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After repairing a "Seizmic Toad" with super glue. I stuck it between my lips while I fumbled around putting the cap back on to the glue. Yep, you guessed it. super glued the toad to my lips!

Could be bass herpes. You should probably get yourself checked.

Sounds like a great problem to have.

The 3 tap theory as explained by Shaw Grisby First tap the bass inhaled your lure Second tap the bass spit your lure Third is me tapping you on the shoulder asking why you didn't set hook! The biggest reason the average angle has hookup problems with Texas rigs or jigs is because they are to slow. Believe me the average bass is way faster than the average angler! The lightest/smallest tap will be the biggest bass!!!

My dad and I drove about an hour and a half to fish, we got the conoe in the water with the lifejackets, anchor, tacklebox, etc... When we wanted to begin fishing we looked at eachother and realized we had forgotten our rods, not in the car... at home....

Yeah i do work out even when on the road, dumbell only workout...(i take them with me) Yeah, i try to numb myself during the week.. i find things to do to keep me busy, and im quiite comffy on the road, i feel ran down once i get home... Ive actually got a good summer cut down going right now... physically demanding work + decrease in caloric intake due to being to busy equals shredded abs

Sounds like your burning your self out. If it is temporary you might be able to deal with it but if it's ongoing you might want to reconsider. You can only burn the candle at both ends until the wax is all gone.

Watch out for those rattle-headed copper moccasins!

I accept the fact that I look like a beekeeper on the water when I have my gloves, buff and floppy hat on. But I've come to the realization that I simply do not put sunblock on with enough frequency so I'm ok looking a little goofy in an effort to prevent skin cancer

In the northeast we are experiencing a wicked heat wave where air temp reaches 90 by 1pm. Water temp near surface is around 70 and the spawn is pretty much over. I wanted to experiment with a few baits in different areas of the lake and test a few theories (who doesn't go out just to get confirmation of certain theories?) The first thought I had was, will bass take bright colored jigs and trailers? Here are a few I tied with colors I never thought would work (except on a spinnerbait), along with a light root beer with lime green and black flake trailer.: Other than the usual pickerel, the jigs did well catching dinks and bass weighing up to 3 lbs. So much for using darker jigs and trailers! The other discipline I wanted to experience was using the drop shot with micro baits - species not important, but the feel of the strike and hook set very important. So I nose hooked these hand poured, 2" minnow type baits on a circle hook: I caught different species in all sizes: bass, pickerel and panfish. Best locations were on rock humps and near pads. The strike felt was the usual thump and loading up of the line as it moved sideways (braid with 18" of 6 lb test mono leader to sinker). I stuck it out until 2:30 pm for two days but had to leave when the air temp maxed out at 92 with a heat index of 94. Interestingly the bite lasted from 9 am to 2 pm probably because the water temp was much cooler in the low 70's. Active fish were found in water 2-8' deep - in shallower water, pads were present. Questions answered!

DO NOT skimp on glasses....the higher end glasses have more protection and better clarity...your eyes are one of your most important things on your body and sun can dmg them good and if you lose your sight because of sun dmg you wont be fishing at all lol...so skimp on something besides eye protection

Im using the light weight frog tog rain suits and they work very well. I come out completely dry and dont seem to sweat any more than i already would (pretty good bit)

I totally agree! I have several pair of Costa's. One Blue Mirror, for Gulf fishing; one Green Mirror for freshwater, both are 580GLASS. And a 3rd pair of Amber in 580Polycarbonate. Definitely well worth the money. I did a LOT of research on sunglasses and talked to several eye doctors. Most cheap glasses do NOT protect against the different rays. A good analogy would be a comparision with motorcycle helmets. I've ridden for years and have found the extra money spent on a good helmet is well deserved.....so I went to Arai and Shoei. How much is your head worth? Just how much do you think your pair of eyes is worth? Going cheap is not really an option here.....for me.

I wear costa's with 580 glass lense in amber. They way I look at is I wear sunglass everyday for usually 5+ hours a day living in Florida and I only have one set of eyes. A nice pair of glasses cost less then what most people spend on one rod and reel.

Ok heres the next group- For all of you that love EWG Hooks- After a year of making -Out comes the NEW PRO MODEL SHAK-E 2 HEADS WITH EXTRA WIDE GAP HOOKS Ranging from sizes from 1/8 to 2 OZ- various colors for all types of conditions . They are great for larger meatier baits and are like nothing you've ever seen as a swim bait hook. The center of gravity is low and acts like a reverse crankbait bill giving your baits a very unique body roll. Something that will trigger strikes more often than standard heads and hooks Click once on image

Ran my boat into hundreds of massive fishing spiders in some grass. They started jumping into the boat and I proceeded to have a crisis.

Here's one more...... Back in the mid 80’s my boat was a 14’ Jon with a 5 hp Sears outboard. Well, somehow I got my first depth-finder, and took my time to install it and study the user manual. When the weekend came I was excited to see how the flasher worked so I got an early start. I went to a tidal creek off the Potomac River where I’d be out of the way of other anglers and boats. When I got on the water I turned on the flasher and set out; I had the outboards tiller in one hand and the Hummingbirds user manual in the other. I began zigzagging along a channel drop-off watching the flasher closely; I went across a flat and found a hump that I “flashed” from different angles; then back to the channel zigzagging across the channel to see where the drops were. Throughout all my motoring I was engrossed in the flasher, trying to understand what it was telling me. Then all of a sudden I hear a loud “BANG”, was thrown forward, and I find myself kneeling on the floor of the boat with my chest laying on the center seat; I look up in a daze wondering what the H happened; when I got my wits back I realize I had ran directly into the piling of a day marker (that’s a navigational sign mounted on a phone pole for you bank anglers). What I didn’t realize at the moment was the outboard was still running and I’m not in control, or in the seat. When I pull myself up and get control of the motor I looked over my shoulder and found a small ski boat about 50-75 feet away coming up on me to render assistance. A young woman asked if I was OK, and if I needed assistance, I said no thank you; as they pulled alongside the young man remarked something about my new toy, and they had watched and wondered what I was doing as I zigzagging across the channel. To this day I can still recall the young man telling me I needed to keep one eye on my toy, and one eye on the road. Talk about embarrass!! I could tell my face was beat red.. L

Retied a favorite spinnerbait. Cut the tag line. Watched the spinnerbait fall into the water. Yep, I cut the main line and not the tag line. Also tied boat to ramp to get trailer but did not think there was any river current to put any stress on the boat so I just put the rope around the ramp's cleat two times. When I returned to the ramp with the trailer the boat was floating away. Had to go into the Rappahannock River to swim out to get the boat and swim her back to the ramp. Two guys fishing near the ramp thought it was very funny.

While at one of the local ponds yesterday, I saw a two foot snake trying to swallow a four inch bluegill. Dang, you just have to root for an overachiever!

Cent for all casting...Mag for flippin and/or pitchin. Mike

Get it everyday.

Not anymore! If she was still here, I definitely would have after just coming home with an Elite-5 sonar/GPS and a MI lake maps chip.

The H2o baits are great. All of them. Best value in fishing.

Id rather look like a mummy now when Im young then deal with skin cancer when Im older. My sister works at a dermatologist office and shows me pictures of people that get carved up daily becuase of skin cancer. They straight up take out chunks of your skin mainly ears and nose are the worst affected.

I would move

Went to Portsmouth last night for some Stripers. Caught 6. Here are 2 of them.

I hung a 14'er out the back of my Ranger and I even had a toolbox that took up about 2' of my bed. I installed two eye bolts to the bed and strapped it down in the back. I would also lay a big 3x8 piece of plywood in the bed first and use it as a ramp to help get the boat in and out and keep from scraping the bottom of the boat on the top edge of my tailgate. This also served to take some stress off the bottom of the boat at edge of the tailgate. To take it one step further I would even back my truck down into the water and float the boat out of the bed. This was much easier than unloading the boat, pulling it out and then reloading it. Before I got a trailer I was almost to the point of loading the boat forward and power loading it into the bed of the truck. Thankfully I didn't get that far because it probably would've been disastrous.

The 6' 8" M/XF "Wacky Style" was the best all around spinning rod I've ever used. I switched to the 6' 10" M/XF because it has more backbone and I was mainly using it for shakyheads.

Frogg Toggs are the best really lightweight raingear I've ever used. I've got a Cabela's Guidewear suit and a BPS 100MPH suit, both are great, but I wouldn't consider either of them to be lightweight. Plus you're looking at over $400 for a suit for either of those versus around $50 for a set of Frogg Toggs.

Well, finally got a chance to hit the water for some fishing today. Spent the better part of 8 hours on two different bodies of water. First, fished a body of water loaded with millfoil and submerged standing grass. Ended up only catching two smallish bass in the 12-14" range. One on a SPRO Fat John in the Cell Mate color and the other on a PowerTeam Lures 5" Sic Stik in green pumpkin with purple flake. When I couldn't find another bite, I loaded up the Pro Angler and made my way to Bear Creek Lake and hit some familiar spots. Ended up landing a total of 10 more fish, including a 15" channel cat, a fat 8.5" pumpkinseed and a nice 18.75" LMB all on one lure - the Sic Stik. Here's a photo of the bass and pumkinseed.

Now you are getting into the Forum. Thanks for the post. Sharing knowledge is what helps make this Forum great.

I own the newer GLX JWR 853C, I use it for - small jigs up to 1/2 oz, t rig worms, can be used as a senko rod and can be used to drag football jigs in 15' and under. I don't own the other models. But if they were mine I'd them up like this. 853C - My main jig rod for 15' and under and for light cover. 803C (GLX) - light swim jigs and senko 803C (NRX) - T-RIG up to 1/2 oz

I did this last year cat fishing. Set the rod down and didn't notice it slid under the cleat. About 30 min later I get a bite and go to set the hook. All I hear is this thunderous crack as my pole snaps at the handle.

Great pictures Mike. Sounds like you had a really god trip.

When I work graveyard patrol, I often run through hotel/motel lots where guys park their boats with all their equipment loose and there for the taking. I leave a business card on the windshield with a polite warning and suggestion to park in front under lights. What really fries my cheeks is stupid idiots who leave firearms in their rigs and have them stolen. You can't fix stupid.

Nice trip and fish! One day I will get up north to some smallies!!! Jeff

OK heres one The 3 inch MegaBug If you likes the 4 inch MegaBug -the 3 inch is loaded with action but in a smaller finesse version. As you see there are only 2 leg appendages and not 4 like its bigger brother. This bug has caught me numerous bass over 5lb so far this year and Ive only been out with it a few times. Smallmouth also love this bait- It matches up very well with the smaller sized Shak-e 2 heads. This is great around rock piles and great for flipping into grass. They will be available shortly in all of your favorite colors.

I was standing over top a small seawall just casting out into the river with my spinning ultra light one day after work. Had a too big spinner bait on it but didn't care. Well anyway i'm just casting along not a care in the world. I go to throw again but this time either I forgot to open the bail or I knocked it close while casting the spinner bait slings out about 10 feet stops shoots back around my neck and somehow pulls the rod out of my hand over the seawall. In matter of about half a second I find myself standing there with a spinner bait rapped around my neck and a rod in the water. There were a couple different people fishing there at the time too. Not my proudest moment. Then I found five dollars.

Was following your pics on FB. What an awesome trip!

I was fishing a small pond with a buddy when I decided to go off on a hike by myself around the other side of the pond. I crossed the stream feeding the pond and went about 2 miles along a trail where I found a little runoff pond with dirt hills around it. I decided it would be a good idea to scramble up one of these hills to get a better look. I started walking toward one of the hills and before I knew it I was up to my waist in mud. I had stepped into a sinkhole! Thank God I was wearing oversized thick neoprene chest waders. I was able to slowly claw my way out of the waders and onto semi dry land. By the time I was out of the waders I was covered in mud past my elbows& my waders were buried. Looking back, they may have saved my life, if I wasn't wearing them I could have easily sunk all the way in. My buddy was a good 2 miles away through thick woods across a pond. He never even heard me calling him Lesson learned-never venture into unfamiliar areas alone Another time I was fishing out of my canoe & I got caught in a thunder storm. I put the TM on full speed headed toward my car. As I was passing under a bridge with narrow wood pilings & long lag bolts poking out, my canoe started going sideways. I went to push off the piling, lost my balance & went overboard. To make it worse the TM was still on high & I had to swim after the canoe. The worst part was climbing the slimy piling to get back in.

Anyone else ever have this happen??? Casting with a baitcaster and a loose grip on the rod, in mid-cast get a backlash and the snap of the lure on the other end pulls the rod and reel right out of your hands and into the drink. LOL, I have had it happen twice, first time I caught the end of the rod by my finger tips before the rod sank to the dark depths of a river and the second time I was on a clear lake in 10 ft of water. I tied on a heavy in-line spinner with a treble hook on the end to snag my rod. I have since learned to have a better grip on my rod while at the same time finessing the spool with my thumb.

Late summer 2011, I was working a wooded shoreline along a creek on an outgoing tide; I was casting a jig into submerged wood. My jig hangs in a crotch of a submerged tree limb, so not to disturb the area I put the rod down to pick up a Tx Rigged worm. While concentrating on hitting my targets I failed to notice my jig rod working its way closer to the edge of the boat. Plop!! I look down just in time to see the rod go under. OMG, I start thinking fast while I put down the worm rod, the worm still out in the wood. I realize “Don’t Panic, I know where the jig line is”. So I grab a shallow crank combo and start casting to locate the jig line. After a few cast I happened to notice my worm rod crawling to the bow of the boat, “d**n, no you don’t, you’re not going in too”; so I put down the crank rod to pick up the worm rod and retrieve the worm. OK, that rod is safe. I go back to the cranking rod and snag the jig line, but I can’t see the line yet, I just know I have it; without thinking I’m working the TM to hold position in the outgoing current. Then, just as the jig line breaks the surface…. ?? What’s it doing?? Why is it moving like that??.... d**n, the TM!!! I take my foot off the TM and reach for the pull cord…. As the motor breaks the surface I can see the jig line is wrapped real good,,,, Then within a foot of the prop I see the rod tip emerging. I almost wrapped the rod around the TM!!! So, as I’m working to retrieve the jig rod and clear the TM, I hear a thump, my crank rod is now half off the boat looking to take a dip, so I dive for the rod. So here I am, lying there on the deck, thinking “pull you sh%t together guy” ……… I could just imagine the Bass down below rolling on their sides, flapping the pec fins and laughing their butts off at me; it was one of the few times on the water that I just wanted to go home and hide under the bed.

This is pretty close ~ A-Jay

Can you sew some mesh soft or hard onto the hold area? That way there is still air flow but keeps critters out.

You could always have a razor blade handy and just kinda shave it off.

I've found that bluegills and really small bass will "tap tap tap" as others have said. Bluegills and baby bass also seem to grab the soft plastic and run in short, fast bursts, whereas larger bass tend to inhale the bait and either sit or move off more slowly.

If you're beating the bank and not catching - turn around, the fish are behind you. A-Jay

Hot sun, wild fires, avocado salads and large clear reservoirs with rainbow trout fattened bass make folks type obvious stuff...

A jig n craw or T rigged Craw is often effective in the same waters although there are differences and the fish will normally show a preference as well. A T rig, different from a jig, can have a free sliding line weight or pegged on the line weight depending on the use or preference, As gripnrip mentioned above, between a jig (especially skirted w/weedguard) and a same weight T rigged/craw, pegged bullet weight sinker, the jig/craw will fall considerably slower due to the added bulk of skirt, guard, line tie direction etc., causing added water resistance. The Speed of fall is a key factor especially when flipping/pitching. Also, a cast/drag technique with a jig is sometimes better than T rig especially if you have a good standup head design like football jigs or the Siebert Outdoors Brush jig or Moaner Predator jig. Another difference in any given craw design whether rigged on a jig or as a T rig, the profile or bulk with the skirted jig presentation is increased making it easier to notice from further away as well as the skirt motion can add a bit more movement or confusion which somtimes increases bites. Often, a craw as a jig trailer will last longer than when used as a T rig set up, and a jig requires a touch more finessing through the brush and trees than a T rig to avoid hang up's. Another possible advantage of a jig n craw set up, is an anglers ability to quickly change and tweak colors with the huge variety of contrasting color options between their Jig and Craw colors... Sometimes it's THE TICKET The fish will most often show their preference on whether the jig or T rigged craw (with color, speed of fall etc. being the same) is most effective at any given time, so IMO cking is a good idea.

Finally..............I love it when people start paying attention..........but cover those arms and lather up those legs because there is a lot more skin on you than your face and hands. Very light and vented shirts may be the answer. Grampa