Post by SpyderLady on Jun 28, 2007 22:26:47 GMT -6
In-Fisherman
Ask The Editors
Sticks vs. Cranks
Tom Feliksik, Woodridge, Illinois: "I hear a lot about stickbaits and crankbaits. What's the difference? I always thought they were long minnow-shaped lures like the Rapala minnow, Bomber Long A, or Rouge. Thanks."
Those lures you mention are classic stickbaits of the long, thin variety shaped like a thin perch or shiner. Some float; others suspend; and a few sink. They're excellent for fishing water from 2 to about 7 feet deep, though in clear water bass and pike will swim upward to strike them.
Crankbaits, on the other hand, are shorter and fatter hardbaits that have a bill of some sort to make them dive. While stickbaits are generally twitched or jerked erratically to trigger strikes, crankbaits are generally wound in steadily, with occasional pauses or changes in speed.
Crankbaits are categorized by the depth range they're designed for -- shallow, medium, and deep divers. With such range, the crankbait category is very versatile, though any one particular lure fits just one niche. Thus crankbait fans have many boxes of baits.
Both types are effective and fun to fish. Practice with them to learn all their actions and nuances that can work very well at particular times.
Sexing Bass
William Garrett, Broxton, Georgia: "How can you tell the difference between male and female bass if they are the same size or age?"
For small bass under 12 or 13 inches, it's virtually impossible to determine sex externally (without using a tiny scope to probe the genital area). Male largemouth bass reach maximum size of about 3-4 pounds, so the very biggest bass are all female. Before the spawn, the females have heavy bellies as the ovaries grow, while males remain far thinner.
In Georgia, an 8-year old female may well weigh 6 to 8 pounds, while an 8-year old male will be more like 3 pounds. In larger adult bass, there also is a difference in the shape of the urogenital pore. In females, it is typically larger and more oval, while that of males is smaller. Around the spawn, the urogenital pore (sometimes called the vent) females tends to be reddish from laying eggs.
Difference Between One- and Two-Piece Rods
Kenny Weekes, Minneapolis, Minnesota: "I'm a longtime subscriber to In-Fisherman magazine and anxiously look forward to each and every issue. I'm seeking a good graphite rod for fishing and the Daiwa Strikeforce is my rod of choice. I currently have this rod in the ultralight spinning model, which is used for panfishing. I'd like to buy another Strikeforce rod for larger fish and want to know if there's a noticeable difference in sensitivity between a two-piece versus a one-piece rod, factoring in the length of the rod, each 6', 6'6'' or 7' length. Thank you for your consideration and advice."
I don't find the difference between one- and two-piece rods as noticeable today as it might have been years ago. Advanced rod construction makes many two-piece rods superior products.
The main thing about rod length probably has to do with casting. Longer rods can help one cast farther. Shorter rods are better for short casting and for fishing vertically.
Good fishing to you,
Doug Stange, Editor In Chief
Wacky-Rig Hook
David Waluk, Wyalusing, Pennsylvania: "What size hook is the best for the wacky rig?"
The proper size will depend somewhat on the softbait you're rigging. For example, to wacky-rig a 4-inch finesse worm, a #2 or #1 Kahle-style hook would be about right. For a 5-inch Senko or Berkley Gulp! Sinking Minnow, a 3/0 Falcon K-Wacky Hook or similar model would work well. The larger hooks are needed when thicker lures like the stickworms are wacky-rigged.
For the best action and to keep from tearing the bait quickly, use as small a hook as you can get away with, in terms of hooking the bass and getting it out of any cover.
Good Fishing!
Steve Quinn, Editor