Shewillbemine

So many helpful responses so far. So here's a follow up question. Forgive the exaggerated notion since I'm trying to drive the lesson home for me (and my confidence). If we're in agreement (and know through your experiences) that bass hit jigs and many lures on the INITIAL FALL.. Then is it safe to assume that if I simply threw 100 jigs (untied to a line) into the water at 100 different times (so not altogether), some would be hit by some bass without additional retrieving or "jigging"? In other words, is it impossible for me to claim that I've never had a bass hit the jig on the initial fall and most likely I'm just not sensing the strikes?

Seeing as I've been getting skunked lately, my response seems appropriate. But it's also true. Every time I go out fishing, I find 1-2 scenes or moments to pause and look around me. I sort of take a mental picture and look around, almost speaking "Thank you" to no one in particular (perhaps God) for allowing me to fish. Today, it was watching hundreds of ducks and birds fly off the water in rapid fashion, some keeping up with me parallel to my speeding boat. I also watched hundreds more circle the water like a tornado (even stranger to be directly beneath them). Sometimes, I'll take a picture of the nice sunset and text one of my lawyer friends that works 60-80 hours a week. LOL It might sound hokey or too spiritual but for me, it's how I can consider a day of not catching to be successful and keeps me motivated for the next time. P.S. I've never had a bass puke anything, but then again I've never kept one in a livewell [yet].

So...the new boat hasn't been nice to me. Four times out in the water and I've got nothing to show for it. I can't help but laugh at how successful I was fishing off rental boats and now can't get the first one to break her in properly. Nevertheless, I'm more eager than ever to get back into the groove. When you get that big goose egg after a day of fishing, do you change up your strategies next time out? Or do you stick with that you've been trying and make minor changes? For example, I've been fishing jigs in 4' - 20' water, mostly giving it a slow lift. Today, I also threw out the Rapala Shad Rap, which is my usual slump buster. Nada. The next time out, I'm thinking of doing a Senko and possible drop shotting and/or swimbait. Or should I work on my techniques with the jig and Shad Rap?

What's a PR? Personal Rest?

Unfortunately, no bodily fluids allowed in the lake.

I got one too! I'm gonna be reading this on the porcelain throne!

Nice! So is the mount a replica or the actual fishy?

I'll pour some beer on the water for the cabin fever folks. I'm goin' lake fishing on Wednesday and ocean fishing on Thursday. It's low to mid 60s around these western parts.

Did more research on top of my own research. Determined that "inverter generators" are the correct choice for powering any sensitive electronics, as these units somehow invert the current into the proper "sine wave" type, which provides a steady power flow. Standard generators do no such thing, hence can possibly damage something like my onboard battery charger. Honda is definitely one of the quietest units out there but they are so darn expensive.

When you got the itch, ain't it a _itch! Have fun tinkering with your new toy! Some helpful Lowrance HDS links I found: http://bassfisher1.zoomshare.com/ http://getalimitoutdoors.com/2012-07-25-19-53-43/tech-tip-videos/31-tips-on-lowrance-hds-2d-sonar-and-structure-scan-settings And of course, YouTube is very helpful.

Has anyone ever used a portable generator to charge the onboard charger for trolling batteries? I have the MinnKota 230D onboard charger: 2 bank, 15 amp and the manual states 5A @ 120VAC (so my calculations state 600watts needed). I'm not looking at the Honda or Yamaha generators because they're so darn expensive. My biggest concern is getting a generator that will NOT create possible damage. The manual says a "sine wave output" is fine but that a "modified square wave output" is not. How do I identify whether a generator is either versions? And what are these things called "inverter generators"? Thanks for any help.

What lures are you using? When you're missing the hook set, sometimes it's a matter of waiting a second or two for the fish to take in the lure more (like with a worm). Other times, it's a matter of setting it right away (such as with a crankbait). Experimentation is key and SHARP hooks is what you want. Since you're sitting in a kayak, are you getting enough leverage while setting? You might have to exaggerate your set with a higher, sweeping motion or if it's that too difficult, set it in a more horizontal fashion so you can take advantage of your sitting position.

I have the HDS-5 Gen 2 on my boat. I like it so far although I'm still messing with the settings. It's console mounted right now and I'd like to purchase one for the bow at some point.

I've often read about bass taking lures on the fall (esp. Senkos and jigs). I've never personally had a bass do this or at least never detected it. 1. What are the most common ways to detect a strike on the initial fall? 2. Do you reel in the line to lock the spool release button once the lure hits the water surface? I often see fishermen do this. Is this the equivalent of "letting it fall on a slack line"? 3. How should my pole be positioned in anticipation of detecting the bite on the fall? Thanks for any help.

I'm a pretty accurate caster and even surprise myself sometimes. When I get some of the bites I do, I almost feel like the fish is saying "Well d**n, that was such a good cast I'm obliged to hit that lure".

Identifying deep water structures, boat positioning in relation to said structures, and fishing technique for these structures. No matter what I see on the sonar, I can't help but think that I'm just tossing a lure into a big bucket of water and NO FISH are around within 10 miles.

I know others might disagree with my pov, but I'm a believer that every lure basically works unless it's physically broken. From Tackle Warehouse and their jigs, I looked for the cheapest jigs they offer. The Strike King Bitsy Flip jigs only cost $1.89 each and I bought two from them. I caught 3 keeper LMB the first time I used them. Highly recommended.

Well, what do you need?

Well, first of all it's going to rain for sure this Thursday. So make sure you have the proper gear--keeping fishing concentration when you are wet and cold will be very difficult. Rain is a very positive thing when it comes to fishing. The wind and rain sloshes the lake water around, which stimulates feeding on all levels of the food pyramid. The last time I went to Irvine Lake a few weeks ago I caught 3 LMB on a jig n craw combo. Good luck!

Be honest. You didn't walk out of BPS with just that tackle box did you?

Awesome. Catfish are greedy lil' sob's!

I would love to catch my first bass on a topwater lure. I know I'm missing out. But I DID catch my first bass (3) on a jig this year!

Racist.

In that case, I'm counting the dead whale that was found on the beach.

Me too. Couldn't determine which of these two was the larger one as they were caught on separate trips. The first is chunkier and the second is longer.