Soft Plastics/Rods

[koolerb]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

Well this is New Jersey. On an average weekend, to fish a good-looking piece of shoreline I have to get in line. The trick is to stay centered between the boat fishing behind me, and the boat I'm fishing behind. If we all troll at the same speed we don’t run into each other. To the bass it probably looks like a conveyor belt of lures going by all day long.<br /><br />I couldn't even fish my best two spots this weekend. Every time I motored by there were boats on em. Add the 25ft cuddys going by every 30 seconds throwing 2ft wakes, overpowering my trolling motor, and I'm lucky if I can fish at all.<br /><br />The best part of my day was a little cove I found with no traffic in it. I didn't catch any fish there but I got to relax a little.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

Why dont you back off and throw a carolina rig?you need some off shore spots,humps ,ditches rockpiles.

 

[brownies]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

Find a little cove and relax? That's the time to practice. Rig up a Senko weightless, cast it out, and kick back. <br />Just see how long you can keep it one place. When you can't stand it any more, twitch it and start the patience process again.<br />Watch the line the whole time.<br />You WILL know a "pick-up" when it happens.<br /><br />OR, do the same with a texas rigged worm. When wondering whether or not it's a "hit" or a snag, it's usually a snag. If you get a normal "hit"...you'll know it.<br /><br />There are exceptions to what I'd call a normal "pick-up" or "hit"....but....the only way to figure those out is to fish, fish, fish.... Fish plastics alot, try different rigging methods, catch and/or miss chances.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

koolerb weren't fishing GWL or the big H were you?<br /><br />I've given up on Hopatcong way too many "boaters" on PWC's and people who think Fast, inconsiderate and swamping other boats if FUN !<br /><br />I too have been a Crank / Spinner fisherman and in GWL there are LOTS of weeds. Forced to become proficient with weedless plastics now.<br /><br />Try a texas rigged tube for skipping under docks. Get as low as you can to the water and sidearm cast. Practice in open water and you will soon get the release point. Also try a spin cast. Leave about 2-3 feet of line hanging off the tip and spin it in a circle, when it comes to the bottom of the arc release it. Takes some practice but when you get it down you can launch the lure about a foot above the water and it will skip pretty good.<br /><br />If you fish GWL NJ/NY and see a Black & White Crestliner 1850SF say hello.<br /><br />PS. I like G-Loomis & Rogue in addition to St. Croix, Lamiglass & Quantum. GOT to have some of each !

 

[koolerb]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

Yeah, I was at Lake Hopatcong. I did really good out there about a month ago, but last weekend was tough.<br /><br />I have an ABA tournament at Greenwood Lake on the 17th. I'm going as a non-boater. Hope I get paired up with someone good so I can learn somthing. I'll keep an eye out for the Black & White Crestliner.<br /><br />Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

Koolerb,<br /><br />How do you go about getting into a tournament as a non-boater? What does it cost?

 

[koolerb]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

It's an ABA (American Bass Angler's) tournament. There are about eight tournaments a year locally, district 10. They bounce back and forth between Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake. $55 to enter, plus boat expenses. I did one so far, pretty good group.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

Thanks maybe I'll try it.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

Got one! Was at a little lake in Pennsylvania this week, out on my father in laws John boat. I saw a little lizard or salamander in the water as I was launching so I put a Zoom, lizzard on the hook. Fished it pretty fast at first, no hits. Then I took Brownies advice and just let it sit by a stump for a few minutes. Though I saw the line move, picked up the rod and gave it a tug. Nothing there. Gave it one more tug and there he was, 2 1/2 pound largemouth. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[weekendfisherman]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

I don't know if you're a bass fisherman or not, but if so, I'd recommend trying the zoom superfluke. I'ts the most productive bait I've found lately. Propbably not good in heavy stained water but deadly in clear to lightly stained water. You simply work it in with a slight twitch and u can vary retreive speed or pause it. I fish it on a bait caster with a med/hvy rod , it casts long distance easily. I also use 17 lb line for fishing around heavy cover and it still casts great. The best color for me has been watermelon seed or watermelon green. hope this helps

 

[Ripfence]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

I made the switch to soft plastics once the water temperature breeched 75 degrees. They require a little more attention and care to set the hook but the fish I have been catching are much, much larger. In my opinion, they are more fun to fish.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

I just got back from picking up a few fishing supplies and I forgot to get the Superfluke. Oh well, next time.

Fished power hawg for alot of the day Sunday. I can wing one way under a dock now, practice, practice. Not a whole lot of luck yet with these things but I'm going to stay with it.

 

[KRS]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

Fished a white senko and caught my third bass ever, in 2' of water (heavy weeds),..... it scared me when it hit the worm! Was 17".

I'm trying to learn bass fishing too. Sure felt good after that one

 

[ECHO 1]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

BassPro shops has some good priced graphite rod that are enxpensive. You might check them out.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

I just orderd three AiRRUS rods Monday. I'm hoping they show up tomorrow. After this post way back in May I ended up buying four All Star rods that were pretty good. My Ugly Sticks are sitting in the corner of the garage.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

I just orderd three AiRRUS rods Monday. I'm hoping they show up tomorrow. After this post way back in May I ended up buying four All Star rods that were pretty good. My Ugly Sticks are sitting in the corner of the garage.

Dang........three AiRRUS! Spending money like big boys heh??8)

 

[koolerb]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

I'm outta control. Lube Dude's not kidding when he says, "Bass fishing is a mental illness".

 

[gbpacker]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

It is a mental illness let me tell you. My wife would agree as I have 32 Rods and a reel to match each one. I prefer to use St. Croix and All Star rods mostly although I have a couple other higher dollar rods. I encourage you to keep using soft plastics because they will eventually produce for you and they take a little more technique which means less pressure on lakes with soft plastics. Anyone can throw a crank bait, but not everyone has the patience to fish soft plastics or jigs. I love to fish them both any time of the year.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

A lot happened since that post in May. I fished a bunch of tournaments and caught a bunch of bass on plastics. I'd say I'm pretty comfortable with them now.

 

[softbaitmaker]

Re: Soft Plastics/Rods

Hi , I'm new to this site and folks call me Softy cause I love to fish soft plastic baits more than any other type of Bass fishing. I read about all of the posts on this topic here and there were some great suggestions offered for a beginner soft bait angler that is trying to ween off of those chase baits for sure. I make all of my own Soft baits and have for about 10 years now. I use Crazyfish Custom rods designed just for my style of fishing and I think the Super Free Chronarch Shimano reels can't be beat for getting the job done. I fish nothing except DNA Promix Line , nothing under 12 lb and nothing over 17lb test. Well thanks for the time I have used here. Look forward to reading alot more.
softy