Leaderboard

Where in the rules does it say the boater gets first shot at all waters? As long as you're not throwing ahead of or in front of him, you are fine in my opinion. It's a narrow space and he got to pick what side he wanted to throw to. If he moved slow enough, he could have fished both sides as he moved along. I would have kept fishing, limited out on his butt from the back deck and then sat down and ate lunch ?

My buddy came into town for a weekend of fishing and we got some nice ones!

20” this morning breakin in new gear

So I entered my first kayak tournament at Octoraro Lake and a few nights before I read Swims thread about his getting his phone flipped into the water while on his measuring board. I read it and dug around my house and found a lanyard that would connect me to my phone at all times, awesome. So anyways i fished the tournament and was catching them good on my popper. Had 2 decent sized fish measured and sent and was feeling if i had my limit of 3 i would have a decent chance of doing good. Well soon enough I land my 3rd fish, biggest of the day, sweet. I get my board out, wet it and laid it on my lap, turned on my phone and let it hang on my lanyard so i could pick up the fish and hold the board at the same time. I get a hold of the fish carefully laid her out on my board, and as soon as i took my left hand out of her mouth to hold her down and use my right to take a picture the fish flops underneath my hand and flops right into the water! Spent the rest of the day replaying that moment and didnt catch another fish. As with kayak fishing touraments measurements in length is much different than boaters weighing in. One 5lbs bass can win over 4 one pounders when competing with bass weights. vice versa three 12" bass weighing around 3 lbs total can beat out two 3 pounders. But I go back to the docks and asked around and found out no one had a limit and i ended up winning! as a bonus the guy who had the biggest fish didnt check off the lunker box in the contract agreement papers even though he paid to enter the lunker pot! So i won both pots! As for the bass that flopped off my board, Dont do that!!!!

Biggest smalljaw of the year so far for me. Was banging flats with a Rapala X-Rap in olive color when this tank decided he was hungry. Hit like a sack of bricks and made me think I had a 30+ inch pike on the line.

Caught my first fish on a big swimbait a couple days ago!

Only a 3 pounder but it was the first cast of the day on the first time throwing the Rico popper. A fun bait to throw....

Glad you're OK. It's important that boaters first, know there are rules and then what they are. Understanding how to "read" navigation lights, especially from a distance, is an integral part of boating; and not just at night. If you are by and large unfamiliar with this you may be an accident waiting to happen. In every meeting or crossing situation, daytime & during periods of limited visibility (doesn't have to be dark), Course changes should be early, decisive and in accordance with "Navigational Rules of the Road". So much so that ones intentions are Clear & Blatantly obvious to the other vessel. Small incremental course changes are very difficult to interpret making it a recipe for disaster. http://www.boatsafe.com/flash/reviewrules.html Again, Glad you're OK. A-Jay

Second best of the summer on the frog. Mid day 90 degrees and full sun. Absolutely choked it and I had to horse her through 20 feet of thick vegetation. Went for 4.63, snapped a few shots and she was on her way. Update: Went out in the kayak for round two and caught a 14 incher, on a frog again. I’m on a frog kick here in Virginia!

^ Previous [June 20, 2018] Today was an example of the power of "PMA". It was a Wednesday, Jeremy and I got off work and met up at his place for an after work fishing trip. We launched the boat at 2:30pm, and headed to our first spot. It was shallow, water temp ~70F, we could see bass all over. We both were catching little ones left and right, and having a great time. Then there was a moment where I turned to look behind us and out of nowhere there was a guy in a bass boat on his trolling motor that came right up to us, like less than 30ft away... At first it was all cool, and he asked if we had caught anything. So we told him yeah been catching little ones... Then he proceeds to go right around the back of us, and cut right in-front of where we were headed. Once he gets like 50ft away, he starts up his big motor and just has it idling as he stands on the trolling motor and drives down the next 1/2 mile of shoreline that we planned to fish not even making a single cast... Jeremy and I both look at each-other and are like... "Well, that was rude..." What happened next was - we both continued fishing the shoreline that the dude just cruised through - like nothing had ever happened... (I just checked the time stamp on my images) Less than 5 minutes after that guy cut in-front of us Jeremy makes a cast and hooks into his "fish of the day"... We both continue catching them just like before, Jeremy even breaks his one day total record today catching 30+ bass. Two hours after his catch, I make a cast with a lizard to the outside edge of a log parallel to the shoreline and nothing, I then make a second cast over the log to the inside edge between the log and the shoreline and hook into my "fish of the day"... While I was in the process of landing my "fish of the day", Jeremy doubled up with a nice 3lb 05oz Largemouth. Fishing was so good we didn't arrive back at the ramp till 8:00pm. (We have to be up at ~3:30am for our work schedule.) We both made it work, so good times... Looking back on this day, we could of easily got frustrated and moved to another location and missed out on all of this. Instead we kept positive and continued on with our original plan we had from the start and it payed off. There has been countless times over the past 3 years from when I first learned Positive Mental Attitude from Gerald Swindle that it has saved my fishing day. Whether you choose to believe it or not, PMA is indeed a powerful tool in the tackle box. WolfyBrandon

A buddy and I had a 70-fish Day combined (all LM Bass) recently fishing in kayaks. We both caught fish in excess of 21 inches (5 - 6 1/2 Lb. range) and lots of 3 pounders etc. We were fishing coontail and slop and so there was a lot of hard cranking and lifting. We used everything: frogs, toads (Ribbits), Yum Dingers, Power worms, whopper Ploppers, buzzbaits, and even a few crankbaits and spinnerbaits on the edges. When the day was over we both had sore wrists and elbows and scratched up fingers and thumbs. It took about 48 hours to fully recover from the soreness but it still felt gooood.

I am new to bass fishing and I have not been successful to date. But, today was my day. I caught my first bass. And it was the big one. I know, I know, the first one always seems bigger than it was, but I weighed it and it was 7 lb and my daughters were with me to verify it. It was heavy enough that when I lifted my life to pick him out of the water, the weight of the fish caused the line to cut into my skin. Unfortunately, I had to cut the day short. 95 degrees with 70-80% humidity and no wind will wear you quickly. I got to say that catching your first bass is just like having sex for the first time. It seems like it took forever to happen, was over too quickly and leaves you wanting more. And you also will never forget the first time. And to top it all off, my noisy, stomping, partying, squeaky mattress neighbors above me moved....it was a good weekend.

Although I can catch them off shore on breaks right now, they only seem to be small. That being said, went shallow yesterday after the storms, caught a few shorts and one real good one on a frog. Saw another good one miss the frog and another came off. I then found some hard botttom coontail just off some docks, 4-6 FOW, and pitching a 1/2 oz jig was the ticket. Caught 12 or so fish (all quality) in about 1.5 hours once I happened across the coontail. They didn't seem to be in the neighboring patches of curly leaf. Real fun evening and was good to get off of the 13'' funk I have been in.

Glad you got lucky. You just described how a majority of boating accidents happen both day or night. When I was guiding and on the lake a lot there was a rule I operated under. #1. There are no rules. Why?...... Because you can never, never, never, trust that the other guy has read the rules. Have I read, studied and been tested on the USCG Rules of the Road? Yes I have.....but that doesn't mean the boat bearing down on my bow has. Or they aren't intoxicated. Or they aren't distracted. Or they aren't paying attention.....or, or, or............Just too many variables as to why they didn't know what to do. You had the darkness of night to complicate things even more. Here's what I do every time I am meeting a boat head on.....I show them my side, meaning I make an exaggerated turn (the right way if possible) and show them the broadside of my boat. There's no doubt which way I am turning. And yes, sometimes it's to my port side which is against the rules but if the situation warrants it, that's the way I am turning because I don't want them hooking me out of the water with my head split ear to ear and saying " Well, at least he was right".

This guy is just a water hog. Like fishing in a torture chamber..

Meh, that's a boater call. I think he was being petty because you caught fish. You apologized, and adjusted. You did everything right from that point on. Should be water under the bridge. Next time, you'll remember to ask. Boaters might have differing ideas about what is "unfished" waters. These situations are the exact reason I only fish team events.

I see both sides and definitely understand where you are coming from. I hope they figure everything out and take care of the issues. What I recommend doing (no idea if they will) is to recommend if they require return shipping be paid for returning the rod then I would ask for a promo code/discount for the next order over $100. This would ensure they still make a little money on the future order and they still keep you as a long-term customer. Ultimately, a win-win situation. Goodluck!

My rod is never above the 11°clock position & never drops below the 9:30 position. When you feel the bite drop the rod from 11°clock to 9:30 reeling slack at the same rate speed your rod tip is dropping & then set the hook. Drop the rod, reel the slack, & set the hook!

Cut it off above where it frayed regardless of how much. Discoloration has no bearing on the integrity of the line. Mike

There are probably craws there. I fished a lake down here and didn't see a craw for 30 years until I saw a claw protruding from a bass's "posterior". Come to think of it, I don't see craws anywhere I fish. I use craws everywhere I fish and bass bite 'em. For that matter, I don't see worms swimming anywhere either.

I've seen lots of loaner life jackets at state park ramp docks in Missouri and just recently in Kansas too. No excuse not to have all their life jackets now. Celebrating 'Merica with some food, guns, and fireworks yesterday at our house. Had enough fire power the neighbors came over and asked if we were getting ready for a war ?

Had a big rain here today, so I figured the cats would be active. They were.

Took the boat out to one of the local bays to try and get some pike and at first it really was a struggle. After a solid hour and a half of covering all of my waypoints I could only manage a 20-22 inch to follow. Then as I moved along the shoreline of the other side of the bay I started seeing signs of life. Forage, and plenty of it. Probably 1-2 inches long. Some little perch were darting up and grabbing the minnows. Little perch = big pike close by. I started working the shoreline that was stacked with bait and out of nowhere something big slams my golden little cleo. It looks like a muskie just at first glance, but turns out to be just one of the biggest pike in the bay! A fat 5 lber. I slide her back in the water and then get a large pike that charges my olive x-rap back to the boat. I mark the spot and keep fishing around it, working the deeper edge. Takes like 30 minutes, but then I get one to commit. Solid 3.5 lber. Great morning all around.

Going 45 at night, one guy didn't see the other boater, and the other one keeps going left to avoid the first? Is this how fresh water guys do it? I'm glad no one was injured or worse, but ya'll really need some boating lessons, and a bit of common sense.

Got this big girl on a jig, between a dock and a pontoon on a hoist. What a crazy fight, considering I had about 8 inches to work with between boat hoist and dock. It pays to spend the dough on Sufix 832! Close to my PB, it went 22". I put her back, of course.

The prettiest little fish we have in Kansas, a male longear sunfish in full blown spawning colors from a little creek.

?yup it’s that time to dust off the old credit cards and start that shopping for tackle you will probably never use?happens every year you eat a lot of broccoli and drink a lot of beer !!!! ? I figure my wife probably does it behind my back every time she goes to the mall or target or wherever the hell she goes to shop, I don’t know I avoid those trips. PAY BACK TIME!

This ^^^^ Bass in off colored water are lateral line feeders. Ya want lures that move a lot of water, which causes vibrations the bass can feel. Ya also want a steady retrieve which will give the bass ample opportunity to zero in. Iwould throw a buzzbait over a frog; steadier retrieve & move vibration. Colorado blades over Willowleaf Plastics like Ragetail Jigs; Lunker Lure Gamakatsu Triple Rattleback Flipping Jigs

Shallow and tight .

Decent compromise, I like it.

rage Craws work in farm ponds I fish that have no craws also jigs with a craw trailer work.

We'll have to agree to disagree. We're that my rod, it'd go back on their dime for replacement or refund. If they didn't accommodate that request, I'd happily report that here, and mention it any time I had the opportunity for years. $60 is $60 and I expect to get what I ordered...and I wouldn't order a rod with crooked guides.

No problem. I don't take it personally. I am just aware of how businesses are run. You have to look at from a retailers/manufacturers p.o.v and be more understanding. Like others have stated you might as well just keep it as its only a $59 rod and no point in paying 33% of the rods for another rod for slightly misaligned guides. However, I do expect better QC on the rod like you stated.

So it had been super hot up north in NY weather has been stable so I figured I would get some fishing in. Got done visiting my brother in law who currently has cancer (is doing very well and most is gone) but he is the one who got me into fishing so he was pumped for me. I went out to this little 50 acre lake I always fish out of my canoe, it was around 8 at night so I was using my hollow body frog bc I want to get better at it. I started tossing it in the usual spots and I noticed out in the middle of the lake was a random grass patch and figured that would be a great ambush point so bass should be staged in there. FIrst cast I slowly walk it and BOOM! The biggest bass I ever seen comes out of the water like a shark and dives back in, I set the hook and install adrenaline started rushing. I do my best to turn it’s head but it dives down and surprisingly takes drag, it was at that moment i started shaking. My drag was set to around 9-10 pounds where it barely slipped if I tried to pull some out so I knew it was huge! I finally get it turned but I feel dead weight.. scared as I see this giant clump of weeds but as soon as it was boat side I could see her massive head sticking out. Without worrying where the frog was I stuck my hand right in her mouth and grabbed hold.. pulled out this giant 7 pound bass and just stopped breathing for about 30 seconds just staring in shock. Hurry and grsbbed my measuring tape. Was 22.5 inches long and 16.5 inches around. Was hoping to hit 8 pounder but for a norther strain ill take a 7 pounder any day ! Thanks @WRB for the advice on Fred’s magic stick! Would have never hauled that out with another Rod

I don't know if I could feed my family on that type of salary

The way coil loops come off a reel I doubt whstvyou see would affect performance. In principal, it's a qc miss and should and likely will be made right. Your call.

If you are gonna regret rods and reels, you picked the wrong hobby.

So...if a person were in a store, and that rod was one of the ones in the rack, they should just buy it? Or should they be smart and grab the one next to it that has guides that are lined up? There's two things going on here: Faulty product. Makers and retailers need to stand behind that. @Largemouth21 will find out how that shakes out tomorrow. Apparently asking the customer to funs return shipping of 1/3 the price of the product. Again, @Largemouth21 will find out if it is the case tomorrow. If it is, it's absurd. If I buy a package of pork chops at the grocery store, get home and open them, and they've gone bad, they are going back to the store...and they didn't cost $60...There is no reason to accept faulty product from any seller, unless it is understood up front as part of the sale (and probably involves a discount).

I learned the hard way about navigating at night . On Mark Twain Lake I have never seen another boat at night , so late one night took off on plain too the boat ramp, the wrong way .

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Help yourself out by doing a little research into fishing heavy cover for bass. Specifically the right type & size rod. The correct, reel, line & terminal tackle (weight & hook) can also make a world of difference on improving success. Plenty of useful info in the BR articles section. https://www.bassresource.com/fishing-techniques/ A-Jay

I would put a shimano Bantam XG on it. The extra weight is not noticeable because it is so smooth.

Y'all got anymore of them bass?

Here is the complete list of fluorocarbon lines I like and feel offer me an advantage:

Tatsu is the best line I have ever fished, but if you are just using fluorocarbon for leader, InvizX or AbrazX will fit the need.

WRB and islandbass, I did have something. I deliver auto parts part time for a small, family owned auto parts chain. I deliver only to dealerships and garages. It's not BPS management money but I really don't care. My wife and I are both blessed to have really good pensions after over thirty years each in law enforcement. BPS basically paid for my fishing. Sounds crazy, but at this point I really don't care about the money. For the guys talking about the time shares, it's only going to get worse except it's now credit cards. That's the main reason I walked. Since the Cabela's purchase, credit cards, excuse me, Club Cards are now the focus. All associate's, in each department, are required to sell c/c's. All managers are required to ensure that associates are selling c/c in addition to selling them themselves. All associate's have a quota. Before I left, customers were complaining about being asked 4 or 5 times if they wanted a c/c. I agreed with the customers. I had two problems, four actually. None of them will make sense to some of you. 1. I don't believe in credit cards, heck I don't believe in debt. To many people get in serious trouble with debt. Proverbs 22:7 speaks to it. I personally refuse to have anything to do with them. Sadly, people have to have mortgages and car payments, they don't have to have c/cs and BPS sells nothing that they have to have. 2. I absolutely refuse to make an associate do something that I won't. Even when I was in L.E., I wouldn't make my guys do something I wouldn't do or hadn't done myself. 3. I won't be given a quota. I never had quota's in over 35 years in L.E., believe it or not. 4. When I hired in, selling c/c was never a requirement. Gear guards were. When I spoke to my supervision, I was told it was non-negotiable. I guess I agreed. Before you say anything, I realize they are 100% within their rights to require employees to do things, including selling cards. I'm just not going to be a part of it. Thanks for the good wishes!

Turned left, isn't it each go right in approaching boats which is taught in boater safety????

Got my first decent fish in awhile and a few of her friends this evening. They were all over the small June bug yum dingers.

I know this is a bass forum but, struck out on bass today. Caught this guy on the Saginaw river today. I think it is a flat head. If it is a flat head it is my first one. I was throwing my chatter bait with boot fluke white trailer to some wood and bushes. Before it floated to the bottom he grabbed. I’ve fought a lot of salmon while trolling and this guy will give 18 lbs king a run for its money. I have never felt anything like this while casting. I was using 10lbs big game line. After I netted him the chatter bait fell out of his mouth. He bent the kvd snap all up. He gave my Black maxx rod and reel everything he had and the rod and reel came through with flying colors.