Leaderboard

In the mailbox when I got home from work. Don't worry Goose it's spooled and on a rod.

I'll build you something nice for $999.95. For $1100 I'll align the guides straight.

Spent several days ice fishing over the past weekend and caught some really nice fish including a new PB brown trout. Here are the pics! Jeff

I'm new around here but have been battling this bait monkey affliction seriously for the passed 5 years and am about to scroll through all 70+ pages of this thread. I have so many stories and moments of weakness. I am glad I finally have a place to share them with others who understand. Here is today's grab. Canadian prices are 20% more than America's right now...FML. Jackall everythang. d**n you Japanese bait monkey! Bonus 15$ Vibrato spoons from Sebile.

This guy doesn't understand that he's only supposed to eat perfectly presented flies on light tippet.

Boomerang Tool "The Snip" Basic Line Cutter

It's the same bass. Bass (and other fish) have unique markings that make them individually identifiable. Coloration is altered by pigments in skin cells that are regulated through the nervous system signaled by surrounding light coming in through the eyes. This allows fish to effectively "mirror" their background and (w/wo hormones) to adjust coloration and markings for social reasons. I've seen some fully blind fish (due to cataracts) -both bass and trout- that were almost black, having no ability to see their surrounds. As Jiggin' mentions, bass become paler in turbid water bc contrast is reduced in the environment around them. Similarly, winter bass are often paler bc they are apt to be away from cover, and vegetation dying back can leave bass more exposed. In fact, you can see this in the backgrounds of your photos. Bass are usually darkest, or more heavily marked in clear water with highly contrasting backgrounds. Fish suspended in open water tend to be pale and often silvery. One pond I used to fish was managed as a swimming pond having virtually no vegetation and very clear water. It's largemouths were the most silvery bass I've still ever seen. They actually wore the "pelagic silver" salmonids gain in open water.

If you would like a Tatula with a micro-click tension knob, buy the new Zillion.

Just wanted to give a big thanks and big stamp of approval to Mike over at DVT for taking care of me, needed four reels done by the end of this week and he got it done for me, came in yesterday. I got it to him Thursday and bam got em yesterday.. I had to put the rush on them. Thanks again Mike and fellas if ya need reel work done or just cleaning I strongly recommend. Thanks again BR for having peeps like DVT sponsored on here..

Went out to a pond today before work. It was all ice until sunday/yesterday, today it was open water. I brought along two rods...my jig rod and jerkbait rod. I fished for about an hour. I set up on the back shore of a small cove with a point that leads to deeper water. There are tons of stumps and sticks in the water. Using a jig/trailer very slowly, dragging it across the bottom I could feel all the ticks as it hit stump after stump. Then I felt a slight tap tap that was a little different from the rest, not really expecting a fish I gave a slight hook set. Then it pulled back and it was game on. I fought the fish, got it to my feet, bent down to lip it and it shook the hook... I was livid. It was a nice 3.5-4lber. So what I learned...if you think you have a bite really set the hook to be sure. I'm new to jigs and that would have been my first fish using one. I went from heart pounding to almost crying hahaha in about 5 minutes.

Quite frankly I do not agree with this. I think a swimbait is good anywhere there is a bass big enough to eat one. I'd even try a hudd in ponds if it had big bass. If you have big females moving up to spawn and feeding up, I'd say swimbaits are a go.

Here I was expecting to see this: But yours is MUCH nicer!

I hold my rod In my right hand and crank with my left, and I am right handed, I have done that since I was a kid, and that was a long time ago. I found when fishing VERY shallow you can start cranking as soon as or even before the lure hits the water, greatly cutting down on hang ups. Try it I think once you get used to it you will see the advantages of it, The Okuma rods are good rods, they feel as good as most of my St. Croix rods. Too many people resist what they dont see as norm, and just because they dont like it does not mean you wont, give it a try.

If you only had one arm but three legs and it was Saturday, but the third Saturday of the month, on your birthday and you only had half a rod and no lure what sunscreen would you use?

I would venture to guess that with a lot of guys using braid with no stretch, some give in the rod is beneficial in not tearing he hook out of the fish's mouth.

I take care of the lawnmowing, and the missus and I both tend to the gardens. They are mostly perennials and once well established, the only work is getting rid of the branches and leaves that accumulated during the winter, and putting a thin cover of mulch on the beds to keep the weeds in check. Coneflowers with Lucifer in the background. Nature's garden. Wild lady slippers.

http://s304.photobucket.com/user/kyleanimals/media/IMG_20150316_184547627_zpswbxjqf6r.jpg.html http://s304.photobucket.com/user/kyleanimals/media/IMG_20150316_184555613%201_zpsrqrkflyb.jpg.html http://s304.photobucket.com/user/kyleanimals/media/IMG_20150316_184541179_zpse9sj56gn.jpg.html Hopefully these pictures will do it justice. I have never tried to upload anything before. Gave up in frustration and switched to Photobucket. Thanks Bluebasser for the suggestion . Caught my new PB today at the pond! I've caught one in that range before but never had it weighed. The bass I caught tonight was 4 1/3 pounds, caught on a red Cotton Cordell Spot (that I got yesterday). It looks biggest in the last picture, it doesn't look as big as it really is in the pictures (it was official!). If you live in the south, get out there. I've caught the two biggest bass of my life in the last two weeks. Next trip is to Falls Lake on Saturday. I've heard they crush liplesses there. Watch out....this streak might not be over. P.S. Forget the nerdy hat; couldn't find my usual one and was in a hurry to get out the door.

Got my SV today. No, it doesn't have line on it yet. I've got a Megabass Zonda Hedgehog Finesse Spool to compare to the SV spool. I just need to get a proper BFS rod.

Raider you have to do it now

3 fish for 21 lbs ? Wow, a 7 lb average, that is huge. How much did your buddies fish weigh ?

It's basically first come first served, but I get reels from all over the country and do my best to accommodate. If you're waiting patiently for reels to be serviced, thank you, and rest assured I'm working OT to get everyone back on the water ASAP. Thank you for the continuing support and kind words. Mike

00 mod & myself Buffing It Up in Mexico A-Jay

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12403-jig-fishing-questions/ Here you go read up.

Whether it is necessary is a matter of opinion. Can you get away without it? Yes. But I can get along without sliced bread too. Side note, Batson makes a product that I'm looking forward to trying. It comes in a disposable wipe. One for line, and one for gear. I'll keep you in the loop.

This is all I need for now. It may take me years to fully absorb everything in this incredible book.

A Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot hook in size #2 has been my mainstay for many, many years. Never fails.

Raider, when I saw you here, I thought I was on the wrong forum. Hootie

7' 6" MH/F-7.2:1-jigs/plastics 7' M/F-6.2:1-everything not finesse 6' 10" M/XF-2500 spinning reel-finesse

If you are going to fish live bait, fish live bait. I focus intently on whatever technique I am using at the time, because fishing two techniques at once results in sloppy presentation most of the time because you will be worried about the other rod, or it will get hung up, etc. If I was going to fish live bait, I would have quite a few rods out covering different depths, like striper fishing. Also, live bait doesn't listen as well as an artificial when you tell it to do something.

Mailbox was filled with goodies today. New Alphas SV and a fish Finder for my new yak.

Post spawn fish. Not 1 was still dropping eggs. Jeff

Jeff you are a brown trout catching machine. Very nice. Congrats on the new PB.

Stopped by the local lake this past Saturday for an hour. Daughter an I fishing topwaters at first, and then I tied her on a purple roboworm and she cast it out. .. I turned away and fished the other direction, and I hear " I got one! " so I turn around expecting her to be hung up. ... she was. ... on this bass! I was so proud! Her first 100% caught on her own bass! Now she wants a pack of those worms and the rattletraps I was throwing. Lol. Furthermore, since I didn't catch anything. ... she's been rubbing it in for three days! Hahhahaha

Sell the reel, and Okuma IS an "established brand" and make quality equipment.

Those Crazy Red Eye Shads - They catch Everythingthatswims . . . . A-Jay

A-Jay

Green pumpkin, watermelon and smoke colors work well for me in clear water.

I think I'll pick up a pair of the Kobalts first and try cutting some of my big trebles, with my weak arm. If they work doing that, it'll save me a few bucks. If not, I'll certain step up to the Knipex. I won't be out much $$ by doing so. I believe in trying things out for myself, before relying on them in real life situations. Knowing what you are carrying works is the real insurance. Thanks again guys!

Here are your top 25 RANK WEIGHT ANGLER WATER LOCATION DATE 1a 22.3106 Kurita, Manabu Biwa, Lake Japan 2-Jul-2009 1b 22.2500 Perry, George W. Montgomery Lake Georgia 2-Jun-1932 3 22.0100 Crupi, Robert J. Castaic, Lake California 12-Mar-1991 4 21.7500 Arujo, Michael Castaic, Lake California 5-Mar-1991 5 21.6875 Dickerson, Jed Dixon, Lake California 31-May-2003 6 21.2000 Easley, Raymond D. Casitas, Lake California 4-Mar-1980 7 21.0100 Crupi, Robert J. Castaic, Lake California 9-Mar-1990 8 20.9375 Zimmerlee, Dave Miramar, Lake California 23-Jun-1973 9 20.8600 Torres, Leo Castaic, Lake California 4-Feb-1990 10 20.7500 Long, Mike Dixon, Lake California 27-Apr-2001 11 20.2500 Dupras, Gene Hodges, Lake California 30-May-1985 12 20.1250 Friebel, Fritz Big Fish Lake Florida 19-May-1923 13 19.7000 Coniglio, George Mission Viejo, Lake California 21-Mar-2006 14 19.5000 Balloid, Mark Castaic, Lake California 28-May-1990 14 19.5000 Crabtree, Randy Casitas, Lake California 9-Apr-2002 14 19.5000 Gunsauls, Keith Miramar, Lake California 29-Feb-1988 17 19.4375 Weakley, Mac Dixon, Lake California 20-May-2003 18 19.2500 Brant, Chris Miramar, Lake California 22-Mar-1998 19 19.1875 Beasley, Steve Wohlford, Lake California 3-Feb-1986 19 19.1875 Hanline, Arden Charles Morena, Lake California 17-Feb-1987 21 19.1500 Shimada, Kazuya Ikehara, Lake Japan 22-Apr-2003 22 19.0625 DeFresco, Sandra W. Miramar, Lake California 14-Mar-1988 23 19.0400 Kadota, Dan T. Castaic, Lake California 8-Jan-1989 24 19.0313 Kerns, Larry Success, Lake California 27-Jan-2001 25 19.0000 Witt, Riley Tarpon, Lake Florida 26-Jun-1961

My favorite window in the spring is finally here. Last night ruled. All released.

It's real easy to high-stick on a short line and break a tip if it's really fast. That's not as much of a concern in the heaviest punch rods which I put on a slightly slower blank. With Mod/Fast you can lay into them and get them coming up all in one motion. A fast action in a rod this heavy to too much of a broom stick.

My HOA doesn't allow boats in the driveway, so I park it in the driveway They also don't have any one or any way to enforce their rules, which is why some houses have quit paying dues altogether. I think it would fit in the garage if I did some careful backing and angling but I'd rather my wife park her car in the garage.

The rod holders I made

I bought a Z03 from a member here for a neighbor's kid. He loves it, casts it darn well. Rock solid too

Yep. Caught a 9lber yesterday sight fishing

I just call them. Usually talk to JJ himself.

Now that makes sense. I've filleted my share of fish (even, GASP, bass!) because the landowner of a pond asked me to bring them some fish in exchange for fishing their pond.

Here is a couple I did with supplies from fishingskirts.com. Everything except the lead and hooks were bought from there.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/152665-virtual-fishing-with-a-jay-and-dwight/