dytmook

I think it may only matter depending on how hungry the fish is. If they're really hungry, it probably doesn't matter. Food is food. If not that hungry, maybe they are a little more selective. There are times I'm more selective on the pieces of chicken I eat, there are other times it doesn't matter. In terms of lures, I try to keep it simple and think as long as the shape and color are close, we have a shot. Not that I'm exactly a hammer.

Depends on the purpose of my trip. Sometimes I go out on trial runs where if I start hammering them on something I will try something new. If I'm in a competition I might change after getting a limit to try and increase the size of fish. Most the time, I'm just going to keep catching them on what is working. Not gonna leave fish, to find fish ya know.

I believe it in them. I mean I'm not always hungry. Sometimes I'll pick at food, Sometimes I can't get enough. Can't see how bass would be much different.

Lots of midwest small rivers and creeks hold smallmouth. If that's the case, I can provide a little insight. I'll hold on before rambling

I'll take the information but I am not necessarily going to follow it. I'll stick to my gameplan, keep an eye out to see if what I heard may have legs, then maybe try it if I'm having a tough go. Really don't see a ton of people wading, the ones I do see are generally guys I fish with in a league. Keep it polite. I'll help kids out if I see them.

I never seem to catch bass when the carp are around, but I'm also not very good at catching bass so it could be coincidence.

I generally fish small water rivers. Most fish are probably from 3-10 feet. Most probably in the 5-8 range. Hooray for wading.

My office is surrounded by a moat. I've fished it a few times when I had permission through company rec. Caught lots of bluegill and a few small bass. It apparently used to hold some really good bass before it was left abandoned by previous tenants. I may have made a few casts when I've had to come on campus to do something on the weekend too.

I fish a lot of flukes. Zoom Super Fluke and Zoom Super Fluke Jr. Super fluke usually a 3/0 hook but will nose hook as well. Super Fluke Jr I will use a 1/0. I have started to prefer straight shank hooks for it. Haven't seemed to miss any additional fish because of it. Generally fishing them on spinning gear, though I have caught a double on a donkey rig before which was awesome. I'll do the big wild jerks, but last year I had a lot more success working more subtle quick turns of the real. Gets the bait moving in a more natural way imo. I am usually fishing small rivers so maybe that's why. It also seems to keep the bait down better. I have used swivels etc to help keep the bait down. My first experience with a fluke like bait was on a Berkley Havoc The Jerk in purple haze. My daughter grabbed them at the store when we were shopping for father's day when I was first starting fishing. I didn't realize she put them in the cart and she wasn't having a great trip to store (life with toddlers). So I left a little peeved and them was confused about the bait. I was just learning river fishing and lost a fish on the squarebill I was throwing. Of course, the only squarebill I had at the time. I see fish busting water so I think maybe just a weightless worm. Well all I had was The Jerk on me. No real idea what I was doing but I tied it on weightless. First cast, give it a jerk and the fish comes out of the water to hit it. First topwater bite of my life. and it was so much fun. Not a big fish, but special in several ways. Especially for a guy just happy to catch two fish in a trip.

Sounds like you're executing a good plan. It should keep getting better over time. I like the plan of sticking to two main things and mixing in a third to learn. Something I could do better myself.

Weather not being consistent probably didn't help either. At least I tell myself that recently. You had some success while learning. Your ideas make me think you're on the right path.

Top half out of that many seems pretty good to me, especially if you're new to it. Seems like a good time.

Rivers and creeks of SW Ohio are getting close to normal. I want to try some of the northern range today before a front comes in again

I offer to take my littles quite often. They don't go as often now. My oldest is getting too cool and my middle is so scared of bugs that she won't go. The 3 year old goes, but not often because well she's a handful. They have fun when they go, but I do generally have to "force" them currently.