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2022 Fishing Thread

I haven’t had any luck figuring out bass in the rivers. But I dont let it stop me from trying. One day I’ll figure out how to hold my mouth right...
Just my opinion but all you need is: white and chartruese/white spinnerbaits, black/blue, white and watermelon jigs and assortment of trailers, medium diving crawdad crankbait, and shad pattern square bills in 1.0 and 1.5. Better throw in bladed jigs in the same colors as the regular jigs too. Might not win any tournaments but you can catch fish with that most days. Think shallow, less than 8-10 feet.
 
Would love to know what kinda tackle they used to haul that beast in. Those things are insanely tough to land and I can't imagine one of that size.

Just my opinion but all you need is: white and chartruese/white spinnerbaits, black/blue, white and watermelon jigs and assortment of trailers, medium diving crawdad crankbait, and shad pattern square bills in 1.0 and 1.5. Better throw in bladed jigs in the same colors as the regular jigs too. Might not win any tournaments but you can catch fish with that most days. Think shallow, less than 8-10 feet.

Solid advice although learning how to toss a jig if you're struggling already might not help. Otherwise, toss a wacky rigged senko. If you don't catch any bass on that then they're not there lol.
 
Would love to know what kinda tackle they used to haul that beast in. Those things are insanely tough to land and I can't imagine one of that size.



Solid advice although learning how to toss a jig if you're struggling already might not help. Otherwise, toss a wacky rigged senko. If you don't catch any bass on that then they're not there lol.
I am guessing you are referring to skipping. I cant skip a jig for crap but catch probably 40% or more of my fish on a jig. Good call on the senko rig. I have no experience with it but know lots of guys that catch a ton of fish on it.
 
I am guessing you are referring to skipping. I cant skip a jig for crap but catch probably 40% or more of my fish on a jig. Good call on the senko rig. I have no experience with it but know lots of guys that catch a ton of fish on it.
No, I just meant figuring out how to work the jig and feel the bite. I don't want to get into the weeds on technical jargon that's not necessary and I guess if you're picking apart different types of jigs that could be the road we go down. Maybe you mean a swim jig, which IMO is not difficult to learn, and a good recommendation, but not the direction my brain went when you mentioned it above. Other types that you're pitching at specific targets or punching through mats of grass were more difficult for me to learn. YMMV
 
No, I just meant figuring out how to work the jig and feel the bite. I don't want to get into the weeds on technical jargon that's not necessary and I guess if you're picking apart different types of jigs that could be the road we go down. Maybe you mean a swim jig, which IMO is not difficult to learn, and a good recommendation, but not the direction my brain went when you mentioned it above. Other types that you're pitching at specific targets or punching through mats of grass were more difficult for me to learn. YMMV
Sorry I never really consider the different models of jigs, I just use flippin jigs for all applications. I started swimming a jig back in the late 80's before there was a real variety of models. I virtually never run into grass mats where I fish but I would think there would be some adjustment there. I am 99% flippin or swimmin one.
 
Just my opinion but all you need is: white and chartruese/white spinnerbaits, black/blue, white and watermelon jigs and assortment of trailers, medium diving crawdad crankbait, and shad pattern square bills in 1.0 and 1.5. Better throw in bladed jigs in the same colors as the regular jigs too. Might not win any tournaments but you can catch fish with that most days. Think shallow, less than 8-10 feet.
I was surprised how much bass fishing is like deer hunting. I own everything I need to go fishing/hunting but the thing that is the most difficult to acquire is the “where”. Obviously fish aren’t everywhere, just like deer. That’s the dirty little secret. There’s a whole lot of woods and water out there and seems like 90% of the battle takes place before the event even happens…
 
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I was surprised how much bass fishing is like deer hunting. I own everything I need to go fishing/hunting but the thing that is the most difficult to acquire is the “where”. Obviously fish aren’t everywhere, just like deer. That’s the dirty little secret. There’s a whole lot of woods and water out there and seems like 90%of the battle takes place before the event even happens…
Around here river fish are shallow and will relate to any type of structure you run across, logs, trees, rocks, etc. That is unless you are talking about a dammed river and they can fish a little different depending on if water is being pulled. If no water is being pulled, I go home. LOL.
 
The biggest truth I've learned about pursuit of any game animal is that 90% of the woods/water are dead. And that's a conservative number. It's weird, but I can hang a dozen limb lines in one bend of the river and catch a months worth of fish. Move down to the next bend on the same river and notta.

When I was a teen I had a collapsible spinning combo and a small tackle box that I kept in a backpack and I could catch fish in the retention ponds and ditch creeks very consistently. I'd catch a couple of bass in between classes, and the next day there'd be somebody else out there trying and failing. The trick was knowing that all 4 of the fish in the creek/pond lived right there. Not there, not there...right there. Under the grocery buggy some kid rolled into the pond. Under that big log. In that deep, sandy hole. Right there. Catch him, take a pic, throw him back, "see ya again tomorrow."

That, and 4lb flurocarbon and curly tail powerbait grub. A big spinnerbait in a half acre pond will give every fish in it ptsd after the 2nd cast.

I love fishing where I can see fish with polarized lenses, or in places where I've jumped deer. I have had luck getting on fish with a depthfinder, but really want a side imaging unit.
 
The biggest truth I've learned about pursuit of any game animal is that 90% of the woods/water are dead. And that's a conservative number. It's weird, but I can hang a dozen limb lines in one bend of the river and catch a months worth of fish. Move down to the next bend on the same river and notta.

When I was a teen I had a collapsible spinning combo and a small tackle box that I kept in a backpack and I could catch fish in the retention ponds and ditch creeks very consistently. I'd catch a couple of bass in between classes, and the next day there'd be somebody else out there trying and failing. The trick was knowing that all 4 of the fish in the creek/pond lived right there. Not there, not there...right there. Under the grocery buggy some kid rolled into the pond. Under that big log. In that deep, sandy hole. Right there. Catch him, take a pic, throw him back, "see ya again tomorrow."

That, and 4lb flurocarbon and curly tail powerbait grub. A big spinnerbait in a half acre pond will give every fish in it ptsd after the 2nd cast.

I love fishing where I can see fish with polarized lenses, or in places where I've jumped deer. I have had luck getting on fish with a depthfinder, but really want a side imaging unit.

Yessir, bingo. Never realized how important decent sunglasses where for fishing until the last year or two
 
Hey guys, newish go fishing. Getting pretty big into it this year off my kayak. Anyways I’m gonna ask a possibly pretty dumb question.

I’ve been fishing using mostly the same bait. Been doing pretty good on it too. Would anyone advise switching baits and learning how to use other stuff? The bait is a senko and I don’t wanna be a one trick pony is my point.

Also two in the lake I go. I fish the same spots mostly and do pretty good. Should I learn how to fish other spots or just keep fishing the same spots because that’s obviously where the fish are?

hope that make sense. I know it borderlines on a probably pretty dumb question. Thanks!
 
Hey guys, newish go fishing. Getting pretty big into it this year off my kayak. Anyways I’m gonna ask a possibly pretty dumb question.

I’ve been fishing using mostly the same bait. Been doing pretty good on it too. Would anyone advise switching baits and learning how to use other stuff? The bait is a senko and I don’t wanna be a one trick pony is my point.

Also two in the lake I go. I fish the same spots mostly and do pretty good. Should I learn how to fish other spots or just keep fishing the same spots because that’s obviously where the fish are?

hope that make sense. I know it borderlines on a probably pretty dumb question. Thanks!

I would say try some other spots and gear (dont get too carried away with obscure lures) just to keep interested. Half the fun is learning. Try to target different species. Some fish get a bad rap but are super fun to catch, like grass carp or catfish if youre land locked. Saltwater spoiled me and catching bass can be kinda boring. I do still enjoy fly fishing but nothing gets my adrenaline going freshwater as much anymore. Dont rule out live bait where you fish. Sometimes the big boy will crush a live baitfish when nothing else will work. Cast nets are clutch for getting bait. If your in freshwater try a 1/4in or 3/16 mesh so the small bait doesnt get gilled.
 
Hey guys, newish go fishing. Getting pretty big into it this year off my kayak. Anyways I’m gonna ask a possibly pretty dumb question.

I’ve been fishing using mostly the same bait. Been doing pretty good on it too. Would anyone advise switching baits and learning how to use other stuff? The bait is a senko and I don’t wanna be a one trick pony is my point.

Also two in the lake I go. I fish the same spots mostly and do pretty good. Should I learn how to fish other spots or just keep fishing the same spots because that’s obviously where the fish are?

hope that make sense. I know it borderlines on a probably pretty dumb question. Thanks!
Let's start with the obvious, you do realize you asked that question on Saddlehunter right? Do you need more gear, pfft, do fat kids like ice cream? :p

So it sounds like you have figured out a pattern for where you are fishing for this time frame of the year. To put it in deer terms you have found a persimmon tree that is dropping fruit and the deer are on. Might be worth while to figure out where the white and red oaks are and when the deer are on them too. Understanding how water temps, life cycles, etc impact why fish are going to be certain places and what they are feeding on at different times separates the different levels of fishermen and their success. I am not a great fisherman but I like fishing and do better on moving rivers because I understand them better. It's all about building knowledge as we learn more about each environment we pursue stuff in...fishing or hunting.
 
Hey guys, newish go fishing. Getting pretty big into it this year off my kayak. Anyways I’m gonna ask a possibly pretty dumb question.

I’ve been fishing using mostly the same bait. Been doing pretty good on it too. Would anyone advise switching baits and learning how to use other stuff? The bait is a senko and I don’t wanna be a one trick pony is my point.

Also two in the lake I go. I fish the same spots mostly and do pretty good. Should I learn how to fish other spots or just keep fishing the same spots because that’s obviously where the fish are?

hope that make sense. I know it borderlines on a probably pretty dumb question. Thanks!
My rule is. If something hasn’t worked for 20 minutes change something. Fly or location or both.
 
This was a first for me. Caught this 11.4 lber in less than 4 feet of water while targeting largemouth.
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