Caught this fish on a weightless worm i was fishing in very shallow water like less then 1' of water. I probably should swithc my gear but i was using a 7.1:1 gear ratio reel with 16 lbs Sunline Sniper FC line wih a 7'6" medium heavy fast rod. What do you guys think? I need a more sensitive rod for something like that. I really miss my im7 rod and real combo 

It looks like your gear worked - keep it up -

Nice Fish man...

Honestly, the only thing i'd switch is that god awful T shirt you're wearing.... GO HEELS!!  

Why do you think you need to change anything? What you have obviously worked. 

Try not to get caught up in the  "I need a high IM rating rod to be a better fisherman" thing, because you don't.

 

 

Mike 

3 hours ago, Mike L said:

Why do you think you need to change anything? What you have obviously worked. 

Try not to get caught up in the  "I need a high IM rating rod to be a better fisherman" thing, because you don't.

 

3 hours ago, Mike L said:

 

Mike 

 Figured i need something that would be a lot more sensitive for sure. 

1 hour ago, Jay_White said:

 

 Figured i need something that would be a lot more sensitive for sure. 

Sensitivity is in your hands & how your brain interprets what your hands are feeling!

nice fish...

"sensitivity" can be a good line watcher too.  never under estimate that part of the equation

Good work! In less then 1 foot of water the polarized glasses you are wearing are the difference maker. Watch closely because hook sets are free. 

Just become a line watcher!!!!!!

You're doing just fine as is.

I throw weightless worms on a 7' MH with 30lb braid and that setup works great. Good to have some heavier line and a heavier rod when the grass starts to grow anyway.

proofs in the pudding

Yes I do have to admit i wouldnt have not been able to do what I did if it wasnt for the sunglasses. I could barely see my flurocarbon line

1 hour ago, Jay_White said:

Yes I do have to admit i wouldnt have not been able to do what I did if it wasnt for the sunglasses. I could barely see my flurocarbon line

Which is why I don't rely that heavily on line watching!

Again rely on what your hands are feeling & what your brain is interpreting!

Jay, looks like you're doing just fine with the equipment you have. Nice spring fish man and AWESOME shirt! Big Blue is truly the greatest tradition in all of college basketball. 

Don't start trying to fix something that ain't broke.

To piggyback on what Catt said, a finger or two on the line will be a big help as well. Your line will transmit a fair bit of information as long as you know what you're feeling for. And by the looks of that fish you're definitely heading down the right path.

Nice fish. I use 20# braid (8# mono diameter) on a MH, Mod/Fast 7' spinning combo for that approach. But my buddy uses 15# Big Game on a cheap M spinning combo with great results. The weightless worm is the perfect tactic for not spooking fish in very shallow water.

Who can argue with the results? You gotta use what's in your hand.

 

Some fishermen, like pro Gary Klein, keep an index finger and thumb touching the line as it is worked in.

Here's another tip: If you use the neon color Trick Worms, you can often see the bass take it before he feels you. In fact, if you're fishing in less than 1', you probably can see the motion. No real need for sensitivity there. Also, my experience with heavier FC is that a strike feels like a telegraph all the way up to the elbow. 

I've used weightless stuff on 20lb fluoro before, the line  is so heavy that it can make the bait sink and give it a little different presentation than a bullet weight or weighted hook. Mind you this is in my neighbor's pond that gets no rest from me so I have to do stupid things to show them something I haven't before.

2 hours ago, livemusic said:

Some fishermen, like pro Gary Klein, keep an index finger and thumb touching the line as it is worked in.

Always use my index finger under the line above the reel in the crease of the first nuckle.  And thumb just behind the level wind. For me sensitivity is increased and it gives much more leverage palming that way. 

 

Mike