t_bone_713

When fishing from a bank I've recently started doing 2 things: 1 - Minimize tackle. Seriously. Take less, catch more. I have my 1 or 2 confidence baits (Texas Rig Worm, Squarebill Crankbait) in a color or 2, no more, and one bait or lure I am really working on (spinnerbait) that's it. I use the first two to see if I can get some bites. If the day is slow I'll switch to the bait I'm learning. I work on casting, retrieves, etc. Maybe I'll catch a few fish and I'll have a new confidence bait! Who knows? 2. When I arrive at a spot I divide the water into 3 zones. Not 1, not 6, 3. The bank itself, 45 degrees from the bank, and 90 degrees from the bank. I'll start on the left bank with a worm, 5 good casts or so, working the nooks and crannies nice and slow. Switch to the right bank 5 good casts or so. Next the 45's, I'll pick up the square bill here 5 good casts a few fast retrieves, a few slow retrieves, etc. Switch to the other side, repeat. If I have nothing I pick up the worm again, 5 good casts at this 45, 5 good casts at that 45. Nice and slow. Finally, I pick the squarebill and attack the 90, 5 good casts, some fast some slow. Nothing? I Pick up the worm, 5 good casts. Nothing? Time to move to a new spot. I like switching back and forth because it breaks up the style and keeps me on my toes. Always thinking. Also notice I DIDN'T throw my treble hook baits down the immediate bank cause guess what really shines burning by banks and laydowns? The spinnerbait! (I also don't like losing crankbaits). If I haven't gotten anything after a good while then start practicing my new bait. This is what has worked for me and has kept me moving and working and learning. Eventually (I promise) patterns will develop. Pick up a texas rig and ONE hard lure to learn (do some research and pick the one you like just not topwater... yet...). Then when you get confident, pick up another lure but ONLY when you're confident. Someone once told me fishing is an upside down triangle. You start at the point and work your way into the wider base of knowledge and skills. Please don't make the mistake I did and try and learn 17 lures and baits all at once. Water color, wind conditions, cloud cover, off shore structure, did your dog poop before or after you went fishing. You'll get lost in the proverbial sauce and want to quit (I almost did, ask my post history). Stay focused and always learn something. Your PB is out there! All it takes is one.

We are open all year but we typically can "fish" from February through November if the weather holds. Water gets into the 50's in Late March. Tidewater VA Bass like 62* to 78* to start their spawn which can be late April to early June.

My goal every time I go out is to catch quantity because I believe if you catch quantity, quality will come. Bass fishing is tough in the Virginia Tidewater area especially from a bank, if I am thinking through the patterns and catching multiple fish it's a good day.

Said it once and I'll say it again. I would have never caught another fish if it weren't for BR.

Thanks for the replies! Yes I know skunks happen but my skunk last year was of epic proportions, like 10-15 ish trips long, and really beat up my confidence. If I get skunked now at least I have the mind set to learn from it! Thanks again everyone!

Good Morning, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone here at BR. Last fall I was down in the dumps and thinking about quitting. You all picked me up, gave me great advice, and most importantly instilled confidence in me. My first time out this spring, caught a dink but hey it's a fish! Next time out 2 or 3 dinks! Third trip out a NEW PB by an entire pound! 4.43 to 5.51! Since then I've consistently caught at least one fish a trip (knock on wood) and am completely loving the sport again. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all! Tight Lines, T

Great for the money: KVD 1.5 Squarebills Original Culprit Worms (7.5in?) Tequila Sunrise Owner 1/8oz Ultraheads Abu Garcia Black Max Baitcaster Ugly Stik Elite Casting Rods Yo Zuri Hybrid Line Berkley Big Game Pflueger President Spinning Reels Daiwa Aird-X Spinning and Casting Rods Expensive-ish but I just am in love: Dobyn's Fury Spinning and Casting Rods Lew's Speed Spool LFS Baitcaster Things I can't stand: REELS made by Daiwa (I love their rods though)

Typically I will tie an improved clinch knot directly to the spool then add about one full revolution of electrical tape with the tied line underneath it. Then out the guide, through the eyes so on an so forth.

5.51 lbs on a KVD squarebill 1.5 black back, pearl white belly, orange chin.

War Eagle would be my choice. If you want to go super bang for your buck, H&H Lures or the Walmart $1 ones.

Still have never caught a fish on a senko. Wacky, weightless, T-Rig, skunk city.

I see Strike King KVD Squarebills 1.5 for 4 dollars every now and again. Hey they catch fish.

I bought some big game to tie on to a new baitcaster to get the feel for it. Just out there getting some casts in focusing on how it the reel felt in my hand and bam!! new pb on a squarebill. So big game for sure!!!

You are wealth of knowledge my friend. Thank you for your time.

Thank you all for the replies! I appreciate everyone's time and effort!

The reason I ask is because I am going to learn myself by teaching someone brand new this spring and I want 100% accuracy. Your statement was my thought process exactly but now I am curious to see how much my traditional T-Rig actually weighs!! (1/8oz, 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu, and a soft plastic).

It's a simple one but a good winter discussion for beginners looking forward to next spring that I can't find a specific answer to. Do you pay attention to the lure rating of your rods? If so how closely? Why or why not? If a rod is rated for 1/4 oz would you throw a 1/8 (bullet weight) T Rig on it? Etc. Thank you for your time!

Thank you all for your time! I appreciate every single one of you!

Good Afternoon, Does anyone have any experience with Dobyn's Colt spinning rod? What are your thoughts? How is it's sensitivity for finesse presentation? https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Colt_Series_Spinning_Rods/descpage-DCSCR.html How does it compare to Fenwick Eagle? Which one is more sensitive? https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/fenwick-eagle-spinning-rod-15fenugl5ft6nl2pcrod/15fenugl5ft6nl2pcrod What about Shimano SLX? Same question for $20 dollars more. https://www.fishusa.com/Shimano-SLX-Spinning-Rod Or should I spend the extra $40 dollars on the "Renown" Dobyn's Fury? Catch Black Friday Sale? https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Fury_Casting_Rods/descpage-DFC.html Other rods I should pay attention to in the $70-$120 dollar range? I am a just picking fishing back up in my adult life. I have some bass and catfish experience as a kid and some topsail cat and red fish experience as an adult. This will be a 7' Medium Fast spinning rod that I will be using from the bank for Texas Rigs, Weightless, Wacky Rig, Mojo Rigs, and Shaky Heads, so sensitivity is key. Thank you for your time! PS - I am using RW's guide with a slight change in order to fit my needs. Next will be the MHF baitcaster in July and then finally the MM baitcaster for treble hooks Black Friday 2020. I have some $20 dollar spinning combos from big box stores now that I am learning on. )

Ok, noted thank you for your time my friend! Thank you!

Whoa, these are great! Thanks!

Thank you all for the responses! I appreciate your help!

Noted! Thank you SO very much for taking your precious time to help me. I am grateful!

If you had to give one type of moving lure to a absolute beginner. What would it be and why? Lipless, spinnerbait, swimjig, jerkbait? I know a lot of people will say Texas Rig but I'm looking specifically for a moving lure. I'm sorry if this question has been posted before but I'm new to this website and couldn't find my exact answer so please correct me if I am wrong. Also, thanks to everyone who pepped me up in my first post. I'm going to get out there this spring again but I'm going to bring my buddy who's completely new to learn with me. We can learn together!

That would be amazing!