DitchPanda

Alot of guys claim you need a fast action or extra fast to drive a big single hook home claiming they recommend a jig rod since its basically a jig hook your setting. Well the past few years I've used a Falcon Bucoo trap caster...a rod designed for lipless cranks...to throw my buzz baits and often times spinnerbaits or bladed jigs and have had great success with it. I think a key difference that guys aren't seeing is when jig and Trig fishing you usually have something impeding your hook set to some degree be it a brush guard or the plastic on the Trig. Moving baits don't really have that issue. I suspect alot of guys opinions would change on this if they checked hook points and learned how to use a file.

I have indeed known this person...as in past tense. I no longer have the time or desire to associate with people of that nature..my time is simply to valuable to me to be chasing after somebody and trying to gain there acceptance by letting them walk all over me. I've got 3 fishing buddies...1 I fish pan fish and wall eyes with and 2 that are bass guys. They are all good guys that don't flake out in me. Any time they have had to cancel I trust its been legit. It helps that I've known and been friends with all 3 between 10 and 15 years and also know them as people not just guys I sometimes fish with. That said I have no issue going alone in fact at times that's preferred. Being away from people to reflect and also recharge..even when its people you care about...is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.

So now strike king is subpar? Wow

Anybody tried the new bass x rods? Thoughts compared to the previous models? I'm particularly interested hearing about the spinning models..but any reviews are appreciated

Any recommendations? Looking to add something to the arsenal

I think bass are very opportunistic the majority of the time. If match the hatch was super important then you couldn't catch fish on white in a pond with no shad or green pumpkin in a pond with only shad. I'm not saying it never matters but more often than not if you throw a bait where fish are and present it the correct way they will strike it regardless of color. All that said if the predominant forage is crappie and bluegill then I'd think a shad pattern with black and silver mixed in and some form of green pumpkin should both produce.

I've got a buddy who just got into bass a few months ago..I've given him several swim jigs, crankbaits, a spinnerbait, a handful of poppers and a box of soft plastics.

Thank you for the responses. I have the iaconelli book and its not a bad read. Think ill pick up the Brewer slider book and track down the Michael Jones complete guide to finesse fishing.

Normally senko or fluke weightless but a light Ned rig will do in a pinch.

People that can't be happy for somebody who earned retirement is a sad person indeed. Its understandable to be jealous but angry or pissy is kind of pathetic. My Dad retired 3 years ago and my mom will probably do it next year...they have worked hard holding down jobs and raising kids and now grandkids my entire life. Good for them and good for you @Mobasser...your retirement means better quality of life for you and better quality of reading for us here. I'm 38 and have been working full time since 17...I've had a 401k since I was like 20-21 so I'm planning best I can for my future. Hopefully I get there...if not I guess it wasn't meant to be.

This is also how I feel. I'm not pro by any means but feel I'm above average...at least for my area. One of my favorite aspects of this whole thing is teaching new anglers and watching them get invested. I've got a buddy that I've known for 15 years that just got into bass fishing the past few months. He's fished his entire life but mostly for pan fish and catfish so he is amazed at how different bass fishing is. To say he is ate up with it is an understatement. Texting me basically everyday asking about rods, reels and tackle to buy...asking for suggestions on what to read and what YouTube guys to follow to learn new techniques. Just be a matter of time until he joins us here and starts hitting everybody up for info. Its pretty cool to see him all wound up...reminds me of why and how much I love it.

This year I've put alot of focus on getting better at finesse fishing...ned, wacky, light Texas rig etc. I've been primarily a power fisherman so I'm trying to get better at the whole light line small bait stuff. Anyway we are coming up on October fast so for me that means I may be down to my last 6-8 weeks of open water. So I'm looking for some finesse fishing books to read over the winter. Suggestions?

Spook and popper are both very good at times. Also a fluke worked basically on top on a light wire hook can be good. But a buzz bait is hands down the best for me. In fact its my favorite topwater period.

Fair enough!

Often wondered what keeps us bass guys going back. We spend alot of money on rods,reels,boats,trucks and baits...baits we often lose sooner than later...just to target fish we most often unhook and immediately throw back. For me the draw comes down to two things. First thing is the pursuit of big bass and looking for a new PB. Second and probably most importantly is im a natural problem solver. I like using logical detective skills to work thru the list of possibilities and put the puzzle together. Guess that's why im an operational plant tech 3 at a biorefinery-i like troubleshooting. So what is it for you? What keeps you coming back?

I think your guess is probably very close. But I'd say its probably very regional. Around me the majority of people I see fishing are targeting catfish,pan fish or walleye.

The fish just started biting here the last week. Our water temps never get that high here...maybe mid 80s...but the fishing still sucks when its like that. We had a very hot summer this year...we had July temps starting in June lasting until labor day with very few relief days.

What are some favorite worms on the slider heads?

Been researching slider fishing alot lately. Never done it but may give it a try. Anyway looking on TW I see several different Charlie Brewer head options, the owner ultra head bullet rig and I'm sure there are others. What is your preferred head for slider fishing?

I recently cleaned house so to speak on my soft plastics and gave a box with at $200-$300 worth of baits to my buddy whose just starting out. Since then I've bought 5 bags of craws...3-4 packs of TRDs...2 30pks of yum dingers and 5 bags of roboworms.

There is something that people aren't considering that I think is worth mentioning. Now first let me get out of the way the obvious: guys like Wheeler, Palaniuk, Clunn,KVD and many others are special. That said if a guy is a very skilled angler and an intelligent but not closed minded individual I think they could at least compete if they could financially swing devoting themselves to doing it as a job. Dominate? Probably not. Only Wheeler can do that now.

Never had a brother but always wished I did. I feel for you buddy.

Looking forward to a detail heavy write up.

Yep...I quote him at work at least 5 times a week. I really started to appreciate his style and humor the past few years. Now he's gone. Total bummer.

I used to catch alot of Texas rig fish on a medium power ugly stick and big game mono. Stretch is highly exaggerated.