just bought some plugs to try for some bass. one is reccomended ideal for "walking the dog" ? obviously some way of retrieving it, help ? also, how do i attach them properly ? should i make a loop at the end of my line ? am i alright attaching it straight to my main line (12lb mono)or do i need a leader of some sort ? lots of questions sorry ! first time i've tried with plugs

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Yes with the loop. Need a stiff rod (oh err missus). Retrieve and move rod in jerks from side to side. Mr Gilbey had this on one of his fishing the edge shows.

The Big Man

i would use a shockleader, bass are predators and they will hit a lure like its the only bit of bait left in the sea and will snap 12lb line and also bass feed round rocky areas so it will dive and try and pull u into these places, 12lb line will not last very long rubbing against the rocks, i would recommed amnesia 18.2kg which is about 35lb

Use a rapalla knot do a search on google you should find how to tie one.

Hi olly.welcome to an!
use 20lb braid min. tie a equal strain mono leader 2ft is ideal for lure fold back,the braid keeps much better contact with lure.
walking the dog refers to surface poppers,ie skipping across the surface.. happy pluggin its THE way to fish!!

Errrr - almost. 'Walking the Dog' is done with a stick bait (surface but not a popper) and you do the retrieve so that the lure makes sidewise movements so to the left then the right then the left then .... of a straight line from where you cast.

The start-pop, stop, start-pop action is similar but not quite the same.

Olly30 - not to make this sound really complicated because it isn't but take a look at the info below to give yourself a good start at using a stickbait style lure if that's what you have where they recommend 'walking' it.

http://www.finefishing.com/1freshfish/aaho...20The%20Dog.htm

And still more to add to the info at the above link

quote:

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After you have cast the lure, keep the rod tip pointed down toward the water at a 45 degree angle and twitch or jerk the rod tip down toward the surface to approximately 90 degree angle. In a rhythm that will have the bait dancing back and forth or “walking”, be sure to turn the reel handle about one revolution for every other twitch of the rod. Start out slowly, which will give the lure a wider back and forth action, then speed up the pace to cause the bait to jump, mimicking fleeing bait fish! Practice this technique, and you will have the lure walking in no time.

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And yet a little more

quote:

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In order to get started, a cast is made to a likely looking area. Holding the rod at a 3 o'clock angle (with some slack in the line,) a quick snap is made down to a 6 o'clock angle. This will cause the bait to turn one direction, either to the left or right. Reel up the majority of the slack while bringing the rod back to 3 o'clock, and prepare to repeat the steps over again. Each snap will cause the bait to turn, with the subsequent snap forcing the bait to turn in the opposite direction.

When done in a steady cadence, your bait will appear to be walking across the surface, imitating the tactics of a baitfish or frog perfectly. A key component of this technique is to keep some slack in the line at all times in order for the bait to fully swing back and forth. The instructions might sound slightly complicated, and I can assure you that it will take some practice to perfect, but once you do the results and action will astound.

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try the storm thunder dog it catches bass, recomended but popping is best by far!!!!!!!!

Hi Olly I use a duel surface popper, great walk the dog action.
I fish over the roughest, most weedy ground I can find. Usually fishing in 4-5 foot of water max. Twenty pound braid main line, with 2-3 foot of 12Lb fluro leader, as yet I have to lose a fish, Bass seem to like to fight it out near the surface, no great crash dives like Pollack are noted for.
Make sure you have your clutch set right tho'

If you are planning to release a few back after capture don't forget to flatten the barbs down or better still file them off completely, you can do considerable damage to a Bass's mouth when trying to remove a treble from a well hooked fish otherwise.
Hope you are successful, the first one is the hardest to catch, after that it'll get easier

Just a thought.
Re the trebble, cut one of the hooks off, makes unhooking the fish easier, and does less damage to the fishes mouth.