Night Fishing Dam Area Sept. 5

[merc1997 Bo]

fished from cow creek to dam. found the bass to still be back off the main lake a little. thermocline seemed to still be around 20ft. ended up with 15 keepers. of those, 4 were largemouth with one around 4 1/2 lbs. one keeper kentucky and the rest were brownies with 5 of them in the 3lb. + range. most bites came 15 to 20 ft. we did catch small kentuckies out to 25ft. the best lure was a 3/8 oz. NuJig with a 5/16 oz. slip sinker added to line. a little bit of timber in the area seemed to help. we did fish some spots without a bite. seemed like the bass were bunched up really well. when you got a bite, you had better fish the area very well.

bo

[Quillback]

I'm curious as to why you're using the slip sinker - get the jig to the bottom faster? As a noise maker?

[merc1997 Bo]

quillback

many people do not associate that bass many times want a smaller profile in their lure. when heavier jigs are required just about everyone, except for the few people that fish with me, reach for a heavier headed jig. but, the larger head on the jig will give it a bigger profile. just stick a 1/4 up next to 1/2 oz. now with that said, when bass are wanting a smaller profile, but are deeper or wanting a faster fall rate, using a 1/4 to 3/8 oz. jig will be difficult to fish and feel. and, you will not achieve the speed necessary to trigger a strike. but, by adding a slip sinker to the line, all that can achieved.

the other advantage to doing this is that now when you stick a bass, it only has 1/4 to 3/8 oz. of weight to sling around because the slip sinker slides up the line just as it does on a t-rig. i never fish with a traditional t-rig anymore for fishing soft plastics. i use a 1/4oz NuJig, and if i need more weight, i again add a slip sinker to the line. this set up is more snagproof than a t-rig by far. you are also fishing with an exposed hook, and the NuJig hooks more accurately than a bare hook. plus, it keeps the hook locked in after hook penetration. here is a youtube link to show the rig. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVQ2s5Uhc-c.

bo

[Quillback]

Thanks for the info Merc, I'll have to give that slip sinker/jig combo a try.

[Bill Babler]

Nice post and great information. We learn something every day if were smart

[Champ188]

I've learned that anytime I start thinking fishing is tough, I just need to come to the forum for some inspirational reading. Someone is always catching the heck out of them regardless of the conditions. Green ones, brown ones, spotted ones ...

[Pepe]

Great tip. I need to try that. Thanks.