Bazoo

I was dragging a lizard on topwater tonight, across some pads and general slop. Didn't anything though.

I've never seen it before and I try to keep using what comes on my spools as long as I can. I eventually switch to a rubber band when the tape loses it's stickyness.

Howdy, it is a Zoom Z hog JR. I like it quite a bit. I've also fished it just as a creature bait. https://zoombait.com/z-hog/z-hog-jr/

Would it be improper to fish when they are doing a tournament, or practicing?

I like this river spot.

Current gets the plankton to moving, shad follow plankton, and bass follow shad.

Interesting discussion. What's the best gear grease to reduce geariness?

Wow! I never seen or heard of anything like that. Congratulations on the double, that's wild man!

This is some awesome information and an awesome thread! Okay, let's say you're using a crankbait and not getting bit. The bite turns on. Will they likely bite whatever crankbait you're offering? If they won't hit the orange craw you're throwing, and you change to a gold black back crank (assuming you recognise the bite is on, and you don't miss out changing colors), will they then hit the new color? In other words, when the bite is on, does it matter what color, if what they want is a crankbait? Second, if you're throwing a crankbait, the bite turns on, and they don't want that, will they then hit a spinnerbait? Or does it really matter what you're throwing when the bite turns on, as long as it's something reasonable and known to work. Or... will it be, they will choose what depth in the water column they will hit? So if you're throwing a crankbait but they want a topwater, will any topwater work? Or will it be bait specific?

I usually try other baits when they are biting, to see if they want something else. For example, if they are hitting a particular crankbait, I'll switch to another type (round bill vs squarebill), brand, or color, or I might try another bait type entirely, such as a spinnerbait. Now, I say this because, I most often have success fishing at a private pond that has little pressure. So for me it's an experiment. If I am fishing at a local lake with heavy pressure, then I generally don't switch it up much.

I ran across this thread doing a search for H20X tungsten weights. I havne't tried their weights yet, but I have had great results with several of their products. Their squarebills, Mini sqaurebill, the soft plastic binder/shoulder bag. A buddy bought some of their line, I didn't fish it, but I spooled his reels for him. I wasn't really impressed, though it's been 3 years now so I can't remember exactly why.

I have a couple bags of mixed worms I work on occasionally. I've not done it much, but I've had some success pulling a weightless lizard across the surface as a topwater.

Was in walmart checking out rods, and they had a Hank Parker Lews rod that seems like it might be great. It's a medium fast and is light and nimble. I checked out the 6'10" version, but the website says they are available in 7'0". For me, it would replace/become my all around rod for bank fishing. It would throw a lot of texas rigs, a few jigs, some flukes, a few crankbaits, 1/4 roostertails and beetle spins, buzzbaits, everything. Anyone here use this rod and can offer some insight? https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lew-s-Hank-Parker-Casting-Speed-Stick-Fishing-Rod-7-Feet-1-Piece-Medium-Heavy-Power-Fast-Action-Black/385836847

It's one of my go to top waters. Spit'n Image, buzzbait, popper, and jitterbug. I rarely use a plopper, and never get bit on them.

I pay attention when the old timers speak about technique. Specific gear though I am rarely influenced.

Thanks everyone for sharing. Interesting what everyone chooses, and lots of things to try.

Yeah, when considering the rage bug I wasn't considering the action as much the size and shape. I haven't studied it underwater. I appreciate all the suggestions everyone.

Good to know about elaztech baits. I haven't used any yet.

I remember Uncle Josh pork trailers about 25 years ago. When I got back into fishing 3 years ago they were gone. I still remember the smell though.

Tell ya a funny. My wife was sitting on the couch and I was digging through my stuff, and I found a bag of powerworms. I opened the bag and smelled it, tossed it to her and told her to smell these. She opened the bag and put her nose down in there and took a deep breath. She jerked her head out and said "Ewww!" I laughed good and hard.

What about eating a banana while bank fishing? Of no consequence?

It's my understanding that a chunk doesn't thread onto the hook, rather, it's just hooked through and allowed to be more free? Is there any advantages or disadvantages to this verses using a trailer that is threaded onto the hook and fit over the keeper?

I leave my fishing bag in my Tracker. It gets hot as dagnabit in there. Sometimes I leave a bag or two of soft plastics on the floorboard, but most of the time, they are in my bag, and thus, out of direct sunlight. So how do plastics hold up to 120º+ heat throughout summer? Is it of no effect, or should I bring the bag inside?

I often make my choices, including scent, based on what I feel is the most popular. I think Powerbait is old school and less popular, and thus I chose it over Gulp.

Thanks, I forgot about the Ultra Vibe Speed Craw. I have a pack of those.