helms83

So basically my 6.4:1 and 6.2:1 should work fine. I do what a slower one though, a 5.2:1 or 5.4:1. I really think it'll improve my crankbait technique.

lol, yeah I joined the army national guard in 2002 shortly after 9/11, and then went active in 2004.

Being that I'm still new to all this, my first thought was maybe the stretching of the mono line could be contributing to the in effectiveness. I also thought that maybe the length of my rod and being on a shorline was the cause. I failed to take into account the action of my rod, causing my rhythm to be off, delaying the effectiness. That's a great point as well.

By chance did you try just putting a spin hook in the trailing treble position, while living the normal hook on the front of your crankbait?

I saw the same episode. Joe Thomas had me wanting to find some that day! Still interested in them.

I used this top water the other day for the first time. I was fishing from shore. If I cast out just far enough, I could get the lure to react how I wanted (walk the dog method). However, if I went past this point, and cast out further, I couldn't get the method I was trying to achieve. My question: is this the nature of the beast; being that the distance of the lure from my pole is too far, delay the reaction of the bait? Or is this something line change could fix, as I was using monofilament.

I used this top water the other day for the first time. I was fishing from shore. If I cast out just far enough, I could get the lure to react how I wanted (walk the dog method). However, if I went past this point, and cast out further, I couldn't get the method I was trying to achieve. My question: is this the nature of the beast; being that the distance of the lure from my pole is too far, delay the reaction of the bait? Or is this something line change could fix, as I was using monofilament.

Anyone know of any active Northern KY bass clubs that are good for a beginner who doesn't own a boat to join?

Today I went to this small 'lake' where I have not caught anything all summer. But I decided to try yet again. I first noticed a slight tick, that could have been a fish, but since it was so slight and not wanting to scare away anything in the area, I resisted the urge to set the hook. So I thought, 'what would a craw do if being chased?' I gave a few quick cranks, as if the bait were trying to get away and paused. Then gave a few slow sweeps and felt another tick. There was nothing in this area that I should be feeling, so I knew it was a fish. But again, it was slight. So I repeated the same movements, and paused. But this time I was ready. When I started my sweep, I waited for the tick. Sure enough, it came back, and I set the hook and watched as my line started to run. I reeled in the fish, and although it was only a 10-12" dink, I won! I learned resistence to set the hook and wait for a sure strike, which I feel can make or break landing bass. I also learned to keep trying, and eventually persistence will pay off. I'm getting better!

Any KY guys post on here anymore? Looking to meet up with someone to learn some things, I'm still new to this. Any interest?

Thanks for the links, I read all the articles and it's a good starting point!

This summer, I really got into Bass Fishing. I haven't been able to get on the water much, other than Lake Freeman in Elizabethtown, KY (which isn't great by any means, lol). I don't own a boat, I have alot to learn, and I'll admit, I should probably wait before signing up for a tournament. However, I deploy again this winter and will miss all of 2011 and I really want to experience fall bass fishing, tournament fishing, and learn what I can from more seasoned guys. Anyone know of any good co-angler tournaments in the KY area? Does anyone have any advice for a co-angler tournament?

I've been in for 6 years (8 with 2 years of guard time from 02-04). I was at Campbell for 5 years, and been here at Knox since April with 1ID. Been to Afghan and about to head back over this winter.

How many are on this? What branch, where stationed, how long served, how do you balance family, work, deployments, and fishing?

I completely agree with and understand what you are saying David. I'm about to be 27, started bass fishing in '07, and was unable to fish again until this past summer. My focus is solely learning how to fish. Then I want to compete, not for money, but to be the best. I don't care to be sponsored, and have no desire to be. But I also agree with Tommy. If you're going to do the work, get what you can for it. Just like any job or promotion you receive; it's no different. If it's there, take what you can get. But I do agree, alot of the younger generation are more worried about sponsors and money without being a 'fisherman.' If the younger generation focused on fishing, sponsorships would naturally come; let them find you, then you get almost anything from them.

I was curious what other hobbies people have besides fishing. I have have several: Ultimate Frisbee Running Playing Guitar Sports Sport Card Collecting Chess What's yours?

Thanks for the tips everyone. I went and caught 5 small bass, and 2 fat catfish, lol. 2 bass were caught on a weightless Baby Craw. 1 bass was caught on a weightless Craw 1 bass was caught on a black Buzz bait 1 bass was caught on a shallow shad color Crankbait The 2 catfish were caught on that same Crankbait. I tried other stuff, but I couldn't get anything going. I actually figured out a pattern for once: 4 bass were caught on the edge of a grassline 10ft from shore, and they wanted a slow presentation. I'm sure I could have killed them if I stayed with a Craw on that grassline, but I wanted to try other things, and maybe find a bigger one deeper. I learned alot from the trip though, it was a good time!

What is a good example as to the importance of a 7.1:1 reel? What lures or setup would you use this higher reel ratio with?

I'm new to bass fishing, but this summer has been very rough for me on the water. I have been skunked so many times, and there has only been one day were I caught more than one bass on a trip. My biggest fish this year is under a pound; I haven't even caught one at 15". It's been that kinda year! So I haven't been able to really practice or learn much, cause I don't know if I'm doing anything right since I'm not catching anything. But yesterday I went to a private stocked farm pond just for some fun. Again, nothing over a pound but I caught 5 bass and I learned alot! I figured out the pattern for the pond, I lured how to use certain lures, I learned some bass behavior, I learned subtle hits and how to react, and I learned pond environment. I felt I finally learned some key aspects of bass fishing.

Going to a small pond I've never fished before. Been told water is clear and depth is fairly shallow. Not sure about any known structure and forge. I was thinking natural colored lures; shallow cranks, spinners, and topwaters. Any advice?

My girlfriend is trying to get me some fishing equipment for my bday. I'm hoping for a new rod and reel. My current setups are: 6'6 Bass Pro Shop Spinning Rod/Reel Combo 6'6 Shimano Convergence Graphite (cvc-66m) Browning Citori (ci10hl0): 6.4 to 1 6'6 Berkley Cherrywood Graphite (cwc661m) Shimano Callisto (CS0-100): 6.2:1 I was thinking of asking for: Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier Baitcast Reel: 5.2:1 I was thinking of this to have a good crankbait reel. Any thoughts? Should I focus on other equipment or setups? Just looking for some advice, thanks!

How long does it usually take for the water temp to change and the thermocline to rise once the weather starts to cool? It was very hot in KY this year, water temp was between 85-90 most of the summer. Past 2 weeks the weather has changed. 70s, 80s and a few 90s for highs. But the nights have generally been upper 50s and 60s.

Not sure what that means? I haven't been on the water since end of July cause I was in CA all of August for training. Fishing was very tough before I left though.

I'm in northern KY and was wondering about my subject title. With the weather finally cooling down, how will the bass begin to act? Will some days be more active than others? Will they become more active once the water temp holds at cooler temps? Also, with the weather being finicky, how will the bass react? Example, I was in northern IL, and in one day, the temp went from 90 one day to 65 the next. What will this do to the fish behavior?

I'm stationed at FT Knox, Ky and I usually drive home to Northern IL (Rockford area) once a month. The 8 hour drive gets boring, so this time I hope to break up the drive by stopping at some lakes for a few casts. I take 74w from Danville through Champaign to Bloomington, then take 39n all the way to Rockford. Are there any lakes along these two highways that produce some good bass fishing that would be worth the stop?