Leaderboard

This past week, my wife and I went to Florida to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. It wasn't supposed to be a fishing trip, but after doing a little research I discovered that there were peacock bass potentially in the area, which is at the top of the list of fish I would like to catch. So after reaching out to the great members on the forum, I was able to get a few leads and was even loaned a couple rods, a reel, and some baits to try to catch them. The first day I tried for them in the Griffin Canal and the pond in Vista View Park. I was pretty much stabbing in the dark as I had no idea how to catch them or where to look for them at. I did see several Chiclids that acted catchable and once I found the right candidate I was able to land my first fish in Florida Didn't find anyone else willing to play in the canal so we relocated to the park pond. I was shocked how clear the water was, and there were bluegills and chiclids swimming everywhere. I lost a bass one of my first cast, then found a fish on a bed. I wish bass were as aggressive as this little guy was. Not much else going on but I did manage to get a couple really small bass, my first ones from Florida. I gave my report to a couple of the guys from the area and one of them gave me another suggestion of a park he said he used to catch peacocks at several years ago but wasn't sure if they were still there. It was closer than any other suggestions so the next day when my wife said I could go fishing for a couple hours we went straight there. This canal was very clear as well and right away I spotted a potential new species hiding on the edge of the weeds. He wasn't hard to convince to swipe at an Xrap. I actually caught several small bass pretty quickly, along with another gar, but there was a nearby overpass tunnel that was calling my name as I recalled reading that peacocks love bridges. My first cast under the bridge with the Xrap and there were wakes and boils seemingly coming from everywhere! There was at least 10 peacocks behind my bait, each taking their turn at the bait and each missing. It was agonizing being so close but not connecting. I quickly learned that if they missed the bait once, they wouldn't strike at the same bait again. Thankfully, one of the first few cast I made, I connected with a fish. Not a monster, but my first peacock, and I think it's obvious I was excited, I even lost a flip flop and didn't even realize it. I quickly started changing baits to try to catch another. There was one much larger than the rest who immediately became my target fish. he struck at almost everything, but didn't hook up on any of it. Their strike was much different than a largemouth, more like a very large and violent crappie bite if that makes sense. After several near misses, I finally hooked up with a STX Jr. They aren't lengthy fights, but they are extremely violent, especially the headshakes. After a few nervous moments and some indecision on how to grab this fish with 3 trebles in it's mouth, I managed to land my largest peacock of the trip. The commotion attracted some attention, and I was soon sharing the tunnel with another fisherman who was way more talkative than I really liked. So with that spot effectively squashed, I moved to the other side of the tunnel. There were more peas there, but they had a large school of bait corralled. The speed that they attacked was amazing, but also frustrating as they completely ignored everything I threw at them. I gave up on them momentarily and started tossing a Senko at the pencil reeds. As I was watching the peacock blitz, I forgot to pay attention to my line. I tried to move my Senko but was met with weight. Once I quickly realized what was happening I stuck a solid fish. The head said 6 pounder, but the skinny body didn't quite go 4. There were a couple other tunnels that I went and fished and managed one more pea before it was time to call it a night. 2 days later we met up with topwaterrob at Holiday Park to fish for largemouth in the Everglades. I was really excited about the chance to fish such a different body of water and the Glades did not disappoint. We started a little slow with me catching several dinks on a jerkbait and Rob getting one nice one on a jig. The action wasn't as fast as he liked so we made a run to another canal. It all looked the same to me, but something was different because for the rest of the time we were on the water we were getting a bite almost every cast. I caught a lot of little bass on a Pit Poss, then Rob switched to a frog and was getting blasted almost every cast, even though he was having a hard time hooking up. I made one cast to the edge of the weeds and my line was moving off when I lifted on it. The hookset I'm pretty sure bruised my ribs and I was sure I had a monster bass. The prehistoric looking fish that surfaced wasn't the big bass I hoped for, but I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed the fight was wasn't disappointed to catch another shortly after that. The whole time we were there, alligators were everywhere, but never very interested in us unless there was a fish splashing around. This was one of the biggest ones we saw. He wasn't overly happy about us being in his territory either. All the action even got my wife's attention. She got brave enough to join in the action, so I gave her a Diesel Minnow and soon she had her first fish in the boat, which turned out to be an Oscar. A short while later, she hooked another fish almost at the boat. The profile was familiar, but the patterning was not. I knew she had a chain pickeral, her first and one more than I've ever caught. She was less than thrilled about the teeth, especially when they sliced through the braid that my pliers could barely cut like it was sewing thread. After 4 hours on the water, Rob had to head in because of previous commitments. It was probably the most fun I've had in a 4 hour trip on the water in a long time if not ever. The scenery, fishing, conversation, not to mention the boat ride were all terrific. The second to last day of our trip I had to make one more trip to the park that I'd caught my peacocks earlier in the week. This was more midday instead of late afternoon and the fishing was much more difficult. I caught a couple small bass, then a couple more chiclids. We worked back around to where I'd caught most of them the previous time and I was disappointed to find the tunnel all but vacant. I worked what had been the best spot for 20 minutes without even moving a fish so I crossed over to the opposite side where I'd caught my biggest bass. I spotted topwater action immediately and my first cast with an Xrap, I caught a fat largemouth. Several more smaller ones would follow on a Senko and Horny Toad along with a missed giant on the toad (like to have had another shot at that one). My wife was sitting under a palm tree when she announced that she had spotted 2 peacocks that appeared to be guarding a nest. I'm guessing by their aggressive behavior that she was right. I missed them both several times as they just rammed my bait instead of trying to eat it. After several cast I finally hooked up with the much smaller of the 2 fish and landed my fourth pea of the trip. As much as I would have liked to have tried to catch the bigger fish, I could sense my wife was ready to go and I felt it was fitting that my last fish from Florida be the fish that I had wanted to catch so badly. So we packed it up and I returned my borrowed gear. The whole trip was great but with a little help from some of the great forum members here, it was made into a trip I'll never forget!

Water Clarity alomost never enters the equation for whether to throw a plastic or not. I suggest you get away from this awfully limiting idea that plastics are just for clear water - that's total nonsense! Toss a RageTail Craw or Lobster aty your favorite spot, and see what happens.

I guess y'all need to quit fishing cause hooking them hurts their feeling!

This swimbait stuff is just too much to handle.... Give me Roboworms and some of those new fangled mushroom thingerz and I'm happy.

Being from California and reading about musky nearly all my life catching one was always on my bucket list. Visiting my in-laws for the first time back in '73 at Lake of The Woods, Ont Canada, I caught my 1st musky while fishing for smallmouth bass on a black jig....27 lbs. what a fish and my wife was with me! Over the years I learned how to musky fish using musky lures and now missing the annual trip to Canada after my in-Laws past away several years ago. Fantastic fresh water fish! Congratulations! Tom

My latest Bass - FAT PIG MAMMA BASS- PB #8.0 24 in.

While bass fishing with a Rapala Shadow Rap. Gosh what a ferocious fish thst thing is.

The problem here is that we are not all going to agree on what ethical treatment is. For some of us tossing a fish gently back in the water, or laying a fish on the deck or in the grass for a photo shoot is no big deal. For others it is a serious offense. I think most pros are careful with the bass they catch and understand while they are not bullet proof, they are not so delicate that they must be handled like fine crystal. Fishing is, catch and release notwithstanding, a blood sport.

This They are fish and they are numerous. They are also stupid tough. Nobody is abusing fish for devious satisfaction. Not to mention that if it weren't for bass fisherman, the population of bass throughout the world would be much worse off.

We all know you hate swimbaits speed...

Good stuff.

Giant baits indeed. lol. Expand your horizons. Don't they use live shiners for bass down in FL?

Green Fish Brown Fish

Almost every time

On Monday, May 18 I fished Lake Cherokee by my home and had a big bass pop my line. What was upsetting is that I had just spooled the line on the spinning rig and to have it snap was a big surprise. Today, May 19, fishing off the same dock but with a new spinning rig setup and fresh line I nailed her again and this time, by letting the line out via the spinning reel's drag, I managed to fight and land her. She is about six pounds, if not more, and a very pretty and healthy lady. I removed my jig head and Zoom Junebug trick worm and as I was lowering her into the water I noticed some line coming out of her mouth. I figured that I had rehooked her when I took the photos. But no! What I saw was a jig head and Zoom Junebug trick worm just starting to go down her throat. The bait I lost yesterday. I grabbed the jig and removed the hook with no damage to her throat and let her go. She swam off a very happy and healthy lady. I need to rebend the jig head hook and it is ready to go. I also saved the trick worm and plan to use it again this week. Now to catch the other two bass that broke off yesterday and today due to faulty line and remove those hooks and baits from their mouths.

Newest Edition - Major Craft Volkey BLC

Well, I care about the fish and all the guys I fish with handle them the same way. It's common knowledge, but some people don't have common sense, there inlays the problem. Good post and any good post will stir up controversy. That's what usually brings some of the most educational posts (and also some of the most entertaining )

Of course that snaggy is a word. My everyday playground: The funny thing is that I don´t have pics of some of the ponds I fish but they look very much like this You ain´t gonna fish something like this with UL gear. This requires some macho gear. Interesting, now that I come and take a good look at this picture it´s very much like where I caught my first 10+ lber.

Lots of good responses to the question already.. I usually have faith in the fact the brighter the sun hitting an area the tighter the fish will be to heavy cover, or shaded pockets. The cloudier the weather, the early and late low angles of the sun, and fish will loosen up and move away from tight cover. Winter fish will seek out sun early, and be more active on the sunny side. Whenever you think you have it all figured out Mother Nature will throw you a curve ball

Eastern states have plenty of trout. Not all lakes have them, but most do.

Bass have to live where they are born, they can not pack a suit case & move. The bass have adapted...The angler must adapt as well!

Florida strain LMB are wired to eat big prey fish like golden shiners. Northern strain LMB prefer smaller bait fish but will sometimes eat large baitfish. Bass are like other animals that can't determine their size compared to the size of what they may consider prey, they make mistakes some of the time. It's like a small dog attacking a big dog, the small dog doesn't know it's own size. In Calfornia planted rainbow filled a niche for FLMB, long thin shape and high protein prey. It's not that a big NLMB wouldn't eat a planted trout, they aren't wired genetically to hunt trout like a FLMB does. Having lived in SoCal all my life where' trout plants are common long before FLMB were introduced here, the NLMB didn't target the trout like FLMB do. Back to the question about big swimbaits; 11" to 16" swimbaits weighing in excess of 5 oz. I believe your odds are reduced using swimbaits that size where NLMB are the bass.Swimbaits in the 6" to 10" sizes weighing up to 4 oz should be a better choice for NLMB. The most universal color for swimbaits isn't rainbow trout! Rainbow is a very common color, baby bass would be a better choice where rainbow don't exist. My advice is to buy good quality swimbaits with a good tract record of catching big bass. If you plan to get into swimbaits invest in a swimbait rod and reel. Tom

Most of the lakes I fish are shallow, up to 12-14' and I use mine often. And you might not fish directly under your kayak but that isn't what they are for as much as it is to indicate structure and depth contours etc and water temperature. the signal also isn't a straight beam that gives a small window view of the bottom. It is a cone and the deeper you are, the wider the cone but i will save that conversation but i recommend you do a little research and you may be surprised.I am still learning how to use my basic unit up to it's potential and it has really helped me in my fishing under different conditions. Not to mention it validates what i think I know in regards to the structure at the bottom of the lake.

I used a Ned Rig, specifically the ZMan TRD in Green Pumpkin on a 1/16 oz mushroom head, for the 3rd consecutive week & once again it produced. It was responsible for 46 of the 49 bass I caught, as well as a bull bluegill that weighed just shy of 2 lbs. However, the results of this trip made me realize a bit more of how really effective it can be. The morning started under overcast skies, water temperature at 71 degrees (having dropped a few degrees from the previous week) and the fish were post spawn. I started off with some top water and moving baits and didn't get a strike for the first 45 minutes. I had the Ned Rig set up with a TRD in Peanut Butter & Jelly, the first time I was going to try this color, and I began casting to different depth targets. After 30 minutes without a strike, I was puzzled. I switched over to a 4" plastic worm in green pumpkin, got a couple of strikes & landed a fish in about 30 minutes of fishing. My expectations for the day was much higher, so I tried a couple of different baits and areas for the next 45 minutes without a strike. For the first time, I began to doubt the effectiveness of the Ned rig over other baits. I figured to be fair, I would switch back to the Green Pumpkin color (which I had used exclusively on previous trips) and give it a try. About the time I got it switched over, a light rain began to fall and wouldn't you know it, first cast resulting in a fish. For the rest of the day it was lights out. However, as I started catching fish, I began to wonder if it was the start of the rain that triggered the fish or the lure choice. During the day, when I would get to areas that held fish, I would try other lures. Many of the fish came in 2 feet of water between docks, but these fish would not bump a topwater lure nor touch a small swimbait. In areas where I found them a bit deeper, they wouldn't bite a crankbait and just a few grabbed a small plastic worm or wacky-rigged senko. I even put the Peanut Butter & Jelly TRD back on and didn't get a strike in a spot where I had caught bass on back to back casts. I can only guess that as of right now, the Green Pumpkin TRD is doing a killer job of imitating the minnows & bass fry that I believe the fish are keying on. I think the bass may have been a little less aggressive with the slight drop in water temps, but could not pass up such an easy meal as the TRD. Total for the 3 trips using the Ned rig (about 22 hrs of fishing) is 122 bass (including one that went 7-6), a 7 lb catfish and a near 2lb bluegill. Those hours include the time that I was using baits other than the Ned rig. Wow. For those of you who have been unsuccessful with the Ned rig, I can only suggest making sure to use a color combination that most closely resembles whatever prey the bass in your lake may be eating. For me, that has made a huge difference

Great minds think alike John. Hootie

I'd certainly consider myself a "common man", and I own several Deps swimbaits, along with Hudds. Do a search on Southern Trout Eaters. Bass don't read books. They don't know what they're supposed to eat, or what fish live in the lake they live in. All they know is "Hey, I could eat that fish over there". How many bright chartreuse baitfish are out there? None in the lakes I fish but going out without a chartreuse spinnerbait (also a very realistic fish imitator), wouldn't be very smart. OP, you're in an area with potential to produce huge fish. I would 100% be fishing them down there. I know this to be a fact as I'm currently fishing them in Kansas, which everyone knows is a big bass factory If you're not sure about going straight to the monster baits, get a 68 Hudd, 175 Slide Swimmer, 168 S Waver, or the Real Prey 7" Shiner. You'll catch quantity as well as quality.

I had the tape measure about 1 in. back from the tip of her mouth- user error- didn't even see that i had messed it up until my friend showed me. But you can tell that tape was short at the mouth. Even then, weighed and verified on scale- #8.0

3 pounds 12 ounces.

You could go with a medium/fast action rod for both cranking and plastics.

I knew it I just knew there were fish here. Oh five pounda.

Hi guys it's Keith. Been lurking around awhile and figured I might as well join up!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9nKgAkTaaUU http://takahiroomori.com/ 2004 T.O. Wins last hour, if I recall right.. Most exciting one I can remember..

Check out the Kicker Fish Hightail Holeshot Shaky worm. They have holes in the tail that trap air and make them float. Really good baits.

Ike's last minute heroics come to mind as well as Tak's. Both in the Classic.

Chronarch 50E or the JDM Shimano Scorpion XT1000 from Japan Lure Shop.

So I went out one last time before my surgery on Tuesday. Gonna be a couple few months before I can move my arm again. We had a heavy front move through last night and I was a little worried going into today as it was scheduled to clear off around 10. Air was 55 in the morning and cleared to mid 70's; water at 58-59. The bite started out slow in the main lake so we went up into some skinny water with pads that we were pretty sure we could get some bites. Sure enough we caught some in there and the bite wasn't too bad. Most were on a GP Rage CutR. Well the bite slowed as it cleared off so we went back out main lake and it was shut down. We threw everything until I remembered I had bought the Shroomz heads and TRD's. I threw a 1/10 oz jighead with a PBJ TRD on it and instantly started catching fish. After 5 or 6 I asked my buddy if he wanted one and, of course, he said "nope, I'll stick with my jig". Well after another 4-5 I just got him out the same thing I was throwing and handed it to him. He tied it on and started catching fish as well. I ended up with 29 and him close to 20. I don't know what it is about this thing but shakeys didn't work, drop shot didn't either. If you are not throwing one of these little turds when the bite is tough, you are shorting yourself.

JLS hooked it up with some fish arrow's Will be testing these two out today.... Hedgehog air's, red avail screw set, zpi handle, knobs, bearings. Might throw a red avail side cover on...

The best from this past weekend. Top fish was from a reservoir in Maryland and the bottom fish was from the Tidal Potomac River.

We need Sales & Deals. We've been getting them all along, and the members are the only ones that could make it better. How? Support this site's sponsors. Many sponsors have been here over the years, and almost of them announce special sales aimed right at us as members. The more business these sponsors get from us, the more others will decide to join up, and the more benefits you'll gain. And speaking of deals, are you happy with the price Glenn charges you to access this place? Just how much do you have to pay to read the extensive libraries (print and video) on this site? Does the price you pay go up when more and more people decide to sign up and log in? Once you've thought about those answers, head on over to your favorite "They Don't Charge Shipping" websites and see what they have to offer in the way of articles, videos, or forums. There's a real forest here folks, it's not the trees that are blocking your view of it!

A 6" Slug-go.

This is a score guys, Get one while they are in stock. http://www.americanl...sting-rods.html http://www.americanl...nning-rods.html I just bought a 6'6' MH 1/4-3/4....... List Price $199.00 - Sale Price $79.95 Lew's® proprietary APT (Advanced Performance Technology) blank construction Multilayer, multidirectional 85 million modulus premium graphite blanks Fuji® KR Concept MICRO guides with stainless steel frames, Alconite Braid Concept tangle-free guides Skeletal graphite reel seat with cushioned black stainless steel hoods Great hand/reel stability and comfort Exposed blank for instant vibration transmission Full premium split-grip cork handles Lew's® Lifetime Limited Warranty

Conventional wisdom is fish the shade, however bass can't read and do unconventional things all the time. Case in point is Bassmaster Classic, 1971 at Lake Mead. Bobby Murray won this event by waking a spinnerbait in crstal clear water coves that had a few small salt cider trees underwater. The brighter the sun the bigger the bass that would follow Murray's single spin a Tornado spinnerbait retrieved fast just under the surface. Tom

In the same places I would throw a swim jig, except it depends on conditions. If the wind is blowing pretty good, spinnerbait. If it's calm and clear, swimjig. Chatterbaits usually get thrown in stained water for me.

Most of the time, actually. I usually go to a swim jig if my spinnerbait keeps fouling up because the jig comes through weeds better. I usually catch a lot more on a spinnerbait than a chatterbait, so I might not be the best source of info on when to throw which one

I only fished lower Mousam that day. When i am targeting largemouth in the Spring, I don't leave lower Mousam. If I was looking to get into a smallmouth bite, obviously I would head up the lake a bit. To be honest, I shut down from fishing Mousam around Memorial Day and pick back up after Labor Day. The lake gets too busy for me and it often times is unsafe for fisherman like myself who fish off shore humps in the summer. People get so angry that I am not fishing around the shoreline like its some sort of forbidden rule that you can't leave the bank to fish. Coincidentally people also get mad when I fish around their docks out there too. You cant pay me to go out on Mousam in July or August. Spring and Fall produce really well for me out there. Lots of fish in the 3-5lb range.

Just wait til they graduate from college. Boy that makes you feel old.

Haha, filling up a 496 big block isn't easy on the wallet. Neither is getting 8 mpg. That's not to mention the very hefty monthly payment.

No, they are not necessary, but it's fun to have a lot of colors. BTW, 90 % of the time I jig fish is with a black skirted jig, to me any color is fine as long as it is black.

I can leave a leader on 2 weeks with no problem if it isn't scuffed up. I make 8 wraps up and 0 down using 10# braid and 15# leader, using a duolock on this set up. I have had a few failures on a salt set up (not in fresh) tying the knot exactly the same way. I'm convinced it's my own user error as I put a new leader on each rod each day, once in a while I just screw up.