Fishingintheweeds

Nice! Yeah, have a lot of very weedy lakes here. I ran out at lunch to a different spot, a smaller pond, lots of very thick weeds, like you're describing. It was very windy and cloudy, sprinkling off and on...so, I kept it tied on. It came through everything great. I had a couple of short strikes as soon as it hit the water, once on the outer edge of the weeds and another off the end if a large tree that had fallen in...but still no fish! Today let me get a better feel for what I would want to do with one though. And the fact that in the right conditions, on the right spots, something hit it, was encouraging. Still came believe I'm the only non-new guy who hasn't caught anything on either though!

You're 100% correct. Over the total amount of time fishing, I would say it evens out, because I didn't start throwing chatterbaits until a few years ago. I think overall, I've lost confidence in it because any more, it just feels like casting practice. I've lost the faith and lost the mojo! I can't visualize what it's doing that would be attractive to fish or where I could possibly throw it. My conclusions are that I will never use them again, or have to really just go out again with nothing but spinners and figure it out or throw them until I catch something. I KNOW they work but my battle is with myself at this point. I try to tell myself what everyone else would about giving them a chance and finding the right times, etc. However, I am genuinely curious if anyone else ever had this struggle. Maybe all that time, as a little kid, watching Bill Dance catch tons of fish on spinnerbaits every Saturday morning just has had my expectations to high for the last 30+ years and when it didn't happen for me right away, it was too demoralizing??? the experience hasn't been totally negative though...yesterday, I started throwing them right into all the mess and cover I could find. That's usually been the first step to good learning for me...so, maybe it WILL happen one day!

I definitely have fished them in all conditions on multiple bodies of water...ha, ha, over many years! Normally, most of the times In able to get out to fish, my time is limited now. The trips are short. Usually if I've decided ahead of time to sacrifice the time to work on new techniques, I don't care as much about numbers as long as I feel that I'm figuring something out or learning. I went out today though, on a cloudy, windy day at a place I've seen fish and had bites. I guess my patience is short now! Ha, I was really just wondering if I am the only one...seems like maybe so! I've used any weight from 1/4 to 1/2 ounce, black, chartruese, white and chartruese, grey with white and kinda BG sparkles...all kinds of water. Maybe all I need to do is keep plugging away and get that one, first bite... I agree about using what works...funny thing today, I intentionally only took the buzz/spinnerbaits. Ha, I wasn't very impressed when I decided to just use what works and then realized I hadn't brought the jig after all! Usually, I'm just trying to figure out the right questions but I've got nothing on this one. Ha, ha...at this point, I'm just venting but still very open to suggestions. This is really just kinda comical to me, at this point.

Well, I went out for a bit today and started off with a buzzbait. Then, after making it around all of the "spots" with access to the water, I threw the spinner. It started off cloudy, and I didn't have a ton of time, so I figured I would try each. I have had fish on and seen fish at these spots, so I know that they're there. But the bits before were on a 4" craw, on a jig head, 3" craw jika rig, and shaky head worm. So, the 0 on the spinner/buzz, AGAIN, has led me to this post. I've caught more fish on chatterbaits than I have, anything else, general "plastics" maybe obviously more...maybe. But the spinner and buzz baits...I am still at 0. Bill Dance had me convinced that the spinnerbait is what you use to catch bass...because, of COURSE! But fast forward to adulthood, and look at all of the times and places I've tried them...and zeroed, it's almost to where I have ZERO interest in tying one on. Am I the last guy fishing who hasn't caught at least one fish on either of these? What's the secret? p.s. I lied. I did have a pike short me on a buzzbait one time. Ha, cool story!

Well, I went out for a bit today and started off with a buzzbait. Then, after making it around all of the "spots" with access to the water, I threw the spinner. It started off cloudy, and I didn't have a ton of time, so I figured I would try each. I have had fish on and seen fish at these spots, so I know that they're there. But the bits before were on a 4" craw, on a jig head, 3" craw jika rig, and shaky head worm. So, the 0 on the spinner/buzz, AGAIN, has led me to this post. I've caught more fish on chatterbaits than I have, anything else, general "plastics" maybe obviously more...maybe. But the spinner and buzz baits...I am still at 0. Bill Dance had me convinced that the spinnerbait is what you use to catch bass...because, of COURSE! But fast forward to adulthood, and look at all of the times and places I've tried them...and zeroed, it's almost to where I have ZERO interest in tying one on. Am I the last guy fishing who hasn't caught at least one fish on either of these? What's the secret? p.s. I lied. I did have a pike short me on a buzzbait one time. Ha, cool story!

Right. I'm certain that the rods I have now are probably 10 times better than the rods used by the very first, good jig fisherman...and he still caught the fish. Same for a lot of the baits. Since I've started back up a few years ago, I've already accumulated way more stuff, rods and reels than most sane people. So, I try to remind myself of the above on a regular basis. I guess that was what I was looking to read various opinions on, if the rod actually makes THAT much difference. Right now, the line on that rod is 50 lb braid. Mostly because I spend a lot of time chunking frogs with it and then, really whatever else isn't too light for that setup. Based on some of what I've read so far, I may try the jigs on another rod that already has lighter line on it. So, one thing by itself isn't the magic, the improvement comes from the combination of these things more than just the rod. And it sounds like a good place for me to start would be with lighter line and a lot more practice. Ha, until I started going down this rabbit hole, I'd never considered setting the hook on what's probably nothing, just in case. But this week, I can't count the number of times. I guess I gotta get one, or 100, like THAT before I know the difference between whatever that was...and all the ones that were nothing.

What is the best post about rod quality? I have two mh, but they're very different and the one I mostly throw the frogs on, is kind of a broom stick. I don't think there's a problem with the rod, it just might be better suited for something else. The length is good but it's heavy. I've thrown a 3/8-1/2 oz jig on it but the more I've done this, the more I've started to think that there's a lot I may be missing due to a lack of sensitivity.

So, you're saying that you didn't do anything different, other than deciding to set the hook now, at the times you felt resistance? As in, the things you felt didn't change, you just changed your behavior and began setting the hook on resistance? It seems like that would be the way...or how else would you know. Just to see. I'm asking now though because you're the only person I've seen whose said you did everything the same, all you did was set the hook more. And you found out it WASN'T just some vegetation or dragging over a rock, and you caught more fish. That's very straight forward. Ha, ha, I'm not sure if David P is still out there, 11 years later...but maybe? Has anyone else had this experience?

I think I've got the next right question...and maybe someone can help of this has been covered in the past, even though the answer may seem obvious. So, you know you are going to throw your jig (or whatever else. The jig seems like you would need to be more specific when looking for where) and look for big fish. Electronics be a big part of this for some and maybe not others. If you DO use them, what are you going to find (aside from being able to see exactly where the fish are)? If you don't use them, what is your approach to finding your targets? These answers seem obvious but I'm sure there must be some finer points that the rest of us may not have considered.

So, the consensus hearing a lot of different people's comments, seems to be that the ribbon tail is a finesse deal? Or maybe most. I guess I never though of a worm as that...but it makes sense. Especially if you work it slower. I've used them in a lot of situations and thrown them on and in all kinds of stuff but maybe, in spite of that, I have a short of dumbed-down way of thinking about them. Maybe it's good that I never really overthought them but I've almost never thought I wanted to throw a worm but needed to pick the exact right type. Color and size, yes...type, not so much.

Yes, but these threads are worth reading again. I appreciate everyone's feedback!

Thanks, Tom. On these long casts, to water that is 20+ feet deep, what size of weights and worms are you talking about? And for jigs? What about longer casts to water that is relatively the deepest, but maybe 10-12 feet, with dense vegetation? Based on your reply, it sounds like you prefer the worms over jigs, for longer, horizontal casts?

So, I guess the next obvious question for a lot of people, me also, no matter how many times I great the answers, might be, how DO you detect them or learn to get better at it? Maybe the first answer is time and practice and concentration...ha, it's the right answer but it also sounds frustratingly vague! But here is a thread on that, 3 pages worth. It's helpful and it leaves me looking back wondering which bites I missed. I guess the next question I have would be, Tom, what do you suggest as an alternative to jigs that would be most likely to attract the same fish as the jig? For the big worm and the swim bait, how do you rig them if you're really trying to target the big fish? Is there a rigging and retrieve for these baits (or whatever else you may prefer for bigger fish) that you find attracts larger fish?

Funny, I just made a post about this. The when's and why's for everybody and their preferences.

I know they still make them because they still catch fish...but I don't see many people talking about ribbon tail worms any more. I think when you start talking size, the reasons for change are a little more obvious. But when it comes to style, say in the 5-8/9" range, what does everyone prefer about one style over another? When do you choose a ribbon tail, or a trick worm, or a Senko, etc.?

So, I didn't intend to sound like a jerk about it in my previous comment...an update when things turn around would be interesting. I'd like to see what you figured out was wrong and then, what changed your luck. If you've bought the stuff, and gone 36 times...you're in. It's too late! You're not going to quit! Good luck.

I gotta agree. I can't imagine spending 70+ hours fishing and only catching 3 small bass. Especially, if you aren't bank-bound. But even if you are...whew! I think maybe there are better questions to ask that can improve your luck. I hope my post didn't jump the gun, as I haven't read every reply but learning the right questions to ask (yourself or others on here) is important and can help up your game pretty quickly.

More specifically, "Why??.............because!!" We often time over analize this stuff to the point of paralisis"... Most of us fish when we can. You can give yourself a headache or talk yourself into not going when maybe it's the only time you're going to have for a month. And because of what? Some stuff that seems like it could be true but nobody can actually prove and nobody knows why? I agree, the general patterns are good to know but if you're getting to the point where you let a weather report keep you from fishing (not including dangerous conditions), you need to put down the books and magazines, turn the internet off and go fishing!

Hmmm...I realty want to like this one too...I put number 1, inline hooks on mine and it still runs like you're describing. Since they're single hooks, I assume they weigh about the same or a little less than the trebles. I haven't thrown mine very much. No fish. Have you caught anything on yours yet?

I tell people the fish start biting good for me when the mosquitoes start. Not that the fish care if the mosquitoes are after me or not....

This is true.

I've missed jig bites that I KNEW I reacted slow on, because I wasn't paying close enough attention (and I've learned to pay better attention)...but is it REALLY possible that "we" are really missing that many?! But now, I will say, since I've really been focusing on working just jigs, I HAVE felt a couple of different times, where something just felt different, and a little off, from anything else I was expecting. I wondered then if I had just missed a fish...but what to do next? Before you reel back in and throw something weightless or smaller...at that point when you realize you may have just missed a fish, or it had picked up the jig but spit it out...what do you do? Hop it and leave it? Just kill it there? What has experience shown to be the best? Or, do these fish just not come back at all?

To me, the advantage is I can put plastics places that I can't put hard baits and I can keep them there longer.

All of this. For me, weekday afternoons or early mornings. I would also try to find spots where everyone else loses lures or is scared to throw them and learn how to fish those spots. Two of my favorites this year, are spots that are so overgrown that the average person doesn't know what to do. One of the places, along a river, has access to the water but the clearing are tight. Learn how to flip or pitch...whichever you want to call it, work on your accuracy and learn throw why and where to work the cover. Anyways, I rarely have any company at all at these places. Except for a bully doe...in the early afternoon. Twice. I know, I know...deer don't do that in the summer, right? Especially not a doe. But she did have two younger ones with her. The first time I didn't see them, the second time a few weeks later, they came out right after her. The worst part is, as I was taking the hint and leaving, she kept coming towards me! Ha, I could hardly believe it. But yeah, I like to pick spots that make people look at me funny when they walk by. I GET what you're saying...but you wade in SE Louisianna? Those alligators just ignore guys wading in the rivers or what? I can think of a hundred reasons you might say that it's really not that dangerous but whoooooo...no thank you!

Way back when, everyone was familiar with the popper and caught fish on them. So, what's so different about the $30 deals from the old standbys that we picked up from Wal-Mart after we threw our last one in a tree down at the pond when we were kids? A better question is probably not what the differences are but if those differences actually help catch more or bigger fish. They ARE pretty to look at and I've bought a few baitswhen I knew good and well what I was falling for. But when it comes to poppers, is there really a magic design that outfishes all of the others to the tune of $20-30?