Tokyo Tony

That's probably because you fish the Wal-Mart baits 99% of the time. In my experience (and when I started using spinnerbaits I bought a bunch of Wal-Mart ones), the 99 cent baits do not track straight, do not spin properly, and they have a strong latex scent that may or may not have an effect on the fish. Granted, they're only a dollar, but IMO, they do not work nearly as well as name-brand spinnerbaits. And unless you're fishing heavy stuff from shore, you won't lose many spinnerbaits anyway, so it's worth the investment

If you're looking for a manageable line, I think P-Line flouroclear is about as manageable as it gets. It's not 100% flourocarbon, but it's really soft. I love how knots cinch down so smoothly with that line. You don't need to treat it with any conditioner, but I'm sure if you do, it'll be like butter 8-) The downside is that it's a little stretchier than Trilene 100% and Yo-Zuri Ultrasoft.

Thanks SPEEDBEAD, and tumnus, I've come to love Goldens. They're not the sharpest animals , but they are so friendly and have very distinct and likeable personalities.

I voted for Jimmy. As impressive a fisherman as Al Lindner is, no one makes me laugh like Jimmy. And no one can laugh as well as Jimmy. Sometimes I laugh for a long time at the way he laughs - no restraint ;D

Left: Buddy XI Right: Rigs They were both frat dogs, and since I took care of them when I lived there, I took them with me when I left. They're best friends, and nothing erases a bad day at work better than these two dudes wagging their tails when I get home.

Well guys, I can't believe it, but yesterday was my one-year anniversary on this site. I just want to say thanks to everyone, especially Glenn and the moderators, for providing a place where I've learned so much about how best to capture those little green (and brown) creatures. Not only have I learned volumes in one year, but I've found a lot of interesting links, stories, videos, jokes, etc., and I can't think of any better place to spend my internet time. You guys are great, and I look forward to meeting you in the coming years. Thanks! ;D P.S. One downside to finding this site is that my bank account is significantly smaller than it would have been if I hadn't found it...but I have some nice toys to show for it

If the fish aren't relating to the bottom or looking down, you'll have a tough time getting them on a jig. I think your best bet to get some confidence is fishing laydowns and brush up near the shoreline in shallow water.

Wow that is a serious football! That's not at Shenipsit, is it?

Mike - we need to do that at least once this fall. I'm actually buying a portable sonar tonight which will be perfect for the jonboats there Swimbait - MegaStrike is a little bland for my taste. I was dipping the Pringles in JJ's Magic for a nice little kick ;D

Gary - I actually caught this fish dropshotting a cigarette butt scented with Pringles salt. It's a little-known secret rig I came up with back in '87 8-) SenkoShawn - it's nice to hear you say that. To be honest, I thought 3 lbs was a bit of a generous estimate, but I'm just gonna go ahead and agree with you

Same here 8-)

I've come to rely on dropshotting a lot this year. I think braid is a big advantage, although some disagree. Since the bites are oftentimes very subtle, the increased sensitivity is a big help, especially if you're fishing weedy bottoms. Sometimes the feel of a fish and the feel of a grassy bottom are almost, if not exactly, identical when dropshotting. I use 10 lb Power Pro, 8 to 10 lb flourocarbon leader, Gammy dropshot hooks, and any weights I can find. I prefer the cylindrical dropshot ones but I'm currently out (had to use splitshots at the end of the day last weekend). 7'2" Crucial dropshot w/ a Pflueger Supreme is my setup. You can cast it far, fish it vertically, and even bed fish with this technique. I'm pretty new to it, but I have to say that hooking a fish on a dropshot rig is one of the more pleasurable ways to hook a fish, IMO, especially when the fish stays deep and you know it's a good one

There aren't many better things in this life than hooking into a big smallmouth at night, listening to her crash around in the distance, just hoping she'll stay hooked ;D My favorite night bait for smallmouth (and largemouth) is a black/blue chatterbait. 1/4 oz for really shallow water, 3/8 for shallow water, and 1/2 if I want to fish it a little deeper. A steady retrieve works, but I prefer a kind of pulsating retrieve. The vibration this bait produces is borderline ridiculous 8-)

Nice fish! I'm running out of time to beat my PB this year...

Whatever you do, don't get the lower-end Okumas. They'll do fine for a couple months then break down. I have a couple old ones to prove it 8-)

Terminator T-1 spinnerbaits are the best. It's not a matter of opinion

That is horrible :'( I've thought about that sometimes when I'm fishing rocky areas - it's definitely possible for freak accidents like that to happen. When I'm fishing alone I'm always extremely careful around rocks and boulders. Sometimes there are big boulders that look sturdy, that aren't. Sometimes there's nothing you can do though.

I love it. Gettin' her started early

I think your daughter caught one of my fish's girlfriends. Two full days later, and all the girls were still talkin' about me ;D

Poor shad! That's hilarious...great pictures

As Jimmy would say, you gotta kiss 'em so they go back and tell all their girlfriends ;D

I'm not fishing in the same tourny as this guy I don' get this? Would this be some sort of cheating reference? If it is! I would love for one of you to tag along and get a look at what catching 30 to 50 4lb+ bass a day looks like. Have you ever culled 5 pound smallies? I highly doubt it! I am the last person on this planet that would cheat on anything. The reason I asked the question was we have released bass more than 5 miles away from the harbor and assumed they would find their way back but, I wasn't sure if thier homing instinct was great enough. It would be like blinfolding you and dropping you off in the middle of some random forest counties away. Do not think it was meant as anything that drastic, I think what the person was saying, is that if you did do what they said, the fish would still be alive, even way out on the open water. That being said, being a tx. angler myself those comments will cause a raucous response from many people. Because we all know of someone who has done something like this to try and cheat for a victory. LMB are very adaptable and will even find their way home. Those fish you are releasing out on open water, will find structure, and food, so no worries about releasing them. I am truly sorry Marsh Master!!! I thought that was directed at me. I am just the type of guy who would rather try hard and fail miserably than cheat and win!! And Falcon I have met Kim Stricker and seen alot of his footage. He is a real nice guy and has some really incredible film ! You think that's impressive? I've had 40-60 fish days, culling 6 lb smallmouth. I've released largemouth more than 6 miles away from harbor, and you may know Kim Stricker, but I know Jimmy Houston and basically everyone else who's famous.

Here's a nice dark smallie I caught this past Saturday. fishizzle let my friend and me use his jonboat at his lake, and we had a great day. 30+ fish between the two of us, biggest largemouth around 3 lbs, and this smallmouth probably 2.5-3. Most fish were caught dropshotting Roboworms (green/brown 4") along weedlines in 10'. My buddy was back in CT for a week after being stationed in CA in the Coast Guard. We went out the Saturday before and it was horrible - two dinks in 5 hours, and tons of boat traffic and noise. A week later we redeemed ourselves

Cool, thanks for the info. Just ordered one online, should be here in a few days. That should take care of things 8-)

Hey guys, a couple questions specific to using a trolling motor on a canoe. I have a 15' canoe with a flat back, with a 30 lb thrust trolling motor. I usually have to get a new battery each year, and I only get a new one when the last one is totally dead. I'm wondering how to get more life out of my batteries - I think I'm charging them wrong. I just bought a deep cycle trolling battery, 115 amp hours, 720 marine crank amps, 600 cold crank amps. First of all, what the heck does that mean? I'm pretty sure that's a good battery for my situation (the guy at Wal-Mart was 100% clueless). Are these batteries charged when you buy them, or should I charge it a bit before tomorrow? My charger is made for cars (I think). It has three settings: 2 amp, 4 amp, and 200 amp. Should I charge with 2 or 4 amps, and for how long? I read that I should charge the battery immediately after use to extend the life...I assume that's correct. I think that's all. I appreciate any advice you all have