Motoboss

Absolutely Awesome stuff! Congratulations Future GrandPa 😀

Nice! It always feels good to get a “refresh” done. Gives you confidence with one less thing to worry about.

Congrats on the new Phoenix @LonnieP

A sushi knife, scrubber and scissor are no where near what I’m familiar with. Good ‘ole fillet knife is all that should be required.

Rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission 😉

Well I have had an opportunity to get out once and fish one of the “bigger” small waters, with some limited success. Didn’t get out ‘till around noon and the place was full of boats (kayaks, canoes and small tin boats) mostly crappie fishing. I leaned on the wacky rig senko with some success throwing at isolated stump stick-ups. The crappie folks were more successful than I was, but at least got a chance to get out. The wind picked up to around 30mph and it became bluebird skies and 80* so after a few hours most everyone packed it in. The biggest takeaway was getting used to so many other boats within casting distance and trying to stakeout my spot. I have to find it fast! I did learn a few things and a lot of everyone’s suggestions helped! Thanks again.

This is my main man and river fishing partner.

I love it. They’ll be classics when you’re done. Excited to see the end results.

My “go to” is the Texas-rig! Weightless!!!not very often. Tossing to the bank and pulling it in, ‘ala a jig (as Tom @WRB-2.0 always recommended) sounds like a sold plan. @BrianMDTX has offered a few scenarios and presentations I can solidly apply. @Bluebasser86 method of fishing the “gaps” is another excellent small water recommendation. The recommended use of regular sized lures in conjunction with lighter weight also seems to be a common practice. Excellent! All these recommendations from environmental stealth awareness, smaller weight or weightless rigs, shying away from treble hooks, fishing shallow and between the “gaps” give me some confidence in a solid approach to these small bodies of water. I also like the “camping out” on a position, requiring a bit more patience is going to be included in my approach. I sincerely thank all whom have suggested these methods and presentations in helping me understand how to fish these areas. Bassresource folks are the greatest!

No Sir, no issue at all. I have a GLoomis UL spinning outfit and this rod outcast the same lure on 8# braid.

I see the dominant lure choice’s are top(ish)or shallow baits always followed with the t-rig. Great suggestions. Fishing the featureless bank shallow is a nice choice in stead of going “deep”. Anything touching the water is fair game. Like the idea of the weight range also. In shallow(ish) water I prefer the 1/4-3/8 range. Outcasting is my style also. Throw at everything! My take away is stealth, finding the favorable weather conditions while having a plan of attack and being aware of the environmental disturbances makes sense. The only thing I can’t control for the tournament is the weather conditions, gotta fish the day when the event is posted so only advanced planning is lake prep. I guess my biggest “prep” is pre-fishing and studying any mapping available..I appreciate the mental approach recommendations. Echoing @Swamp Girl ,stealth is a top priority apparently. I like the plan of camping out or moving to another body of water if there is any crowd. There are like five bodies of water in this series and we can fish any of them the same day so if one is crowed I can move on. Fortunately they are relatively close to each other as well. Fishing extremely shallow sounds like a plan. Is power fishing shallow recommended early then back down to deeper ledges with finesse as the day/water warms, or just move when the bite trails off? Fore-planning as much as I can is my main goal and then to pre-fish a couple of days. Staring on points is great advice then moving to cover when the sun gets higher makes sense. sounds like an awesome series of water and species to fish!

I typically fish large(er) bodies of water (6k-12k acres) but our kayak series has added new small water tournaments to the roster. I’m kinda at a loss! Sizes range of the larger areas from 60 to 70 acres to a couple in the 25 to15 acre sizes. All are DNR lakes with ramps, porta-potties and bank fishing platforms. Some are heavily weeded and I assume shallow, some full of old timber and a few just open bowl shaped pits with featureless banks. Usually for me this is bank fishing type ponds but within the kayak series I’ll be on the water in my canoe. I seldom fish retention ponds but when I do it’s the usual bank-beating with downsized moving baits and stick plastics is the thing. I have very little topographical information as only the larger ones have any DNR images with depth detail, and little of that. Those of you that regularly fish these types of water, how do you go about it? Do you downsize your gear and lures? When filled with structure what do you look for, how do you break it down or fish just “what’s fishy” looking? Do you fish everywhere with everything? What’s the most common lures? Topwater, moving or dragging weeds? Any specific features to look for? Being a small water expert this is right up @Swamp Girl’s alley and trusting she’ll lend some thoughts or successful suggestions. All input is appreciated.

@FloridaFishinFool all the wood has got to GO !!!!! Nice find on the rods but I’d definitely strip all the wood and start from fresh blanks. Going to be some nice rods.

You’ve come s long way from the feel free (wasn’t it?) Nicely set up but WOW, what’s that thing weigh now?

Congratulations on the new ride. Have fun, be safe!

Breaking down the obvious facts is key. A precise, simple explanation. Well done

WTH! What kinda fisherman are you, not being prepared. Never, never, I say never go on a trip without at least two baits and one rig for green and brown bass. Boy Scout fail 😆 Hope your trip ends better than it started.

Glad you’re doing better. Go get ‘em!

Yes it was. I bought mine through Tackle Wearhouse at a considerable higher price too. Good buy at $40.00.

I had the two piece and honestly, returned it. It was a nice rod but was a bit too stiff for what I was looking for, but a nice rod. At $40 definitely worth the buy.

Take any bait you like, put a hook in and throw it in your sink full of water. If it floats, you’re good to go. I’m throwing a Ragebug on a 3/O hook with a 1/4oz bell sinker on 12# Suffix Advanced.

I will humbly summit I am one of those who have been at it for 60+ years, meaningful fishing for the last thirty-five at least. I by no means have the skills the majority of the members here have! I go out and have been skunked. It doesn’t mean I can’t fish, it means I didn’t have the proper technique and presentation working at the right time for the conditions I was fishing. I didn’t put the puzzle together. Some days are tougher than others. As stated by several members the biggest thing to understand is where the bass should be, how they react to conditions changes and what is the “supposed “ pattern for right now. In my mind I have to consider; bass should be at transition points, near deeper water with cover, in the shallows making beds to spawn or in the process of spawning. Presently they are spread out! What’s the water temperature, is it a pre or post cold front, warming trend or stable for several days? These combined factors drive fish to distinct areas. Using these factors to help determine a lure and technique that suits the conditions the best and target the areas that conditions dictate with positivity. A search bait is the best method for covering water efficiently, even more so than watching electronics. I feel the fallacy of the “new” electronics is helping to dumb down experienced skill, just as the calculator has diminished math skills. If you notice most respondents here use electronics for water temperature, structure and finding bait. The electronics will help in determining part of the equation and getting you to the general area but it can’t read the environment above the water, that’s between your ears.

Ok got it. No on the EZ flex

Marine Goop would be my choice as well. Applying mine I used heavy duty thick cardboard and straps until dry. Silicone caulk around the edge shouldn’t be necessary if using the Marine Goop brand as it’s a waterproof sealant.

Awesome, enjoy it!