Ratherbfishing

Bass will follow the food so yes. A place might look terrific but if there isn't any food, the bass won't hang around long.

In a word (excluding these), yes. But as Catt said, don't just throw anywhere. There is an awful lot of unproductive water out there. The reason so many people throw to the shore (besides the obvious target it provides) is that it is ONE of the more productive areas. Study your maps and pay attention to your electronics. Looks like you've been doing this. It will definitely help.

THAT'S where the Vaseline came in. ; )

My last nighttime adventure was comprised largely of a rubber chicken and a jar of Vaseline. Glad yours was better.

At LEAST it wasn't WHILE you were helping your mother and that you didn't give it to her. Get well soon!

I'm right with you there bub but if you think "American" weddings are bad, try Indian weddings. Not including prep time, etc. they go on for, like, three days. THREE DAYS!!!! I'd rather you just shoot me.

You know when I fish alone....I prefer to be by myself.

Just being jostled around in a tackle box over time is usually sufficient to create a half circle shape behind the forward treble hook. Most of my veteran lures (whether they've been used a lot or not) have at least the beginnings of this half circle hook rash. To be honest, I have not ever noticed major scratches occurring from the teeth of bass. From a LOT of other sources, yes, but not so much by bass teeth. Am not saying it can't EVER happen (results may vary) but just not much.

Best advice I can give you: Fish vegetation and, especially, the edges of vegetation. There will almost always be some fish there. Also, fish with live bait suspended under the smallest float that will still stay above water. Round (red and white) bobbers should go in the recycling bin.

My guess was that that they "leaked" when overfilled and then charged. (Has happened with mine before). Was the garage pretty hot?

This past Wednesday I was out on a lake where a portion of it has flooded cattails in around 5 feet of water. My friend and I had observed damselflies flitting about and occasionally there would be a splash on the waters film. If we could cast to and reach the ring (or close to it) with our soft plastics, we often caught a bass. I noticed that in one of the bass's mouth there was a damselfly. Not surprising, considering the obvious connection, but we also noticed that when there was a breeze, the damselflies wouldn't fly and the splashes were less common. In fact, if it was breezy, the bass stopped biting almost altogether. I wouldn't have guess that the occasional insect "snack" would affect an entire feeding pattern. I had thought this more likely for trout but apparently on some days the bass react the same way. I find it fascinating.

If you really want to catch her again, I would leave that area completely alone for awhile. I have no research to back this up but the I think the more you cast to her, the more she will continue to "remember" the original unpleasant experience. Leave it completely alone for several weeks or months and then go back with something a little different. Bass don't get big by being stupid or forgetful.

How OFTEN does your friend do better than you? If it's ALL THE TIME, you probably do need to ask yourself what you are doing wrong. If it's just the few times you've been out, I wouldn't sweat it much. A friend and I are roughly equal in our abilities and yet we frequently alternate who does better-so much so that it's almost humorous. If you are really new to the sport, you will find that some things reveal themselves in a "SHAZAM" (light bulb going full on) fashion while other things are a gradual procession-like the turning up a dial. I don't compare myself with others as there is too much ego involvement with that. I compare myself with where I was a few weeks, months, or years ago. LEARN from others but don't compare yourself with others. Also, if the lake(s) or rivers you are going to are tough, try to find some easier bodies of water and more cooperative fish. Nothing breeds success like success.

I've heard this phrase used in a deprecatory manner before but in this case, it's meant with the best intentions, "It sounds like you deserve each other."

Probably the main key to my improvement is my willingness to explore and experiment. I am not content to do the same thing day in and day out. While I like to fish, casting simply for the sake of casting doesn't do much for me. I REALLY like to CATCH fish and if it feels like I am "going through the motions", I'll move to a new location, a new technique or a new bait (or all of the above). The other day while on a lake that doesn't have a lot of obvious features, I reflected on how my approach and methods have changed over the years and how many mistakes I probably would have made before. I still make mistakes-just not as many.

yep, smallie

Agreed. Bullfrogs are very territorial.

apples and oranges. Both are excellent fish catchers-when that is what the fish want.

I assume you didn't have the registration sticker and numbers for the boat yet? That's the only reason I can imagine he would want to see the title. Without any proof of registration, the title would be about the only proof of ownership. WHY did you leave the spot if you were there first? I wouldn't go fist to cuffs or get into a yelling match with the other boater but I wouldn't leave either. If you weren't there first, first come, first serve. Tournament or otherwise. EVERY boat needs a proper baptism by leaving the drain plug out. Your boat has now been properly "sanctified." I'm curious. Did TM battery(ies) go poo poo on you? Or is it time for a new charger? Fuse? etc.?

Easy cowboy. In a round about way, I was agreeing with you.

It isn't any stupider than planking. or twerking. Or 3/4th of the other shinola people do these days to look "cool".

The very instant I decide to keep a few fish to bring home, the fish move to the opposite end of the lake.

carp

My rods and/or reels have never fogged up so I can't help you there. ; )

Does going from a spool of 8 lb mono to a spool of 4 lb mono on a spinning reel count? If yes, than I do.