Ratherbfishing

$2.59 was probably pretty pricey for its day.

It's especially effective on festive days like Mardi Gras, and New Years Day. But in all seriousness, I think in clear water where the glitter catches the sunlight, in can help. At other times, it doesn't matter that much. Like color, sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't.

I'm sorry that you're not sorry. (sorry)

This was me this past Monday sitting on the ice like some dang fool.

Perhaps it is speaking the obvious but it is not simply the weight of the lure that matters. It is also the "surface" area of the lure. It's much easier to cast a 1/2 ounce bullet weight than a comparable (in weight) buzzbait. On a windy day a buzzbait can be quite a bugger (no offense to any Brits reading this).

As an overall rod/reel, it may be older but perfectly functional. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for most applications which don't demand a particular method (such as frogs in slop or jigging in heavy cover). BECAUSE it belonged to your dad, I'm sure every fish you catch and every outing you take with it will be special.

I like to fly fish in the spring when the bluegill are bedding. It's a real hoot to watch a big bull bluegill breach the surface in pursuit of a popper or spider. But I don't do it much otherwise. Not that I wouldn't like to, mind you. It's just that time is limited and there are other methods which seem to be more reliable/versatile. I tell myself that after I retire, more of my time will be spent with a fly rod in hand.

Like most things, there is a law of diminishing returns on fishing gear. And I've got other things I'd like to spend my extra money on, too. HOWEVER, if a person wants to spend a bunch of money on something (rod, car, shotgun, wife)-more power to them. My ONLY concern is when this becomes a trend among consumers, I believe it can drive up the price on everything. I've no research to back this up but I suspect it is true.

Been out. Ice is (mostly) safe now (3 or 4 inches on New Years day). It was SO cold the smaller guides on my rods froze up and ice froze on the line so badly that I did about as much fighting with my gear as I did fishing. Feeding line out and reeling it back in was a nightmare. (In retrospect, I should have gone old school with simple spools of line affixed to a rod). I moved around a LOT because I could not find/mark fish so I didn't set up my ice hut. Anyway, at some point, because I never marked fish, I just picked some probable spots and hunkered down with my flasher. Of the three fish that "showed themselves" on my flasher, all 3 bit (wax worms under a small gold spoon) and I caught 1 dinky bass. Hooked the other two but since I had to try to hand line them (see above ice problems), I lost them. Ah, c'est la vie. It should be "warmer" this weekend so I'll be out again. Hopefully the fish will be in a more positive mood, too.

It's hard to describe and perhaps it's just natural for me but when you "jerk" the rod/line/bait, allow your wrist and the rod to "come back" some. Don't hold the rod so stiffly that at the farthest forward point of the "jerk" it is stiff and unflexible. If you allow the rod to come back, the bait will "come to rest" in a much more seductive and natural way.

My main point is that buying a fish finder and getting exactly what you want/expect can be complicated and a person will definitely want to know what it is they're getting into-and ESPECIALLY before they drill holes and install the transducer on their boat.

Agreed. Just sayin' that it isn't always clear (and sometimes it's muddy as all get out). Personally, I think a unit with different features should have a different "designation" or model number-such as "Helix 7a or helix 7b." Whether it's deliberate or not, consumers DO need to do their research.

I am NOT saying that makers of fish finders are deliberately deceptive (though sometimes I do have to wonder) BUT if you are new to the whole fish finder/sonar/GPS thing, be wary (or at least, be very informed). A particular model may (or may NOT) have all the features you want/expect on it. And ESPECIALLY make sure it has what you expect before you mount it and or the transducer to your boat. Be especially wary if you read something like "this unit supports X, Y, or Z. This MIGHT mean that you have to buy an (expensive) accessory or different transducer in order for it to actually DO X, Y, or Z. Case in point, I was dreamily looking at the HELIX 12. This thing is massive but so is the price. I went on Amazon to compare their prices with the price I saw in the store. I found one that was less than half the price of the store model and I thought at first, "holy schneikies! What a deal!" This can't be right. I looked closer. I was correct. This one did not even have down imaging-let alone side imaging. Before you rush out and buy an expensive unit, do your research and behave a little bit like a (dare I say?!) skeptical attorney. It might save you some money or grief down the road.

But only in the morning. In the evening, the EAST side of the lake would get more sun. And it's only for a relatively brief period when the land mass and trees shade the water. I'm not trying to be argumentative. It just makes less sense to me. And I question everything if it doesn't seem to make sense-even if it's an "accepted" truth.

Oh, yes! Shallower, stained water will definitely warm up first.

I've OFTEN heard that in the spring the north end of a lake warms up first because of the angle of the sun. It seems to be globally accepted. I find this to be mostly a lot of hooey. I'm not a scientist and have not tested my theory but I believe it's for a different reason. My theory is that in the spring, on warm days the wind is most likely going to be coming out of the south. Warm water rises (or stays on top) and the south wind pushes this warmer water to the north end of the lake where it stacks up. While the angle of the sun would have some effect (especially near the shore where the is the potential for shading), this would otherwise seem to be rather negligible. What say you?

Thanks! I believe I'll do just that! I might plug this battery in one-more-time and see how long it takes (under controlled conditions) before it gives out. I've always kept a charge on the battery and only use it 3 or 4 times a year (if I'm lucky) . Sometimes I'll use it on my little Bass Raider when I'm looking for crappie in the local gravel pit. But it isn't used often and to have it wear out so soon....

The battery for my Humminbird ICE-35 flasher seems to be giving out. After just a few hours of operation, the unit starts to freak out but when I plug the battery back in and recharge it, it works fine (whew!). This has occurred twice. Anyway, should I specifically order a humminbird battery (at WHATEVER cost they impose) or are there other batteries which will work as good or better? Is the humminbird battery a deep cycle battery? (I realize the question is someone esoteric but thought maybe somebody might know).

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!

According to Bugs bunny, they're all witches inside. (Note: For entertainment purposes only!)

If I were super rich, I'd think about it. But then not do it because with infinite money I could fly and stay (almost) anywhere I wanted. If i had a skin allergy to the sun, then, yes, I'd do it. I do occasionally have occasional dreams where I'm fishing inside a house-like the house has flooded but it still has rooms, etc. I never catch anything, though. Few of my fishing dreams include actual fish. : (

If channel cats would "reliably" take lures in all the same presentations as bass, I'd probably chase them exclusively. They fight HARD! Had to be a fun day!

The Flicker Shad is a pretty good trolling bait-especially for crappie. But I've caught suspended bass, too. Somewhat on par with a shad rap.

Heck yeah, I'd get some! Especially at that price! Haven't specifically used this brand but I have caught fish with underspins. They'd really be good for white bass and big crappie, too.

So....claymore mines are not an option? I have a battery powered motion detector/light that will help. Might get several more. I want those who would steal my stuff to know in advance that it's not an easy mark. I don't really want to have to confront anyone if at all avoidable.