Leaderboard

If they still have teeth, the are probably feeding on crayfish. If their teeth are ground down from eating too many crayfish, or they are old and simply unable to eat them anymore because of poor dentures, they are probably feeding on bluegill. Squish their stomach to confirm.

I don't think too much about it when I'm keeping fish honestly. We humans have a tendency to really anthropomorphize everything (assign human attributes to them) and most of the time it's really a faulty way of thinking. Fish don't "want" anything. They don't consider which way to die would be better than any other. All they care about is getting away and surviving, but that's a basic instinct, not a conscious thought. Any considerations we take on how to treat a prey item is based on ideas that have been socially constructed by humans, not something that is uniform across all species. That said, I'm not going to go out of my way to ensure the fish dies in a miserable way because I do have a general respect for life. I'm also a realist. I realize that in order for anything to live (with the exception of autotrophs such as plants) something else has to die. I don't necessarily think it matters whether you bash a fish with a rock or let them suffocate. Myself, I tend to try and see to it that the fish dies humanely but I realize I'm doing it to make myself feel better about killing something, not for the actual benefit of the fish. So just act ethically for your own sake is about the only advice I could give.

I've caught bass "froggin'" along the outside edge of a stand of cattails. Also among a mess of submerged stumps in about 4' of water. So no, IMHO you don't need lily pads, but they are prime spots for fishin' frogs. Tom

1. If you commit to go fishing then go fishing. Don't back out, especially at the last minute. 2. Treat his boat, motor, trailer, vehicle, etc. like it was yours. 3. Pick up all trash you created at the dock. 4. Help him dry off the boat if he does that after trailing the craft. 5. TALK! Don't just fish and not say anything. Take his lead and talk as you fish about your interests. 6. Always offer to pay for gas for the boat or vehicle. You don't have to fill them up but $25 or $50 is a wonderful offer. It is up to the boater to accept or reject your offer. 7. Pay the ramp fee. 8. If you do not feel comfortable backing the trailer in or taking the boat out tell the boater so he can do one or the other or both. 9. ALWAYS KNOW WHERE THE NET IS. Be ready to grab the net when necessary. 10. Ask the boater to show you how to operate the boat in case of an emergency. 11. Leave a "Float Plan" at your home with the boater's name, location of your ramp, expected time you will arrive at the dock and at home and be sure to include telephone numbers. 12. WATCH WHERE HE GOES AND WHAT HE THROWS. Then at home that evening, get your map of the area and mark on it where you went and what he threw. Maker yourself a history of the day with times, cloud cover, temperatures of the air and water, where you went, what was thrown, what was caught so you will have a history of the body of water for future reference. 13. View what brands of rods and reels he is using and his baits. Ask him why he is throwing a bait so you will learn what to do in the future. 14. Be sure to wear a PFD, cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, and take your food and drinks with you plus a trash bag. 15. Be extra careful when changing rods. Make sure the baits are secure to avoid getting any hooks in the upholstry or carpet. 16. Be sure to bring a needle nose pliers and a sissors with you. 17. Have your health insurance card, drivers' license, fishing license, AAA card and some money. 18. Treat the guy to some lunch or ice cream when you get off the water. 19. And the most important thing I can think of....DON'T FALL OUT OF THE BOAT!!!!

WalMarts has inexpensive steel "Bass Casting" sinkers (I think the brand name is Eagle Claw). You can get 8 for under $2.00. Then add a split ring and a drop shot swivel, from Netcraft (www.jannsnetcraft.com). You will no longer worry about hung sinkers, as this set-up is very inexpensive and environmentally sound. Also, if you are fishing deeper water, fish vertically, under the boat, targetting humps or other bottom structures that have bait on them. For hooks, if you are fishing shallow, go ahead and use a regular, off-set shank, worm hook; such as you'd use with the Texas rig. You can get smaller sizes, like the Gamakatsu "G-Lock" in size #1 for the smaller baits. They won't get you hung up. Here's a picture of the sinker set-up I've been using for many years:

I had the previous version of the edge (all terrain) on my boat. It was ok but like Wayne said its select speed and speed 1 and 2 were useless, 3 and 4 were ok if there was no wind or a light breeze. 5 was useless because it was so strong it would throw you out of the boat. I upgraded to a Maxxum and the difference is amazing. The battery life seems like it doubled and variable speed is so smooth.

You just caught a bass it fed on what ever bait you were using. Keep using it until it is not successful then change! Fish have a brain the size of a pea tied to a reasonable sense of self protection. Don't over complicate fishing.

As a rule, when designing and building a rod we use the smallest, lightest guides that will pass the line and connections you'll use also taking into account the icing/slop mentioned above. Micro guides certainly won't hurt on a spinnerbait rod but where they are of the most benefit is on a worm/jig rod where sensitivity is critical. The reduced weight of the guides, especially in the tip section, allows the blank to retain as much of it's original properties as possible.

Supply and demand dictates price - always has and always will. It's funny though, I don't really feel like a moron, not even a littler bit. A-Jay

Ike also breaks rods and kicks sonar units, but im not going to.

My best friend and fishing buddy has been with me for over 47 years. The reason it has been that long is she is always ready to explain, "Remember the wedding vows - till death do us part? One of us isn't getting out of this alive." I may not be the sharpest hook in the box, but I got a pretty good idea who she is talking about. If this is purgatory, I'll stay a while longer.

Look threw Cheaper then dirt or a tactical shop and find a Sandpiper Of California bag I use one well I have 2 one I use for my tactical gear in the army then I have a 2nd bigger one for all my fishing gear. This is the one I have but I got it in coyote tan and ALOT cheaper shop around iv seen them for 40 bucks I paid 60 for mine http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=17896&tabid=548 Right now i have it here in Kuwait with me for fishing here there's 5 360 boxes, a big spool of line, cast net, tools, soft plastics in there and still have room.

There is the IPS Communities app that is like a 3rd party app. It's expensive and I don't know much about it. I just use the mobile version of the site, book mark it like an app and wala!

Ahhhh, but the question is, does she do windows?

That 2nd boat was like 10-20 feet from the logs crashing. Bet the pucker factor was 9.5 in that boat

After meeting him at the 2012 roadtrip, I was impressed by his attitude and patience. He's a great ambassador for the sport.

My fishing partner is my best buddy for life. He is my 7 y/o grandson and really loves the sport. He will fish from daylight until after dark whether the fish are biting are not. He is already using a baitcaster and has caught a 8 & 1/2 lb LM.

That to me is a no brainer. My son is the best fishing buddy. Started taking him fishing with me when he was 5 yrs old. We still fish together every weekend. By the way, he just turned 48 yrs old. Hootie

When I'm doing my serious fishing I prefer to be alone. When I'm fishing with a friend, it's pretty much a social affair, I do as much talking as fishing. The last time I fished with a bass fisherman (for bass) was with my dad and he passed away in 1992, I have taken bass fishermen with me for snook and some offshore fishing too. I will not fish with anyone that isn't mellowed out, no tossing sinkers at boats or yelling at someone because they came a few feet too close. I won't fish with anyone that carries a side arm unless they are a police officer. I don't need any hot head putting me in harms way.

I would fish it AND brag about the pictures of my catch. I could care less where I have my fun, be it pond, lake, river, swamp, etc. But I would admit that the fish were taken from a managed pond.