Nice_Bass

Crayfish were at least a real possibility! I will say I am lucky- a few people had over 6 feet go into their basement... that's a terrifying thought.

Thanks all. In my poorly designed home, the sump is actually on about the highest point of the home and while it runs great it does not help the low point of the yard/dugout walk out portion of the house. I am going to get some grading done to help run water away from the house and that is going to be a ton of money but hopefully worth it in the end. Luckily I was able to see it going on and stayed up that night until I went to work pumping out water with an extra pump I have, ripping out carpets, baseboards, and cutting drywall about a foot up so moister would not wick up any longer (or as fast). Had it dried out in about 24 hours with 4 fans and 2 dehumidifiers and am spraying mold prevention tonight. Going to pay someone to do the carpets and then I am just going to redo the basement again. I guess I was going to remodel a bathroom down there, or my wife wanted me to, but now this kind of forced my hand to do it sooner. There goes camping and fishing this weekend....Im sure they weren't biting anyway...(they are)

My finished basement flooded again. Part due to way too much rain, part due to my neighbors not taking care of their gutters and downspouts and that put most likely several more thousands gallons of water into my yard with around 5 inches of rain we got (using a simple equation based on sq footage of his roof) and then into my walkout basement. Anyhow my garage got wet as well and for a couple minutes thought about unhooking the boat from the trailer in case I needed to float away. Where I really missed the boat though is doing a video of flipping or a few swimbaits in the water, inside my house, and how they relate to structure like stairways and cover like tv stands and couches. Really would have given a new perspective on armchair fishing. Got all the water out, carpets out, de-humidifiers running, fans running and pretty soon all my funbucks are going to redoing the basement now and not fishing. Probably a good thing.

While possibly not in the "panfish" genera. The white bass is a tough fish. May not put it above a bluegill on fighting although I would put it at equal. Where it does shine above all the rest is in the strike.

Good luck. I have been there. About 8 years ago I was laid off 3 days before my first born. It was a stressful time to say the least but 2 weeks later was working again and still there to this day.

Set her free. Will usually keep a few smaller ones but this one was too big for me to keep. I know not a huge walleye, but the biggest I have seen around here personally. My buddy thought I was crazy, but I did not want to clean fish either so it was kind of 2 fold.

Took me 6 months to get my new ones as well. I actually got pulled over for a check and while I had all the docs showing I was waiting on it they did not even ask for it or really look at anything at all. I think they were looking for BWI's at the time because they just wanted to see coolers, etc it seemed. Did not ask about any safety equipment other than life vests to boot.

motorcycles seem to go that same route .

Least favorite= Junk fishing If I have 2-3 rods on my deck it was a great day fishing, when I have 6 or more it is not a good day at all. Favorite changes with time of year, but for year round I guess a big plastic worm texas rigged.

fished Friday and sunday but only for wipers and stripers. Lots of fish but no great ones. Couple really big cats and a really nice walleye at 25.5''

Such soft hands around here.... The "sting is really not bad at all in my opinion and have never even thought of it as a "sting". Just grab them firm with the palm of your hand on top of the dorsal fin, and your thumb and fingers wrapped around the sides just behind the side barbs (tail end). this way you will never get poked. Also, to eliminate this altogether, just catch big cats as they lose this ability to poke you.

so you and I need to go fishing in the very near future!

(If) I catch an 18# bass and I will put out museum quality prints!!!

It is a great fish...but good lord terrible picture lol. Dead or not I would have found a bit better of a background, without the sign, and without an extra guy in there. I sure he got some of those, but nothing ruins a big fish pick like poor background or not even holding the fish, imo.

It really would not have bothered me. Only thing that actually bothers me on the water now are jackasses that have paid for tourney jerseys with two powerpoles and all the rest of the tourney gear that try to fish where I am fishing because they have $25 per person on the line in their tx.

I only use 4 lures for the most part and in this order. 1)Hopkins jigging spoon in all water depths worked fast and casted or vertically if located in a concentrated area- always replace the hooks. 2)lake fork flutter spoon when fish are in shallow or have driven bait to the surface. always replace the hooks. 3) preacher style jig 4) conquistador swimbait jig head 3/4oz with a berkely flat back shad rigged horizontal- mostly thrown in the fall. I only throw lipless traps from around Jan-March/April and then mostly have two rods rigged with the spoons and one with either jig depend on situation and shad size. I am from a boat so I find fish but only fish for those fish if there is shad as that is the only way to maximize. If you are fishing from shore find long slow tapering points that have current or wind.

northland tackle ringworm roboworm zipper worm lunker city ribster worm phenix Saturn worm Should get you close I hope. Not grubs but more "worm" I guess if we would have to classify but should get you close. I have never fished any of these but wanted to throw it out here

I actually grew up with something called "Board of Education". (I am about to turn 32) It was hand carved by my wood working uncle with the above inscrolled into it, stained, really a good looking board. Anyhow, brother and I would be forced to get it and bring it to our Dad before it got used so it was a real build up before the pain. One day I dodged it and it broke on a steel outdoor chair when he missed- brother and I celebrated its destruction. Anyhow, I guess it was a blessing- Dad was a boxer so it could have been worse. All this being said, I still don't see a lot of what others see around here and am a firm believer there is and always will be and always have had strong and weak people out there.

I have no idea...but let me know what you figure out because now I am curious. I would think it would have to be a ground issue but like I said...no idea.

If you are fishing a strip pit and it does not have any weeds, etc. the first couple of feet off the bank than about all you can do is cover water parallel to the bank as that is the main structure of the lake aside from the extremely deep steps and other structure at the very bottom- most likely not many food sources at that level even with clear water as it is not a very fertile place. Do look for mini "points" "cuts" or possibly where the entrance to the pit was as there will be steps/ramps in that area that would be different. If you can look up what the pits look like prior to filling in with water so you have a good idea and match that to your electronics if using them. I have not fished pits in years but they can be fun once figured out. I would not focus on the baits but rather where the fish are.

Good depth finder all the way and the ability to really learn how to use it. To me, powerpoles would only be used on my boat when I wanted to stop and drink/eat or just take a break, but even if I did need or want them 2 good depth finders would still be at the top of my list.

No kidding about the headlights. I was forced to wait until people pulled out both days with a line of boats behind me. It is a two spot ramp so I just hoped the people behind me knew why I had to wait. I assume several did, but at least one probably was wondering what the heck I was doing not putting in lol.

You know at some point I really am going to have to stop complaining and just put money where my mouth is but really don't have the urge to fish tourney's year round. but this many boats on one lake of only 5000acres is just too many and it was a really odd sight to see so many boats all fishing the same areas, all at once. Looked boring and quite frankly, uncomfortable. 6/27/15 Illinois Bass Nation- Bass High School Nation 25 boats 6/27-6/28/15 Illinois Bass Nation 50 boats 6/27/15 Jackpot Team Trail 40 boats

3 biggest mistakes I see at the ramp. 1) not being prepared (straps, motor support, kids, etc.) 2) putting the trailer too far in when taking the boat out. 3) not pulling up far enough prior to backing in if you are newer or still learning. If you can, just pull up far enough to start straight, and then keep it straight. Also, seriously, lights off if it is dark out (I got killed by it twice this weekend.)

I would also add that after you get rid of it you need to put something down so you don't just have to do it again. A little landscaping goes a long way to prevent it from coming back.