What's a Bass?

Really, I like tubes and jerk them like a crawdad and a texas rig worm. Frogs are fun when the grass is up and it's in the evening.

I'm like IHPoachers. I like it all, except for Carolina-rigging. I'd rather chew tinfoil.

But ...

Jig
Topwater (any kind)
Crankbaits (shallow or deep)
Swimbaits

Back when I used to bass fish everyday my absolute favorite thing to throw was a weightless trick worm.

my favorites would be a fluke or a frog on the top

In the water

Corn?

I'm a bank fisherman, I don't know anything about fishing deep. Worms, flukes, senkos, frogs preferred choices. Then early or late a walk the dog with a top water or a popper.

Clem, you are not alone on the Carolina rig.

^^^ I can't stand it either

I'm not a big fan of the carolina rig, but it has its place. I've fished it a couple times, but prefer the texas rig.

I have trouble feeling bites on a Carolina rig, so I stay away from it.
Plastics have been producing better than anything else for me lately, on the lake and in the ponds.

Have you fellas used the tungsten weights? They are fantastic. Increased sensitivity big time. I can feel every little blade of grass and every stump ect.
And there magnetic. Texas rig with tungsten weight and a little magnetic bead is rippin lips good for me. Every time you work the plastic the bead clacks against the hook and weight and gives the bait a little sound.
I've used whistle beads before but like this alot better

Love pitching bushes and grass matts. Swimming jigs #2. Actually got a minute to take the boys saturday pm. We found some flooded bushes and caught several. For those of you that follow alabama bass trail...that was my youngest proudly portraying a goodun he caught.

I've been using tungsten weights since they came out. Great stuff.


I know the Carolina rig works. I just hate not feeling a bite and by the time I do, it may be in a gill raker or gullet. In summer, fishing a ledge, neither of those are good situations to have with a big fish.

Clem, you're right about the damage to the fish when you can't feel the fish. Guess I'll just have to try the tungsten weights. I need to get up to date on these weights and the magnets(?).

Jig, jig, or jig, then topwater. But really, I'd almost rather go home if I can't get it done on a jig.

Up to date? Tungsten's been around for about 10 years. You still using a rotary dial phone? LOL

Tungsten is more dense than lead, so you can use a smaller weight that weighs more. A 1/8-ounce tungsten weight looks like a 1/4-ounce lead, roughly, and so on.

They transmit a bit more feeling on the bottom if you're dragging a tube or worm. They're great to reduce the profile of the bait when you're using a tube or worm. Hurts to get snagged and lose one, though, because they cost more. Hurts when that sucker comes shootin' back and hits you in the arm or chest, too.

Tungsten jigs are available, too, but IMO it's cost-prohibitive for where I like to pitch a jig.

The weights are great no dout. i havnt tried them on a carolina rig yet, but im thinkin ill be able to feel bites better with the tungsten.

and on the magnets, you dont have to have them really, i just like em personally. go to the jewelry section in wal mart, look around, you should be able to find a magnetic bead bracelet that is almost the exact same color as the tungsten weights, the bracelets have two types of beads, i didnt like the oval ones, i threw them away and just use the round ones

Speaking of Carolina rigs, and this may seem like common sense but it's a good tip, Steve Kennedy told me when he's rigging that the clearer the water he uses a longer leader. If it's ultra-clear, he may have a leader that's 4-feet or longer.

I guess throwing that thing out on a cast is like throwing a bull whip. But that gets back to why I don't like throwing it. A long leader like that, it's tough for me to feel the bite.

Yup, and you need a 20'+ boat or the back seater is ducking and dodging that dang leader/lizard all day!