On 25 Jun 2006 17:21:32 -0700, "Sees-koo-wee-hah-nay"
wrote:
This is my first attempt at answering a message on this forum and I
hope that I am doing it correctly.. I like to use the plastic/rubber
worms you are having trouble with knowing when you have a pickup/hit.
The solution is to use a braided line like Power Pro or Fireline that
has very little stretch like monofilament and then you can feel the
slightest tap. You also have to keep any slack out of the line as you
have to watch the line closely for any movement . If you see the line
move take the rest of the slack out of the line , lower your rod tip,
and bring your rod up smartly to set the hook. I use Senko worms and
I generally rig Texas style however the more I read the current
feedback from those on this group who have great luck rigging Wacky
Worm I am going to try it. I bought some 4 inch Senko worms yesterday
along with the Octopus no. 4 hooks and I am going to give the Wacky
rig a go. I really like fishing with the plastic worms as it requires
a lot of concentration on my part and I think only of fishing instead
of everything else. I like this group and I got some great
information from "Your favorite lure thread". I think Senko lures are
really terrific although I have had good luck with other kinds also.

I stayed out of the favorite bait thread because I don't use what
everyone else does and that begs the question "am I missing out"?

I fish 2 small lakes in central Pennsylvania. I used to fish them with
my grandfather in the late 70's. He always caught his share of bass
while I usually went hope disappointed. He only fished with one lure, a
gold floating Rapala minnow. After he passed away I only fished now
and then and with spinnerbaits and an occasional rubber worm. I'm not a
fan of the rubber worms because I really have a hard time hooking up on
a hit or telling when I even have a hit.

The past 3 years have found me with more free time and a renewed
interest in fishing but last year was enough to make me quit altogether
as I just didn't have much luck and spent more time wondering what I
was doing wrong than I did casting. This year has been much different
as I got my kayak rigged and am fishing in the same areas my
grandfather did in years past and using grandpa's Rapala technique with
the excpetion of using a silver Rapala instead of gold.

When fishing from my kayak I am on the water from 5 to 6 hours, always
starting just before sunrise and averaging about 4 to 5 fish an
hour.They range from 12" to 18".
It seems that I am the only person around using a Rapala, most others
are using spinnerbaits or tubes with the occasional crank bait. Some
days I'm catching what seems to be more than my share while others are
not even getting any hits.

So my question is should I try something else or stick with what I'm
doing? I'm catching lots of fish (it seems to me) but they are always
in this same size range. I want to catch something bigger (the lake is
a big bass waters lake, big for PA anyway, with a 15" min).
I very much enjoy the metheod I am using with the lure taking the hit
on top of the water 75% of the time, but would I be getting more action
fishing something else deeper? I keep seeing the Senko mentioned but it
makes me think of my frustration with rubber worms in the past.
Any suggestions?