GreenTrout

You might also want to check out, if you haven't already, the stats on the bass tournaments in your state with the statewide bass clubs. You will find the avg. size, length, weight and time of avg. catch with biggest bass and more. They are usually your better than average bassers.

You might be on a body of water that smaller bass are the norm. Keep count of the bass you catch and what on. Then look at your ratio of total bass caught to a big one of how you define it. Double digits? 2lbs., 3lbs. or 5lbs. and up ? From there hone your tactics to catch bigger fish. Only you can do that on your body of water. Long ago I left behind the idea I had to catch big fish to enjoy my time out on the water. Good luck fishing & get a big one.

Clear water ponds & lakes & state controlled waters are the norm in Mississippi. Use 10lb. test on your bait caster & 6 & 8 pound test on your spinning gear with a Zoom finesse worm using 1/16 to 1/4 TX. rigged weights and work it slowly and be aware of grass & weeds. We aren't too far from Spring when it all will change.

Waters I fish do not have really heavy vegetation & cover . Many variables here...fish what you got...6 1/2 medium spinning rated 1/8 lures and up, 6 1/2 medium casting 1/4 lures and up and 6 1/2 medium heavy casting for 3/8 lures and up. One rod? 6 1/2 medium casting.

TRILENE BIG GAME 6 & 8 #

Cabela's was struggling. Aggressively expanded its brick and mortar business and got hit with the too many expensive leases and not enough revenue to cover all the expenses it incurred. Will be interesting to see what Bass Pro does with the company. Bet they don't keep all the stores and will stream line the present Cabela's management from the top to the bottom. Big bet by Bass Pro. Not so sure more brick & mortar is the way to go. But Johnny Morris has had a golden touch so far. Hope it continues.

Storm Chug Bug Smithwick Devil's Horse

What I enjoy about Major League Fishing is to hear some pro's say I'm not a frog guy but acknowledge another pro as a frog guy. It's a skill some seem to grasp better than others.

Guido Hibdon caught some big ones using the Guido Bug: 4-1/2" in length with a 2-1/2" body. Won a few tournaments, too. Charlie Brewer's 4 inch Slider Worm

Quantum Team KVD Performance Tuned Baitcast Reel 79.99

Scents and Attractants: Do They Work? Scents and Attractants: Do They Work? Do scents give you an advantage, thus putting a few more fish in the live well? Read this article to find out. By Carlton "Doc" Holliday In response to a positive smell, bass generally will hold onto a worm emanating a positive scent for a longer time. This gives you an advantage of being able to get a good hook set and catching the fish. Three scents that appear to be positive scents are salt, anise, and garlic. Anise and garlic may be masking scents rather than attracting scents. Read more Bass Resource > http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/scents-and-attractants.html

MLF is far better. MLF may change how a lot of tournaments are done going forward. Thoroughly enjoy watching it and I'm an old timer. Good stuff.

Both are with me on my fishing trips. Use depends on the kind of water I'm fishing and lures I'm throwing. Prefer the bait caster but the spinning gear seems to be in my hands more and more. I'm old timer and can remember when you almost never saw a Pro with spinning gear in his hands. Recently watched MLF and saw KVD and others with spinning gear in their hands quite a bit. Times change.

Try arriving right before the sun rises. The crack of dawn. I live in Mississippi, too, and where I am at (Gulf Coast) the heat index was 104 degrees yesterday. If you are going to fish at night, try midnight. Some do that here. If you do, be very careful and safe. Right before or after dark, try a buzz bait. It can scare you when they strike. Good luck.

THE ONLY GOOD CORMORANT IS A DEAD CORMORANT. THEY ARE BAD NEWS AND ARE CAPABLE OF WIPING OUT A SMALL BODY OF WATER WITH A HEALTHY POPULATION OF BASS AND BLUEGILLS. SEEN IT IN TEXAS. BAD NEWS.

Depends on the kind of water you are fishing and cover and structure. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a m/h setup. But a 6 1/2 ft.med fast action casting rod works well for wormin', spinner baits and shallow crank baits on many bodies of water and load better for lighter lures for easier casts. http://www.bassresource.com/fish/Fishing-Rods.html

Rattlin' Rapala

S/B's are great during the Spring and Fall. Work in the hot Summer in deep water slow rolled, slow. Really, pick up your favorite plastic, worm for me, work it slowly. Hot Summers reward the plastic worm. Always will...

Have bought some at Academy and BPS when on sale. The painted ones at Academy don't hold up. The paint is easily chipped off. Think it's a good idea to check out Siebert the sponsor.

Get to your favorite spots at the crack of dawn. Religiously. T-rigged worms & top waters put a smile on your face this time of year. If it's a large body of water, with little access to good spots without a boat, go to the dam as long as it's safe. They are feeding. Good fishing.

1. Zoom Trick Worm 2. Zoom Finesse Worm 3. Rattlin' Rapala 4. Mann's Baby One 5. Berkley Power Worm Red Shad

As a side, in Houston, TX there are ponds and lakes managed by Utility districts that allow citizens in those districts to fish them. They have nothing to do with the state or county or city. They are usually very good fishing with access to water that is easy and like walking on carpet.

The color green pumpkin with Zoom has put many bass in my boat and conquered at the bank with the Trick, Finesse and Lizard presentations. Some big ones have also been caught with motor oil with a chartreuse tail. Good Fishing.

Seen a few come and go. The Spook & Zara Puppy are still here.