Nice_Bass

Id call it a blessing. I prefer to use maybe 2-4 rods in a day on the water. you can tell my day is a bad day if there are closer to 10 or more rods that have been out.

Another vote for Mattlures however I prefer the soft boot tail with a single top hook. For what I mostly fish, two trebles will not let me get a bait where I really need it to most of the time with the cover and structure types.

SM vs LM "fight" difference I believe comes from tail differences and body shape differences. The intangible of a attitude, etc., may be present as well I suppose. Anyhow, I would have to say a big northern bass is over 6-8, trophy's over 8. If the 50/50 rule were true I would be able to catch 10 pounders down south all the time, and though I have never been down there to fish- I catch plenty of over 5# here in IL and we are not exactly a powerhouse fishery...

I am only about 20 minutes away, and still cannot believe more people were not hurt or killed, and have some friends with total losses. We should figure out a way to bring folks fishing come spring- as I am sure along with everything else they lost, the fishing gear/boats will not be the first items they will get replaced.

best find I had this year was the "pocket knocker" saved me quite a bit this year.

I think it is official...my season is over. Cant see me making it out again this year for bass. looking forward to next year, and hoping it will be a better than this year. May even get on a tourney circuit-I have all winter to think about it afterall!!

I respect all opinions, and fishing is one of my passions so keep that in mind however it is still not a sport in todays terms. Nascar, not a sport either, although with some of the ideals perceived here nascar should also be a sport. (cant stand nascar though...)

farm raised with about the same time on brine here as well. Frying is great- but clean up is not my forte- I am an oven guy myself. I think we are really cutting down on the number of people this year as well...which will still not drastically cut down on the number of empty wine bottles at the end of the day. My favorite thanksgiving tradition- we always do yard work and wine starting at 8-9 in the morning. If it is real cold we start with a vin glogg type, if not cold just a standard red table and go from there. And then football and food.

Roquefort for the salad, bacon for the burger. although, everything is better infinitely with both.

I would disagree although the semantics point to you being 100% correct. However, "games" are not "sports". i.e. billards, darts, golf, fusbol, chess, etc. Fishing, while not a game, is also not a sport imo. It is just plain and good "fishing". and for tourneys, "competitive fishing" The term should stand on its on for its own unique greatness.

I would actually go with the Norman DD22. you want to dig bottom after all, or if they are suspended a bit deeper, and this gives you a better range at 15-18.

Beardown.

I guess I misspoke a tad. It is actually a lake that only allows up to a 9.9hp, so for me...electric only. Evergreen lake. It is only 10 minutes from me, and used to be a great multispecies lake- not so much any longer these last couple of years and this was only my second or third time this year.

"Slonezp and Nice_Bass, At least you guys got on the water. I hear its supposed to be in the mid 50's this weekend. I guess I should have waited in winterizing my boat." it could have been a better day- marked a lot of crappie and most likely just should have fished for them but all I had was musky and bass gear in the boat. water was 54 by the time I left- 2pm. Cant really say I fished any prime time yesterday.

hit a small 900 acre lake yesterday, may be one of the last trips of the year for bass after yesterday. 1 16.5 inch fish in 4 hours fishing. tough lake to fish though, electric only and no real way to put a patter together at that pace.

By far my favorite fish and story I have seen on this site. I always have had a soft place in my heart for musky- and look forward to every fall. Amazing fish, good length, good girth...that is all I can do to contain my jealousy, however it does motivate me to meet that same goal! I need to get back out on the water now!!

it does work yes- it can wear you out a bit over the course of a day. I also threw on a winch, different rod though. I also think there are better ways to fish deep structure than this crankbait though. Swimbaits and big spoons.

rollie and Helen's

We in Illinois are not "blessed" with much good water, however there are still good and plentiful fish even with the last couple of years. Keep at it.

on sale now- get them while the last...

"I got to take a test for some kind of license before I go" I thought the only tests you guys had in Alabama was: "Would you like fries with that?"

yes- yours is a nice white bass! For comparison, one the left is striper, right is a wiper. Easiest way to see yours is just a white bass is the stripe just below the lateral line will be complete and to the tail on both wipers and stripers, not white bass. Nice fish!

too thin down here for my liking- did it once in MN- drank more beer than fished, and had a good time.

I would be in for that. just 2 hours south of Chicago afterall.

very...not only am I not fishing WI but I am also not fishing IL the last 3 weeks either. Used to fish the Chippewa flowage every year with a buddy who's family has had a cabin on it for the last 80 years. He moved to vegas for work and I have not been back in 3-4 years. Scary big musky up there.