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Got out Tues. And today for about 5 hrs each day. Tues. Just pitched all day with a double wide beaver got 10 best at 3-8. Today tried to force a toad and buzz bait bite only managed a couple so back to pitching.only 2 bites but 1 came in at 5-2.

Went out to practice two things I need more confidence in... skipping and the Ned rig. Caught this decent one skipping a Ned under low branches.

Chunky Senko fish Tuesday morning. Thought this would go over 4lb for sure when it first came up......not quite, it turned out...3.75:

And the answer is... 1969 The ads are from Bassmaster magazine, one of their earliest issues which, at the time, was published quarterly. One of the stories, among others, featured structure fishing and Buck Perry, as written by then Hickory NC resident and record Invitational winner, Blake Honeycutt. The Fliptail ad is interesting because of our Texas Rig discussion. It is featured in the ad as per a rigging option, but never referred to as a "Texas Rig."

I can see from your post you don't fish for smallmouth. I'm not sure how the fish would know how stiff your fishing rod is or how your drag is set. A jumping bass is trying to shake the hook that is in his mouth. If he wants to jump to get rid of it, you can't stop him unless he is very close to the boat and there isn't much line out. I had someone else here say you could keep a bass from jumping but with a smallmouth caught in a shallow stream or river at a long distance, they often don't have any other place to go but up. If you can keep the line tight even in the jump, they may not be able to shake the lure loose. If they throw your bait, smile, and go back and catch another one.

Okeechobee and Fork self explanatory

Last night was one of those memorable nights. I hit a pond with my kayak that I normally don't get a chance to fish in the evening. Probably over 20 topwater blowups on frogs, buzz toads, and buzz baits. The fish in open water shot out of the water like rockets to hit the buzz toad, especially. Missed quite a few in really thick slop. I ended up boating around 10, including several in the chunky 3 lb range. No monsters, but constant topwater action. I don't ask for any more than that!

Acrobatic Smallmouth Recreational Fishing ..... 8 out of 10 stay hooked Tournament Fishing ..... 5 out of 10 stay hooked The Lord will Test your Faith

1973 more like careening wildly the wrong way down a one-way street with no brakes.

New PB. I don't own a scale but I'm buying one tomorrow... That picture angle didn't do him justice at all.

Nailed it .It just looked like ads I saw as a youngster .

Long wait but well worth it!

That is a good way to picture it. I translate that to this, which is what I try to do, and that is to maintain the tension on the line between the fish and me such that they won’t have a chance to jump. If they do manage to jump, then I release the tension so that hopefully they don’t throw the lure. I am also ready at the call to reestablish tension when they’re back in the water. I am not fortunate enough to experience fish jumps often, but when I do, I have Dos Equis in hand. Stay thirsty, mis amigos, lol.

The only special lure I have that has never seen water is a Joe Camel Rebel like this one.

My partner and I guide for snakehead in MD and bowfin in VA. I can't begin to explain the ignorance of fisherman (based on flawed information) that we hear on a regular basis. This particular page is case in point to the deceptive language used to encourage killing. To those who do their due diligence to the truth, kudos. To those who follow ignorance, shame on you, in regards to both to snakehead and bowfin. ILLEGAL TO POSSESS! No government can legislate mandatory killing.

Been using 20lb Ultra 8 with an Abu Premier chucking spinnerbaits this summer. It needs a long afternoon of casting/retrieving >1/2oz spinnerbaits to break in, but then I found it to be a good line for the intended purpose I chose it for. I've been catching lots of <30" pike with zero bite offs... I guess this could just be due to my superb angling skills, but probably not. oe

Here's an article that details why a FLW tour pro decided not to use a fish finder for an entire season. He ended up finishing 2nd in points for the Angler of the Year title. He does indicate he used GPS for navigational purposes. https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2015-06-06-shallow-running

I'm going to fishing around Shreveport, LA and curious which location is the best for catching bass. So far I'm considering Caddo Lake, Lake Bistineau and the Red River.

First of all, want to thank everyone who gave input on my thread asking about molds. I went with just a trokar arky for now as I figured that's the most versatile in the lakes I fish.

I see Lowrance has been lying to us since way back then ?

Surprised no one has mentioned Baccarac. Once you go, you'll never be the same.

Megabass has a few patterns for the Pop Max and Pop X that have a dark or black bottom, and they are both excellent, highly productive baits. And like @NYWayfarer mentioned, the classic Arbogast Hula Popper comes in all black.

Taking a gap year in Finland at the moment working at a National Park Research Station. Up near the Arctic Circle and 4 miles from the Russian Border! See probably on average 10-15 reindeer a day, but have seen as many as 30. The only downside is that they leave behind turd minefields haha. Just have to watch where you step. This sign is posted at my work.

How did I miss this agian! Pedigo pork rind was the go rind back then until Uncle Josh bought the company and killed it. I still use Pedigo design L3 & L4 lizard custom made for me by Robin at Super Pork, now out of business. Now you can see how similar the Flip Tail worm was to Flitter Tail posted in the Texas rig thread. Tom Mann must have introduced the Little George with that add, same year it came out I believe. Cool stuff, I have those early Bassmater magazines, charter life member. Tom

My earliest experience with "electronics" was during early 60s with paper graphs. Compared to today's down/side imaging, GPS mapping it's almost like cheating! When my prop hits water, I start the outboard, & turn the electronics on. When my bow hits the trailer I turned the electronics off & kill the outboard. Everytime I catch & before I leave the area I idle over & graph that area.

100% correct.... I live in Buffalo... Blessed to have to have Erie and the River.

You ever wanna come to Lake Erie I live 5 minutes from the harbor. Lake Erie pre spawn smallmouth is the best you will ever see! Catch 50 bass easily all between 3-5 pounds no problem.

I retire next year and plan on taking some time and fishing all over these great US lakes. I have been blessed to fish a lot of bucket list lakes and still have a lot more to explore. Hopefully one of them will appeal to me enough to sell my house here in Virginia and relocate to a lake home. I can't wait!!

d**n near any lake just IN A BOAT #BankLife

Another vote for the Curado DC. The other reels are fine, some different bearings here and there, slightly different spools, blah blah blah, but the DC is a different beast entirely. It's like buying a new car and you're considering whether you want a base model Toyota Camry, the Camry with the performance package, the Camry with the premium package, or a Jaguar. They're all going to get you to where you want to be, but you're going to have a lot more fun with the Jag.

Kudos very well done ?

nope, completely wrong.

Lake Fork and somewhere north with fantastic smallmouth fishing . Maybe Lake Erie .

Lol, I turn it off as soon as I'm ready fish. These reservoir guys don't have a clue of fishing the swamp.

Around the country there are lots of guys having tough days during these hot wet summer months After several days with big storms sometimes the water conditions can put them into lock jaw for a while. The water PH can get screwed up and it will take a few days to balance out, and the predators to go on the hunt. They will get hungry and eat again. Stay after them, you can't catch them unless your line is wet!

- - - - - Just completed my Whopper Plopper Box in a Plano 3771 "Thin" CDS Box. Sizes 75, 110, 130 - It took some work to get it just right, but all those baits and sizes in this thin box is awesome. WolfyBrandon

Yup. Were we talking glass, it might be a different discussion, but on the aluminum boat side, it's no contest. ...while you're looking, and if you can find a dealer (often the same as Lund Dealers) look at the Crestliner Bass Hawk. Should price out lower than the Lund, built in the same factory by the same people, hull is welded aluminum instead of riveted. I currently have a Crestliner, have owned a Lund Pro-V in the past, would have no problem buying either if something happened to my current boat.

Off topic, my 1st bass fishing trip to Mexico was lake Guerrero in '67 with a group of anglers who trailered bass boats* from California. The organizer told everyone to bring 8" red Flip Tail worms. Val White who owned a tackle store ordered 12 each 100 bags for the trip and it was the first time for most of us to use to them. They worms were package in bags with glycerin and anise oil, about a cup of oil per bag! We went through all the Flip Tails in 4 days! Tom * 14' to 15' aluminum boats with 2 swivel seats, no TM.

prevent, no. Minimize, yes.

No.

Stembridge was out of Georgia, and is credited for creating the first "soft" plastic versions of worms back in the early 60s (~1962). Reports show them being sold in Illinois around 1967, which would be similar time frame to Andrews. Not certain about the mold similarities, but sometime after Fliptail was sold, the original molds ended up sitting in Arkansas unused. More recently, a gentleman by the name of Orby Partee somehow got hold (bought?) those originals and brought Fliptail back. He passed away in June, but the family is still running the business. Also saw where Rich Zaleski wrote that the original idea for Texas rigging came about a decade earlier in the 1950s from Lake Ouchita (AR) jig anglers before it ever caught on with worms. He also suggests Brewer's Slider rig originated as an offshoot of the same concept. Putting the people, locations and time frames together, this version of history would seem very plausible.

The pike fishing here has been fairly easy for the most part. It's just hiking to the fishing spots that can be the challenging part. Explored a small lake from the shoreline and found some success casting across some of the back bays. Nailed a 25 inch right away on the X-Rap in olive green. Worked my way to the next bay and got crushed by this fat 29 incher. Few days later I went back to my frog spot at around 7 PM and realized how special of a spot it really is. I think I've figured it out. So basically the river flows through the area but it reaches a spot where it widens quite a bit. Off to the side on one of the wide areas is a flat full of lilly pads that is on a ledge right next to a deep portion of the river. I've fished it in broad daylight and just never have had success on it. But fish it from 7-9 PM and hold on! When the evening comes and the day cools off, the pike must come from the deeper water and sit in the lilly pads. Anywho I got to the spot and in an additional two days straight of fishing it on top of when I went the first time, I got something crazy like 25 pike blowups on the frog! Insane! My landing percentage was crappy as I only got three to shore but was heck of a lot of fun. The first night I got these two big girls and the second night was just a 22 inch dink. The first one went 30.5 inches and the 2nd one went 29 inches. I kid you not I was packing up and starting to leave the area when I decided to pitch out one more final cast and that's when the 29 inch smoked the pad crasher. Love the fishing here, just wish there'd be more trout/salmon. Oh also a crap ton of reindeer running around.

I may be responsible for the plastic grocery bag suggestion as I have suggested it several times for anglers who weigh bass using a luggage scale or similar blunt hook style scale. The reason is a plastic grocery is very light weight and easy to store and isn't any more harmful then the bags used to carry and weigh tournament caught bass. the plastic isn't abrasive or harmful to the basses skin. Bouncing bass on boat carpets would be #1 most damaging to the slim coat. Grocery bag has mulitple uses. Tom

I fish 5-7 days a week. Usually 5 though. I allow myself to do this by working third shift as a home healthcare caregiver. I work 4 nights a week, 10 hours a night. Off 4 days, 3 nights. Luckily, my job allows me to take a few hour nap at work. On Sunday - Thursday I get off work at 7:30am and have the boat loaded and on the road by 8am. Usually on the lake by 8:30am then fish til about 1-2pm then head home for a nap before work. Come Thursday I become a creature of the night and go nocturnal. I'll get on the lake around 10pm and head home whenever the bite turns off, which is usually around 3-4am. Rinse and repeat til Sunday, then I go back to daytime fishing. It's not a glamorous job, it pays the bills, but most importantly it allows me to fish 24/7. Yeah, I am usually dog tired but my work doesn't need me to be 100% and on top of my game so I don't mind being tired if it means I get to fish. Come winter is when I recover.

I collect vintage Rebel baits. NC State sports, the Bible, and family.

how important are your FF to you? Very - turn them on when I launch and never turn them off until loading out - every time out Did you find that your skill as a fisherman increased significantly when you were able to visualize what was under/around your boat? Definitely Am I limiting my own growth as a fisherman by not having a FF? Not necessarily...

I had no idea so many of you guys fish at night. Growing up in south Louisiana we once did and then we stopped fishing at night. Seems some of the most vicious predators hunt in the dark and for some reason I really don't want to meet them. I remember seeing those illuminated eyes of gators, snakes and other critters in the water and along the bank before I stopped fishing at night and I now have a problem venturing out after dark. I equate fishing at night with my company's location in Viet Nam. The Cong let us go to and from our communications site on top of the mountain by day and we let them have the mountain by night. We got along fine, other than for us having some bombing missions now and then. You all have a fun time and I will enjoy reading your posts of your night fishing adventures.

Hit the water from 10 am thru 2:30 pm today. Managed to boat 7 bass with a few pickerel thrown in. Big bass coming on a 4” pit boss from lily pads in about 5/6 fow. 6lb 12oz fatty.

Completely false!