Ratherbfishing

This year has been an odd year. It seems that, at least on most of the smaller bodies of water, vegetation has been sparse or non-existent. Albeit, we have had various heavy rains and fluctuating temps throughout much of the year but nothing really all that out of the ordinary. The fish, when I can find them, seem healthy enough but I wonder how much longer this can go on. On one body of water (Emiquon-just off the Illinois River) where Asian and Chinese carp are present it has largely become, a mud hole. Where there use to be matted vegetation along the shore and stands of flooded cattails, now there is almost nothing. I think this can be attribute mostly to the carp but in other locales... I dunno. Has anyone else noticed a similar trend where they are from? It worries me.

The local Dicks/Field & Stream has a "plethora" of Keitech baits in quite a few colors and sizes. It's one of the few products which seems to come in regularly. And, unfortunately, there is an entire shelf of Googan..."product." Would much rather see the latter product replaced with other stock.

It's funny you should ask. I acquired one just the other day from a garage sale. May never use it but it's a cool blast from the past.

When my calendar says I have to go to work.

The only time I object to catching a fish (of any size) is if I have to stand elbow to elbow with other fishermen for that privilege. THAT does not appeal to me.

Where I work they don't remain in stock very long.

I work part-time at a sporting goods store. When someone who is new to the sport asks me to pick out some lures for him/her to get started, invariably one of the baits I suggest is a floating Rapala-usually in silver or gold. It's about as close to a "no-brainer" bait as one can ask for. I will allow that I haven't caught many really LARGE bass with this bait but the reason for this is generally because I usually pull out the Rapala when the fishing is tough and want to catch SOMETHING (anything). Under such conditions, smaller bass are usually more cooperative. So, it really isn't the baits fault. As some have already said, heavy line will kill the action and make it harder to get distant casts. I generally use 6 lb line with a Rapala (loop) knot.

These days it's assumed (and thus, unfortunately, almost manditory) that everyone have a "smart" phone. I've dealt with some of the issues you are having to put up with-though not specifically with paypal. And it's very aggravating. In particular, I feel sorry for elderly folks who did not grow up with technology and yet are still forced to use it. Oh, and trying to speak to a living and breathing person these days is next to impossible. "Customer service" is too often a joke.

Are you sure they were bass that you were seeing? Carp do a lot of jumping/splashing and seemingly live to fool new fishermen. Without having MORE information, anyone who claims to know what you are doing wrong is blowing smoke up your... crevace. It would be helpful to have some details. Everyone gets skunked once in a while so don't let that get you down (much). I will allow that one of the reasons bass are popular is because they can be caught with many methods, and in many locations but they can be maddingly stubborn, too. So, again, don't beat yourself up.

I think it would be difficult to gauge how long to spin the line in the opposite direction. Using a good ball bearing swivel is a lot cheaper and easier. But barring that, I usually just remove the lure and trail about 20 yards of line behind the boat and allow the line to unravel naturally.

Do you have a second (or third) mortgage on your home in order to feed your fishing habit? If no, than you need to continue to listen to the baitmonkey.

I was sorting through some baits that I don't use often and noticed that the paint on one had softened with reaction to one of it's rowdy neighbors. It's still salvageable but but only if it doesn't get any worse. Does anyone have a hack that can harden/fix the affected paint?

The reel manufactures would LOVE for you to believe you have to have 5 (or 7 or 10) reels in order to feel "complete" however this really isn't true. A 7.3:1 reel is a pretty "middle of the road" reel ratio these days and if you are cognizant of how fast you are turning the reel handle (and adjust accordingly), it will get you by on most applications-all of them, actually, if you don't expect too much and confine yourself to freshwater bass. As you improve and learn to "specialize," you'll probably want more than just one gear ratio but, again, you don't HAVE to. I have 3 baitcasters in a broader range of gear applications but PART of the reason is so I don't have to retie as often and not because I feel like I MUST switch gear ratio's. It only made sense to get them in different gear ratios so I could expand for their respective strengths/advantages. Don't overthink (and overspend). The 7:3:1 reel is a fine starting off reel.

People don't like pistol grips? There are so few on the market right now-how would they ever know? If you watch video's from Larry Nixon (no slouch) from back in the day, he used pistol grips and he didn't complain. You may, indeed, find you don't like them but don't treat the modern talk as if it's gospel. Remember, some of these same people also listen to the drivel that's somehow passing for music.

It won't hurt to find out. The worst that can happen is you find you don't like it. It might be a good rod for casting under docks and trees.

So, no using one of the half-dozen ethernet cables I have floating around the house I guess. Sigh... Should have known it would be "proprietary."

I have two Humminbird Helix 7's. Both were made less than 5 years ago. For GPS/mapping purposes, It says I need an ethernet cable "strung" between them. Will ANY ethernet cable work and is it really as simple as that?

Far and away, I prefer spinning gear for most river applications (and a lot of pond and lake apps) primarily because the techniques and the baits I typically use are on the light side and don't need the merits of a baitcaster. I have and use both types but for MUCH river use, the spinning rod is a better choice. IMO.

My perspective may be unpopular with some but I guess I really don't understand the concept of an expected tip. With waiters/waitresses, I feel obligated to pay a tip because without providing tips, the poor waiters/waitress's simply wouldn't/couldn't make a reasonable living. But when a price for services is "contractually" agreed upon with a guide, isn't that what ought to be expected to be paid? If a tip is the expected amount (in addition to the basic fee), shouldn't that then be factored into/included as the advertised cost for services rendered in the first place? If a guide gets butt-hurt because a client doesn't provide an "adequate" tip, than either the guide needs to increase their rates from the git go OR they need to amp up their quality of services.

If you can find an old "roached" trolling motor that is has a functioning mount/bracket, remove the handle, slide the mount/bracket off the shaft and replace the shaft with a wooden paddle. You'll probably need to shave off some of the paddle handle to get it to fit but it makes an excellent/adjustable keel. (It's not REALLY a rudder because you won't be steering with it but it will keep your boat tracking straight).

I dunno. I've heard of instances where people would buy a firearm solely because they could still find ammunition for it. This may be hyperbole but I think it's still going to be a while before you'll be able to reliably find ammuniton and without having to put a second mortgage on your home to pay for it.

But did you ENJOY it? Unless you fish for a living (guiding or tourney's), what does it matter? There are (or can be) other days for "sweating the small stuff." Seems to me that sometimes our culture puts too much emphasis on performance-at the expense of just living in the here and now.

If I were to guess (which I am), I'd say the BIG bass are in their "I'm gonna eat less often but eat bigger meals" summer mode. Try a BIG plastic worm or creature bait during low light or nighttime hours.

When I was in the Air Force I was friends with a fella who routinely (i.e., EVERY time) caught more and larger fish than me. Which isn't saying much but I was astounded when, for instance, there'd be two of us (one on each side) with almost identical gear, bait, etc. and he in the middle would catch two really BIG catfish while we'd get skunked. It happened regularly and it was uncanny.

I'm not sure this addresses the question/concern but assuming the waypoint isn't in shallow water where you'll scare the fish, first thing you should do is stealthily toss a marker buoy (sp?) as close as you can to the waypoint as you can. It's a heck of a lot easier to cast to (or beyond) an orange or yellow marker than it is to try constantly watch a little screen and cast to it-especially in windy conditions. And get some kind of a long "grabber" for retrieving the buoy's when you are through. I've nearly fallen in several times when trying to reach down over the side of the boat. Oh, and don't forget and motor off without the buoy. I've lost one or two thataway.