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Thanks to the fine members here on Bass Resource I had the chance a few months ago to read up and learn about the donkey rig. I tied one on yesterday and a few casts later I had my rhythm down on how I wanted this double fluke rig to appear under the surface. In my opinion, it was an awesome presentation and I caught several Kentucky"s on it. It could now be one of my favorite go-to's. If there was a rocky bank or rocks that ran into the water and created a ledge or underwater shelf near the bank that's where I threw it. I would cast as far up to the bank, work it over the rock and let it fall over the ledge and most times I would see a flash and give it a twitch and the fish would take it. In one instance I was throwing a white squarebill that the fish chased but didn't committ to taking, so I circled back and tossed the donkey rig and got him. Sorry for being long-winded but I appreciate the willingness of members to share and disseminate information and lure techniques.

The AGFC website publishes a weekly fishing report for Beaver Lake.

Who has been fishing the cleansing waters of Lake Ouachita lately?

I haven't seen that ad yet but I will comment on the "would you ignore her for $125 in tackle?" ad... The answer is no.

That's great. I picked one up and I thought "this is a good rod". I always ask though before I purchase something. I can see one in my near future. Have any of you see anything like a flippin' stick version?

Rat'L'Trap Fluke Carolina Rig

I watched a video last night that supports your statement. Basically you have to find the "highway" that they used to come in because they'll use the same route going out. Supposedly the females that have moved out will stick to structure and/or cover on the way out and be lethargic from the spawn.

I see a lot of this in cowardly fish.

The Escherian stairwell always reminds me of one of my favorite movies, ***. Cool stuff.

I like to try different equipment so I won't miss out on quality, affordable gear. If I use the same brand all the time I might not know what I'm missing. Has anyone tried the blue H2O Express rods? Tell me what you think about them. Last time I checked the microguide models were around $79 at my local Academy.

What gear ratios do they offer in these two models?

So when can we add this to our Favorite Bass? <----------------------------

I'm in Central AR so I won't be much help because all of my time is on Ouachita but there is a guy, Bluebasser86. I believe he fishes Beaver Lake often. You might want to PM him and see if he can help.

A co-worker and experienced angler told me that the spawn is definitely over in our area. His suggestion was to start in the back of coves and work back out to the mouths. I asked him if a jerkbait would be good in the mouths of coves, but he shunned it and suggested a swimbait "but not an Alabama rig because that bite is over". I don't understand that because he's said the same thing about the Rat'L'Trap bite being over and some days that's the only lure that has kept me from getting skunked. I guess I'll attack every stage of the water column until I get bit, as I am still learning this lake.

I guess I'm in the minority, but no lefties for me. As soon as the bait hits the water I have what I perceive to be a quick, natural switch of hands. All it takes is slight click on the reel handle. I tried lefty. I felt like Forrest Gump.

Belated birthday wishes...even if you are an LSU fan! GO HOGS!!!

Get a split grip handle rod and a BPS Pro Qualifier baitcaster.

No, but it gets used quite a bit more. If I'm getting bit on my go-to I won't stop. If I can't seem to get a bite where I think I should, I'll go to the finesse side and make a few casts. If nothing bites on the finesse then I'm right back to the go-to. I'd rather get skunked with a bait I have confidence in if I'm going to get skunked.

Outside of unusual weather conditions and fronts, what is the typical post spawn pattern for fish. By the time I get back on the water I'm fairly certain that most of the spawning will have occurred already. Will these fish be heading back out of the shallows towards main points? Will they gradually school together towards the summer months?

Colorado blade spinnerbait

On Google Maps you can pull up your body of water, zoom in, mark a spot and put notes and save it. Set up a Google email account and then start editing. I do that from time to time.

I'd add a line that says whether or not the bass revealed the location of his family and if not coerced to reveal these locations, was he water-boarded?

ROFL. You can call it the Hippie Nature Man Bluegill Series

You could have bought a 6'6" medium Abu Garcia Venetta rod for $25 from Wal-Mart a month ago. That is 10 times the rod compared to the Tournament Choice. Check out that Berkley Lightning. I bought one and it is solid. My 2 cents.

I love a Fluke but I don't fish waters cooler than 50 degrees. In February the water temp was already in the 50's here. I throw a Fluke every time I go out. Next outing I am going to try the double fluke rig or "donkey" rig. Hope you get some good information to share with us when you go out.