Smallies

I mean, I know the obvious — if shallow and around wood it can get pretty pretty beat up, obviously if I hook a monster I can break the 6lb. leader, but anything else? It's just that I find my cranks go deeper (or should I say run to their true, stated-on-the-box depth) when I throw them on 6lb. as apposed to even 8lb. or, like I was originally throwing them, on 12lb. straight flouro. PLUS, they have a LOT more action — like it's completely noticeable (and yes, I have a pool and I did test several different cranks on both 6lb. leader and 12 lb. straight). Anyway, thoughts?

Thanks dude, really helpful.

Which ones would you recommend? I was looking at Keller and Ray Roberts is out there, but it looks like there are like 5 other lakes right around there. How is Keller area with crime and what not, and which of those surrounding lakes would you recommend for Largemouth/smallmouth fishing? Thanks for the info, man! Oh yeah, Mesquite looks good ... Thanks!

Dude, I'm always looking for good bass fishing' books, and these look like a great place to start. Thanks for the post!

Can anyone explain how the BPT and Elite series, and other "pro" tournaments work? I've been watching old Elite series tourneys online and love watching, and would like to get more into watching tournaments in general, but I want to understand the sort of levels of each, which tournaments lead into others, which feed into which etc? For example, in golf there's the PGA with FedEx points and that's one tournament, and it's at the highest level. Then there's the different amateur tours that feed into the PGA, or a golfer can just qualify by getting their Q card, but they have to be invited to certain PGA tour events. Is bass fishing at all like this? Just trying to get a Birdseye overview of the whole process and which tournaments mean what.

Let's GOOOOOOOooooo... @cgolf Did you read any of those yet, or just ordered them? Looks like a great reading list to me ...

Ohhhhhh yeah. Believe me, it's crazy. Our grocery bill for a family of 4 is staggering each month. And prices are going up. But, hey, I've learned to pick my battles. The wife doesn't nag me and let's me fish and do what I want, so ... You know what they say...

LoL, I feel ya ...I'm on google maps these days looking for a spot in Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee or Texas that is close to a ramp (or has a dock) and it also close to a Whole Foods (Guess who that's for ?).

What do you guys think about reel ratios for skipping/fishing jigs in general. I'm thinking faster is better for skipping cause you're basically just casting and retrieving. But what about for a setup you want to use for skipping docks but also swimming jigs? 7.1:1?

Just in the very beginning stages of research, but I know I want to move the family out of CA in the next 1-3 years, and I'm trying to find a good spot either in Texas or maybe Florida. Obviously, in Texas, Lake Fork is an amazing fishing lake, and they have golf nearby (so I'm covered haha) but there isn't much for the wife to do out there, at least as far as I know. Anyone live near or on Lake Fork, or Quitman or Alba, can tell me a little bit what it's like to live there year round. Also, do y'all get snow very often in that part of the state? What about tornadoes etc (what, exactly IS a safe room and how safe is it?). Any info would be good info. Thanks guys.

That's awesome, @Catt I dunno why but I never thought to do that. I think of T-Rig as a slow roller, but yeah I forget guys fish it this way more often than not. Basically, fish it like a swimmin' jig and find where they're at, then you can slow down if you find a few of the aggressive ones. There will probably be more that need slower presentations in the same cover/structure. This is my ideal way of fishing though, I think. Taking a power approach until I find fish, then slowing down. 'Cause I kinda have a leg on each side of the fence. I like finesse fishing a LOT, but I don't want to sit in a spot all day if there's no fish (and I don't like to rely too heavily on electronics). I'm a purist I guess? Mostly use electronics for the structure, and I prefer fishing the shallow stuff anyway. But I'm very green, when it comes to this fishing thing so ...

Thanks @TnRiver46 — the part worked great. Gonna take it over to my local trailer guy and give it a once over for rust, safety on the road, etc. Gotta replace the taillights as well — guy I bought the boat from didn't have submersibles on it. It's a wonder one of them still works...

lipless cranks, specifically Megabass Vibration-X Ultra, Jackal TN 60 Disk Knocker, Lucky Craft LV 500, and Duo Realis Apex Vibe 68

I know, I know, there's a time for both. But I wanna know, what is your primary tendency? I've been watching some Kyle Welcher Vids on the Tube, and man does that guy fish fast! But I kinda like it, ya know? Just throw some cranks or some jigs out there until you get a bite, otherwise just keep moving. But I also like to work a spot, if there's fish, and I tend towards that more than anything in my fishing. I like to try different lures, techniques, presentations in order to see what gets bit, but there's gotta be fish right? SO, I'm thinking I might just Kyle Welcher it around the lake until I get hit, and then slow down in that spot. How do you guys do it?...

Anyone know where to find these bad boys? I can find the rattling ones just fine, but these silent ones are real tough. Found a couple on eBay shipping from Japan, but super spendy and not in the colors I'm looking for. Really like the Bahama Bone. Anyway, anyone know what the deal is with these? Are they discontinued? Or just not available in the US?

What are the good bass lakes in Oregon?

Welcome, @Melinda M! How do you like living in Alabama? Considering moving there from CA some day... can't beat the fishing!

Sweet! What lakes over there would you want to live on/by, @FishinBuck07?

Thought it might be fun to get everyone's input on where you would move if you could move anywhere to fish for Bass. I live in CA, and considering moving at some point in the future and would love to hear y'all's input — and I'm sure other folks would too. So, let's have it — What's your dream state, and even city or region, to live for Bass fishin'?

Thanks @Glenn - I'll check it out. Good info.

Hah, yeah rusted but also the coupler itself is bent, so I don't get a good purchase on my ball hitch. Found something on agri-supply site that looked like it would work, but they won't ship to CA because of the cancer warning that has to go on every fishing product known to man ... and probably lots of other products. here's what I found Perfect! That looks good, thanks @MN Fisher

Hey There, guys Can anyone suggest a link to a coupler that would fit to replace the current one I have in my trailer? Please see pic below. Thanks!

So you like the Cotton Cordell's better than the Rat, eh? Well, one thing is for sure, you definitely gotta replace the hooks on those cotton's...they are pretty terrible! But I hear the lure itself is REALLY good (for shallow weed crankin', that is) Sounds good, Tom, but can you go into changing the split rings a bit? Is this for durability? The way the hooks hang? Larger, smaller, oval? Thank you sir...

Got it, yeah that's what I thought you were referring to ... really good point.

@TnRiver46 are you referring to like the positioning of the hook shank against the belly of the lure, or just the sizes? I'd love to watch that video ... gonna try and find it now