Only one I caught. I was using a 3/16 oz White Belly Black Back Hula Popper. Caught him off of a territorial response. Hooked it in the belly as it slapped by lure.

It was windy and I couldn't get out more than 15 feet.

It's my second bass since moving to Desoto. I feel proud of myself.

Where in DeSoto is this pond?

Just a heads up - you might want to get rid of that swivel and tie directly to the bait. Some baits a swivel won't effect much, others, like a topwater bait, it can absolutely kill the action. Poppers especially, if they aren't at the right angle in the water, they don't pop right. And that pop is what calls in the fish.

Yeah definitely get rid of that HUGE swivel. Just tie directly to all lures, bet you catch more fish.

But yeah that's funny! Dude must have not like that lure haha

Hey I just moved to DeSoto

It's down the street from my house, off beltline and silver creek dr.

And I won't be removing my swivel for no one!

Naw, JK I might. I do want more bites. Need a good knife though.

The lure doesn't weigh anything and is difficult to cast on my set up. My string is too heavy and so is my pole. I fish big spinner baits, or large crank baits that have a ton of weight on them and I can get a good far cast.

Next month I'll buy the bigger version, might even get the pack. I used to have a popper that spit water out the top and it made a distinct "pop". It was made out of wood but it has been misplaced/lost since moving here.

Might look at getting a spinning combo at Academy, BPS have spinning combos for $60 -$70. Something to throw those small baits. Small baits have their time. too.

Is there anything I should look for? I am sure I just can't ask someone at Academy for "that BPS spinning combo that is around 60-70 bucks".

I didn't mean to sound rude it is simply the fact that I have never bought a rod for myself. I use whatever someone has given me as a present for my birthday or Christmas. I think it's time I buy my own.

I need one that can throw small lures and isn't too heavy to hold for long hours at a time. I need it to be able to cast far too. I want to try soft baits so I need to make them dance.

I got a budget of $125 max.

Go to Academy, try to feel the action in the store. You want it to have a supple tip, but the total bend of the rod should be fairly parabolic.

If you like the action in the store, buy it (keep your receipt handy), and take it fishing. Hopefully you like the action, but receipt is for exchange if it just doesn't work out. Alternatively, hook up with someone on here that has similar equipment to what you are looking for, and go fishing with them.

The bend should be 1/2 way down the blank for a good Mesium action with a fairly Fast tip.

Parabola:




BTW: Diawa makes a decent combo in the $75-$100 range, so does Lew's.

When I hook fish like that, it seems like I might have snagged them while they were swimming away from my lure, not at it.

I would have thought the same if it weren't clearly seen when it slapped it. I've caught fish due to the speed I reel in and them not getting out of the way or being oblivious to a giant hook in the water bee lining it right at them. The last one I snagged was from side and the hook was barely inserted, unlike this one the hook on this one was really deep in it's belly.