Bass Fishing: Jungle Warfare: Flipping Pitching Punching: VFJ23 

You bet!

Thanks, Gary.

Hi, Matt. Awesome to hear. Cheers, Paul

Thanks, Off Trail. I like your handle. That’s the place to be! Cheers.

Hi, Scott. LOL. Well now, I've been likened to: Doug Hannon, Bob Ross, Freddie Mercury, Jim Carey, and Mr Rogers. Hey, that's some good company if you ask me. :) Glad you enjoy the vids. Paul

Hi, Jerry. Thanks so much. Glad you like the details. I can't seem to avoid them. :) Cheers, Paul

Me too! :)

Thanks grizz. Yeah, that was a fun one to do. Hey, I actually enjoy a good bit of cussing! :))

@@thenatureoffishing7591 hey man what brand is that float tube? That thing is a Cadillac for thick cover pits!

@@grizzlytabaccy It’s a Fish Cat. Mine cost $150 and has seen over a dozen years use so far. I see they are around 300 now. The v-shape design makes it easy to add rod holders. Absolutely love mine.

LOL. Yeah, sometimes you just gotta pull out the big guns. :))

Thanks for the tip, Frank. Will try it.

Hi, CBF. Yes. I can be something of a Type A fisherman. That said, there's no forcing nature, esp the laws of physics! :)) Cheers, Paul.

Hi, Neil. Thanks! I knew I could do "informative"; Taken me a while to get comfortable enough in front of a camera to be "entertaining". But, I have it in me. Depending on my energy level when I sit down to narrate a video, I can be anything from the Mr. Rogers of fishing to the Jim Carey of fishing. In the beginning I was hoping for a mix of David Attenborough and Rod Serling. But, I got me instead. :)) Thanks, again. Cheers, Paul

Hi, Nick. Thanks so much. Good to hear. Yes, you are in the thick of... the thick stuff down there. Bass fishers have been wielding big sticks for a long time down there. Here, they are much less common. And most simply avoid the real thick stuff. One reason I concentrated on Jungle Warfare this summer. Being so seasonal here though, our weeds are already dying back. So, my Jungle Warfare will have to wait until next year now, it's looking like. On to the fall transition now. Cheers, Paul

Hey, Jonathan. It is fun, and messy! But someone's gotta do it! :)

Hi, Ed. :)) I forgot about the Bill Nye reference. I'm beginning to collect references. Let's see, we have: Doug Hannon, Bill Nye, Bob Ross, Mr Rogers, Jim Carey, and Freddie Mercury. In the past I could add Yanni, and Jesus. Funny story... I lived in the Philippines for a while, a very religious (mostly Catholic) country. I was in a recliner by a pool when I noticed a little boy tugging at his mom and pointing at me. He blurted out, "That's Jesus!!!" "No it's not", his mom replied. So, I got up, stretched lazily, and proceeded to walk across the surface of the pool. :))

Thanks, Stan. More to come. Paul

Thanks, Ed. I hopefully won't be having quite so many struggles as I did here. Even though it was amusing. I can laugh about it now. :)) Paul

Thanks, cameronvalo. I went to straight braid after that first day fail. Not tried straight shank hooks yet.

LOL. Hey... we ARE real men! Darn straight! A real man isn't afraid to go out into a swamp and come back all scratched up, and with torn thumbs. ;) :))

Funny thing is I always have a 15 - 20 minute period where all I’m doing is un-snagging!

Yeah... I came to call those “episodes”, probably looked like some kind of seizure from the outside, lol. Best to take a deep breath and collect myself. There were times, esp when I was jungle fly-fishing for trout -down in a tunnel of willow and alder- when I’d end up with the worst tangles, that only got worse as I… so much as breathed! I learned to sit down and do nothing for 5minutes. Not move a muscle, just breath. I suspected there were gods and demons at work, or the stars were momentarily un-aligned. But it was just me, moving too fast to allow the laws of physics to keep up. The choice was, have a hissy fit and make it worse, or siddown and let my inner constellations re-align. A sandwich helps too! :))

Hi, VAD. Thanks. Good to hear. Be sure to share. Cheers, Paul

Hi, Wes. Thanks. Glad you liked it. Please share with friends. Yeah, there is a learning curve there. I've never purposely tackled veges this thick before. So I had to play around some. Ended up adding a bunch of tungsten, and even a new rod to my arsenal too. That rod won't likely be seeing much action until next summer, though. Things change fast here. Paul

@@thenatureoffishing7591 i kno exactly what u mean, im not gonna worry bout it too much this year being hot months r almost over but by next summer ima have to get a heavier rod and heavier weights but i learned alot from ur vids thx again

In the back of my mind, when I break into or introduce a type of fishing, I think about a fishing buddy form years ago woh, after fishing with me, started to acquire more and more tackle. It wasn't just extraneous stuff either; Just the... "full bags of clubs needed to play 18 holes!" Ended up in divorce. The fishing had nothing to do with it, but I wondered for a bit whether I was a bad influence. Yeah, I now own a 7"10" punching rod. And, I'll make use of it. Really do love that jungle! :)

@@thenatureoffishing7591 hey bud, shit happens (pardon my french) all can do is try to learn from it. But im thinkin im gonna like the jungle too, i can fish the edges of it and am having good luck doing it but sometimes theyre not on the edges and thats when ima have to go in after them

I had many more strikes inside that stuff, then I did frogging on those pockets. So... I'm a confirmed puncher now.

Hi, Johnny. :)) I'm from the north, and I've done both! In fact, you should try eating what your fish are eating... just to know what they taste like. JK :))

@@thenatureoffishing7591 oh i wasnt going to walk away from trying them

:))

Hi, Mark. Thanks. I have a few such devices. But, as one study found, that once the esophagus is punctured, esp with such a large hook, the majority will die of infection. They say it's best to leave the hook in to reduce trauma. I'd release this fish, but found it floating an hour later. Paul

Hi, ss. LOL Yes, it probably is nuts. I didn't really notice, until I noticed that I'm the only one out there! :)) Actually, I LOVE my tube, and very comfortable in it, and fish well out of it. Yes, braid is a game-changer, in a number of fishing scenarios. Glad you enjoyed the video. Paul You mean the Bob Ross joke? Bob Ross was a soft-spoken painter with a how-to TV show. Not everyone would know him. The more obvious joke would have been, "Mr Rogers goes to hell and back." :)

Hi, David. Thanks. I don't turn out as many videos as I'd like to. Can't keep up with the YT algorithm that's for sure. I'm going for quality over quantity. So be patient. As to using a leader, that was a short-lived rigging. I was new to punching and was trying different things. That first break-off was with a leader, fast but underpowered rod, and un-pegged weight. The next trip out I went 65# straight braid, mod rod, and pegged. Still tough, but fun, fishing though! Paul

Hi, flying jeep. Yeah, I hate that too. It's pretty rare but isn't what we're out there for. My best guess is that the small mouth means that the fish are fast growers; Still young yet. The red, blood engorged, lips has not been described in the science literature as far as I've been able to find. The best idea so far seems to be that it is cold stress related. I love fishing those jungles. Not sure why exactly. There's so much life in such waters, and something about being the only one willing to bother. Cheers, Paul

Hey, Frank. Thanks! Gee. Cheers, Paul

Thanks, Mike. Not sure, actually I'm quite sure, that I cannot keep up with the YT algorithm. And it just can't be my focus. YT will work out for me or not. Remains to be seen. Glad you are another content junky, like me. Cheers, Paul

Hi, Mauro. Good to hear from you. Thanks! A good heavy cover reel would have quality gearing, a powerful drag that you can lock down, and preferably with a large spool capacity for low start-up inertia for easy pitching. I can't recommend a specific reel, but all companies have good ones in their line-up. A dragonfly is in the list, covering both larvae and adults. Both a common prey, even for adult bass, in some waters. Cheers, Paul

Yeah, I was in rare form on that one. And loved every minute of it! Sometimes a good bit of cussin' is just part of it. I see you understand that. :))

@@thenatureoffishing7591 Absolutely!! Ya gave me the urge last night to fish some craws. And I lost two to snags. And skunked too!! Breiiiiinngggg...hahhaha!

I hate losing lures. :( Saving grace is I fish such popular ponds that I find more lures than I lose. Just... not the one's I want exactly.

Yeah, i find some but i lose way more! Bank fishing influences my recovery rate vs yak fishing. My worst fuss'n and cuss'n was when i was walking my dog at park and practicing with my baitcaster and during retrieve i picked up what i thought was mud till my plug was in reach. it was dog brrriinng. I had that Stuff in my high dollar braid, St.Croix rod and Curado reel. I was furious. Funny now but man....That was without a doubt the worst moment i ever experienced with a fishing rod in my hands. And wasnt even fishing. I guess that proves one cant have really bad time fishing. Eh? So now when i feed the Tree Gods my brand new lure i laugh and know it can be worse.

Hey, CF. That's what VFJ24 is about. Working on it now.

Hi, Duane. I learned a lot doing it. Not daunted in any way. Would help if I could get closer to the fish. Maybe a telescoping push-pole? Cheers, Paul

Experiment with weights.

Hey, Bassman. That's great to hear. I love mine too. Gives me access to more WAY water than from shore, even on small ponds. And yeah, the stealth is really fun aspect. Although we're sitting low in the water, I regularly have fish pass under and by me. I've never taken it on moving water, but have with small kayaks. Deer, herons, mink, ... don't seem to see a large object drifting smoothly by as a danger. Even with a bright blue one I had once. I've had little trouble with hook-sets most of the time. I could see that being an issue with big hooks on a long (esp stretchy) line. I think that may have been part of the issue in my jungle fishing. That water so so dense with weeds I couldn't get as close as I'd like, just too much thrashing in that vegetation. Otherwise, I like to work close, keep my hooks sharp, and use braid, when using the big irons. I just don't have pads in the waters I've fished here. Used to fish them back in NY though. They could be tough. My first experience with pads was decades ago, and I had two lures that I could fish through the pads. One was called a "Lil Arty" and the other a "Bill Plumber's Bass Frog". But, I didn't have the tackle to deal with those pads then. I lost my Lil Arty to a leaping bass in those pads. I loved that lure. :( Gee... it still stings. Thanks for the encouragement, Bassman. Cheers, Paul

Hey, LM L. I experimented with not pegging, the first day, as some people fish cover that way. It did slow the fall rate of my bait some. Paul

Hi, Gary. I did some froggin in the prior 2 videos and on the same water. Cheers, Paul

Hey, MD. Thanks. I actually like H stuff too, despite my whining. It's a cool game. This is the densest stuff I've ever purposely targeted. And... I've acquired new F-P-P rod since. And yes, braid is dangerous stuff. I actually meant to include a pair of cut-resistant gloves to the "specialized equipment" list for working on hung lures. But, forgot to put em in the image. I ended up with a few scars, one that's just now healed enough I can almost ignore it. What was in her belly is the subject of VFJ24, in which I actually got to follow up with a true match-the-hatch scenario. The window closed quickly, but it's interesting enough to warrant a journal entry.

Hi, MR. Yes, I agree. The vegetation is dense enough to inhibit bass hunting, for sunfishes anyway; At least it should be. I’ve been fishing these particular ponds for 20 or more years and have watched them change. In some, I've seen this kind of density cause bass to decline greatly in body condition. But the particular pond in this video is something of an anomaly, so far. When I first fished it, it had little vegetation and quite a bit of standing brush. It is now, as you see it in the video. The brush has rotted away and it is now thick with vegetation. Oddly, the bass have remained similar in body condition, which has been very good with many, if not most, almost rotund. I'd say there has been something of a decline, but still many chunky individuals. But, they have always been short bodied. A lot of fat 14 to 15" fish, and... that's it! I have only seen 3 that were much larger, all in the 18" bracket. Short length is classicly due to growth limitations. Or, at least, to grow "trophy" caliber fish, you need what's called "frame size", that is body length. This pond doesn't produce that, and never did, regardless of vegetation. This pond happens to be very shallow, esp in drought years. Possibly it winterkills, which can crop out the bigger fish, and allow for fast growth following. However, I've never seen signs of winterkill in this pond, even though I have in neighboring ponds. Perhaps, even likely, I’ve simply missed it. Lastly, I have noticed that some waters, probably due to water chemistry and resulting food chains, seem to simply grow big bass. I know waters that have changed drastically over the years, from vegetated to barren of vegetation, yet they have continued to produce big bass regardless. I suppose this part is not so odd. However, overall, I’ve found I can’t so easily judge a book by its cover so to speak. I’m in the thick of that now, with two ponds I’m getting to know. Disappointing, at least at first. But I’m not writing them off, yet. Thanks for the excellent comment. Cheers, Paul

I did, after that first fish broke me off. I certainly didn't tie on another leader. That "hard-ass rush" is hard on knots. On day 2, I'd gone up to 65# braid.

also I really hate as you do gut hooking a poor bass. always feels crappy. i recently tongue hooked a good size bass and it bled all over the place. let him go from the shore but should have kept the poor big guy. he was floating with in 20 seconds and became snapping turtle feed. hook came out easy enough but blood streaming from gill plates down both his sides. RIP my fish friend.

Hi, Matt. Hmmmm... this comes up in my "haven't responded" list. I remember responding to your comment. Anyway... Yeah, the Pit Boss is a good bait. Neat to hear how versatile you are with it. I bet it would make a pretty subtle buzzbait, which could be a real killer on calmer water. Will try it. Cheers, Paul.

I remember you telling me about that. Yeah, it happens. But it's pretty darn rare as we get to know our tackle and fishing.

Hi, Richard! Thanks. Good to hear from you. I started un-pegged. Some people prefer that; Thought I'd try it. It gave a slower fall rate, and the bait caught up to the weight on the first twitch. But... I eventually pegged bc I'd had enough messing around in those rushes. They are tough! Pegged worked better, but, I'd also gone to heavier tackle then too. Paul

@@thenatureoffishing7591 thanks Paul for your insight on that and keep up the great work sir.

@@richardlovett5187 Hi, Richard. Not sure how much insight I'm bringing there, beyond working through my inexperience in punching. :) I wondered if some of the fish I lost were able to take line through the stationary sinker, when unpegged; A bad thing in those rushes. Punching is a pretty crude presentation, period; The only way in in such cases. I began experimenting with home-made "Tokyo"/"Powershot" rigging, to free that bait from the weight a bit. Will have to wait until next year to see if it works. I'm encouraged by my early attempts, finding some components that slip down and back up, through soft cover at least, really well. Cheers, Paul

Hi, Erik. Yeah, the summer-fall transition can be tricky. Summer, bass tend to eat a lot, but... often in more specific times. Fall really does bring a feeding binge. But, we're not quite there yet here. I often test by fishing fast: crankbaits, lipless, buzzbaits or spinnerbaits "bulged". If they are not willing to chase, then I have to "feed" them. Soft jerks can be great then. Keep at em. Cover water. As weeds die the fish can move, and may begin to consolidate in better areas. The guys at Tactical Bassin' had a great piece on this recently, just a great description of bass movements during the transition. Well worth seeing. -Paul

@@thenatureoffishing7591 I know TIm and Matt lol. I was fishing near stucture and was early enough for top water and had a trout hit it. Then did the usual cranking then ned and finese stuff. CLEAR WATER SHALLOW :O some days they just wont eat :(

Yes, bluebird blue, clear, and shallow can be darn tough. Only thing tougher, perhaps, is frigid muddy water. However, those bluebird fish ARE often willing feeders, and even catchable. I've proved this to myself a number of times. But what it's taken would be scarcely worth anyones time, beyond academics. These kinds of observations are, in part, where my "Lines 1" video stems from. Glad you know TB, Matt's summer to fall transition video is particularly good, relevant to a lot of waters.

Why... Yes! But only in my ability for facial expressions. Years ago, a fishing buddy said the same thing. When I get rolling, telling a story or making jokes, the Jim Carey comes out in me. :) Cheers, Paul. Oh... I fished un-pegged for the first day. Some people don't peg, and I wanted to see what it did. It may have cost me the first two fish, as they may have travelled a ways from that heavy sinker before I detected them. Can't have them doing that in those rushes.

Hi, Josh. I experimented with not pegging, the first day, as some people fish cover that way. It did slow the fall rate of my bait some. But I pegged the second day. -Paul

Hi Rex. I actually made a few up a while back but haven’t had the opportunity to try them. Thanks for the reminder. Cheers.