WRB-2.0

Your OB engine is grounded via water. Your negative cranking battery ground is connected to the OB engine ground directly, use that battery post for your electronics ground. Tom PS, the bare metal plate on the OB lower unit is zinc a sacrificial metal to prevent electrolysis attacking the aluminum OB parts.

Interesting topic considering this is a bass fishing forum. Most bass anglers are multi species fisherman but spend more time and money dedicated catching Black Bass that include Largemouth #1, Smallmouth#2 and Spotted bass#3 based regional preference. The reason isn’t simple Black bass are not generally sought after as a food fish but more as a sport fish. The fact bass are distributed in the lower 48 States and several other countries and can thrive in ponds, natural lakes, reservoirs and rivers makes readily available to all who live thier. The fact bass react to a very wide range of lures and techniques is the reason imo bass fishing is so popular. Tom

When making longer cast trying to hook set using only your rod the result is poor hook sets. Try the reel set and firm rod sweep technique similar to hook setting a crank bait. The lures you are using have excellent hooks so dull hook isn’t the issue nor is line stretching imo. However some of those fish could be crappie this time of year and hooks tend to tear out if over pressured. Tom

IMO the Dobyns FR795SB is marginal for top hook swimbaits exceeding 2 oz. Irod IRG783SB Jr Swimbiat is MH and about 1/2 power stronger and can hook set top hook swimbaits 2 1/2 oz and cast treble hook wakes and Swimbaits to 3 oz effectively, cost $150. Tom

When I started using lipless there was Heddon Sonic, Smithwick Water Gator, both gone now. In the 70’s Cordell Spots and Bill Lewis Rattle Traps where the “Traps” we used. Spots for vertical stroking and Traps for horizontal retrieving. Those 2 lipless were kings for 30 years, Today looking at TW you have more choices then I can recall. The old Spots and Traps have a lot of company! It still comes down to 2 types; Rip retrieve and sinking stroking. Strike King Red Eye Shad is most popular making King. Lucky Craft LV500 and Yo-Zuri 3D Vibe are my choices. Tom

Fish do not have the brain development to be emotional so anger isn’t possible. The basic behavioral traits for individual bass are active, neutral and inactive with transitions in between each trait every day. Active bass are catchable and inactive bass are not with neutral bass requiring the lure or prey to be close within sight window. What have learned watching bass react to lures with FFS-Live Scope what behavior trail the bass are in at that time and place. This is my observation decades ago visually watching bass react to both lures and live bait in gin clear water. Timing is very important after you have located the bass. The new technology aids is quickly locating bass. Tom

You all need to look up the definition of a weather cold front. Tom

Dry FC line is a nightmare and needs to be lubricated so the will wet. KVD line conditioner is popular and adds a wetting agent. Why on earth you wanted a DC reel when you know how to cast is beyond me. Fill the spool about 2 penny thicknesses (1/8”) below spool rim. Tom

IROD IRG754F gen3 is 7’5” HF that is imo perfect for a all around rod for lures between 1/2 oz to 2 oz and $150. Tom

Some anchors have a chain or rope attachment hole at the base. This hole is there for a shackle to fasten the main rope or chain to pull out snagged anchors backwards. You fasten your anchor rope to the anchor base shackle then run the rope or chain up to the top shaft eye and fasten with either a tie strap or bailing wire that is strong enough for normal anchor force but breaks away when higher forces are applied retrieving the snagged anchor allow the anchor to be retrieved backwards. Works good. Tom

With the water temps between 58 to 62 degrees it’s close to the spawn bedding period. 1. Carolina rigged Double ZZ Floating 8” lizard and 5” Craw for covering an area. 2. White jig with white trailer for sight fishing bed fish. 3. Santone swim jig bluegill color trailer. 4. Bluegill or Crappie wake bait. 5. Buzz bait Tom

You can go on line and look at fishing lure storage boxes and cabinets for design or off the self products. Plano and Flambeau have good products. Flambeau # 4510 for soft plastic bags for example. I would avoid stacking boxes on top of each other, instead use organizer that stacks separately so individual box can be removed and replaced.clearly label each box so you can read it when stored. It’s very important that can read and see what you have without sorting through stored boxes or bags. Tom

Having worked at a boat landing renting boats with anchors and making up anchor ropes I have a lot of experience. I instructed boat renters how to anchor, never toss out the anchor and be careful where the rope is laying so your foot or anything else doesn’t get tangled in the rope. Very few problems or lost anchors over the years. Today I wouldn’t offer a rental boat with anchors because the current generation knows it all and doesn’t listen to or follow instructions. Night bass fishing having a solid stationary fishing platform is essential. Power polls or spot lock works, just be aware of battery amp draw. I always preferred anchoring at night with a bow anchor if it’s windy. I used a milk crate to store the anchor and rope, worked good. If you need more weight to keep the anchor set use about 6’ to 8’ of chain to hold the anchor down. River anchoring you need to be aware of being able to disconnect using a mooring hitch for the anchor rope and have a buoy tied on. Tom

WLike everything there is a skill in anchoring a boat. If you plan on staying on that spot for an hour or so anchoring is still your best choice. 1. The type of anchor depends on the how heavy your boat is and rage bottom composition. There are a lot of choices. 2. What is called Scope is the angle of the rope to the anchor sitting on the bottom. Minus Scope is long enough rope to equal about 3 X the depth of water; 20’ depth use 60’ rope. 3. Weight depends on anchor type. Navy or River anchors 15-20 lb is good for boats to 16’ to 20’. 4. If you use your hands to pull in the set anchor suggest 3/4 rope is easier the handle, 1/2 would be minimum dia. 5. Setting your anchor you want to go past the spot you want your boat positioned after the anchor is set. Quietly lower the anchor until it hits bottom about 3 boat lengths. If it’s windy let the wind move the boat back, if not back up slowly with your engine until the desired Scope of anchor rope is out. Tie off the anchor rope through the bow wench eye or run the rope through the bow eye and tie off to a bow cleat. This keeps the boat bow facing directly into the wind. If you 2 anchors set the stern anchor after the bow anchor is set. Let out another boat length of bow anchor rope the lower the stern anchor. Pull in about 1 boat length of bow rope, tie off the ropes. This keeps your boat from swinging. Fish get used to your anchored boat in about 5 minutes. Tom

Fishing with your rod in hand👍 = Time in the water. Tom

YMy favorite lure is a hair jig w/ pork trailer if fishing alone and grinned it out, because I targeting big bass. When fishing with a partner and need to catch bass the soft plastic Screamer* 4” Shad color worm slip shot rigged w/5# UG copoly # 5133 2/0 Owner or 3 1/2” Shad color hand poured Reaper*, same rig always catches bass where I fish. 3 rd soft plastic choice is a 5” Senko #301 unweighted wacky rigged, 4107 Owner size 1w/ Sniper 7# FC**, very high % choice worm. 4th soft plastic worm is a drop shot rigged Roboworm 6” MMIII or Jackall Flick shake worm watermelon candy. Tom * US Baits ** If using 15# Fins Spin braid use 10# Sniper FC.

What are the advantages of using Fluorocarbon line bass fishing? Bass are not line shy fish like can be trout for example so the refraction issue being the same as water isn’t a factor. Where, imo, FC line offers advantages is it sinks and has lower coefficient of drag going through water. These 2 factors create less bow in your line resulting in slightly better lure feedback using bottom bumping lures. The down side is weaker knot strength (75-89%) compared to both mono and copolymer lines of equal diameter. Why anglers use FC for a leader for floating braid is questionable? Most anglers using spinning reels like braid to leader to reduce line twist. Why use FC line when mono and copoly has better knot and abrasion strength? IMO opinion use straight FC line with 1 knot at the lure for bottom contact presentations if the slight advantage helps to detect strikes. For the OP’s finesse presentations I use 5# / .0084D Maxima Ultra Green line for both leaders and main line with finesse finesse spinning tackle. Casting I 12# FC for jigs and worms and 11# Armilo* for everything else. Tom * need find a source or replacement for Armilo.

Strike detection is easy when the bass are aggressively feeding not so about 80% of the time fishing. Watch Big Mouth Forever video by Lau. Homer Circle is casting a crank bait and doesn’t detect big bass striking his crank bait.....should open your eyes! Tom

Sequalitchew lake is decent bass fishing as I recall near Olympia WA. Glenn is your best Resource Owner If BR site. Welcome BR.

2 easy methods to add a soft plastic trail keeper to jigs without weed guards or barbed keepers 1. Use a medium size Hitchhiker spring super glued against the skirt end of the jig. 2. Before installing the skirt use 20# mono line and spiral wrap the hook shank about 1/2” next the skirt end of the jig. Double hitch knot both ends of the spiral line wrap and cut ends off with about 1/8” tags ends. Super Glue the knots and spiral wrap line. This creates 2 barbs (glue coved tag ends) and the spiral wrap to secure the soft plastic when ever you want to add a trailer. Works good! Tom

I couldn’t into or out of a canoe or a kayak anymore! Holding the larger bass with your thumb inside the mouth doesn’t work well. I hold big bass with my 4 fingers inside the bass side of the lower jaw and thumb outside. This grip allows the bass to hang straight down plus controls them. Hope you catch PB this Kate! Tom

Fins Spin 5 ( 5 strand) is round, never fades and comes in Yellow, Blue and Green. 25 lb is.008D, 35 lb is .010D. Made in USA. Tom

#2

The only app I know of is your local bass tackle shop. You can evaluate potential partners without committing to take them fishing. The down side it takes time. Tom

SV casting reels are Daiwa that have a magnetic setting. Backlash shouldn’t be an issue pitching a short cast, suggest #2. Did you watch Glenn’s video? Try standing in lieu of sitting. Also use the same weight lure you fish with. I prefer a roll cast if casting over 30’. Tom