Biglittle8

Water snake? Where's Tnriver when you need him!

Last winter I fished a weed bed in the middle of a pond I frequent and pulled out 3 fish over 5lbs on three consecutive days. You can't see the weeds from shore, but I have fished it so much I know where the boundaries of it are. I never got more than one fish a day out of it, all in cold weather ripping the same"Diamond Dust" Ratl-Trap through it.

Welcome from N.C.

3/8... But I use a smaller trailer like a paca chunk. Sweep your rod back slowly then reel. I fish the same kind of waters your describing and it takes a little practice... You'll still get weeds sometimes, but not as often. Again, practice. Try casting just short of the heavy stuff.

Went out for a couple hrs. Between downpours, picked up a couple on chatterbaits.

I use a chatterbait a lot in all types of situations. The situation you are describing, is perfect for a chatterbait (3-4 ft of water above the weeds) you should have no trouble keeping a chatterbait above the weeds in those conditions. Either cast to the edges of the lilly pads or cast parallel with them if possible. When I cast to grass or weeds, I get the bait moving as soon as it hits the water. (You can slowly sweep your rod back before reeling) If you are running it through a weed bed just rip it through. Sometimes this will cause a strike. As far as weeds stopping the blade, I try to jerk the rod back to clear it, but the best method is to avoid this situation by getting and keeping the lure moving. I personally have never caught a fish on a chatterbait clogged with weeds. Some people will fish this lure slow, I fish it relatively fast almost all the time and have had excellent luck.

I never get tired of seeing that fish! Wow!

The last few days have been rough for bigger fish, but I've caught plenty of dinks! The new Siebert spinnerbaits are working great. Neds and chatterbaits continue to be effective. Here's a couple of the bigger ones.

I find the hooks to be some of sharpest I've seen on a lure. The size and weight of the lure gives it a lot of inertia for a shaking fish to use as Bluebasser86 stated. I have this issue with the Lucky Craft Gunfish also.

Welcome from N.C.

This is one of the most interesting discussions I've seen in a while on this topic... Thanks to the O/P!

Yum "Sugar Plum"

Welcome from N.C.

If I'm bank fishing, I carry one 3700 with 1topwater (plopper or popper) Black and blue, Carolina Craw and pumpkin colored chatterbaits, one spinnerbait. I don't skimp on jigs, I take a good assortment of colors and types. 1 bag of assorted plastics( worms and trailers) I also have a very small box with terminal tackle for just about any rig I need. If I go out in the boat, I take a lot more!

If you have to pick one... That's a safe bet!

Welcome Frome N.C.

Thought I'd try out some stuff from Siebert Outdoors...this place is the real deal...great looking lures and great service. I'll definitely be ordering more from them.

Anyone use the Rage Smokin Rooster? How'd you like it? How'd you rig it?

That is the question. Waiting too long to set the hook can cause it's own set of problems. (Dropped bait, weed wedging)Swinging when the blow up first occurs can be a crapshoot, but like bluebasser86 said, if your bait is underwater, more than likely the fish is eating it. That's when I set the hook. Someone else on here mentioned bending the hooks out a hair towards the outside of the body, I have tried that on a couple of frogs...can't tell if that's made a difference.

I like using spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. But, don't leave out the worm! T-rig, wacky etc. Swimming a jig can be very effective also.

I like the Wacky idea, but I would run a chatterbait or spinnerbait through there first. You can cover a lot of water fast. I would follow up with a wacky. especially, if you get hit in an area. The more you fish it, the better you'll know it.

This... when bass are actively feeding.

I'm not crazy about the look of them either, but I like the feel a lot after getting used to it.

Tried out the new Cashion rod today. One on a swim jig, one on a Ned and one on a chatterbait. All in all, a good couple hrs of fishing.

So, I got a chance to use the new Cashion today, I love it... At least so far. The sensitivity is great! Also, the backbone really made the hook sets seem easy. I caught one on a 1/4 oz swim jig and one on a Ned rig. The grip took a little getting use to, but in about a half hour I was loving it. I love the action also, but it feels a little different than my other fast action rods... can't quite put my finger on it yet. Anyway, I would not hesitate to purchase another one.