San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

I was heading out to Home Depot and decided to take a rod and make a few casts at the river. I got to a spot where I fish and tulles and debris filled the area so I just had to flip in little openings. I was surprised when my Senko twitched. I quickly set the hook and landed this bass. A good way to kill less than an hour and then start the day with a bunch of chores to take care of. Sorry, Mcfish, but this was pretty lucky.

I consider this post as the assurance that I should make sure that I add a heavy action rod to my lineup

Osidecoffee wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 10:21 am I consider this post as the assurance that I should make sure that I add a heavy action rod to my lineup

Nothing against BFS, but the rod I used this morning was a ex-heavy rod with straight braid on it and it was still was
a challenge, pulling him out of that mess while he was digging in to the shoreline.

VinnyBass wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 11:35 am

Osidecoffee wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 10:21 am I consider this post as the assurance that I should make sure that I add a heavy action rod to my lineup

Nothing against BFS, but the rod I used this morning was a ex-heavy rod with straight braid on it and it was still was
a challenge, pulling him out of that mess while he was digging in to the shoreline.

There’s a time and place for everything! Naturally I want a rod for my first frog fish this year, but I’m starting to mentally count the various things I could do with a heavier setup. I’m starting to remember that a heavy rod isn’t just a frog rod haha. It’ll have some utility in the salt too if I find myself fishing deeper sections of water.

VinnyBass wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 11:35 am

Osidecoffee wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 10:21 am I consider this post as the assurance that I should make sure that I add a heavy action rod to my lineup

Nothing against BFS, but the rod I used this morning was a ex-heavy rod with straight braid on it and it was still was
a challenge, pulling him out of that mess while he was digging in to the shoreline.

Nothing against BFS...HAHAHAHAHA...you are the original Mr. Anti-Finesse....lol!

VinnyBass wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 9:34 am I was heading out to Home Depot and decided to take a rod and make a few casts at the river. I got to a spot where I fish and tulles and debris filled the area so I just had to flip in little openings. I was surprised when my Senko twitched. I quickly set the hook and landed this bass. A good way to kill less than an hour and then start the day with a bunch of chores to take care of.
IMG_4908.jpg
Sorry, Mcfish, but this was pretty lucky.
IMG_4883.jpeg

I recognize that spot...Tijuana River? Did you get your shots first??? Nice job pulling him out of there! I think I need a trip to Home Depot!

Mcfish wrote: Fri Jan 23, 2026 8:09 am

VinnyBass wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 11:35 am

Osidecoffee wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 10:21 am I consider this post as the assurance that I should make sure that I add a heavy action rod to my lineup

Nothing against BFS, but the rod I used this morning was a ex-heavy rod with straight braid on it and it was still was
a challenge, pulling him out of that mess while he was digging in to the shoreline.

Nothing against BFS...HAHAHAHAHA...you are the original Mr. Anti-Finesse....lol!

Everyone keeps selling me Heavy, Ex-Heavy and Mag Heavy rods......what can I say?

Mcfish wrote: Fri Jan 23, 2026 8:14 am

VinnyBass wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 9:34 am I was heading out to Home Depot and decided to take a rod and make a few casts at the river. I got to a spot where I fish and tulles and debris filled the area so I just had to flip in little openings. I was surprised when my Senko twitched. I quickly set the hook and landed this bass. A good way to kill less than an hour and then start the day with a bunch of chores to take care of.
IMG_4908.jpg
Sorry, Mcfish, but this was pretty lucky.
IMG_4883.jpeg

I recognize that spot...Tijuana River? Did you get your shots first??? Nice job pulling him out of there! I think I need a trip to Home Depot!

Not as smelly or bad as the Tijuana River.
Years ago I remember always having a 2 piece rod in the trunk of the car and a small tackle box. That way just in case I was in Mission Valley, I could always toss a few plastic worms in the river. I remember one time during my lunch break when I first started working at the Union-Tribune(before having to wear dress clothes and ties), I went down to Texas Street(now known as Qualcomm Way) and caught a 2 1/2lb bass on a black plastic worm. I was totally jazzed, but I wanted to stay longer and found it better to fish right after work and not be that rushed.