Bass

Comment

Comment by John Sheehan on August 3, 2012 at 2:48pm

Great range !!!

 

Comment by Allen Morgan on August 3, 2012 at 1:09pm

I've got a wide range of sizes of floats in my bag.  Some are meant for the smallest sunnies; some are meant for the biggest catfish.  The big floats will hold up a 3 oz bank sinker AND a 6" Green Sunfish.

Comment by John Sheehan on June 4, 2011 at 8:09am

The Gill was caught in the same spot as the Bass I guess 20 or so minutes before .They probably knew each other but weren't friends!

 

Comment by John Sheehan on June 4, 2011 at 8:08am

This is the set up I used: http://bigbluegill.com/photo/512-bass-bait?context=album&albumI...

A Mr.Crappie Float stopped by Eagle Claw rubber Float stop at 2,1/2'-3' ,one (1/4 oz.?)Splitshot ,Eagle Claw 2/0 hook,fresh caught 5 and 1/2" Bluegill ,6# test Cabelas line ,Daiwa SSTournament Reel,100% Graphite Berkeley Bionix Rod.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on June 3, 2011 at 5:31pm

I always keep a couple of large floats in my kit - what we call "crappie floats" here in Dixie. They're just big stick floats, the foamies with a spring....

I've modified them so they are more like these:

Instead of locking the line in place with the spring, just run it through the spring  - it then works like a slip float.

I put a small brim on one (2"-3") and just keep it working around the edges of the chum zone, as a sort of secondary feed. The hope is that while I catch the pan fish, a bass will come around to see what the commotion is about - and snag my teaser....(2"-3")

I also use them for plumbing the water depth, because they are so big and robust.

 

Comment by John Sheehan on June 3, 2011 at 6:43am

David ,yes the first time using a Gill for bait .I have some larger floats that I left at home yesterday.I will include them in my gear from now on.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on June 2, 2011 at 3:44pm

John,

For the longest time, I never knew there were other ways to catch bass!

Live baitin' with brim or shiners was what we did. One problem with it can be hook setting, as you suggest. With crankbaits and other artificial lures, the set is kinda automatic. The bass practically hang themselves.

But with live bait, bass revert to their usual habit of "inhaling" their prey. I had one the other day come up to my bait, a curly tail jig w/ worm trailer, and simply look at it. It was close enough that I could see it. It finally sucked in my presentation.... but just sat there, mouthing the bait. It never moved a fin, for 20 seconds or more.When I tired of this, I set the hook. And the bass still hadn't taken it well - the bait came out and the bass scooted away.

Had that been on a float at any distance from me, I would not have even known it was there. The "sail away" take we hope for doesn't always happen.

In your case, it sounds like you were fighting the effects of a too small float and 'gill combination. Its mighty tuff to know what is happening when the bait is hauling your float around like a skier behind a boat. Might want to try a bigger float, or smaller 'gill, next time.

Comment by John Sheehan on June 2, 2011 at 2:05pm

Thanks Jim  .6/2...Grasmere pond ..Bass guarding ball of fry hits nothing .Catch 5,1/2" BG and set it up on a 2/0 hook,6 # test Crappie Slip Float ,one shot,at 2,1/2 ' gill takes it under but struggles for 20 min. before a 19-20" Bass takes her down the throat .Knowing when to set is a proplem .First attempt at this style of catching big Bass.

Comment by Jim Gronaw on June 2, 2011 at 1:50pm

Excellent bass...wtg John!