to rust.

I have a load of Stick-O's that I bought as a kit years ago. I use them often and rarely have bought Senkos. I feel like they are just as durable as YUM. I've easily landed several fish with one BPS bait. I'd say I lose them to jumping bass more often than having to throw them in the trash.

Three to five different baits, most days. Most of my outings are 3-4 hours. I generally bring 4 rods, and don't change baits often while out. If I do, it's usually to refine color, not to use a completely different style.

I haven't gotten any "bigs" either this year, but I have gotten a good amount of healthy fish. And not many dinks either. I can't complain considering that I've logged considerably less hours on the water this year than most.

I'd keep the ML because it's fun as hell to catch bass on a ML ?