JonB2

@Swamp Girl I don't worry about being silly, hunches are real and a good thing. Not everyone is as in tune internally as others, but if you are; trust your gut feelings. They're primal, raw and often wise. I do the same as you, and have whacked a good fish or had a little flurry doing just as you described. Trust it, go with it.

@bishoptf I'd go with your gut to start in this situation, and simplify approach. If you're unsure, even with your minimal electronics, fish the brush you have a hunch on. Look for discrepancies with them. Some should stand out from others, and then you can hone in on the productive ones. If you get that "I just have a feeling about this spot", hit it. You may be wrong, but often strong intuitive pulls are for a reason. Good luck bro, you'll figure it out man.

There was a guy on youtube who went through a streak of no claw craw on a t rig and he had a steady run for awhile. I really think that appeal might be why a look like nothing true ned rig with the trd works so well. Slow fall with nothing specific represented, but several prey items interpreted by bass. Simple can be best, often.

@Swamp Girl Thanks Katie, it was fun. I tend to get a good rush when I pull through when it looks dreadful lol

Haven't fished in nearly a week and just had to run out this afternoon. I figured it would be a mess and it was indeed...jet ski city, toons, power boats...all of it. I initially tucked into a small cove as there were good rollers coming into the launch. I only got one nice keeper there, but saw it had calmed some and took my window. I went to my go to weedline and hit 7 fish in half an hour. One dink+@12", and 6 solid keepers. All my fish came on a 3/16oz texas rigged 4" chigger craw in black/blue flake. I brought a MH with 40lb braid/15lb flouro and it got it done with purpose. Deep edge off the weedline again and they were eating it; no drops and no letting them run a bit. There was a toon full of people behind me enjoying the show lol. I fished from 330-6 and can't complain. The same chigger got all but the very first fish.

@gim Since I can't ruin my own thread, this sequence happened pitching a dock with a jig on a mh caster earlier this spring. Only one good bass off it, and a bunch of wannabes! Lol

Man, some of you guys are really uptight. It makes sense to me and is like stated; smaller and maybe a bit lighter for fussy bass relating to thicker cover. Definitely not a big deal nor that deep. Thanks for the talk and discussion so far everyone.

@Swamp Girl Katie, I use Owner 2/0 EWG PLUS for stickworms. I've never had an issue with them in any situation. Even the 1/0 on a 4" worm has stood up in thick cover. They're widely available and you shouldn't have an issue finding them.

Power finesse is a bass fishing technique that bridges the gap between traditional power fishing (large, fast-moving baits on heavy tackle) and finesse fishing (small, subtle baits on light tackle). It allows you to present small, subtle lures in heavy cover or thick vegetation using heavier tackle. Why Use Power Finesse? The goal is to trigger strikes from highly pressured or inactive fish that ignore large, noisy baits, without sacrificing your ability to pull big fish out of thick cover. The Best of Both Worlds: You get the natural, non-threatening appearance of a finesse bait paired with the control, lifting power, and casting accuracy of heavy-duty gear. Thick Cover: You can fish a small worm or shaky head around docks, trees, and grass without the fear of your line snapping or the fish breaking off.

Probably been discussed before, but maybe not. How many do the power finesse for fussy fish around moderate to thicker cover? I've been traditional wormin' lately, but am always liking to mix it up and try different things. I've rigged multiple setups for smaller, subtle baits on heavier tackle for fishing and getting fish through cover. I feel fairly intrigued by this type of fishing and am kind of excited to try it. I've got texas rigged straight tail worms(4.5-6") and typical sized trd's(2.75"). I've also rigged a modified drop shot(stop with a free-sliding ewg and normal ds weight below). What else has worked for you?

Jigs are my favorite, but I also really enjoy squarebills and fishing a carolina rig as well. It's all good if it's catching fish.

I bank fish more than I take my kayak, but enjoy what the yak has to offer. I also cuss it out and talk ish when it gets blown out of position in the very little breeze needed to affect it. I've improved with two manual anchors and no system in place. I have no electronics or motors or stabilizing of any sort. I also use "half" a paddle and go canoe style...which builds my body. Fishing is my mind and body vs nature and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm truly not out to be the best bass guy around; if I get it handed to me, so be it. When it comes together on those special days though...the satisfaction and appreciation is not matched. If I pound town'd every trip; it just wouldn't be the same to me.

This is the best part of your report, keep getting it! The bass are solid too lol

Fished same lake as yesterday on a sunny, warm Saturday and feel I got it done all things considered. Started slower, with a couple scattered fish. I made a couple moves and one shoreline started producing steady. It honestly seemed like when the rec traffic started, the bite fired for a bit. Noon to 1 was the best bite believe it or not, and I even got three solid fish during this time. Rest were keepers and of course a half dozen what I call dink+ fish(12-13"). I brought two casting rods and one spinning. I got the first fish on a thumper worm, then a few on the MH spinning with a 3/16oz tungsten and electric grape power worm, but the hot hand was a MH caster with straight 15lb big game green and 1/4oz tungsten with a blue fleck power worm. That rig caught all three of my bigger fish. At one point jet skis were ripping around out in the middle, paddle boarders were poking around, pontoons were cruising the perimeter and there I was inside the weedline casting out deep and working it back catching bass. Fished 9-2 and felt just fine with what I did.

I have 15 setups for bass as a mostly shore/bare bones kayak angler; 9 casting and 6 spinning. I've been heavily using my spinning rods lately and it doesn't matter to me as long as I'm catching bass. Today, the 7' MH spinning with 20lb braid/12lb hybrid leader did the damage with a t rigged power worm in the weeds. Whatever it takes

Fished a lake I haven't been on for a month and left a lot to be desired on the water. I'm still learning my way lake fishing with a kayak, but figured some stuff out, so I'll start putting together some days here eventually. Deep edge off the weedline was best; as the day went on, I saw some big cruisers inside. I brought all spinning rods, and mostly ran my MH with a texas rig. Power worms in electric grape and blue fleck worked best, but I also got a fish on a junebug thumper worm. I had multiple drops(too much tension) that felt like decent fish, and misses which were probably small bass. Likely going back again tomorrow.

@GreenPig Beautiful fish man. Wiper, then striper on the bottom two? We(MI) almost stocked striped bass before settling on salmon in the great lakes!

I often get pulled into the river by bass like Jeremy Wade on river monsters; "I gotta go for a swim!". After I'm drug across and down, I finally grab a log and pray I can hold on and survive. Once they tire, I tell them "don't tase me bro" and hold the line until they come off. Then I collapse on the ground in grand relief I "survived another encounter". That's just for largemouth; I don't speak of the smallmouth hookups. I have "survive" tattooed on my arm to keep me inspired when bass angling.

Agree with the above. Nice job on adjustment and keeping at it. A solid 18" on a slow day sure creates some mojo for next time.

Negative, all the videos on bass are the same..we're all doing it wrong compared to a hero influencer lol

Go paddle for an hour this evening and you'll tag your needed trio I reckon. Get it lady!

I absolutely have a 7' MH spinning rod with 20lb braid/12lb leader ready often once things get heavy. Wind days and some baits I prefer that rig. She can turn and burn a good bass in heavy cover quite well, though I've gotten it handed to me in thick weeds before with it.

Man, sometimes I just know better and go anyways. The rain was continuous and ended up pounding down, so I tried as long as I could. River will be high and dirty by tomorrow as it got an easy 1-2" of quick rain. I ducked under a bridge down low and got a nice largemouth, good smallmouth, handful of dinks-dink+ and lost another similar largie. It was better than zero and I told myself "take what the Lord gives". All fish came on a 3/16oz bitsy bug with a ned bug trailer. I brought minimal tackle, but moving baits would've had their way.

Comprehension is your friend. Put the defense away and go read again. Nothing zen about a ned rig, thats why so many fish it. Have a good one.

@Swamp Girl Don't forget Katie, you can always rip a lipless through those weeds you have. Do the yo-yo and let it fall just into them and rip it out, rinse and repeat. I think you'd have some success with your aggressive mean greens. I'm pumped, I finally get to fish again and for two days. Storms developing tomorrow afternoon preceded by scattered light rain, so I'm early-birding it for a change and going for it from the bank. Friday will be yak day and I cannot wait for my first float of the season. Big worms, senkos and I'm actually gonna toss topwater for a change, a popping frog to start tomorrow.