Thread: Back to Basics

Panphysher, I have worn out the blades on a bunch of Beetlespins in the past. Being almost weedless they got a lot of play when I lived in FL. I used to do a drift on the St Johns that took about 2 hrs. Always netted between 6 and 15 large copperhaed bluegill. All fell to a Bettlespin thrown into an eddy as I drifted by. Alone, after work, mid week, no traffic, it was a gift from God straight to me. Yes sir, basics are best when not forgotten.

Skeetbum,
I used to use the mighty beetlespin exclusively in the Wekiva River. You could literally fill the boat with Warmouth Perch, shellcrackers, stumpknockers, and bluegill.

Another thing we would do on the St Johns River was fish for shellcrackers with live mussels. We would swim out and gather the mussels and fish for hours.

Good Times!

I too am getting back to basics. I am getting set up with a fly rod for bream and starting a worm bin to fill in the gaps. My two sons still want to bass fish and I'll go with them, but nothing beats throwing out a few jugs and then go fly fishing for a while.

For years all I did was bass fish. I enjoyed it. Never did enter a tournament, just fished for fun. But one day my wife wanted to go with me and I knew that bass fishing would not be her thing. So we went on a camping/fishing trip where all we fished for was crappie. It brought me back to my childhood days. I have just about quit fishing for bass. Crappie fishing is more fun, less stressing and less expensive. Also, it is good for the grandkids. Man I love crappie fishing with them.

Bo Bryant

Since I wrote this post way back then,I have started to catch even better bass then my buddies, who are fishing for them,lol.It makes them a little upset when I am bluegilling right next to them and when they finally stop thier boat I chuck my slip bobber out with one of my African nightcrawlers on it and catch the biggest bass of the day and just slide it back into the water and tell them all better luck next time,lol.I love it.And better yet just catching a 2 or 3 pound bass on my ultralight with 4 pound test is even better.

Originally Posted by azslabber

Since I wrote this post way back then,I have started to catch even better bass then my buddies, who are fishing for them,lol.It makes them a little upset when I am bluegilling right next to them and when they finally stop thier boat I chuck my slip bobber out with one of my African nightcrawlers on it and catch the biggest bass of the day and just slide it back into the water and tell them all better luck next time,lol.I love it.And better yet just catching a 2 or 3 pound bass on my ultralight with 4 pound test is even better.

I've caught some nice bass fishing for bluegill and crappie.

For the last couple of years, I've spent a good amount of time not "targeting" any specific fish -- just fishing with baits that would catch just about anything that swims. Jigs fit that criteria, and so do nightcrawlers.

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

I've caught some nice bass fishing for bluegill and crappie.

For the last couple of years, I've spent a good amount of time not "targeting" any specific fish -- just fishing with baits that would catch just about anything that swims. Jigs fit that criteria, and so do nightcrawlers.

when i go fishing with my dad,we bring baits for bass and panfish and 2 to 3 rods per person.leave different baits on the various rods,and pick up a rod with a different bait on it when we wanna throw a different bait.when fishing in a boat i like having at least 3 rods.if im walking around a lake i carry 1 rod.we don't just worry about getting after bass,its time to enjoy being outside together and get whatever feels like biting.good stress relief!helps me forget im dealin with cancer :D

Originally Posted by bxn

when i go fishing with my dad,we bring baits for bass and panfish and 2 to 3 rods per person.leave different baits on the various rods,and pick up a rod with a different bait on it when we wanna throw a different bait.when fishing in a boat i like having at least 3 rods.if im walking around a lake i carry 1 rod.we don't just worry about getting after bass,its time to enjoy being outside together and get whatever feels like biting.good stress relief!helps me forget im dealin with cancer :D

That's pretty much exactly what we do Bx. But I also crowd the boat with a flyrod. My son likes fishing for shellcrackers best, so he always has a slip bobber/worm combo out. I usually have a minnow/bobber, and a jig dressed with a worm. We both have a heavier rod, with a snap on the end. Usually with a topwater, but also shad raps etc. In other words, we like to catch many different types of fish. We also do saltwater for drum, flounder, trout etc.
The main focus however, is to put some bream, crappie, perch and whatever else, on the table.
Sorry about your cancer Bx. Fight it off and get well!