What would be the two best speeds to get for a bait casting reel. I do a lot of top water and shore worming. nothing over 3/8 in weight. I have two abu garcia rivo's but haven't been to thrilled with the worm gear had to pull out the pin several times which seems to get stuck a lot. When they do work right I been able to skip worms just like my spinning gear. Most likely will be getting at least 5 sets this year to start replacing my open face gear. Thinking of getting back to tournament fishing I haven't done for over 20 yrs. been winning the local lunker tourneys here so getting the bug back.

I bought a Quantum Smoke reel and a G loomis rod for my crankbait set up. The reel is a 5.2 and works really well for me. Being new to using a baitcaster I find it is the easiest to setup and use. I have a Shimano Curado that is a 7.1 that I use for flipping.  

Well the first deep freeze has really set in which means no more fishing for me. It has been a hell of a season for sure, me and Jitterbug really improved over the past season and hopefully will improve much more next year. Good luck making it through winter everyone!

Can't forget the biggest one of the year

What would be the two best speeds to get for a bait casting reel. I do a lot of top water and shore worming. nothing over 3/8 in weight. I have two abu garcia rivo's but haven't been to thrilled with the worm gear had to pull out the pin several times which seems to get stuck a lot. When they do work right I been able to skip worms just like my spinning gear. Most likely will be getting at least 5 sets this year to start replacing my open face gear. Thinking of getting back to tournament fishing I haven't done for over 20 yrs. been winning the local lunker tourneys here so getting the bug back.

I feel that the rod  type (a 6'6-7 foot with medium-heavy with a soft tip) is just as important as the gear ratio for worming and top water with light baits. You dont need a 5.4:1 like for deep cranking, but a 7.1:1 may not give you the power you need to pull fish out from under docks and other cover, if thats what your going to be fishing around. I would use a 6.2:1 for top water/worming.

Thanks for the suggestions I will be picking peoples brains for the winter months ahead. I am extremely confident I can keep up with all the big boys with my open face reals in fact I out fished local legend from the back of the boat to qualify for the bass master regional tournament when I was younger, caught one of the biggest smallies on Sebago 6.2 lbs with 8lb test line and a black gitzit the hook was almost bent straight. The gentleman shook my hand and said I was the only person to out fish him from the back of his boat.I think now is the time to put some learning back into the catch and also go after some trophy's some are you are posting. Thanks in advance.

couple pics to get us through this cold crap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome Shane ! How many did you guys get over 10 lbs ?

I got 3, Big O got 7, including the 12 and 13 I posted above. We only fished jigs/Craw or Lobster, and Tx rigged Lobsters and Recons. Plenty of 6-8 pounders, and a few 9's as well. 

Shane, those a great fish! Fantastic work. Just thinking about those will get us through winter!

AAAAHHHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I had a couple hours free, and was gonna hit the water, so I load up, and I get there, and it's FROZEN!!! I was STANDING ON IT!!!! Somebody just shoot me now.

AAAAHHHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I had a couple hours free, and was gonna hit the water, so I load up, and I get there, and it's FROZEN!!! I was STANDING ON IT!!!! Somebody just shoot me now.

Cobbetts isnt frozen over. Text me when your ready.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_a7AZbJGNM&feature=youtu.be

 

A little comic fun on fishing stereotypes. The no touchy was funny.

What little water isn't frozen, is 36-38 degrees. I hate this state. Nice job, Deaknh03, on the one you got today! I will accept the skunk, as a sign. to MOVE!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_a7AZbJGNM&feature=youtu.be

 

A little comic fun on fishing stereotypes. The no touchy was funny.

Bob great find. Thanks

Quick question for you all. Anyone fish a Wacky Rigged Senko in deep water? Roughly more than 20ft. Looking to try this out for some deep water action next spring.

Mike, how many times this year, have you heard about really big fish being caught on a Senko? They'll catch you fish, yes, but if you listen, my friend, there is a better way.

Oh, and needless to say, the answer to your question from me, is no.

They do make hook weights for going deep with wacky rigs, you have to really watch your line because of the hits on the fall that can go unnoticed. I'm a "avid" wacky rig user but I rarely let it hit bottom past the twenty foot mark. these weights are on the expensive side only 3 to a pack but with the lead ban coming up there's not much of a choice soon. I have also used the tungsten balls (1/32) as a leader weight also.

I fish senkos a lot. My five biggest fish have all been caught on them. The five inch size will catch big fish but it will also catch a lot of smaller ones. If you go up to the six inch size, you will get a higher mix of larger bass. If you use the huge seven inch senkos, your bite will slow down, but you will really only catch larger fish. I have never had anything less than two pounds even bite a seven inch senko. These are big bait. If you hold one in your hand you will see what I mean. You have to use a 6/0 hook with them, Texas-rigged. They are so bulky and heavy, you really have to work on your pitching technique to avoid big splashes that spook fish.

I know a lot a experienced bass fisherman look down on senkos. That's fine with me. They consistently work for me when other baits don't. I have attended professional BASS and FLW tournaments and there are plenty of pros using them. When money is on the line, the pros use what works. They don't care about image. KVD uses them all the time, all though he uses the Strike King Ocho product, which is similar, but slightly different from a senko. I saw KVD catch a 9 pounder on Lake Fork using this bait.

The Senko is a known "put one in the livewell" bait, but is not known to be a big fish bait (there are some exceptions, however), even the big 7" one. That's why everyone uses them, including hard up pros. Of course, everyone's definition of big fish is different. I'm talking fish bigger than in your signature. I don't look down on the Senko, or people that use them, but there are certainly better options for specifically targeting bigger than average bass, the jig being the biggest of them. The past few years have been huge for the uprising of the swimbait generation, too. Also big fish baits. Throwing a Senko, and expecting a big bite, is like junk fishing. Sometimes you will get lucky, but for the most part, you'll be left in the dust.

I definitely will pick up a package of Rage Craws haha. What colors would you recommend and where and how should I fish it for presentation purposes?

I Have to agree with Shane. I compare fishing senkos to using live bait. They work great, and will catch you fish, but I want the bigger fish, and the bigger fish have seen a million senkos over the years, and they dont fall for that, you need to give them something they don't see often.

I definitely will pick up a package of Rage Craws haha. What colors would you recommend and where and how should I fish it for presentation purposes?

 

Texas rig, rage rig, jig trailer... As far as colors go it depends on where you are fishing, green pumpkin would be a good overall color to start with, then from their you can expand with candy craw, blue craw, bama craw, etc...

I think Nev even fishes it weightless, personally I don't like it though...