BrianMDTX

I was contemplating pulling the trigger on a Mojo Bass MHF baitcaster. Decisions, decisions...

I'm not doubting you, but I must be fishing them wrong, as Ned rigs don't seem to produce for me in the ponds I fish.

I just caught my first bass on a Fat IKA last weekend. I had been rigging them with a jig head and got squat. Not even a nibble. Decided to try it again rigged weightless with a 3/0 round offset hook. Had it tentacles down. I had several strikes and finally hooked a 1.5 lb’er. I’m going to rig it next tentacles up with a 3/0 EWG. It’s a fat body and the bigger gap should make it easier to rig.

Spankey, I have two BM. One on a Daiwa Aird-X MF and the other on a Aird-X MHF. Now, I’m sure if I swapped them out with a pair of $200-$300 baitcasting reels I’d notice a difference. Smoother retrieve, smoother and more positive drag, better braking system, etc. The only “better” BC reel I have is a Daiwa Fuego CT. The only major difference I find between them is the Fuego was easier to adjust the spool tension. Tighten it up, loosen until the spool just starts to tick and have a tiny bit of play and it’s set. The BM’s need readjustment if you change from lighter to heavier baits, which takes all of twenty seconds. IMO, the BM performs pretty well considering its price point. Less than $50.00 for a baitcasting reel? That actually works decently? I’ve only had them a year or less so I cannot make claims on longevity, but I’ve experienced nothing so far to give me any worries. I’ve caught a decent number of 4 and 5 lb bass with them on baits as diverse as topwaters, spinnerbaits, jigs, Texas rig worms, weightless Senko TR and I cannot complain. One is spooled with 10 lb YZH and the other with 12 lb Big Game. I’m pleased with them so far.

So is mine. I can always reel slower lol.

Same one I have on my Fenwick HMX HF- Fuego CT.

I used to have some round offset worm hooks where the point was pointed off to the side vs parallel with the shank. May have been Eagle Claws. They always seemed to give a solid hookset.

That’s great...if you have a boat lol. I have a small boat that, like a yak, isn’t very suitable for that process. I simply tie off a ball bearing swivel to a tree or fence post, tie on my line and run it out as far as I can, pull it tight and hold it for a few minutes, then untie at the swivel and reel it back on the spool through a towel sprayed down with KVD.

If you weightless Texas rig them, it will work (although I prefer 3/0 or 4/0). The 1/0 octopus circle is a much better hook for wacky rigs than a EWG.

For worms or stick baits with e diameter of a 5” Senko or less, I prefer round offset worm hooks. For larger diameters I step up to EWG hooks. Normally 3/0 or 4/0 depending on length. For 10”-12” worms, I’d use a 4/0; maybe a 5/0.

5” Senko. 1/0 octopus circle hook. Wacky rig. You may not catch a bass every time, but you will catch bass on that. Guaranteed. Cast it out. Let it sink on semi-slack line. If it stops before it hits bottom or you see the line running, lift the rod tip up 45° and reel it the line until the bass hooks itself. Let us know when you land Bass #1!

Marvin Hagler. Sugar Ray Leonard. Tommy Hearns. Roberto Duran. Man, I came of age watching these guys perform the sweet science. R.I.P. Marvin. No mas.

Ain’t that the truth. 7’ is about my limit. I have one HF rod that is 7’ 6” and it is a bear at times if I have to do what you described.

I cast with my right and reel with my left with spinning rigs. I cast with my right and reel with my right...and left...with baitcasters. I have both left and right retrieves.

None. They have hooks.

I can believe that. Bass are predators. They will focus on the easiest prey that present the least danger. A crayfish missing one or two pincers is less threatening than a healthy one who can defend itself. I may take a few craw baits and cut off one or two claws and see what happens.

Ok, so this isn’t a trophy lol. But...it is significant. I went back out this afternoon from the bank, with the intention of fishing either new baits, or ones that I’ve tried with no success. Was only out an hour and had several strikes but no hooksets. Until this guy. On a Fat IKA. The one bait I said I had basically given up one. Glad I tried it again!

Slow go this morning. Surprising as it was 63° at sunrise and about 75° when I made my last cast before noon. Tried a Whopper Plopper and a Megabass Popmax on top. WP was dead; got one swirl on the Popmax. Caught two dinks on a WR Senko #956 and two more on a Zoom Trick in watermelon red. Then I “caught” another bass that was latched onto the tail of the Trick that was a gigantic 2.5” long lol. He must have been seriously starving! Tried a Daiwa/GYBC Neko Macho Neko rigged and got nothing. Decided to try it weightless TR and that picked up the action. Caught three more. Nothing special but still a fun morning.

Cool pics.

We used to catch carp and had some local folks that would pay us $5.00 a fish. They also kept them alive a few days to flush them out. Said they soaked the filets in milk to remove the fishy taste.

If I pull up my 8 lb mushroom anchor and it’s laden with mud, I dunk it two or three times and 99% of the mud comes right off. It is what it is!

Welcome! I have trouble at times seeing while tying knots so I imagine it must be truly frustrating for you. Although most here prefer to use smaller diameter lines it may be advantageous for you to use heavier line that is larger in diameter to see it more clearly. Spincast reels tend to like bigger line anyway. Good luck and ask away. This site is a treasure trove of information!

lol. I caught my PB on an Eagle Claw #6 baitkeeper snelled hook. Turned out to be a stronger hook then I thought!

I think it’s got something to do with lifting the fish by the line! ?

I'm hoping to be out at first light tomorrow. Should be 63° at sunrise!