Biglittle8

Always fish a jig here, that and a wacky rig seem to save the day sometimes when the fish aren't biting well.

Fishing has been terrible lately. Tons of dinks. My biggest fish in a while has been in the 2.5lb range. I did lose two really nice fish right at the boat one day. The heat is killing me lately, it's in the 90's at 10am....I'm getting old I guess.

I miss Tim's ? don't have them where I'm at. In Raleigh today, fishing with my Grandson... Have to inquire.

Strong coffee... Strong coffee is my favorite.☕

I'd take 10 fish right about now, bite has been tough last couple of weeks here in N.C. I know what you mean when you say you threw the dinner table at em, same here lately. Nothing but dinky dinks on the last few outings. Anyway, nice fish! You've laid into a couple chunky fish lately! Nice!

That cat looks like this isn't his first rodeo.

Me too!

It seems the bigger popper I throw, the smaller the fish. So... I'm going back to a smaller popper to catch bigger fish. ? maybe that'll work!

I may be in the minority here, but I don't particularly try to "match the hatch" for me it's more about current conditions. ( Sun, wind, water clarity) Bass are vicious predators that will eat just about anything (see rat lure) when they're feeding. The Bluegillish colors seem to work better for me in clear water combined with overcast sky. Lighter shad colors seem to work better in sunny conditions. I also find that craw colors are effective in murky stirred up water especially when combined with sound and/or vibration... ie: chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. Sometimes, there are days when I don't think color plays as big of role as presentation. These are just my personal observations!

Welcome from N. C.

This☝️ having the hook back farther definitely helps my hook up ratio.

I remember an older gentleman named Pete, I was just fishing for whatever I could catch in the "Mighty Niagara River", I saw him hauling in smallie after smallie, he came over after a while and showed me what he was using... A green "Mister Twister"( he gave me one along with a jighead) fished SLOW with a steady rod twitch. I had no luck, so he proceeded to tell me about current and where to cast. I began to catch fish and everytime I went there I would look for him to learn what I could. I'm that older Gentleman now, I try to share knowledge and even tackle with young or inexperienced anglers. Needless to say, Pete left a lasting impression on me.

Welcome From N.C.

If someone is in a spot I wanna fish...oh well, I go to plan"B" first come first served. Lack of preparation for this kind of thing is lack of planning on my part. I certainly wouldn't move in and crowd someone although, it's happened to me before. I've had boats jump right in front of me even when they see I'm fishing in that direction. Good way to have a confrontation on the water.

I'm a porter or stout guy myself, you could float a drop-shot rig in some of the beer I like! But I keep some lighter stuff for the family when they visit.(I get mix and match at the store) they seem to like Sam Adams Porch Rocker.(Radler...I think?) Can't go wrong with anything Sam Adams. I find Labatts Blue to be very refreshing, but it's a pilsner.

Use the most expensive lure you have, they will crush it... Literally. Seriously though, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, lipless cranks and jerkbaits have all been effective Pickerel baits for me, all while not even fishing for Pickerel. ?

Skunk family reunion... Good for business.

Funny how that works!

☝️This has been my experience also. I will throw a chatterbait just short of the weedline, if I get hit it will be as soon as it hits the water or a crank or two after. You have to be willing to toss a bunch of casts sometimes. That being said, if I'm in danger of getting skunked, I break out the Wacky rig.

A couple days of fishing, one in the boat and one pond hopping. My friend and I caught a couple in the boat, windy and hot. Water temps high. Found fish suspended over deep water. Still busting the shad hard. Caught mine on a Siebert "Orange Twist" spinnerbait, friends was on a wacky senko. Small pond fish were on a Texas Eye rigged with a X-Zone finesse worm in Southern Sip color. While pond fishing, I was constantly badgered by a new gator in town, he wasn't even the least bit scared of me. I hope someone isn't feeding him.

I've had good luck with orange when bass are busting shad. It gets noticed when you throw it in the middle of a ball of bait.

I have the 703SF, I love it! Great rod for Wacky, drop-shot and Carolina rigs.

Nice!

Have you tried a Carolina rig yet? Also, a drop shot. These rigs work great for fishing on the bottom. If you are trying to target a specific depth not necessarily on the bottom, try diving crankbaits like the DT series (DT= Dives to) or a lipless crankbait such as a Rat-L Trap. Swim jigs or spoons can also be effective. As far as Texas rig, more weight, let it fall. You can count it down. Sometimes I'll use a weight(split shot or something) about 2ft up from the rig to get a little more fall and a different look.

Welcome from N.C.