@roadwarrior was my Fishmas partner. One of the items I received were a couple packs of Daiwa/GYBC 4.5” Neko Macho baits. I never used a Neko rig before so this morning I decided to hit the pond. Got here just before 11:00. Sunny and around 60°. Saw a turtle sunning which made me regret not bringing the Megabass Pop X (thought the water might still be too cold). No biggie. I tied on a 1/0 Gammy circle octopus hook on a BC rig with 10 lb Big Game and rigged a watermelon Neko Macho with a nail weight (actually, the shank of a drywall nail). First casts were unproductive and upon review I think I did not have the hook far enough forward. I moved the hook closer and on the second cast I felt a bass take the bait. Reeled it in tight and caught this 1.5 lb’er. 
 

 

It’s always nice to catch a bass on a new bait. Not that big but a fun catch. So I decided to stick with it. I casted the bait right down the bank and started working it back slow. It stopped dead but it wasn’t a snag. Reeled in the slack and could tell it was a decent bass. 
 

 

 

Hopefully there’s a bigger one out there that’s hungry! I seem to be a fall-back guy on lures I know work, but it is nice to fish new baits and new techniques and get a quick payoff! 

Nice catching!

Nice catch! I need to start stepping out of my comfort zone, it's too easy to use your confidence lures. 

1 hour ago, Budcjoline said:

Nice catch! I need to start stepping out of my comfort zone, it's too easy to use your confidence lures. 

I’ve been very guilty of that. Either not trying new baits and/or presentations, or not fishing them enough to give them a fair shake. It’s one of the reasons why I switched hook position after getting no hits. I didn’t want to fall back on a “tried-and-true” without giving it a good try. Glad I did! 

11 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I’ve been very guilty of that. Either not trying new baits and/or presentations, or not fishing them enough to give them a fair shake. It’s one of the reasons why I switched hook position after getting no hits. I didn’t want to fall back on a “tried-and-true” without giving it a good try. Glad I did! 

Yeah, that's one of my goals this year. There are a lot of lure that people swear by and I don't try because I always fall back. I plan on fishing more this spring with some of those lures and then reevaluate in the summer lol

Good job.  I am a little jealous.  I went walking on the iced over creek yesterday with my son. lol I will have to add to my 2021 Goals list and try baits that I typically don't use.  I tend to try something new for a few casts and then go back to a confidence bait.  Tight lines!

 

First keeper on a Fishmas bait!