BrianMDTX

Have both. Use both. Like both. All I know is that I can skip a Senko under cover with my eyes closed on a spinning rig. I cannot do that on a baitcaster.

That IS a tank! Congrats!

I’ve never caught a muskie, but I’ve watched enough videos to see that “figure 8” maneuver works!

I used to cast a WR, let it fall, raise it and let it fall again, once, and reel it back to the boat. Then I started working it back and got bites. Sometimes more bites than on the initial cast. I read something on BR once that stuck with me. “The bass will let you know what they want”.

Agreed. I like a faster retrieve on soft plastics especially to reel in the slack quickly. I’d hate to fish squarebills and other crankbaits with that fast of a retrieve.

That’s a nice bass!

There ain’t too much Italian cuisine I don’t like (I’ll pass on scungilli). I love me some veal scallopini, piccata and saltimbocca.

I have normally used 12 lb. But I just started using 15 lb. Sunline Shooter Defier which is 013” vs .014” for 12 lb. Berkley Big Game. It’s great line (so far).

Same knot I use for EWG’s. An IC.

The Bait Monkey doth approve of your comment!

The best sharpener is a new hook!

I am not a fan of orange or white rods. I believe if one designs garish rods to make them stand out, their focus should lie elsewhere.

Ok, just watched @A-Jay video. I think that’s the ticket right there! I’m guess pegging the weight would work, too, but that Uni-knot is likely foolproof. Time to make the Bait Monkey happy!

Yeah, this one of about 40 community ponds. I’ve fished about 15 of them and this one is the best by far. 2020 and 2021 it was on fire. Caught my PB over 6 lbs. and several 5 lb’ers. Last year was a marked downturn and most were dinks. So far this year (and it’s early) it’s been mostly 1.5-2.5 lb bass. Which could be last year’s dinks. I’ve never tried fishing at night. I might give that a go.

Ok, to further clarify…I bet 75% of the bass I catch are on Texas rigs. Fished on the bottom. The bullet weight will get fouled at times, but nowhere near like a jig. Now, the head on the rig @A-Jay posted looks like it should be similar and would likely work. A-Jay, can you tell me the manufacturer and model of that head? FYI- I have tried swimming jigs but no success. These bass tend to eat right on top or on the bottom. About the only baits I’ve had success with outside those zones are jerkbaits and squarebills. But those fall short compared to soft plastics on the bottom.

Every time I try a jig, I spend half the time cleaning muck and algae off it. It’s not the hook, it’s the head. What’s the best head for algae? I’d really like to use jigs more. Especially if I can reduce the fouling.

Last week was very good. Today was D-E-A-D. Only two bass boated in 5 hours. Ugh. I had three strikes early on the X-Zone Adrenaline Craw, but all three did not hook up. Everything I tried was like poison to be avoided lol. Finally I decided to tie on a jig. Which is a rarity, as I pretty much have to clean gobs of muck and algae off after every cast. But I figured nothing else was working so why not? At least cleaning off the jig would give me something else to do. Only one hit, but it hooked up. A dink for sure, but a jig dink! I’ll take it! Only other bass of the day was this 1.5 lb’er off a Fat IKA. I love that bait. Gotta get some in different colors. It was a soft bite but detecting it was not an issue with that new Kistler Helium. What a nice rod!

Well, wouldn’t you know. I say the word dink and what’s the first bass I catch today? A dink! And on a jig and craw to boot!

I don’t know as they do appear very healthy and don’t show signs of being stunted. The only predators I’ve seen are herons (they frequent the pond) and once I saw an osprey. No gators in this pond. I’ve never seen anyone take fish but that’s not to say it’s never happened. This pond gets some pressure but it’s mostly casual anglers using live bait. There are quite a few catfish and bluegill which appears to be their primary target. Most of the “bass” anglers I see tend to not catch much, if any lol. I’d probably be in the same boat if it wasn’t for BR. I learned a heck of a lot on here that helped me catch bass I wouldn’t have years ago.

I’ve fished Lake Raven (not on their list, but it’s just north of Lake Conroe). But my small inflatable boat just won’t cut the mustard on big water. It’s definitely a small water craft for sure.

So I’ll start out by saying that, to me, any bass that’s 10” or under, or less than a lb., is a dink. So having said that, I’m puzzled that I have only caught one bass so far this year that I would classify as a dink. All the rest have been 1.5-2.5 lb’ers with a couple pushing 3 lbs. Which surprises me as last year I caught a lot of dinks. Mind you, I’m not complaining, but it makes me wonder if these are the dinks from last year or so, and if true, where’s the latest crop of dinks at? It’s a medium-sized pond that’s 100% C&R, and in ‘20 and ‘21 it was smokin’ hot, with several 5lb plus bass being landed, but last year was much slower and I didn’t hook a bass bigger than 3.5 lbs. Somedays it was a dinkfest all day long. I’m hoping this is a good sign but I’m not knowledgeable enough to know.

I always help. “Hey bud, there’s no fish here. Try Lake ****. It’s a much better place than this crappy lake! ? Just kidding. I always offer help if it appears they want it. It’s instant karma.

Chevy vs Ford Remington vs Winchester Shimano vs Daiwa Child’s play compared to Hoyt vs Mathews. Trust me on that. Cowboys vs Eagles fans ain’t got nuthin on Hoyt and Mathews fanboys!

Public Service Announcement This post is NOT Bait Monkey Approved. Please disregard this trash advice and continue to spend lavishly on new gear and tackle. Sincerely, The Bait Monkey

Thanks. Today taught me a valuable lesson. I decided to bring nothing but baitcasters today. On a whim, I tied on a 1/0 circle octopus hook to try fishing a wacky rig for the first time on a baitcaster. My second cast was the worst birds nest I’ve had in decades. So bad I let it be and dealt with it at home. A man’s got to know his limitations!