Leaderboard

Just getting back from Boston, made the trip to watch my daughter graduate with her Masters in Music. She has already enrolled for the fall semester, starting her program for research librarian. Very proud papa!

On Memorial Day, the United States pauses to honor the fallen heroes who died in service to our Nation. With heavy hearts and a sense of profound gratitude, we mourn these women and men -- parents, children, loved ones, comrades-in-arms, friends, and all those known and unknown -- who believed so deeply in what our country could be they were willing to give their lives to protect its promise. Our hearts ache in their absence, but their spirit gives us strength to continue their work of securing and renewing the liberties that all Americans cherish and for which these heroes gave their last full measure of devotion. In solemn reflection, we gather -- in small towns and big cities, on battlefields, in cemeteries, and at sacred places where blood has been shed for freedom's cause -- throughout our country and around the world to remember the unbroken chain of patriots who won independence, saved our Union, defeated fascism, and protected the Nation we love from emerging threats in a changing world. Today, their legacy is carried forward by a new generation of servicemen and women and all who strive to shape a more perfect America; and their enormous sacrifices continue to make our opportunity possible. We owe all those who sacrifice in our name a tremendous debt, including our Nation's mothers and fathers who have given their daughters and sons to America, spouses and partners who shoulder the weight of unthinkable loss, and courageous children in whom the legacies of their parents live on. As a Nation, we must uphold our obligations to these Gold Star families. We have pledged to them that they will never walk alone -- that their country will be there for them always. Our Nation will never forget the valor and distinction of the women and men who defend freedom, justice, and peace. Not mine but still pretty good. A-Jay

Every spring during the mating season, red fox appear in our backyard. From early April thru August, they can be seen 'every' evening around sunset, as many as five reds at a time. Unfortunately, I have to shot the photos thru a glass pane, which compromises image resolution. We also have Cougars in our neighborhood (locally known as Florida Panthers), Bobcat (was a roadkill 1/4 mile from our house) & Coyotes. If I get the opportunity to snap any other wild cats or wild dogs I'll post them up. Roger

Are you serious???? Cut the line and run it through the guides and retie. Holy smokes. I'm amazed everyday at what I read here.

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

I've NEVER done anything stupid like this!! (said as sarcastically as possible). I've also NEVER tried to cast a spinning reel without opening the bail!

Last week was FUN with the fish all excited over rising water conditions! It made this technique PERFECT for the conditions. The new 1oz Oldham Spinnerbait with a redesigned head shape for a straight fall causing the blades to helicopter without fouling, was used with the Rage Eeliminator as a trailer. The Eeliminator and the big #6 and #5 blades makes a formidable profile which IMO is a Mini A Rig look and can be used in a huge variety of conditions and water depths, including SLOW dragging deep ledges etc. Terry Oldham and I discussed the Head change several months ago during a fishing trip and I told'em I was going to FLIP it as soon as I got it in... so I DID I trim the head of the Eeliminator and a very slight trim on the sides to make the body less bulky and fit like a large grub on the hook. Also, mount the Eeliminator with the Tail pointed Down opposite the hook point so that the Tail rides upward directly behind the Hook during slow retrieve. Hope yall enjoy it and maybe even try this out sometime... IT'S KILLER for me https://youtu.be/WnAZH9pFAXw

Your phone should give you enough lighting from the screen or flashlight unless you have a Motorola star tac

Took a trip to MM35 yesterday and fished the Miami Canal with my 8yr old son and my BIL. Wind was from the East 15-18MPH, Water temps was 87-88 degrees, water was lightly stained with 6-8ft visibility. We launched at 930am and fished til 6:30pm. Boat traffic was minimal considering it is a Holiday weekend, and everyone cleared out by 2pm. We were solo out there for 4 hrs. We were fortunate enough to boat 56 bass and 90% of them were caught using frogs. The majority of the fish ranged from 4lbs - 2lbs. The highlight of my day was when my son caught and landed a 3lb 18" bass all by himself. I was so proud him. He was impatient and frustrated some of the time because he wasn't catching as many fish as he would have of liked, and at around 5pm he caught his second wind and was hell bent on catching a nice fish. Well.... I am very excited to say his perseverance paid off.... The old man managed to catch himself a nice bass too..... but it paled in comparison to watching my boy do his thing and catch a nice bass for himself. I can proudly say that I am lucky DAD!!

No budget??? Get him a Shimano Stella!!!

I'm going to have to try that one out

Sure does I think I'm just going to take up hand gliding. Go big or go home lol

Good for you! Many people are victims of circumstance. They 'victimize' themselves, and refuse to take responsibility for what the need to do. By taking responsibility you are breaking the cycle and that can lead to something great. Good luck and God bless

I've actually missed the line guide on the reel. Made a cast, noticed something was not right, reeled the line in and noticed the line was all bunched up on one side of the spool, lol. Stuff like that happens to the best of us, lol.

After spooling it up with some Sufix 21 6lb.,securing it on a PG BFS HardBait Finesse stick and tying on a Megabass Zero Hurry off to the shore of my local lake I went. What a sweet little tool this reel is, I must say I was not let down on how easy it is to reach out with this reel.The shoreline is loaded with weeds so I had to get beyond 15-20 yards to open water which was accomplished with just a flick of the wrist. Granted the Zero Hurry is a 1/4 ounce jig but still is representative of how easy this reel will handle the lighter side of baits . One thing for sure is I look forward to getting up to the lake and getting out in the boat to continue pursuing the lighter side of fishing. I do want to thank Matt (thehooligan) for giving me some very good insight to the lighter side however this slope is getting very slippery fast......

Only a striper jetty-jockey would recognize summer flounder Roger

My biggest gripe is "sight fishing" the bass while they are spawning, catching both the male and female, then taking them 30 or more miles away to the weigh-in site. Kiss those bass babies goodbye with mom and pop now gone! Also during the Classic this year a couple of guys were fishing in deep water, watching their lure on their fish finder, and when they saw a bass approach moving it toward them...this isn't fishing it's playing a video game!

This is why companies are doing away with lifetime warranties. There are a lot of anglers that abuse their equipment and expect it to be replaced when it gets broken in a car window or stepped on and truth be told, why worry about high sticking or taking care of a rod if it is going to get replaced if it is broken. If I were you I'd go the route of honesty is the best policy, I'd email Abu Garcia and tell them what happened and ask them if there is anything they can do to help you out, they may just replace the rod, or perhaps they offer you one at a discounted rate, or they may not do anything and say it was just bad luck, sorry. No matter what they say or do, the one thing you can take away from it is that you were honest and that means you have integrity and nobody can take that away. The truth is that when you have a high end rod like a St. Croix Legend Extreme or a Loomis NRX, they will want you to send the rod in for inspection and they can tell if the break was due to crushing (that is what your break is) or some other form of abuse or if there was a blank defect . Abu Garcia isn't going to do that, they will probably tell you to cut the rod off where the model number is and send it back with return postage and they will replace the rod, but that is if you tell them you broke the rod on a hook set or some other fishing related incident, maybe even if you tell them the truth but I wouldn't lie about it just for a rod, trust me, tell them the truth and you may end up being without a rod but you'll feel better about yourself as a person.

I just realized my worms rod when I rigged it up I missed 2 guides. Yep completely missed them lol I'm meeting someone at the boat ramp all my stuff is in the boat. And it will be pitch black dark in the a.m. what should I do. Will it be ok like that?

I don't know who's seen this. This is pretty crazy. Greg Hackney is fishing on Toledo Bend with Mr. Crappie. Just start the video at 25 minutes. I believe this was filmed last fall and Hack was still on a roll. When you're hot you hot.

Finding quality fish on pressured waters is a daunting task, but if you're willing to put in the time it can be worth the effort. If you can get a topo map, look at those community holes on it. What do they have in common? What is the bottom content? Is there a common depth to the productive areas of them? Now it's time to do some homework, first on the map. Look for small areas that share similarities with those community holes. There are often off shore points that are visible on a map, but don't appear to be related to the shoreline and they may only run from one depth to another. They're similar to an off shore shelf, but have the features of a point that extends from shore. Follow the creek bed on the map looking for small swings and areas where it parallels small flats. Lastly, get on the water and leave your rods in the locker and check those spots you located on the map with your depth finder. Look for signs of forage and cover on them and mark the ones that have either or both present. No go back and fish them hard. Hopefully you'll discover a pattern you can use on multiple spots. Hope that helps.

When I catch 3 largemouth bass from the same lake....I figure that's a pattern

It's the soldier, not the reporter who has given us Freedom of the Press. It's the soldier, not the poet, who has given us Freedom of Speech. It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the Freedom to Demonstrate. It's the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the Right to a Fair Trial. It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who gives the protestor the right to burn the flag. ~Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

Reel Magic is nothing more than silicone like wd 40 or the Walmart generic version. The petroleum distillate that makes the oil spray able actually degrades the line slightly making it softer. Not very environmentally friendly either. KVD coats and treats the line. Safer and more effective.

I wondered this same thing as I am probably looking at the same reel

Very cool pics. Rolo! It seems this year there Is an abundance of wildlife out and about. I see deer, turkey, an occasional fox, and a ton of rabbits almost daily! Edit: I have also seen an abundance of snakes this year. It's kind of spooky in that I have seen at least two dozen copperheads in all kinds of places. I have only killed one as It was on my deck.

Very nice pics indeed. Cool stuff.

Very Cool ~ btw - nice Flatties in your avatar there . . . . A-Jay

There they are! Awww, poor baby's are just wanting some strip steak & fries... Look at those tails. Nice pics Roger, thanks for posting!

The human brain is amazing, if you let it be. It can adjust to almost anything, if you let it............. It took me 2 outings and never looked back.

Are you right handed? If so, don't worry about the hooksets. Your right arm is stronger, and even though it may feel a little weird, before you know it your hook sets will take less effort becuse they will be with your dominant/stronger arm.

I started with a Penn 9M, try throwing spinnerbaits on that puppy! Educate youe thumb Let the rod do the casting Be mindful of the winds direction Practice, practice, practice

Saturday 5/23/15, 7:00-noon, partly sunny, wind 10-12 east, water clear, w/t 86*, water levels steady. Picked up Dave (Canesfan), and we ran out west of the river to MM39 on Alligator Alley. This section of the Alley has some of the cleanest water along the 50 mile canal system. We ran from the ramps to the dead end and fished back to the west. We both struggled for the first 20 minutes, trying to find something they wanted to bite. I went to a jig head and a wacky trick worm that drew attention deep in the canal. Dave threw a Okeechobee stick-o catching a nice three pounder along the edge of the canal. The bite picked up and except for a few slow spots the bite was pretty steady. We finished the day with conservatively 50 bass and a big mudfish. The gar bite was a pain although all they did was tear up the baits and steal terminal tackle. We fished today with small and big jigs, stick-os, flukes, trick worms, wacky worms, centipedes, swim baits, and ragin craws. Bigger fish were caught on stick-os and wacky rigged trick worm jigs deep.. Is was another fun day on the alley, with lots of action, and good company.

I just ordered this one as well. Thanks for the heads up. Would you guys pair this with a speed spool tournament or a quantum smoke reel? Thanks for any input.

ill peg a weight straight to the plastic when I'm punching, but if I'm fishing sparse cover or lay downs ill peg it but leave a 1inch gap to let the bait move freely kinds like the swinging jigeads and if I'm fishing docks ill usually never peg it

My thought exactly. If you're like me you'll wonder what took you so long.

I like something with green pumpkin and a little chartreuse to imitate bluegill with soft plastics..

You can also use a piece of nylon mono to jam a rubber band into the weight in a pinch and it wont cut your line. Take the nylon, thread it through and make a loop, then put a 1/4 piece of rubber band between the loop and pull snug. Good to go!

There really isn't an answer to this question. Patterning fish is a way to simplify your day on the water while still being effective at catching fish. You try some baits in some different spots. If they work, you keep doing it. If they don't, you change it up until you find something that works. You found something that's working, so keep doing it until it doesn't. No need to complicate things.

I never peg weights ever because I do not see a reason to peg them. Many people believe the weight & lure will seperate by feet when in reality the seperation is only a few inches. The first time you move the setup the two are together again. Try it for yourself in a pool, it will dispel many myths!

Went out today and early I tied on a 1 & 1/2oz weight and a rage craw to do some flipping, not long after I started flipping pads/grass I felt my lure get heavy so I just layed it to em and the fight was on, it felt like I was fighting a huge bass and I thought I'd never get him out from under that mat but when I finally drug him out it turned out to be a big ole bowfin! Thought I finally had me a double digit bass on my line.... Still a awesome fish and a blast catching him. Didn't get a weight because he had already been outta the water too long but I managed to get this picture before I released him.

Never handled a Curado I. Might be the bee's knee for all I know. I like my Tatula Type R. Really enjoying the Pinnacle Primmus for about $7 more. My like new Lews TP was less than your limit. Its another nice reel. Quite a few good reels in that price range. Handle some and pick your poison.

With all due respect to your post. What is ethical? In your opinion...) I think at some point, folks have to come to terms that we ( people ) have very little, if any, control over the issue. I might suggest that if you really feel that strongly, perhaps you could shoot a email to the production company and the " pro's " that you witness what you believe to be a wrong doing. I've heard it said that fishing is a blood sport. I neither agree or disagree with that, to me, it's just a hobby...most bass anglers treat the fish better than at anytime in history, it is just a sport, to some, it's their living.

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 had the same feeling yesterday: Bass of a lifetime! Then, after it slugged it out on the bottom for a while, I had my doubts. I finally landed the 9lb. 9oz. drum ("sheephead"). Tight lines, Bob

You need a Boga Grip!

Did they also chase you off with a ladle?

I know posting a personal best Is always fun. I know posting about slaying them Is always fun. I know sometimes just getting out is always fun. So this post Is not about a personal best or absolutely slaying the bass nor Is It about merely getting out. Yesterday(Mothers day) I had the opportunity to take my wife, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law out to a new found private pond to catch some bream. I took my bass rod to chase some of those green fish but made a total of 5 casts. In what I would call a very satisfying day I helped, watched, and smiled at watching these three Southern women catch bream after bream and having a great time! I was as content as could be just taking It all In. It brought back many memories of a simpler time when all the fancy gear consisted of a cane pole and some crickets. I have always said the best day I have had on the water was watching my wife break her personal best three times on our honeymoon last year. That's still the best day I have ever had but yesterday was fairly close. To watch that type of enthusiasm refreshing and a day that I hope we repeat often in the years to come!

I am currently looking for a rod to accommodate underspins (3/8-1/2), swim jigs, buzzbaits, and spinnerbaits. Essentially a blade bate rod. I fish lakes like Lanier/Hartwell/Keowee mostly here in Goergia but also go to other lakes occasionaly that have grass like Eufaula and clarks hill. If i mainly fish deep clear water would the 733 be a better choice or will the 734 still handle the baits better? Thanks

Not to me i been catching fish all my life with the same stuff no need to change,never ever have i been fishing and thought to myself "i shoulda bought that 20$ lure" my mindset is having fun and catching fish.if im wondering about expensive lures then i must be missing the whole point about life in general not just fishing