Strong Start Bass Fishing on a Cool Morning, Then…

Hello, everyone! On this trip, we’ve got a beautiful morning to fish! Light & variable winds to start (mostly West) & the bass were chewing well for me early. Then, the clouds blew out & the wind died…and fishing got tough. I was able to downsize to BFS gear (+ later spinning gear) to scratch out a few more fish. I’m still working out on the best hook/rod combo to fish a Bass Assassin Shad. It’s a great bait & the fish really seem to like it, but I’m not getting good hook penetration. I’ll figure it out though. So, come along with me, as I head out on this beautiful morning & catch a bunch of bass.

Today’s fishing gear…

*Boat Set-up*
Boat: Coleman Crawdad (buy used locally)
Bed Extender: Darby Extend-A-Truck w/ roof rack pads
Motor: 55 lb Minn Kota Endura C2 (similar)
Inflatable Life Jacket: Onyx TW AM-24 All Clear (similar)
Battery: Dakota Lithium 12V, 54 Ah
Net: Tackle HD Telescopic Landing Net
Gloves: NRS Gloves (XL, they run small)

*Milk Crate Set-up*
Crate: Black Milk Crate + black 3-rod rack (attach w/ screws + zip-ties)
Pliers: 6.5″ P-Line Adaro Jr. Aluminum
Forceps: Dr. Slick 6″ curved forceps (similar)
Lanyard: Black coiled fishing lanyard (2 for tools above)
Tackleboxes: Plano Waterproof Stowaway 3440
Soft Bait Pouch: SPRO Mesh Soft Bait Pouch (Large, Gusset)
Towel: Booms Microfiber Fishing Towel
Fish Grips: The Fish Grip Fish Grippers (Orange)

*Evergreen JT-115 Combo*
Rod: 6’10” Shimano Zodias Casting Rod (MH, Fast)
Reel: Daiwa Tatula 100HL Casting (7.1:1, Lefty)
Line: 30 lb Berkley X9 braid (Green)
Leader: 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen
Lure: Evergreen JT-115 (Flash Wakasagi)
Hook Upgrade: UV Pearl Krystal Flash on the rear treble

*BFS Combo*
Rod: 6’6″ Jenko Double Down BFS Casting (ML, Mod-Fast)
Reel: ARK Fishing Gravity BFS Casting (GBFSL, 8.1:1)
Line: 10 lb Sufix 832 (low-vis green)
Leader: 6 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid (clear)
Lure: Bass Assassin Shad (Crystal Shad)
Hook: Mustad KVD Grip-Pin 2x Fine Wire (2/0)
(Note: Best to use a 7’2″ ML Shimano Curado w/ that bait – Jenko rod is too soft)

*Big TRD Reverse Rig Spinning Combo*
Rod: 7′ M Dobyns Sierra Spinning (NOT the micro series)
Reel: Shimano Stradic 3000 (old version – new FL or FM are great)
Line: 10 lb Berkley X9 braid (Low-vis green)
Leader: 6 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid (same diameter as 10 lb fluoro & about as strong, too)
Lure: Z-Man Big TRD (Hot Snakes) w/ nail weight glued into flat end
Weight: Eco Pro Tungsten Nail’em Weights (1/16 oz.)
Hook: Mustad TitanX Wacky/Neko Rig Hook (2/0)
Hook Upgrade: Hand-tied fluoro keeper on the 2/0 hook to keep the bait up on the hook
Scent: Pro-Cure Super Gel (Crawfish)

Previous video on how to tie the fluoro keeper…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKM7_Z0xYJ0