Bazoo

Glad you had a successful first attempt.

I caught a 5lber on the heavily pressured public lake I frequent and it didn't really put up a fight, more like succumbing to the inevitable. I mean sure it pulled a bit, but not like I would have expected. I catch bass that haven't been caught before on a small private lake and they put up more of a fight, jumping, thrashing, sometimes throwing the hook. They are mostly smaller ones. The fish on the river though fight 3 times as hard. Awesome picture, thank you for sharing.

Tis' a Zoom Ol Monster. I was throwing it weightless in that slop and dragging it either on the top or right under. Had a few hits that didn't connect and that one. Lots of smaller bass in there though. I have pulled some 3-4 pounders out of there though, which is what I was hoping for. I ran into a vintage bag of powerworms in a color that is plum ish. The sticker is off the bag, but they work good. Anyone recognise what it is? This nice one fell to the vintage power worms! I wonder if that old powerbait has a magic smell since it's been aging 30 years.

Thanks, I am working to learn tubes. Nobody fishes them here. I haven't had any success yet, but haven't tried much.

Thanks all. I've never heard of BASS times.

Years ago, when I was about 13-18, I was a member of BASS. I got the magazine, I carried the card, I was proud. I even was a member of the Harry & Charlie club for submitting a tip that was printed, and wore the hat until I was into my 20s and it finally turned back into dust. I've been considering joining again. Is it still the leading source for printed bass fishing info? (I must say that I would consider this forum to be on the vanguard.) Is it still as good as it was with user submitted tips and stories, coupled with the latest techniques that the pros use? Anyone love it or hate it, and why?

I start weightless for worms unless I need the weight due to conditions of wind, current, casting distance, or punching through something. I use 1/16 ounce for grubs and small stuff, occasionally for a worm if I need a bit of weight. Most common for me is 1/8 ounce and 3/16 ounce when I rig a weighted texas rig. I can throw a 1/8 ounce with a worm on a baitcaster without issue. I commonly throw a split shot rig consisting of a #3 split shot, 2/0 Ozark Trail worm hook with a 7" power bait worm, which is just about as light as I can use without issues. I can throw a lighter worm, and do occasionally, but I can really tell the difference when downsizing the worm.

Howdy neighbor!

I throw this color, red shad.

I haven't any experience doing this, but I have an idea that might do... Take a piece of the rubber material (patch), and sew the stickers to it, then use the rubber cement to apply the piece to the correct spot of your hull.

I believe bass that haven't been caught fight harder. River bass fight harder than pond/lake bass. I don't see any difference between the largemouth and smallmouth that I catch on the river, they all fight like their life depends on it.

Abu Garcia Black Max has held up for me very well. I use mine nearly daily and have for over a year. My favorite is a BPS Pro Qualifier 2 that was gifted to me. Used, they are available in that range. That's my choice.

I absolutely agree.

I'm thinking ahead, perhaps hopefully, that they will eventually separate the LMB and the FLMB, and do away with the 22lb record for the LMB. I don't know which state has the largest non Florida LMB, but we have 14-9.5 here for LMB record.

This has played out for me a few times, and I want to figure out how deal with this situation. This is likely bank fishing (but not necessarily), and could be one of several spots from a heavily pressured large lake shore to a small private lake with minimal pressure, to the river. I've had this happen in all of these spots, including from the boat. It's a day that the bite is tough. Nothing is working/worked. So I figure I'll throw a soft plastic, let's say a split shot as that's most likely for me. I start with a Berkley Power worm in pumpkinseed, that don't work, so I go to a Zoom Finess worm in green pumpkin, that don't work. Am I correct in thinking soft plastics is the way to go on a day like this? Advise me on where to go from here.

Howdy and welcome from Kentucky. Man... don't be throwing them wacky rigs... go split shot or go home! Seriously though, glad to have you!

A year ago I read an article, I believe if was a BR article, but I ain't sure, and it said this, paraphrase: The author was co-angler with a pro, Bauer I think was the pro. The author cast at a log a few times and stopped, the pro commenced to cast at it and on the 28 cast pulled a 6 pound bass off it. The pro said... "boy you stopped too soon, if you know there is a bass on that log you cast until you get him." Does anyone know that article and could share it? I've somewhat had the mindset that I'll cast a couple of times to a stump and move on, either changing lures or spots. But I keep thinking of this article. What do yall think about the premise of the article I described?

I missed this, Happy Birthday Tom! Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge so freely. I wish I lived close enough that I could take ya fishing, man... The wild part would be about the time I tell ya "there ain't nothing but dinks in this pond" is when you bring in a DD! All your knowledge has really blessed me and helped me to become a better fisherman, thank you!

This is awesome as far as I'm concerned, thank you for sharing! What this means for me (after they differentiate the records) as a lowly person who lives in a place that doesn't have Florida LMB, is that it's possible I could catch a world record LMB in my regional waters.

I'm too am blessed to be a part of this forum and its freely shared knowledge. I've learned a bunch.

I do it. I didn't know it was a thing or had a name. I figured it out when fishing tight bank cover. Often times I'll fish in trees, and I can't cast. Works great once you get the hang of it. I've hooked a finger once, wasn't pleasant. I didn't think of using it in place of skipping, good idea though.

That's slick, thank you for sharing. If I had that plus a shoulder strap, it'd probably be just right for some of the bank fishing I do.

Factoring in where you fish also includes the size of fish you're likely to catch. For me, I probably wont catch a 5 pound fish but once in a rare while. So a lighter rod does just fine for the 1-2 pounders that is my norm. Of course I can play a bigger fish when it does happen. I have 3 main rods I use. 1: A cheap Zebco with a baitcaster on it. It's short at 5'6" (I've added a length of grip so it has a full length handle and is closer to 6'), fiberglass, and loads up good. Great for fishing in bank cover, but I find it also pretty decent for just throwing lighter baits. 2: An Abu Black Max rod. It's a 6'6" medium medium, but it's on the lighter side of the spectrum. I can throw a lighter bait, and have good accuracy. It is a bit light for crankbaits, but does okay and seems to be a good general purpose rod. It's the standard that I judge others by. The Berkeley Lightening Rod that was meant to replace/suppliment it, while better by most peoples standards, isn't as good for me. Both are medium medium, but the LR is heavier, doesn't load up as good, and is harder to cast anything lighter with. Also it doesn't feel as good in hand for hours. 3: A BPS Crankin' Stick. It's 7'3" heavy fast and it is great for crankbaits and for casting a Carolina rig. It's a great rod, and at a reasonable price. Mine was a gift and I think of the sender anytime I use it, which is most times I go fishing. Number 2 though is the main rod, it's the one that if I could have only 1 rod, that would be my choice. It is the right length for my type of fishing, and will cast most of the lures on the light or heavy end. It isn't expensive, but it suits my type of fishing.

I'd probably spend a $200-$400 on a rod, but... I wouldn't necessarily only look at rods of that "caliber". I do not judge a rod or anything based on its paper specs/performance, but rather from actual field usage. How a rod casts, loads the tip, how it feels in hand for hours of use is far more important to me than what the specs say it'll do. One of my favorite rods is a Zebco rod (with baitcaster on it), which is worth nothing use, and was probably $10 new. I like the size and action of it. I want to upgrade the guides on it. So what I'd do is buy rods that suit me, regardless of cost, and upgrade the guides as I saw fit, or maybe into building rods. Of all the reels I've tried, and granted it's not a huge amount, my favorite reels are Bass Pro Shops. I have buddies with shimano reels, and I prefer my BPS Pro Qualifer 2 baitcasters. The BPS Pro Qual 2 Spinning reel is my favorite spinning reel as well. Now... my tackle stash would be pretty deep. Instead of having 1-2 bags of my favorite plastics or hard lures, I'd have 20.

Found this at the lake, new hooks and it works just fine. Works at the river too. I found this KVD Hard Knock, then lost it about 6 months, found it again, and and it's back in action again. Works at the river too. Found this roostertail, and I don't fish them much, but did get a nice one one day.