Black Hawk Basser

Buzz toads, because they seem to garner some of the most violent explosions. Close 2nd would be cranking for river smallmouth; the way they fight in current is so much fun. Honorable mention goes to bottom fishing big chunks of cutbait for cats. Watching your line take off and knowing it's a nice fish while anticipating the hookset is a thrill.

I swear that they use vasoline to lube reels out of the factory. I always clean them and apply Quantum Hot Sauce.

My initial thoughts were to use things that "thump". I guess I wasn't too far off.

Thanks for helping me game plan. I'll be reporting back!

Some of my favorites anyway. ?

Those would be farm pond bass slayers for sure.

I have quite a few opportunities to get out from about 4 am - 6 am. I am very familiar with fishing at dawn/first light. I haven't done much bass fishing in the dark. What do you use when it's pitch black out there, and how do you work it? I will be fishing on shore.

There's a pretty good mixture of fishing alone and with a partner for me. I'd say I do fish alone the majority of the time, because I often go on a whim without anything preconceived. Usually some spicy looking weather draws me out. I also go to some places deep into the sticks where a lot of my casual fisherman friends aren't too keen about. It's nice to have a friend there with another bait in the water to figure out a pattern; but with the limited time I have in my busy schedule, it's hard to coordinate with others who are also busy.

I realize back orders will happen. There has just been a lot more than one would expect. Yes, Fuji guides for one, but also lots of reel seats and some blanks. It wouldn't be a big deal to wait for some things, but you get totally hosed on the shipping if you decide to make another small order to substitute what you didn't receive just to move along with builds. It's been frustrating thus far due to this. We will check out your suggestion. Thank you!

One thing I do to feel more is to place my index finger on the rod blank above the reel seat while dragging a jig or worm. Having just one digit on the blank rather than the reel seat makes a big difference in feeling more "ticks" on the line.

Try a jig/craw combo during the day, topwaters and spinnerbaits early and late. I also fish a small pond like yours and these are my best performers. You'll do well to use downsized lures in small ponds, at least for numbers. Still, don't be afraid to try big stuff too. And definitely learn the Texas rig - one of the bread and butter techniques for bass!

Back in April, my employer and I took the plunge into making custom rods for his bait/tackle store. We obtained a wholesale account with Mudhole. We have made 5 orders so far, and something we rely on receiving is backordered every time. Some stuff we're still waiting on from May. My question: What other options are out there for wholesale prices for rod building components? We'd like a one-stop source for all supplies, to cut down on shipping costs if possible.

Senkos, plastic craws, 4" tubes, small spinnerbaits, small shallow diving cranks, suspending jerk baits, hair jigs, 3" twisters. I really like natural colors like browns and baitfish patterns but wild stuff like Firetiger work also, at least where I fish. It's also a fairly clear river(in Iowa).

The only smallmouth fishing I can do here is in a fast little river. Being forced to choose one, I'm going with a Bomber Square A (1-5/8") in Firetiger. It is hands down the best producing bait for me, and always the first I will try.

I would fish all of the "skinny" water near and around the hole, square bill in any fast water, xraps or husky jerks where it's more slack(they spin out in lots of current). My vote for the deeper water would be a tube on a jig head.

Chin up, buddy. I had a very discouraging spell during pre-spawn, normally when I clean house in certain waters near me. I was really down on myself and my skills. I kept grinding, and finally had a few days with nice fish including a close-to-PB in June. As mentioned: It's been a weird year for weather, which I believe has made it more difficult, especially in spring. Also mentioned, slow it down. Maybe even plant your butt in a chair and force yourself to slowly fish a bottom oriented bait. In my local lake, docks(especially the big ones with 6+ boat hoists) are a life saver in the dead of summer, offering shade and food for bass, and making them easily accessible for the angler. Or, try the opposite, and be stupid aggressive with power baits like buzzers, spinners, flukes, and walking baits. Sometimes you gotta trigger that killer instinct!

Welcome! I'm a newcomer as well; I love kayak bassin too.

Power Pro is ok but I'd spend the extra couple bucks on Sufix 832. Vastly outperforms, IMO.

I use 15 lb or 20 lb Sufix 832, mostly because I use spinning tackle much more often than casting. I like to be able to use one rod for most techniques. The 15 lb 832 is only like 4 lb mono diameter, so it still casts like a dream.

I've never heard of anyone calling perch "junk fish". Now, I know a lot of walleye guys that share that opinion on bass, haha..

I'm really surprised by all the Power Pro recommendations. Not my cup of tea. I'd go with 30 lb 832.

I have one of these in light blue/white and I have not caught a thing on it. One of those things that I can't bring myself to bust out now when I have 10 other options that have worked.

IMO, one of the easiest lures to fish. Cast it out, and reel it in. The thump of the blades as you retrieve gives you confidence that it's doing it's thing; when you don't feel the thump anymore you've hung up on weeds or a bass has overtaken it and pushed it towards you, which often happens. When I fish them, I first try near the top of the water column before trying it deeper. For me, a moderate, steady retrieve fits the bill in most situations. I use a lot of 3 or 3.5" paddle tail plastics for trailers. Sounds weird, but I catch a lot of bass trolling spinnerbaits over weed tops in the summer.

Topwaters first! Whopper Plopper, Chug Bug, Sammy, frogs, flukes...a few of my favorites.

I know what I'm "supposed" to use for topwaters, but there's nothing more fun to me than doing battle with a ML rod. Maybe I lose a few more fish per year. Totally worth it.