BrianMDTX

I do a lot of that. I have a lot of tree limbs that overhang the water. I’ll fish topwaters near that first. Then weightless TR and WR underneath. Later I’ll work a Texas rig deep, along with squarebills.

Depending on the size of the pond, you may be surprised what you may catch in the middle. I’ve caught a couple of 5+ lb. bass dragging a Texas rig from the middle towards the bank, that got inhaled out in the middle.

My kinda thread! MH/F baitcaster: 1/8 oz. tungsten bullet weight; Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG 9” Mann’s Jelly Worm TR MH/F baitcaster: Gamakutsu 4/0 EWG hook Daiwa Neko Macho TR MF spinning: Gamakatsu 1/0 circle octopus hook 5” Senko WR with O-ring MXF spinning: Gamakatsu 3/0 EWG hook Zoom Trick TR MLXF spinning: VMC weedless Neko hook 5” Senko Neko Rig or Gamakatsu 1 drop shot hook 3/16 oz. Lazer Sharp drop shot weight 4” Senko

Best Senko (TR or WR) Zoom Trick TR Neko Macho TR or Neko rig Worst Chatterbait (zero catches) Tubes (zero catches) Frogs (zero catches) Honorable Mentions: Mann’s Jelly Worm TR Fat IKA Squarebills Jerkbaits Whopper Plopper Zara Spook PopMax Dishonorable Mention Jigs (one catch) Flukes (one catch) Up-n-comer Spinnerbait (only two catches before this year; caught two bass and a big cat on them in 2022)

Great thread. I don’t have true “high end” reels. My “best” baitcasters are a Tatula 100 and a Fuego CT. I have two Abu Garcia Black Max’s. I can bomb cast a Zara Spook on my Black Max (in my opinion) quite a bit farther than either of those Daiwas. I like them all. But truth be told, if I had nothing but Black Max’s, I would not lose a wink of sleep. Yeah, the drag and brake adjustments are more positive on the Daiwas, but it’s never been an issue as far as casting and fighting fish are concerned. If I’m going to spend $$$, I’d rather invest it in rods. I like my Aird-X’s, but not like my Dobyns Fury or Falcon Lowrider.

I like my St. Croix Bass-X ML/XF for weightless TR with Zoom Tricks and 4” Senkos, as well as with lightweight Ned rigs.

I usually start with a Whopper Plopper, Zara Spook or PopMax. If no topwater action, or the bite dies down, I may switch over to many different baits. But I will normally start with topwaters.

How about the Angelique Pettyjon silver with outsized trebles?

5” Senko Gamakatsu 1/0 circle octopus hook 20 lb. braid (Seaguar Smackdown or Sufix 832); 8 lb. mono leader MF spinning rod; 2500 reel

I use a MLXF, MF and MHF rods with Senkos, depending on presentation and cover. If I had to pare it down to one only, I would likely choose the MF with 20 lb. Seguar Smackdown and 8 lb. leader.

I have two BM reels and I’ve never had an issue adjusting the drag. If you’ve turned the star as loose as it will go and still can’t pull line, you’ve got an internal issue. Just make sure you are adjusting it looser and not tighter.

Well…they work! I’ll try a lot of new baits. Some catch bass better than others. And I’m always trying new ones. But it’s hard to beat a Senko if you want to catch bass. Whether wacky rig, Texas rig, Neko rig or drop shot, I know I’ll catch something!

If I’m being honest? 1-5: Senko 6: Zoom Trick 7: Mann’s Jelly Worm 8: Neko Macho 9: Whopper Plopper 10: Senko

The Susky is more like rocks with some water than water with some rocks.

Most likely some sort of anti-erosion mat.

I think WOW about sums it up! Three toads on a toad!

Bass fishing will begin with the lirpa. If no bass, fishing will continue with the ahn voon (Vulcans have some bad ass lures!

I’d say the opposite. Fishing puts me in the right state of mind. No calls. No texts. No TV. No annoying conversations. No distractions. Just me, my rigs, my boat (unless bank fishing), the water, and bass. I can think an hour has passed and it’s been 4 hours. Nothing beats being out in the natural world for peace of mind.

I’m kinda with you there. Although I do have 10 lb. Big Game on 2 baitcasters lol. I just feel it’s much simpler to cast small, lightweight baits with a spinning rig than with a baitcaster. Especially if distances are short and in hard to reach places. I can flick a weightless Zoom Trick up and out and it will have enough slack line to sink straight without stripping line off the spool. It’s easy peasy.

Welcome!

Nice musky!

Let me see if I can quote this from memory. “If ever I meet one of you Texas waddies who ain't drunk water from a hoofprint, I think I'll shake their hand or buy 'em a Daniel Webster see-gar! How long you boys down there been mounted on sheep?” Oops! I posted before I read the rest. True Grit is chock full of great quotes!

On my boat, I normally carry three baitcasters and two spinning rigs. I will always have a M/F or ML/XF set up for casting a weightless Senko TR (or a Zoom Trick or Mag 2). I used to have a M/F set up with a wacky rig all the time, but lately the ol’ reliable WR ain’t been all that reliable.

My favorite June bait is any that catch bass. And that can change daily. Three days ago it was a spinnerbait. Last two days it was a weightless Senko TR. I think the bass tell me more than I tell them! ?

“Dammit, Jim! I’m a doctor, not a bass angler!”