SpellCaster

Yeah I tried Fireline once and didn't like it straight out of the box.

Howdy, Something I saw on the back side of the package of this Berkley Forward braid caught my attention: "Conventional Braids flatten out the more they are fished." It's the first I've ever heard a claim like that. Has anyone experienced something like that? I pretty much use braid on my reel until I run out of line for a long cast. And I haven't had any issues yet with anything supposedly flattening out. And if it does happen, does it make any noticeable difference?

Howdy, I've been researching fishing kayaks to narrow down my choices for a good pedal drive setup that won't break the bank. I'm down to the following three models and would appreciate feedback on any of them to help me decide which to go with: Old Town Sportsman 106 PDL Jackson Bite FD Native Slayer Propel 10 LTE My preferences that led me to these three are that I'm wanting a 10ft for sake of loading/unloading weight as well as saving a bit on storage space. I'm not entirely opposed to a motorized kayak, but I'd rather avoid having to register it, and save on weight and the extra expense of a motor+battery. The only features I've thought of so far that I would want to add on to any of these are: Horizontal rod storage system like from YakAttack Anchor Wizard Kayak wheel cart Swivel seat Whoever has any of these models, what are the pros and cons for your use? Upgrades you can't live without?

I can't say that I'm any more skilled at fishing than you are, so I'm just commenting to say that I've learned to approach fishing as simply as possible: 1. Find the fish. Simple but not easy. Covering water has been a valuable tactic for me. 2. Once found, figure out how to get them to bite. Also simple, also not easy. I prefer to be more minimalistic in this process, rotating through macro category presentations: topwaters, mid-column swimmers, & bottom contact lures. If they don't bite my default lures for those categories then I refine to either alternative lure profiles within those categories, or vary speeds/pauses. There isn't much rhyme or reason to my color selections, it's more instinctual. But I might change up to an alternate color depending on water clarity, cloudy/sunny conditions, or if I'm getting bites but the bass aren't really committed to eating the bait. Using live shiners can be a real fun way to kickstart things. If you aren't sure/confident in lure selection and feel like you're blindly covering water but missing fish because you're using the wrong presentation, try live bait. They just about always bite live bait.

Zoom Salty Super Fluke rigged weightless on a 2/0 Gamakatsu round bend worm hook has been my most productive by far. I haven't tried all the different brands of flukes, so I can't say if there's a better lure out there, but I have noticed some have less/differing action than others. The Big Bit Baits is very comparable to Zoom. As far as rigging goes, I started off with an EWG hook texposed, in various sizes. As I experimented I found that I got more consistent hooksets with a smaller hook and with the worm hooks - this is because there were a lot of small schooling bass where I was fishing and I'm A-OK with catching more fish even if they're smaller - so I made the change to work hooks in 2/0. I will also keep fishing the same fluke until I can't hook it at all anymore. I also like the worm hook because when the lure starts to get really worn I can rig it upside down so the hook comes out the belly, and because the shank is straight it lines up with the back of the lure and doesn't look out of place.

I'm curious to know anyone's thoughts on how you determine the limitations of different hook thicknesses; particularly in how they relate to the line pound test used in order to ensure effective hooksets without risking breaking your line. Just as a hyperbolic example: you wouldn't tie a 1/2oz jig onto 4lb test. I know almost all of this can be cleared up by following the line and lure weight recommendations on your rod. However, I've found a couple cases when I have to improvise. One case being when fishing a texposed weightless fluke and using relatively light line. Say I'm using 10# braided main line with 8# mono leader. What's the biggest size/gauge hook you feel confident tying on? Not that I feel a need for a 5/0 hook in that situation - I usually have a 1/0 or 2/0. Just wondering if anyone has tested out the limits of what's effective. My understanding is it all comes down to the fact that a thicker wire hook will require more pounds of pressure in the hooksets to penetrate a fish's mouth - assuming all your hooks are equally sharp (and I know they're not always). And there are multiple factors that play varying levels of roles in how that pressure is applied in the hookset (rod action, drag setting, line type, whether the hook is exposed or not, etc).

Agree with Pat's suggestions. I'd also say little Ned Rig lures like mini craws and the like.

Does anyone have a favorite custom small batch soft plastic maker/supplier? I've been window shopping on Facebook for custom colors for basic stuff like Flukes/worms.

I'm not seeing those on the map. Can you point me to some?

Howdy, I'm still relatively new to Clarksville and haven't really been able to adequately scratch the proverbial itch of my compulsion to catch fish since moving here last year. I'm looking for suggestions on places to fish and/or other locals who might want to fish together. Don't have a boat and I'm working on getting a kayak. Thus far I've tried fishing the Cumberland around the marina and downtown with zero success for bass (just a few skipjack and white bass). Other than that I've rented a kayak and floated down the Red River, and waded a the Sulphur Fork down in Charlotte a couple times. Looking at getting access to Lake Kyle, and would love to explore Kentucky Lake/LBL areas. Thanks

For real. Chris Zaldain mentioned AR goggles in conjunction with Livescope a few years ago. Didn't say he was using it but knew someone who was.

Using AI and GPS and Livescope ain't enough. You gotta go all the way, man, and figure out how to incorporate a VR headset too. Use it in conjunction with Livescope and have AI transfer the 2D scope image to 3D models of your lure and any fish in sight (plus mapping the surrounding structure) so you can see up close digitized models in 3D space of how the fish are reacting in real time to your presentation. Should probably deploy drones too, both airborne and underwater.

Agreed with 4n2t0. Pressure from other anglers can REALLY kill the bite. Urban ponds can be deceptively tough for that reason. That, and some bodies of water just don't have good bass fishing - from my understanding, due to lack of features like aquatic vegetation/structure/forage/etc. If you can find water a bit removed from the suburbs where you think people don't frequent it as much you may have an easier time getting bit. The only time I've had GOOD success on an pond in the city was at a public park that only opened the pond to fishing maybe 5-6 days out of the year. Since it was practically untouched 99% of the time, when you were finally able to fish it you could catch a bass on nearly every cast. When I started out bass fishing I would get discouraged by trying every lure under the sun without really understanding what time/conditions were best for each technique. Over time I learned what lures are my "anywhere anytime" lures and I always pack those for fishing a new body of water to find fish. If I don't get bit on those then I move on.

Throwing a weightless fluke right into a spot that just blew up has caught me two 5-pound Largemouth and a 3lb Smallie, and dozens upon dozens of smaller bass. Skipping the fluke into the spot can be good. Letting it just fall has worked. Twitching it erratically across the surface works. And everything in between too.

ALABAMA Ray Scott Richard Gene The Fishing Machine

I also vouch for Sufix Titanium. I just happened to find an unopened pack in 10lb in a thrift store and bought it because it was like $3-4. It's become my go-to leader line.

Gamakatsu is my default and haven't been disappointed. I've also enjoyed the Berkley Fusion hooks without complaints so far. I tried Eagle Claw Laser Sharp hooks (not the bronzed finish) and found that they bend out and/or the tips blunt way too easily for me. I don't really have any substantial experience with VMC/Trokar/Mustad, but I'd sure be open to it. I keep a keychain hook sharpener on my tackle bag so I can dress up a hook if the tip dulls at all.

I didn't quite have a direct route to bass fishing specifically. My dad always kept fish in aquariums and ponds while I was growing up, but it was pretty much all tropical/exotic fish, and I couldn't help but always enjoy setting up tanks with him and learning about fish. My mom was the one who was take me fishing cause she just loved to do it. However, we never targeted anything in particular - just went to the same spot and suspended a minnow under a bobber until something hit. That was on the TN in AL. Since I get bored easily that style of fishing didn't really stick with me. It wasn't until I was living in PA and I had to work from home at the onset of COVID, and I was getting stir crazy staying at the house all day, so I went across the street to a state park and tossed a line in the lake and caught my first rainbow trout. It made me feel like a kid again and from that point on I've had the craving to catch as many fish as possible. I fumbled around for a couple years trying to actually learn how to fish, experimenting with different lures/techniques for targeting different species. During that time I got to thinking that bass were so common that they weren't that interesting to catch. I ended up moving back to AL where I grew up and really started to figure out how much fun bass can be (topwaters, schooling bass, sight fishing, watching my line slip away on a T-rig bite, etc) and before I knew it was pretty much aiming for bass exclusively, and every other species was an afterthought.

For topwaters I mostly pick colors that look cool, but I tend to lean towards colors that contrast well with the water just so I can see the lure easily.

Boy, there are probably more techniques/presentations that I haven't caught a bass with vs what I have caught bass with. But after trying so many of them with zero results (literally zero), I'm not opposed to trying them again, but I'm also fine with not feeling a need to master them. The only one I haven't caught a bass on that I'm still working on is a frog. I've had a few strikes, but I've always seemed to fumble the hookset. The explosions are what keep me coming back to it.

Hands down, soft plastics. Within that category I would say the TX rig is going to be your most valuable/volume/go-to setup for the widest variety of waters. Regarding plastics to use for that rig I suggest a worm (senko/trick worm), fluke, and craw/creature. Flukes are great weightless, craws are great weighted, worms are great either way. I have to throw in a paddletail minnow too, rigged on a jighead, for the simplicity and versatility. Can't leave out a hard topwater either. Spooks moreso for rivers, poppers/ploppers moreso for ponds/lakes - in my experience (fishing mainly on TVA lakes areas).

Smallies. The name given them by some American Indians was 'Achigan' - meaning 'one who fights.' In addition to their fight, they strike me as one of the most beautiful fish.

More weightless flukes and various Texas-rigged plastics like worms, craws, and creatures. That's what I've been throwing most for the past couple years, but I'm branching out a bit more in terms of brands and specific models/colors. Also planning to throw more tubes.

Weightless fluke Texas rig

Probably one of the least experienced here to contribute to the conversation, but in 4 1/2 years I've been able to cram in A LOT of time beating the banks, and it's granted me a better understanding of what setups I really like for how I fish. My go-to setup for almost anything is going to be a 7' M F fairy wand. My second setup has taken me a while to find the right combo that works for me but it's a 7' MH F baitcaster with left handed reel (though I'm righthanded - I just like the crank on the left side per spinning reels). Obviously, lighter/more finesse lures go on the spinning setup, with heavier lures/frogs on the baitcaster, but there's a certain amount of overlap between the rods (flukes, topwaters, swimbaits, T-Rig, etc), which is nice because I can opt for the baitcaster in heavy vegetation.