Leaderboard

A woman with a nice set of bobbers.

Tomorrow's weather may be a little warm. Sun tan lotion, check!

I sorta see your point. BUT, some people DO "prefer" canoes - budget independent. It's a totally different experience. Nothing like paddling, silent, through a quiet stream, river, or lake - just you and nature. Many of those folks would never consider any gas propulsion and the associated noise, smell, and pollution; many wouldn't care for electric propulsion either. It is indeed a preference. Canoe purists even look aghast at my canoe contraption... However, for me, a canoe wasn't a "preference." As I mentioned in post #14, I studied all small watercraft from float tubes up to bass boats. My budget could have been up to, say, $25k or so. BUT, the best solution for me, given my needs and wants, was the tricked out canoe. Budget independent, would I have "preferred" how-ever much bass boat $25k would buy? Absolutely not. If I wanted a bass boat, I'd just buy one...but I won't...because it's not the best solution to the problem. As you said - it's more about where and how you fish, determining the best solution to get yourself on the water, and then going out and catching fish. For me, a bass boat would get me absolutely NO more fish on MY water...than my canoe...

I just thought it would be cool to see some pictures of what everyone has is their bags/boxes!

One day Steve Parks (Big-O) was sitting on his patio at his ranch near Dallas sipping a Mint Julep when he said to himself “Self, how do I design a plastic bait that has an action like no other?” So he began to think, and as he thought, beads of sweat began appearing on his forehead, so he decided to have another Mint Julep. Thinking furiously, he started scribbling on the white linen tablecloth with his Sharpie … and had another Mint Julep. Thousands of Mint Juleps later, and after earning PHDs in both aero and hydrodynamics, Big-O developed a plastic bait like no other. Its action was so remarkable that he decided to call it a Rage Tail – and a legend was born. OK, so I made all this up. I doubt that Big-O has ever had a Mint Julep in his life; and I don’t think he owns a ranch. What I do know for certain is that the Rage Tail line of baits catch fish, and do it well. My PB (shown in my avatar) of seven pounds, eleven ounces was caught with a Rage Toad. I have caught hundreds of fish using the Rage Craw and the Space Monkey. I have now reached the point that I now fish Rage Tail plastics to the exclusion of all others. One other thing I know is that Steve believes in his products. I have never seen him fish with any bait but a Rage Tail. His frequent postings about the hawgs he has caught and the Rage Tails he has caught them with is proof of that. The next time you are contemplating buying plastic baits, visit the Rage Tail website at www.ragetail.com The site has tons of information about the Rage products and extensive information on how to rig them. Numerous videos are available. The forums provide extensive information also.

Has anyone seen an empty one on their boat? I'm a good-natured christian 26 year old, married, w/ kids. If anyone can take me fishing on their boat I'd like the opportunity to come! I'm interested in doing tournaments. I live in Winchester VA and I'm available most weekday afternoons and weekends. Ideally would like to find someone who likes to go to a wet spot 1-5 times a week in the good season. Shenandoah River and Lake Frederick are where I usually fish. Tell me if you see that empty seat! -Chase Adams

After replying to the post about your strength that others may not have, I got to thinking about my weakness. You'd think that after 50+ years of fishing including more than a few years on the local club circut, I'd have a little trouble narrowing it down. I've got most aspects of this great sport covered, but I have one big weakness and that's my memory. If it weren't for the fact that I keep a fairly detailed fishing log, there'd be many times that I'd waste valuable fishing time. The only way I can equate what is happening one day to an experience I've had maybe on numerous occasions is to look at that log when I get home. Then the light goes on. Believe me when I say it's frustrating, but luckily I figured it out a long time ago or I'd likely be sitting here doing needle point. Then again, is it drop two and pearl one or visa versa?

You will love these baits, if you experience any trouble or are having problems with the baits, go to the tackle section and post a question, I can promise you there is an answer, most likly it will come straight from Big-O too !!!

That there's a good idea, JFrancho. Guarantee that will get 'em! Don't expect Big O to come out with something just because there's a "craze".

Sent you a pm.

Try an umbrella rig decked out with Ragetail grubs.... It was a killer presentation on Oneida this fall.

Just bought a pack of the 10" thumper worm in bama bug color, can't wait to test drive these, even though its chilly out, gander mountain should have it to me around Christmas Day. Thanks for the reviews.

snakehead, it looked like it survived doomsday. The other ones I catch look like models in comparison

Fishing structure is not that hard, it just takes a little time on your favorite waters, I think back when I was a bank beater like many others here and often wishing for my first boat, I found that once I made the investment, just like many others, I was still a bank beater, I just fished from the opposite direction, then one day I got pushed out of my spot by a local tournament angler, litterally, it did not end well for either of us, then it clicked, I started to fish deeper and more open waters, no one else was so I figured what the crap, at least no one would bother me, after a few years of searching and reading books and putting together my own little pieces, I found this site, and one feller in particular tought me a ton about fishing structure, his handle here was Catt, one of the absolute best at making you do your homework and giving you hidden tips as you go along, it seems as if he knew my favorite lake as well as I did, he was forever making me think and work, light bulbs would burn bright inside my head when a hint he would drop comes to light on the water, him and fish for dollars were two of the best there ever was here at least I think so, there is a time and a place for everything, one thing remains true, fish relate to structure all the time, it's their highways and byways, it's how they find cover, it's how they get to spawning grounds in the spring, you name it, the fish use structure in some way to get to where you find them, look around the next time you pull up a nice fish and you will soon start to put together pieces of the puzzle as to why that fish was there and where it came from to get there, as for deep structure or deeper structure, when the fish are in a group on the bottom is my absolute favorite time to be on the water, drop a marker out and there are days when you can fish for hours in one spot with a mixed variety of baits like the jig, a spoon, a C-rig, just because I like fishing deep structure when this opportunity arises, does not mean that we should forget how deep is deep and how structure relates to the water depth, 10 feet is plenty deep to find continiously productive structure, spend time on the water and start looking for those flat areas now that the fish use to spawn, keep looking and you will soon see the channels and such they use to get to those flats, once spring gets here and the fish start to become active again, go to those flats you found and see if you are catching the smaller males, if you are, then get to those channels and such, the big girls will be coming soon and they are there on those ledges working their way to the flats, it could be 10 feet deep or 30 feet deep, you simply have to get out there and look. Good luck and be safe !!!

One Fish Anna strikes again! One Fish Anna 1 Jacob 0

I prefer the canoe. Motors need batteries and batteries need charging and motors won't always start and to even get your boat into the water, you need a ramp. Best of all, my canoe reaches lakes that no boat with a motor can reach unless you're willing to drop a couple thousand to hire an Otter to drop you on that lake. I like to fish for stupid fish because you catch a lot more of them and the canoe takes me to stupid fish, thus I prefer it.

What the heck is that thing! Maybe I won't buy and Rage afterall! That's just scary right there.

I caught this beautiful fish today, rage shad in his mouth

I powder coat all my dropshot weights I pour. I don't like shiny lead in extremely clear waters.

I always use a leader. If nothing else. it makes breaking off snagged baits much easier.

Hardgill, Strongbass, Rago Tools, Slammers, Punkers, PB rat, OG wood castaic. All great baits.

I like the sound of that, a twin tail grub, and the swimbait someone else mentioned. A pegged Rage craw flipped into the water willows has won me more than a couple Wednesday night tournaments during the summer.

I somehow recall a member who asked Steve on this very forum to design and market his own RAGE spider grub ( skirted twin tail grub ) and give us the ultimate smallmouth plastic. It's time to once again lobby for this product. I have set aside about six hundred bucks to stock up when they hit the market. I'm thinking 4.5 inchs total length with colors dominated by crawfish greens and browns. To show how serious I am, it's almost my birthday and when I make a wish and blow out the candles......lots and lots of candles......well you get the point.

I've only used Rage Tail products on a limited basis, with only decent results. Sounds like I'm missing out on some good action. I'll have to stock up on some and give them an honest shot next season.

I started using Rage last spring, and now, they are the only plastics I use. I love the craws, lobsters, menace, grubs, and well, all of them. Every bait is a flat out fish catcher, and versatile as well. They can be trailers, c rigged, drop shot, cut up, used whole, buzzed on top, THESE BAITS ARE HANDS DOWN THE BEST PLASTICS ON THE MARKET.

All I know is...I wasn't catchin' nothin' and Rhino gave me one of those Ragetail gizmos and I caught somethin' Grampa

I choose to believe it happened.

I'll add one more item that is especially well suited for flipping: MegaStrike MegaBug

I don't give up. I either fish until I catch a bass or my mom says I have to come home.

Hi...my name is Jigfishn10 and I'm a Rage Tailaholic. Alright, I caught the Rage this year and I'm not sure why I waited, but I finally smartened up. If you haven't caught the Rage yet, why don't you go out and buy 1 or 2...ah...hundred bags and see for yourself!

I would suggest the lizards and the craws too !!! Rage rig the craw and T-rig or C-rig the lizard, I used to use Zoom lizards, but these things far out perform the Zoom.

I've got several rapala cranks only had a few to break mainly because of beating them on bridges. I've got several DT 10 that have hauled in over a hundred bass in a day without failure you can't beat there action. During the summer there all I use . If you want some strike kings pm me i have very little use for some of my stock I'll send you a few to try for free.

I had gotten asked to hop up on the Hawg Trough and do a seminar at The Garden Stae Outdoor Expo.. It will show you how some of the Megastrike Products look and work under water. The stand was on the camera side and there was a lot of people there watching. I hope this will give you an idea about some of our products .Remind you that these bass have seen every baits from every manufacture - many times a day--They seem to really like and hold on when Megastrike was applied -Also watch the swim bait movement-

Thank you for the kind words and for you that are questioning-This was not a paid testimonial. Heck he did better than the pro staff guys we do pay... Thats it no one gets paid any longer. LOL

Yes, in my youth I did well in local tournaments. Thought about becoming a pro.....but, I realized that I LOVED to fish....I found that fishing was becoming a JOB! Sort of like later I got in to motorcycles and was invited into the elite moto police. Tried it a bit but then When I got off work, on the bike, I didn't feel like riding for pleasure. Did not want to confuse the two. I'm a little jaded with the whole "tournament trail" thing at this point. Not sure if this is where the future of fishing should be going. I'm sure I'm in a minority. But, while you have youth, chase your dreams, go the tournament trail......it has its own rewards. But now when i'm on the water, I enjoy the outing, the wildlife, the serenity, the peace.....take time for a leisurely bite to eat under an overhanging oak. I remember shoving food in my mouth as I was hurrying from one point to the next......and rapid fire casting, and eeking out the very last few moments before racing in to weigh in. I laugh now when I think back......I simply look at it as a "Great Adventure." One has many adventures in life......they begin, they take effort and sacrifice, they are rewarding in their narrow sphere.......and finally......they end. A natural progression. Good luck in your endeavor!

I have the ability to stay on the same fishing spot for hours without even catching a fish. After a long day of fishing without a bite, i go home like a thief in the night, the bass never even knew i was there...or did they... . yeh, they probably did.

By living on the water, my great strength is the ability to NOT get in the boat, after I go down and see the bad condition of the water, and a big East wind blowing. I just calmly walk back to the house, have a magnificent cup of coffee and wait for a better day! This strength has saved me countless hours beating the water. I choose my hours and make them count!

I cannot say that many others do not have it, but I maximize whatever ability I have by keeping my emotions on an even keel. I don't get into a frenzy when I hook an exceptionally nice fish, and I don't sulk or mope if it escapes, and otherwise take time to recover from my "loss". If a nice fish spits the hook, I'll continue the retrieve if it happened some distance from the boat. If it happens at the boat, I'll examine the bait, and if all is ok, it's right back in the water. Having a tantrum or excessive celebration means I'm not putting the bait in the water, which is the only place fish can be caught. On the final day of the last road trip to Pickwick, I hooked into a very nice bass. Bassin Sargeant was with me. The fish jumped, but I couldn't see it since he was in my line of sight. When he saw it, he grabbed the net, and got back on the corner of the stern. After a bit more of a tussle, the bass jumped and came unbuttoned. Again the Sarge was in the way of my view. I reeled in the line and made another cast. He was amazed that I wasn't even whining about it getting away, so he did the screaming, cursing and hollering for me. While he was emoting, I was fishing.

I have a great strength. When I walk into a place with fishing stuff available for purchase, I am able to walk out without even buying one single thing. This is very hard for me to do, so I imagine it is something many struggle with.

Thanks Mike!

No, my meaning is that I don't disregard any presentation and don't have a "favorite", the fish choose the one that is the best. I don't enjoy casting without catching. Most of the time I have 10-12 rods rigged on the deck with different presentations and the wacky rigged finesse worm is the most productive for a days fishing. I have probably 20 rod/reels in my boat all the time so I am prepared for all presentations. I've been catching them lately with a Silver Buddy and a shaky head finesse worm, that is because it matches the pattern. I don't fish lures, I fish patterns. The fish's response lets me know if it is the correct one. A jig may be the right one sometimes.

I also use the Dobyns Champion 704CB with a Lews Tournament Pro and #10 YoZuri Hybrid. I know a couple of guys who like the 685CB but I prefer a 7' rod.

A nice, calm and respectable lady went into the pharmacy, walked up to the pharmacist, looked straight into his eyes, and said, "I'd like to buy some cyanide. The pharmacist asked, "Why in the world do you need cyanide?" The lady replied, "I need it to poison my husband." The pharmacist's eyes got big and he explained, "Lord have mercy! I can't give you cyanide to kill your husband, that's against the law! I'll lose my license! They'll throw both of us in jail! All kinds of bad things will happen. Absolutely not! You CANNOT have any cyanide!" The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband in bed with the pharmacist's wife. The pharmacist looked at the picture and said, "You didn't tell me you had a prescription."

I belong to two bass clubs and fish a couple local tourney circuits up at Madison Chain, Big Green Lake, Lake Geneva, Lake Delavan and a whole bunch of smaller S.E Wisconsin Lakes. Some great fisheries in the southern end of Wisconsin.

Way back when I was fishing Wednesday Night Pot Tournaments in my 14ft jon boat I remember a top FLW Pro showing up almost every week in his wrapped boat. He grew up on the lake and made his name fishing there. I would crank up my 8hp motor and head over to my spot and do what I do. I always chuckled when I would see him running back and fourth in his boat and I really enjoyed taking his money. Bass Fishing is one of those few sports where it can be a level playing ground. That little green fish is what makes it level. We all have to go out and catch them. But you can't let the fact that they are Pro's get in your head. Come up with a game plan that can catch the weight that is needed to win on that particular lake. Then go out and execute and nobody can beat you.

I have fished local tournaments against a couple current (at the time) and former B.A.S.S. elite series pros. Sometimes they beat me, sometimes they don't. I say bring it on. Rise to the level of the compition. Do I like it when a pro shows up and hands me beat down on a lake I spend 100 + days a year on..........NO, but it pushes me to get better and teaches me something. I wish I could fish against them more often.

This is exactly it. Not all touring pros are rolling in dough. Many are betting their life savings on chasing the dream. The game is played on many "levels," and they're all relative. I fish opens on Oneida all the time. I don't complain when a local stick that lives on the lake, has been on the state and national teams several years, and was the prez of the NY BASS fed registers in an open that I'm fishing. I try to beat him.

I just started using a Dobyns Champion 704CB this year. Ratings: 7′ 8-14lb, 1/4-3/4oz, Medium Mod/Fast. Its listed specialties are: Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, Poppers, Sammys, Gunfish, Staycee 90. I took a long time to decide on a perfect jerkbait dedicated rod, and I got advice direct from the company - this was recommended as the ideal jerk bait rod. I only have a few trips with it but the action does seem ideal. Also double up with this rod on shallow cranks. I've been on a Dobyns kick lately so it's hard for me to suggest anything else, but I'm sure there are similar action rods out there.

I throw 1/8 oz Speed Traps with a Dobyns Champion 704CB glass, 10 YoZuri and a Lews Tournament MG. Whippy can be good.