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my daughter ( 6 ) caught her first bass yippppe on a rooster tail at a local ski area

toho- kissimmee chain of lakes

Well the wife and I just got back from Table Rock and Big Cedar Lodge last night. It was a lot of fun but the fishing was pretty tough. One of my homemade jigs caught most of my fish, followed by a shakeyhead, splitshot rig, spook, and squarebill. First day I had 3 keepers, second day I had a small limit, 3rd day we went to Bull Shoals and I caught a small limit again on squarebills and jigs. Wasn't catching a bunch but the ones that were hitting the jig were killing it! This keeper spot tried to swallow my jig. Chunky largemouth. Nicole's white bass on a ned rig. She caught a smallmouth on it too but only took a picture with her phone. Keeper largemouth on a spook. My biggest from Table Rock ate a jig. My scale said 3.2lbs but it looked bigger in person and in the picture. Healthy fish either way. Keeper spot on a KVD 1.5 from Bull Shoals. 10" warmouth that ate my 3/8oz jig in a brushpile. One of the highlights of the trip. They had the Oakley Big Bass Tour going on this weekend and the weigh in was at Big Cedar. I knew about all that going on, I didn't know that KVD was going to be there. I was casually unhooking my boat at the ramp and I just looked up at the stage and instantly recognized him standing by the side of the stage talking to a couple other guys that were assisting with weigh in. I told my wife and we had to go say hi real quick. He was nice enough to let us get a couple pictures and he gave me a Oakley Big Bass Tour hat and signed it for me.

I agree with the general consensus here as well, be ready, I also agree with stkbassn, I will not be anywhere near the water with a boat on holidays, although I do enjoy going to the docks and watching lol. I will help the ones that need help and are not too proud to accept the help, the ones that are too proud usually make it to u-tube anyway.

O'dowd would be another good lake... Like 5 mins away from mystic... seen a 8 lber from that lake posted somewhere on youtube... Official dnr weigh in too was recorded on that video...

Dude I just keep my gear in the trunk of my car. Everything I own to do with fishing could fit in there. I'll take a picture if you want. I guess it's a "cave" of sorts.

Try using live bait.

it could be some of both. try throwing them something you havent thrown before. or something you think they havent seen much of before. or you could try being more stealth and backing away from the bank some until you hook a fish... sometimes when artificials just wont seem to draw a bite, i will not hesitate to break out some night crawlers and throw them, sometimes right in the basses face. i've only seen one bass in my life that just refused to eat a fat live night crawler and the one time it was semi-interested a bigger bass came in and took the bait instead... also, it would help to find out what theyre feeding on at the time. try catching a small bluegill about 4-5 inches and throwing it out on a bigger hook, when that thing starts yanking on your line and is swimming funny, the big bass will come in and most likely eat it... a lot of people think ponds are easy, but they can be real tough at times too...

Cajuns in VA? Naw homie I think thy are called hillbillies up in that area, of the country. LSWHO crawfish boil? I guess its true what they say. You can take the boy outta the swamp but you'll never take the swamp out the boy.

Had a pretty good day yesterday. Caught several Largemouths, biggest being 2lbs. A few good sized smallmouths and even some big Calico Bass (aka Crappies). All caught at Lake Massabesic in Auburn.

There are many reasons bass don't bite, talking about ponds, i'll choose overpressure or overfeeding; Try throwing big senkos, moving really slow, if you can't get a bite, go slower. Be patient, thats the key to success greets Alex_Mega

How many other folks fish this place, alot of the time fish in ponds see lures ALOT more than people think. Try out something new, giant baits of whatever sort or tiny baits. Go at night and target them that way, however you think they havent seen yet NGaHB

Its could be a little bit of both, but i usually blame it on the lake being over pressured

Fund the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Funding for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been halved in the last 8 years. Because of these cuts, the only way that IDNR has been able to keep state parks open and continue vital programs that protect our water supply, public safety, and wildlife has been to rely on a number of dedicated funds. Many of these funds were intended to support specific programs or functions which were sacrificed for the purpose of supporting core operations. The balances in these funds have been depleted. Core operations will cease without a plan towards sustainability. We believe it is imperative that the state provide the means for a sustainable funding stream which makes it possible for the Department to operate as a capable steward for our state's natural resources. Please sign the petition. Fill out the info and it will be directed to your representatives. http://action.ilenviro.org/p/dia/action/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=7704

The only reason I'm not right now is because you're far, far, far away from home fighting so your mooshy, kissy, kissy, oh honey bunny I love you, conversation will be tolerated. I take it you two were texting since you noted the times. Please tell me you didn't write the times down everytime one of yall started to talk . Nonetheless, be carefull on that trip when you get back. That's how are made.

I'm currently unemployed, but next week I start my summer job as a camp counselor/climbing wall and ropes course instructor for children with disabilities and in August I'll be a school psychologist intern.

2 dudes...one with a camera and the other one in a tank top flexing while getting 120 pictures taken. that's not creepy at all i swear.... in all serious lookin svelte.

Wow...I have learned several things on this thread- but the thing that sticks out the most is I learned I would never be able to complete a project like that! Looking foward to seeing a finished product.

Looking for a good lake around the area that I haven't tried yet. I currently live in Eagan, but I am willing to drive up to 30 minutes away...any suggesstions? Maybe around the Tonka area?

My dream combo would be if Loomis took there GL3 MBR845c, if they even make this model anymore, and added 3 or 4 inches for extra leverage, for IMO such would make a great frog rod. If you must the same in IMX, but really I am talking Frog Rod so IMX or GLX is not needed for such. As for the reel, Quantum Tour PT is all I use for frog fishing and is all I will ever need for such. One last dream is that someday soon somebody makes a line conditioner that repels the dang cotton that is all over the lakes around here from the cottonwood trees. Man what a pain in booty is it this time of year, having that stuff stick to the line, clog guides and so forth. I will pay whatever is asked for a bottle of such, just please someone make such!

I carry a sharp pair of dykes with me at all times. If the hook is deep (gut) I just cut the hook where its easily reached and slide it out. Never had a problem doing this, and it save a lot of time. I would rather save the fish than my 20C hook.

A $60,000 boat, a $200 rod and a $300 reel and your catch will most likely be the same but might just find that gear makes you more comfortable. Learn to equate the time of year with the lake/stream/reservoir, develop your casting and retrieve skills and time on the water will increase your catch. Some place I read that if I fish 10 times this year and catch 20 fish if I fish 20 times next year will I catch 40 fish. The answer is no you would be more likely to catch 100 or more. You would tie your knots quicker, have fewer backlashes, know the lake better, be more accurate in you cast etc.

You'll stop when you realize what works and what doesn't work. Only downside is you'll just start buying more of what works.