T-Billy

Aim a little past where you want your bait to land. Then thumb it to a stop just as it reaches the target. Low and fast is the way to go unless there's an object in the way that you need to pitch over. @Catt has a good practice spot there. I often pitch deep into brush. You have to be able to hit small holes with a pretty flat trajectory.

I could "make do" with one rod, but since I already have about 60 or so, I don't reckon I'll be going that route.

#STRAIGHTBRAIDBRIGADE!!! 🤣 Actually, I am a fan of Big Game braid, but it's made by Fins.

Yep. Good memories Katie. I hadn't thought about those summer days in a long time. Thanks for jogging my memory.

Jitterbugs, and Hula Poppers, and Crazy Crawlers... Oh My!!! Caught lots of pond bass on those when I was a kid.

🤣😝

That they are. My muskie guide buddy isn't a fan of FFS, but he has to use it to keep up with the competition.

This... came outta this... in 40 degree water. My #2 LM, and one of several fish that day. All caught pitching a T-rigged beaver type bait into sun baked wood. Get yer butt out there and get after 'em!!! You 100% for sure ain't gonna catch any sitting on the couch.

Lol. Reminded me of this old SNL skit.

That's awesome!!! Happy Birthday!!!

Why not just just catch 'em the first time around? #STRAIGHTBRAIDBRIGADE!!! I've been very impressed with the Fins XS Big Game as of late. Smoothest 8 strand I've found, colorfast, abrasion resistant, and handles great. + MADE IN THE USA!!!

🤣 You and me both brother!!! I tried teaching my wife to shoot. It didn't go well. Put a gun in her hand, and she starts shaking like a dog trying to pass a pine cone. 😂 She's pretty good at catching fish though. Best fish'n buddy I've ever had.

Nope. Total non issue. The only time lead scares me is when the wife is holding a firearm.

Some of my best wading spots are under and around bridges. I quit wading several of them years ago for the above reason. They constantly have junkies living under them. They should ban narcan and let that problem sort itself out. Yeah buddy!!! It was 59 at 2am when I got up for work, tomorrow morning it''l be about 20. Only for a day though, back into the 60's by the weekend. Lot's of warm rain overnight and today. Hopefully that influx will heat up the bite. Been TOUGH lately. I ain't complaining though, the water was soft all through Feb. Never seen that before.

^^^THIS^^^ is when it's time to pick up that spinnerbait. I don't throw a spinnerbait a lot, but if there's fish up shallow, and it's too windy to pitch to 'em, a spinnerbait is my first choice.

Bass are mere neophytes at the psychological games compared to muskie. Whew!!!... Them's some big words for an un-edgimicated Hilljack like me to pull out of his hat. My brain needs rest after that. 🤣

Just a few weeks of unfishable weather here in OH this year. The Honey-do list took up most of that. Rather than going through all of my most used reels, they'll just be getting serviced on an "as needed basis" throughout the 24 season. The extended forecast is looking good. Surface temps should be in the low 40's by next weekend.

1. T-rig 2. Jig 3. Chatterbait 4. Paddletail 5. Lipless I'll run with these for both green and brown bass, ice out, till ice over. I wouldn't even feel all that restricted. I spend more time with a flippin stick or a chatterbait rod in my hand than everything else combined anymore. Actually, I spend more time chasing muskie than bass these days, but when bass fishing the above list will git'r done under most any situation.

It is. Nice one too.

Absolutely, more aware than most of us give them credit for. I have a buddy that slays big brown bass on rockpiles, with a ned, at night, all summer long. These fish are in 20' -30' of water, where the thermocline sets up in the 12' - 15' range. They have no problem finding that quiet little bait down there in the blackness.

I came full circle on worm color several years ago. I only throw black now. Junebug would be my second choice. Clear or muddy water, sunny or cloudy skies, doesn't matter, if they'll eat a worm, they'll eat a black one. Seems hit or miss with green, brown, or red hues. Why mess with others when black works all the time?

Roger that. I learned this lesson long ago when the sluggo hit the scene. I laughed at my buddy when he tied one on, but not for long. He flat out smoked me that day fishing weed flats for post spawn LM. He had one package of them, and wasn't about to share. The sluggo looks stupid, until you see it in action. Same deal with tubes and senko's.

That Luhr - Jensen hook file that @Captain Phil pictured is what I use, and it works great. You can pick one up for under $20 and it'll last for many years. Just give it a shot of WD-40 or a similar light oil now and then to keep it from rusting.

It was eye opening when the MLF kicked off. Sometimes multiple guys skunked while the leader caught 80# that day. Makes a person feel better about themselves knowing that even the best sticks out there have terrible days, when there's a hot bite going on. Sometimes it just ain't your day.

I use 2.5 - 4" for bass personally. Depends on season, species, and the size of forage I'm looking to imitate.