Need some advice !!!!

[kickinbass51]

Hey guys I've been on the forum for years as kickinbass35 . I've not been able to be on it as much as I'd like to be because my health took a turn for the worse including losing a leg . But hey fishing is in my blood and a passion . I sold my boat I had and got me a smaller one it's a 15 ft with a 50 on it . I don't care about speed I just want to fish. I'm fixing to put her in the water and start going again tournament's is probably out of the question. But was wondering if any of you would give me some pointers as to what to fish and what to look for I'm not asking for anyone's spots just some advice . If I catch a 10 inch bass I'll be the happiest person in the world . I look forward to getting back to one of the only things in the world that makes me happy and gives me a peaceful feeling. And I personally thank you for any pointers and advice from the bottom of my heart.

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

God Bless you and it is an encouragement for us all that you will not let your physical issues keep you down! That is awesome. I myself don't get out as much as I used to but lately my fishing has changed. Maybe it is the fact that bass fishing on the Chick seems to be a lot harder than before, at least this summer or I'm getting a little older myself and am not as demanding. Fewer numbers and smaller fish on the Chick this summer for me. Therefore I started throwing a bluegill rod and some bait in the boat to use if the bass weren't biting. I also started fishing a drop shot rig with gulp minnows more. If you set up in current in some of the deeper holes with the drop shot rig you can usually manage a few cats and sometimes some decent bass. I find for me that I just want to catch fish, I don't have the mentality as much as I used to that bass are the only fish worth fishing for. My advice would be to be open minded about different species of fish and be prepared to change up. I have fun even if it is just finding a shady area under some trees with some bluegill that will bite. I use a 5' ultra light rod, very small spinning reel with 4 lb mono. I use a very small brim hook (long shank) under a split shot. I use a slip knot and slip float which I never used before. Live bait is best (redworms, wax worms, crickets) but some of the Berkley artificial panfish baits are pretty close. I love being able to easily change the depth with the slip float. Hang in there, get out there and catch a bunch

 

[trbr81]

God Bless you and it is an encouragement for us all that you will not let your physical issues keep you down! That is awesome. I myself don't get out as much as I used to but lately my fishing has changed. Maybe it is the fact that bass fishing on the Chick seems to be a lot harder than before, at least this summer or I'm getting a little older myself and am not as demanding. Fewer numbers and smaller fish on the Chick this summer for me. Therefore I started throwing a bluegill rod and some bait in the boat to use if the bass weren't biting. I also started fishing a drop shot rig with gulp minnows more. If you set up in current in some of the deeper holes with the drop shot rig you can usually manage a few cats and sometimes some decent bass. I find for me that I just want to catch fish, I don't have the mentality as much as I used to that bass are the only fish worth fishing for. My advice would be to be open minded about different species of fish and be prepared to change up. I have fun even if it is just finding a shady area under some trees with some bluegill that will bite. I use a 5' ultra light rod, very small spinning reel with 4 lb mono. I use a very small brim hook (long shank) under a split shot. I use a slip knot and slip float which I never used before. Live bait is best (redworms, wax worms, crickets) but some of the Berkley artificial panfish baits are pretty close. I love being able to easily change the depth with the slip float. Hang in there, get out there and catch a bunch

pretty cool - the circle of fishing - you start out with worms and bobbers - progress thru the other stuff and end right back where you started. I'm gearing up to take up crappie fishing when i get down there. Looking forward to our first trip together

 

[kickinbass51]

Oh I don't care what I catch I'm just happy to maybe be able to go again and you can bet I'll be going after some crappie myself. Those are the best eating fish there is to me .

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

pretty cool - the circle of fishing - you start out with worms and bobbers - progress thru the other stuff and end right back where you started. I'm gearing up to take up crappie fishing when i get down there. Looking forward to our first trip together

Great insight Tom, yes most of life is like that - truly a circle. I think also about how when we are just kids we take the days one at a time, we don't really focus to much on plans and goals and stuff, our focus is on enjoying life each day at a time. Then we grow up, decide to climb the ladder (whatever that might be), acquire a lot of stuff and responsibilities along the way. Life gets complicated and too often we don't have time for just plain fun, even what we do in the name of fun gets complicated and competitive and the fun gets to a great degree taken out. When we get a little older and slow down some I think we usually get wiser and figure out what is important and what isn't. Every day is a gift from God.

 

[jman60]

Went out yesterday and only caught one small bass. Pulled out my flyrod and caught a number of bream. A great day to be on the lake.

 

[trbr81]

Great insight Tom, yes most of life is like that - truly a circle. I think also about how when we are just kids we take the days one at a time, we don't really focus to much on plans and goals and stuff, our focus is on enjoying life each day at a time. Then we grow up, decide to climb the ladder (whatever that might be), acquire a lot of stuff and responsibilities along the way. Life gets complicated and too often we don't have time for just plain fun, even what we do in the name of fun gets complicated and competitive and the fun gets to a great degree taken out. When we get a little older and slow down some I think we usually get wiser and figure out what is important and what isn't. Every day is a gift from God.

well said James - looks like we will be moved down soon

 

[trbr81]

Went out yesterday and only caught one small bass. Pulled out my flyrod and caught a number of bream. A great day to be on the lake.

that sounds like a great day enjoying the outdoors

 

[Jpull]

Thanks. Good thread. I used to fish small tournaments years ago and learned that I Just liked to fish. Nowadays I just love catching all species.

 

[kickinbass51]

I myself use to fish small tournaments before my health got so bad and I lost my leg. I enjoyed just hanging around the ramp talking to everyone we were all friends I never fished any big ones cause I didn't have a shot In the world plus to me to a lot of people it was all about who could out run who to the first spot . And some wouldn't even speak to you the smaller one I fished we all were friends and it was just as enjoyable hanging around talking to them as it was fishing and none of us got to go practice we just showed up and if we got lucky we did if someone else did we were just as happy for them as we would've been for ourselves. We fished out of riverpark one of the last ones I fished and I had a 6.1 smallmouth and didn't get big fish got beat out by a largemouth. But it got released for some believe to catch.

 

[kickinbass51]

For someone else to catch

 

[SPOONMINNOW]

My advice would be to be open minded about different species of fish and be prepared to change up.

They best advice ever!

Targeting a species is impossible the smaller the lure cast, which is the nicest thing using small soft plastics on light jigs.
I know this is an old post but I have insights regarding lures and presentations you might find interesting.