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My wife & I got to spend a most excellent day together on the water yesterday. Lynn’s favorite lake is closed to fishing all but 8 weeks a year. We usually go to the opener, which was Sunday, but it was blowing 25 so we waited a day. As a sanctuary for loons & eagles, this water is artificial baits, paddle boats only (no electric either) and is strictly C & R. The somewhat secluded local and no ramp at all, requires a bit of a portage to get in and out but that’s half the fun and keeps many of the less than committed humans from making the trek in. The lakes healthy population of bass and pike go largely unmolested as most anglers who venture in do so with one man inflatables to fly fish for the waters abundant and over-sized bluegill population. We got a fairly early start into what started out as and continued to be a warm sunny day. It’s always fun setting out on the water for the first time each season knowing the place sees so little angling pressure. Despite the late spring, the lakes dense weed growth had still bloomed nicely and we selected our baits accordingly. Swim jigs, frogs & spinner baits took fish but the star of the day was a very light (3/16) skirted Texas rigged craw. The light weight kept the bait from burying in the weedy bottom and provided the fish ample opportunity to get on the bait; and the post spawn chow down was on. Many a long lean bass (and a few pike) came to the canoe and we were having a good old time. After sore lipping way more than our share of fish and burning through at least 3 bags of Chigger & Rage craws, it was time to pack our way out and call it a day. The big smiles told the story. A-Jay

If the music that's playing is rap, there's a good chance that all the fish have killed themselves. I know I want to every time I hear that bs.

Awhile back a member posted here from Italy explaining that he dreamed of coming to American and fishing Okeechobee and Toho. This sparked my interest and I was curious as how much bass fishing goes on in Italy. I offered him a spot on my boat if he makes it over here and low and behold I found out he was serious. I have a good friend that retired and lives off Lake Toho in Kissimmee and I live off of Okeechobee so I told him where to travel to and where to stay and picked him up for 2 days on Toho, then I brought him to Okeechobee where he stayed at my place and we fished Okeechobee for 4 days. He spoke limited English and I less Italian, but we communicated fine. I learned more Italian and him English. His fishing skills and mechanics were very impressive and heres the results. While I couldnt find him his trophy he did lose a 5 to 6 on Toho and caught a few 5s on Okeechobee. And we caught tons of nice keeper fish in the 3 to 4lb range. Im the old fart, couldnt give him all the glory. Thanks BR!!!

Did some offshore fishing yesterday and we had a nice productive outing. Here is a pic of one of the muttons we came across. Enjoy!!

me and pops went out yesterday for a little ninja fishing on some private waters! We usually fish these golden lakes on holidays when we know we wont be run off by the owner. Anyways caught over 35 total for the day. My best five prob went 22+ my best day ever. It was his day, but I felt no sympathy on the water. BEATDOWN! He beat me in numbers but I stuck a few pigs. Here is my new PB which I caught on a balsa boogie crankbait on a hump in deep water... We actually lucked up and ran into the owner and are in the process of getting full access! The only negative for the day was these two guys catching 4 lb bass on live shiners and filling two huge coolers. They had 6 rods out each fish after fish. Anyways, no scale idk the size, she had gurth this pic does no justice. MY PB THO!! The other one went about 5-6 I believe. I wish I had a d**n scale, Im still waiting for my first DD. I got the bug more now than ever. Caught and released after only two short pics (30sec) and a revival. TO be caught again

Tackle trap finally has the Tatula type r zaion drag stars in stock along with Tdz 100m spools. So naturally I grabbed some up. Along with a Champion 734 and Zillion type r from another site can't wait to get home from this desert and fish!

Tournament this afternoon on big ole Lake Champlain. Hopefully will run into a few.

Sounds like school's out, and some bored kid(s) are messing with you. Get a deer camera, set it up, and see who it is.

Normal power pro is $13 at Walmart. Use cheap mono backing and it's enough for 3 reels.

I've had good luck with 6th Sense Peg X Stoppers from Tackle Warehouse. Tom

Mend It. Smells terrible but saves plastics.

Drove 2 1/2 hours, launched the boat, started loading tackle when I noticed no RODS!

Wife's insurance states we have to pay a 250 deductible for my sons blue light treatments over the next three days. Well low and behold my insurance swoops in and picks up the tab. My wife and newborn both have double coverage. So now the insurance company has to write itself a check! ROFLOL! This just amuses the hell out of me!

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun to collect. However, three rigs cover all the basics: #1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some soft plastics and spinnerbaits #2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook lures #3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a variety of techniques

Yes Sir - We both learned from The Master . . . . . A-Jay You've got that right - it's called patience. The woman can make 1 cast with a Senko last 30 minutes ! A-Jay

Wow, I think I am due to forget something important...The only thing I ever forgot was my key to the rod lockers. I remember being pretty PO'd that I had to walk back up to the house to get it. It was the longest three minute walk of my life...

Big Game is great line on a baitcaster, terrible on a spinning reel.

I was watching mlb network and they did a real nice tribute to him. I love the clip they kept showing of Gwynn helping Teddy Ballgame throwing out the first pitch at the all star game. Tony will be missed for sure. Hopefully there is a lesson to be learned about using dip. Although not officially the cause of his death, but none the less, he suffered in the end from it.

Screw that. Nope. Seeing as its not supernatural so to speak. Get on some camo and get on the roof. Bring a large caliber rifle. (You ain't hunting deer) throw a couple Slim Jim's out and wait. Once the Sasquatch pops out put a round through its vitals. Problem solved. Mount the thing and put a Slim Jim in its hand. Wa Lah now you have a new decoration. But Raider, a large caliber rifle won't be large enough. You might say. A .338 Lapua Magnum or a .50BMG kills EVERYTHING that walks on two or four legs. Even if its wearing armor. Hell, I'll drive over there and pop the dang thing for ya, if you let me keep it. Would make a lovely conversation piece by my fire place.

According to Bantam 1, this is not likely. There are still plenty of 50 size Shimano's' out there and I plan on getting another Scorpion XT1000 before they are gone.This is what Bantam 1 said about the 50

They suck...well they do! Honestly they slay smallies and walleye

weightless senko or t rigged trick worm, one of these two nearly guarantee you a fish in the boat on any given day

Nobody fished last weekend that wants to talk about it? I will let everyone in on a secret that I re-learned last weekend = The boat will get on plane a lot easier if the trolling motor is not in the water. Allen

Siebert outdoors that's all you need to know

Determine the weight to use according to conditions. As with a jig, you want to be able to feel what your bait is doing. Under breezy or windy conditions you may need to go heavier than a 1/8oz. The advantage of a Texas rig over a jig or a Florida rig (pegging the sinker) is the fish not being able to feel the weight when picking up your offering and moving off with it. Keeping that in mind, your retrieve is similar to those you use when jig fishing. The difference being that you want to give the fish that option and that doesn't happen on a tight line with a light weight. You need to have a little slack in your line after moving the bait. The easiest and IMO the best retrieve to accomplish that is dragging the bait and dropping the rod tip while taking up most of the slack line as you drop it down. If you jig it, give a little slack afterwords. Little being very important as you don't want to loose total contact with the bait. Keeping your index finger under the line will improve sensitivity. Lastly and this is important more so than in jig fishing, be a line watcher. Your line my jump, go slack, or move off to the side without you feeling anything. If you don't line watch, you'll miss those bites.

water in the summer time... ended a fishing trip early - dehydration headaches are NOT worth a couple hours of lousy fishing anyway!

I'll tell you what I use and it's extremely accurate. It's a digital luggage scale. I picked it up online for under $15 with shiiping. I checked it out against known weights of 1,5 and 8lb. and it was dead on. the hook used to attach the item for weighing is a little small, but I haven't lost a fish when weighing. here's one for under $10 http://www.ebay.com/itm/50kg-10g-Portable-LCD-Digital-Fish-Hanging-Luggage-Weight-Electronic-Hook-Scale-/371050558209?pt=US_Pocket_Digital_Scales&hash=item5664563301 One word of caution. When you first start using a scale it's a little deflating to your ego to find out a fish you estimated at 5lb. actually being 3.5, but you will become better at estimating weight and your ego will survive just fine.

Start with a 7" ribbon tail worm of your choice, and an 1/8oz bullet weight unpegged. Leave everything else at home.

That's an interesting first post

Starting to really see the value of chatterbaits paired with a swim bait in both shallow and deep water applications.

Studies have proven that the plastic worm is the only lure made that a bass can not REMEMBER! That is, a bass will continue to strike a worm even after repeated catches, whereas a bass will "turn off" to other lures. Although we all know bass will prefer a different lure at different times (i.e. pattern) you can always go back to the worm to catch them. I pick the #1 lure but must add numerous platics fit the bill!

Great story Teal with a happy ending.

We usually fish these golden lakes on holidays when we know we wont be run off by the owner. Sorry but this is wrong. If you arent supposed to be there, you shouldnt be. Same as my whitetail lease property, any picture of a tresspasser (via trail camera) is instantly turned into the police. Ask me first, I may set you in a stand. Dont ask and youll never look at this property again. That said. NICE HOG!!!! Heck of a fish man And lucky you the owner was a cool person, hopefully he allows you access.

Got out with my dad for what will probably be the last pike trip of the season, as bass season opens up before my next day off work. Got a whole whack of fish, but only 2 really worth sharing. Got mine on a Shallow Believer on a deep tree over 17 feet of water, dad got his on an Imperium Ace on a shallower stretch on the same shoreline.

Decompress by shutting down all electronic media for at least one hour before your bedtime. Television, phone, and that darn internet are the worst things you can possibly look at prior to going to bed.

Every color is gonna catch a fish. Color is waaay less important than properly working a bait... Although some colors will work better than others under certain circumstances they all catch fish.

Well it was my Dad... In 95... It wasn't fishing.. It was squirrel hunting. We were ate up with it. We always had 1 hr 20 min. Drive. We got there well before daylight and...... He... Forgot his Rem.1187! I still laugh about it today... He Died 5 months ago. The memories hunting with him are the best one could hope for.

I didn't think Virginia had any truly big fish left. I thought it was a catfish or a carp for about 90 seconds as it towed my kayak around the lake. When I got a good look at her, I knew this was the bass of my life... Last personal best (which might have been this very fish 2 years ago) I had a scale, but no camera. This time I have the proof... Best father's day gift I could have gotten (although the BPS gift cards from my kids are not too shabby either...)

Saw this in the fishing headlines while I was reading and article on tournaments on home waters..... So cool to see my name in an article on Bass Resource for Wisconsin State Champs

Looks like a fantastic upgrade, I will be looking for the review.

Well said. I heard it on The Herd today and it pretty much stopped me in my tracks. Hearing that brought back quite a few childhood memories and my baseball card collection. The thing I believe I'll miss most about him is the fact that he always had a smile on his face, like he actually enjoyed playing ball like we did when we were kids.

Nice! The reel is on a serious diet. At 4.76 ounces it is incredible! Nice job Matt!

teal you are good people. karma....... it exists. good on you and the kid.

For a beginner Id say just dont go crazy on colors, and all that mess. 100% of the time the bass I catch on a jig comes from the ol black & blue. Keep it simple, and dont give up if your not getting bit right away. Jig fishing takes patience. You have to try to "learn" what the bites feel like, which people who fish for years will tell you they still learn something new each day. If strictly throwing it around the bank, Id say go with 5/16 oz jig, and work it anywhere there is the slightest bit of structure, grass, etc. Hell, you can even work it along the banks if there is nothing there. The bass in my avatar was caught on a 5/16 oz jig, with no structure around whatsoever. I threw it near an area of spawning bream, and the ol girl was just looking for a meal. Another great size is a 3/8 oz jig. Learn to line watch. Sometimes, you will feel the slightest of taps, if you even feel anything at all. If you see your line swimming away, set that hook. Just be patient, and have fun with it. Keep us informed when you land that giant!

I have the 735 and 736 and IMO the 736 is the PERFECT frog rod, even in open water situations. It has enough tip to cast and walk frogs perfectly, and plenty of backbone to get them out of just about anything. Go with the 736, its by far the superior frog rod.

Its good to challenge your self and search out new species. Once in a while I like to catch carp and drum from the river. Carp get big and put up a tremendous fight. Trout and Small mouths are amazing fighters as well. Good luck.

Well if you want to throw 3 different types of line in 3 different lb tests with 3 different gear ratios, but all need same action, and all need to be tied on ready to go at a moments notice.... Then no, no problem in my eyes.

You need all that stuff ? -----> no You want all the stuff ? ----> oh yeah. There´s something magical about seeing and touching, the physical existence of the object, the possession ......oh my prrreciousss ! If it makes you happy ------> why the hell not ? Purchasing is part of the fun.

The main thing I have noticed with cheap-o's is that the arms bend too easy. especially if you have to hoist the fish onto the shore or into the boat by the line if you can't grab the fish. The higher quality spinnerbaits will return to form. The other thing you gain with higher quality spinner baits is blades that spin better (even when fouled with weeds) and most times, beads to clack along with spinning. Lastly is the skirt quality. use one cheap spinner bait all day and chances are the skirt is toast. This is not to say there is anything wrong with cheapo's; they catch fish just fine and I use them too. But higher price baits more often than not equal confidence and we all know too well how much confidence means when it comes to fishing.

Hey man, there are doctors for things that don't improve in a few days. Your back is nothing to fool around with. It could be a bulging disc, or something else structural. It could be muscular. It could be a part of the nerve tunnel that is too small. There is a reason they immobilize people who may have injuries that threaten the spinal cord. See your primary care physician. Let them evaluate what is going on, and refer you to a specialist based on their observations. Do not fool around with back problems. Do not let anyone "work over" your back. You could end up in a wheelchair. They can replace hips, knees, finger and toe joints. They can even swap out organs. But there isn't a whole lot they can do for spinal nerves once they are damaged.