helms83

I'm finding the morning/mid-day bite to be terrible. But what I'm hearing from others at my local lake is that the late-evening night bite is awesome. I understand it's because of the cooler temps when compared to the day. But I was wondering: could the cooler temps at night be throwing off the feeding times of the bass? If they are eating through the night, could the bass be 'fat, dumb and happy" by mid-morning, causing them to be less hungry, less active, and more passive? Is it possible that their feeding schedules have been thrown off due to the excessive heat this summer?

For the first time, I fished with these Craws. Although I didn't catch anything, I did try different techniques: t-rig, jig, swim jig, and weightless. I'm a big fan of using these as a swim jig and a weightless topwater. I can see a promising feature with these baits come fall.

I love the way this thing casts, swims, feels, and sounds! I bought two, both 1/2oz, one chrome with blue black; the other in baby shad.

I will gladly trade you jobs until Jan 2012!

Looking for people around the Louisville area. I'm in Radcliff, but will go anywhere people want to meet. Anyone interested?

Skunked again, I just can't figure this lake out. But here are pics of my lake and areas to fish. First two pics are Area #1, third pic is Area #2, fourth pic is Area #3. How would you fish these areas?

Update: First time on the water since this thread was started. I took your advice and I'm very pleased with the results. I used my crankbait setup and was casting my 1/2 oz red-eye shad further than every before, and with ease! I mean, it was a flick of the wrist and I was casting to my pervious distance. I put a little power into my cast, and I was probably close to doubling my casting distance! I was very impressed! I used my other setup for my jigs and rigs. The line choice made it so easy to watch my line. I could also feel the bottom and little ticks so much easier with the rod choice. I really appreciate your help!

Water Clarity: Stained Water Temp: 85ish Weather: Sunny; sunrise: 0640; temp: 75; temp at noon: low 90s Method of fishing: 0700 launch from a boat w/o a depth finder Attached is a map of lake numbered with best spots: 1) Shallow area (3-10ft) with standing timber. Longer shade time with tree cover along the eastern shoreline. (I've fished here twice with no luck, however, I have seen some decent size bass jump in the morning hours.) 2) Points where I have caught smaller bass on crankbait (most productive area for me so far this summer). The bottom is composed of areas of mud, some with small rock cover, and I believe a very small/short grass bed (however I have truble finding these areas since I'm new at this). The shore line is shallow and then goes to about 20ft 50 meters from the shoreline. 3) "The Dam" (no running water or current created) with rock shoreline, and some rock covered bottom areas. Goes shallow to deep very quickly here. Not sure depth but would say 20+ easily. There is also standing structure from a small bridge that leads to a concrete box thing that's in the water. (I think this would provide a good ambush spot, and quick access from shallow to deep, plus the western side of this box would allow for cooler water temp as it's shaded from the sunrise). 4) Very shallow standing timber, roughly 3-6ft of water. Have caught only one bass, roughly 2lbs, around the timber, and I have been back there a few times. I was thinking of trying by area #3 when I first got there in the morning, since I always start by area #1 with no luck. How would you attack this lake?

Water Clarity: Stained Water Temp: 85ish Weather: Sunny; sunrise: 0640; temp: 75; temp at noon: low 90s Method of fishing: 0700 launch from a boat w/o a depth finder Attached is a map of lake numbered with best spots: 1) Shallow area (3-10ft) with standing timber. Longer shade time with tree cover along the eastern shoreline. (I've fished here twice with no luck, however, I have seen some decent size bass jump in the morning hours.) 2) Points where I have caught smaller bass on crankbait (most productive area for me so far this summer). The bottom is composed of areas of mud, some with small rock cover, and I believe a very small/short grass bed (however I have truble finding these areas since I'm new at this). The shore line is shallow and then goes to about 20ft 50 meters from the shoreline. 3) "The Dam" (no running water or current created) with rock shoreline, and some rock covered bottom areas. Goes shallow to deep very quickly here. Not sure depth but would say 20+ easily. There is also standing structure from a small bridge that leads to a concrete box thing that's in the water. (I think this would provide a good ambush spot, and quick access from shallow to deep, plus the western side of this box would allow for cooler water temp as it's shaded from the sunrise). 4) Very shallow standing timber, roughly 3-6ft of water. Have caught only one bass, roughly 2lbs, around the timber, and I have been back there a few times. I was thinking of trying by area #3 when I first got there in the morning, since I always start by area #1 with no luck. How would you attack this lake?

Is that because you're in the 'strike zone' longer?

Were they hitting like that because the heat is making them lazy?

Are you guys saying to sometimes fish from a boat as if you were on the shore; just position the boat further from the shoreline, as if the shore were extended out, fishing deep to shallow?

I have creature baits and other trailers for my jigs. However, I just bought some rage tail craws and baby craws. However, I think the only jigs I have are 3/8 weedless football jigs. I'm very excited about the rage tails. Just not sure if I have the right jig for presentation purposes.

What's the difference between field staff and pro staff?

I'm confused; how much of a diference would a jig that weighs 1/16 differ from presentation to a 3/8? What all is affected: fall rate, what else? I don't understand how much of a difference it could make to a fish.

Sorry I have no tips for you, but I'm curious about bass fishing in IL. I'm originally from Byron, IL (15m from Rockford) and I have not heard of any good bass fishing spots in Northern IL. I live in KY now (near Louisville) and go by the Champaign area all the time to go home. Are there any good areas to fish that are open to the public close to 74?

During my last deployment to Afghanistan my house was broken into twice. Never got any info from the police about either event. It sucks being 7500 miles away and not being able to handle your personal affairs. I feel ya.

I like to throw swimbaits 5 to 10 ft past the explosion, work to the area quickly, and start twitching the bait like crazy through the top feeding. It has worked everytime!

I really appreciate your response; it was exactly the kind of response I was looking for. I had already spooled and setup everything yesterday before I read your response, but I was almost right on with what you said. The only difference is I have the reels matched to the rods the other way, but for no reason. I'm thinking of switching the two around to what you said. Thanks again!

Your boat is coming out nicely! Very impressed with your handy work. I too was curious about the added weight: what is the rated weight capcity for an aluminum boat; how much will you be adding? What size motor do you have? What is your plan for a front mounted trolling motor? If you don't mind me asking, how much have you put into it?

I'm still fairly new to bass fishing, but am starting to pay more attention to the "little things." Today I'm changing my line and actually trying to understand the best way to use my rods/reels. I have a spinning rod that will remain the same. However, my other two rods are trigger handles with baitcasting reels. My equipment: Rods: Shimano Convergence graphite rod (cvc-66m) L: 6'6 Line WT: 8-17lb Lure WT: 1/4-5/8oz Power: Medium Action: Fast Berkley Cherrywood graphite rod (cwc661m) L: 6'6 Line WT: 8-20 Lure WT: 1/4-3/4 Power: Medium Casting (?) Reels: Browning Citori (CI10HLD) 6.4:1 Ratio 8-Bearing System Shimano Callisto (CSO-100) 6.2:1 Ratio 1-Bearing System Available Lines: Stern Original Clear 10lb PLine X-Tra Strong Hi-Vis Fluorescent 10lb Shakespere Supreme Clear 10lb Stern Super Knot Clear 17lb I would like the best possible crankbait setup and then the next best setup for my other rod. What rod and reel should I match-up, and spool which line to that rod? And why would you select the match-up you suggest (so I can learn)? Thanks in advance!

What kind of tape, how, where? Do you tape over the knot, this is the first time i'm respooling my own reel

how do you find a program to download?

I'm doing the same thing right now. I'm in between buying a brand new Bass Tracker Pro 16 or maybe an older, worn in, pre-owned for my first boat. I've been looking on craigslist and have seen some good deals for good boats, just worried about "as-is" and something 'big' being wrong with the boat. It has to wait until the beggining of 2012, that's when I come back from Afghanistan (I leave in a few months). I'm so excited to come back and fish my very first spring season and from my very first boat! Man I wish I joined the Air Force, lol!!!

when I ran XC, I could rarely eat anything at lunch without it affecting my run, lol.