At least once a year, my friend James Card likes to pop in and comment on the fact that I rely on Senkos too much, and he did so again just the other day. To quote: “Nomad–you really have to give up this senko addiction. Bass can be caught on other things.” And just like the last time he threw it out there, I once again took the bait like a pre-spawn bass pouncing on an unsuspecting shad. Yep, as much as this may shock you, I left the house this morning with…NO SENKOS 
. Or any other soft baits. I had originally planned on throwing spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, crankbaits/rattle traps and jigs, but nixed the jig idea after donating not one, but two spinnerbaits to the river* and reeling in a gob of algae/moss with almost every cast.
The above was caught in the first few minutes, so I thought maybe I had latched on to something but the euphoria was short-lived because I didn’t get another hit in the first spot I tried.
I ended up with a whopping total of 4 fish, and two of them were the size of the one in the pic on the right – also had one jump and throw the lure. I tell you, I was jonesing for my Senkos out there! 
On a more positive note, I’m getting better and better with my baitcaster reels…I’m not skipping lures under low-hanging branches yet, LOL, but my distance and accuracy is improving every time I go out.
*Speaking of the river, the water out there is pretty nasty from the rain a few days ago. It wasn’t so bad yesterday morning but I guess it took a day or two for the dirt to flow downstream because visibility was near 0 and on top of that, the green algae is growing like mad on the bottom which isn’t helping matters any.
Nomad with no Senkos?
Any red tails? None of the ones I caught on Tuesday had them. Hmmmm
The algae and moss is really bad this year. As you already know, I tried a jig up in the grass on Tuesday but the moss was so bad that it was fruitless, and I had one really good hit and would have liked to continue fishing it, but it just wasn’t meant to be because I was dragging back a couple of pounds of moss on every retrieve.
LOL Rob
That must of been tough to leave those senkos at home Nomad. I always find that spinnerbaits work great at this time of the year. Congrats on your catches Nomad
Rob,
ROTFL…I have to admit though, during a long break between fish, I actually walked up the hill to the car, popped the trunk just in case there was a Senko laying in there, that had maybe dropped off one of my rods or something. LOL How sad is that? They need to come up with some kind of gum or patches like they have for cigarettes
Oh, and still no red tails on any of them….I almost drove down to that area where you fished a jig but was worried the dirt road may still be too muddy from that rain we had.
Steve,
I’ve never had any great luck with spinnerbaits or chatterbaits in that river….I’ve caught fish, but it’s never been with the regularity that Senkos produce.
I love that pic!!! ROTFL
You might have been able to get in there today Nomad, but on Tuesday it was really nasty.
I didn’t want to chance it; the PBA area is mostly dry, but there are lots of deep ruts where *some* people drove in there when it was wet
I had to drive in there really slow and careful this morning and can only imagine what the dirt road is like. And to be honest, I have no idea where to fish along that dirt road…I’ve only been down there twice (to fish) and from what I can remember, it’s really shallow all along there…
Rob,
Great pic!
Nomad, you’re a great angler and I’m sure you can catch bass on anything, so I dare you to try this:
Take a long-necked Korean spoon and attach a treble hook on one end (your choice for which end, you might have to drill a couple holes) and tie on a swivel and line at the other end.
Give it a cast. Those spoons are about nine inches long, have a shiny gleam and are heavy. They will go deep and only attract the biggest bass that live in the far depths of the lake. It’s a lunker lure. I’m sure both fast and slow retrieves will produce results.
Also it helps to use a spoon that is engraved with a ginseng root on the handle. Just more mojo.
You’re killing me, James!
I’m far from being a great angler (and yes I know you meant that in jest)…Senkos pretty much do all the work for you and there’s very little skill involved. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thrown out a Senko and a bass picked it up without me ever moving the lure.
Also, this time of year (pre-spawn), if you can’t catch any bass, then you’re either not near water or you don’t have a lure attached to your line.
Hmmm I’ll give that spoon a try but shouldn’t I dip it in kimchi as well, to cover all the bases?
Nomad, no kimchi just crush a seasame seed leaf on it for that licorice/aniseed (sic) smell/taste.
I’m willing to try anything, at least once…