My shoulder and elbow are steadily improving, but I can't even think about lifting my TM battery, so I'm

still bank fishing. I gotta tell ya, this bank fishing can be really fun. It's so uncomplicated. One rod, a pocket stuffed with a handful baits, some hooks, and your on your way.

Now what makes my life so good is that I had a great time fishing with RW's borrowed stradic and Chris' gifted hand pours.

It was a beautiful evening. Breezy but less windy that it has been. Cool, about 65 degrees, and the sun was peeking in and out before setting in a blazing pink sky.

The reel casts weightless plastics effortlessly, and these handpours are outstanding fish catchers.

I started with the ring type worm. I was getting bit but I couldn't nail anything, so I cut off a couple of inches and added a 3/0 split shot. That was the ticket. I landed 3 pretty quickly, they were 10-12 inches which probably explains the short strikes.

I then put on a toad. This is the ONLY toad I have fished that did not turn over. Not once. EVER.

Put out a nice sputter trail but I couldn't hook anything. I was using 6 lb yo - zuri hybrid soft and owner 3/0 offset hook. Not exactly heavyweight stuff. So I decided to expose the hook through the slot so conveniently provided and "sploosh" a big hit. I set the hook "pop". Line broke, not because of improper drag setting but because I didn't check the line and retie while swithching baits.

my mistake.

So now that lesson was learned (again) I retied and this time put on a really neat looking bait. At first glance it looks like a sweet beaver, but Chris added craw like tail instead of the typical beaver type.

I decided to hook it through the side with hook exposed so it "swam' like a minnow instead of fluttering down like a beaver. With the 3/0 split shot I hit the holy Grail.

This one is in the 3 lb. class

this one looks bigger in the photo but was a little smaller

And just in case you thought I lost my knack for photographic excellence, heres a 2+ lber that looks much more the typical "Avids famous fish photo" 8-)

You too can have me photographed catching bass with your equipment. Please send a GLoomis BSR852 to "Avids famous fishing photo's".

I'll be waiting

Way to go Avid, glad to see you're on the comeback trail.

Spinning gear is probably a good idea to keep your recovery on track.

I hear you loud-and-clear about bank fishing, it has a charm all its own.

By the way, that bass looks closer to 4 lbs, -OR- you have learned the correct way to hold a bass ;D

Roger

Anyone notice the hat?

Maybe I have a new lucky fishing cap  8-)

That is a nice looking handpour. I have to say I oftentimes prefer bank fishing. It's less stressful and it brings it's own set of challenges and rewards.

Nice pictures, good fish!  I agree.  Bankfishing can be a blast.  

Nice Avid

Hpefully the shoulder will be better for spring!

That's fantastic Avid. I am glad your back in the saddle again. I kinda like that frog myself it is kinda cool. Those other baits I have been smacking fish with them most of the year. I just never said much about them

You too can have me photographed catching bass with your equipment.  Please send a GLoomis BSR852 to "Avids famous fishing photo's".

I'll be waiting  

LOL! Glad to see the gimpy wing isn't really holding you back Avid! Might even help your "photography" a little bit!

I'm not quite sure that I understand the principle behind the ring bodied worm.  I know it's supposed to trap air bubbles, well at least think so.

My question is what are some of the classic methods of fishing this bait.  I have never used on begore.

By the way I was playing around casting baits into the pool.  That craw footed beaver walks the dog beautifully when rigged weightless thorugh the flat side.

Can't wait to try that next time.

That zipper bait I mainly just flip the bait or work it on the bottom like a worm, when you hop the bait you can feel the paddle real well. You can also buzz weed flats with it rigged Texas with a weight to keep it down or stick it on a jighead and swim it. It is a good bait to flip in floating weeds and yo yo or hop it sharply and let it fall then pitch it to another spot. The ribs on the bait puts off pressure waves that other baits can't. It makes the bass think it is eating something bigger than it is and also displaces more water so a bass can find it in muddy water. If you peg the beaver craw with a flipping weight the claws float up when it is sitting on the bottom make sure you use it in the spring on beds Another thing, because the lure floats you can counter balance it with the weight and really control the fall rate to real slow. This works well when you have cold fronts or just cold water in general. The beaverbug is the same way the appendages float up at rest. Wait till you try them on a Carolina rig. The frog and the paddle zip when you are done with it, use it as a spinnerbait trailer or a swimming jig trailer.

Sweet fish there Avid!

Nice to see your well.  ;D ;D

Those beaver things work for me too.  I'm gonna have to try and swim one.  Thanks for the tip.  

Can't see the pics here at work but everything sounds good Avid .

Dan

good looking fish.

re: the baits you're using.... i found by accident that i could cut them to about 1/2 length & they make Great trailers on jigs.  ..and, like Chris alluded (even tho he knows a thousand times more about fishing than i do, & certainly dont' need my approval), there's something about those rings that make the fish feel like he's getting a "mouthful."   i.e., he'll hit it in deep dark muddy situations.

ronnie

Like LRod, I got the red X's. Sounds like you are healing just fine though.

Sounds like you're recovering well and tearing up the banks. Nice job.

Cool fish and pictures avid!

Glad your getting out and enjoying yourself...

sounds like a great time.  i love bank fishing too.

about the only time i use ring bodied worms are on a c-rig.  i especially like them at night, on a crig.

matt

Great looking fish. Glad to hear your recovery is coming along smoothly.

ahh, the cellphone pics are back ;D