Scott F

I’ve measured many fish on a bump board over the years but haven’t weighed one in more than 30 years. I have no use for a scale.

You know, that back in the olden’ days, there was already a device that did that in almost everyone’s tackle box. It wasn’t digital or even very accurate. It was called a De-liar Had a bad scale and a measuring tape.

Rubber nets are always heavier (usually much heavier) than other nets. Deep ones are even heavier. Add a long handle to be able to reach a fish shore and it will be a challenge. You are going to have to see them in person to see if they are too heavy for you.

Bench seats, AM only radio. Antenna. Chrome bumper, chrome trim

One of the big reasons I use braid is because with no stretch, you don’t have to set the hook like you are swinging for the fences especially with moving baits where there is little to no slack line between the rod tip and the lure. Guys who claim that braid contributes to “rippin’ lips” haven’t learned to back off on hook sets with superlines.

Choose low light periods like early morning or late afternoon and like has already been said, long casts.

Absolutely not. Bass have proven time and time again, they are not line shy. If I see bass while floating over them, I go downstream a short distance, pull off to the side, and wait a few minutes. then work my way back and cast the areas where I saw them.

3 things I have to have in a rain suit. 1. Gore Tex. It keeps the water out and breathes 2. Bibs. Waist high rain pants always let water in when I was sitting or bending over. 3. Neoprene cuffs on the jacket. Keeps water from running up my arm when casting.

I love oatmeal. I like it best when you cook the instant oats on the stove by putting the oats in cold water and bring to a boil, cooking for one minute. They come out smoother than other methods. I also add cinnamon and maple syrup.

I’ve had it happen pretty regularly in the spring when the smallmouth will school up. I use a #65 Lucky Craft Pointer. My fishing partner and I have gotten 60 without moving the boat

I think it’s a bit too early to be seeing true fall patterns. What is your water temperature?

If you or anyone insists on using a snap or a snap swivel, never ever use the type you linked to. As you’ve said, they keep coming open and you will lose lures and fish. Spend the extra money and buy quality. Ball bearing swivels that actually rotate and cross lock snaps that stay closed are what you should be using.

I moved to a new neighborhood last year. On the corner at the entrance to the subdivision, there is a house that has a jon boat with a jet motor sitting in the driveway. I had just sold MY jon boat with a jet motor shortly before I moved. I’ve met a few of my neighbors, but not the one with the boat. Wouldn’t you know it, the neighbor with the boat one day comes up and rings my doorbell. He was talking to one of the neighbors I’d met and found out I’m a smallmouth fisherman and he asked if I wanted to go fish the river with him! He’s a good guy and we’ve been out a few times.

Moved to a small town south of Valparaiso about 18 months ago. Nice, quiet place. Taxes aren’t bad.

At 64 here in Indiana, a license is only $3. $23 for a lifetime. If you were born before April 1, 1943 (79 years old) you don’t need a license.

I never use a leader on anything except for steel when pike fishing.

There is no definitive answer to your question. Some bass may never go near the main river channel and some may never leave. Some go back and forth following underwater structures or they may go in any direction. It appears that many anglers are looking for a set of rules to follow to insure success. What you read is others anglers theories about what they think the bass are likely to do, but bass don’t read these articles and are going to do what they want. Successful fishermen spend time figuring out what the fish are doing on their lakes and rivers, trying different theories until they find what works on that particular day. Tomorrow, they could be doing something totally different and you have to start all over again trying to figure them out.

Next level fishermen are better, more accurate casters than you are. They are better at presenting lures, getting them to the depth and speeds that fish are reacting to because they are paying more attention to what is happening. They have more experience and can adjust to the conditions better than you. They probably have better electronics and know how to use them better than you. They also probably work a lot harder and longer at their job fishing than you do at your hobby of fishing.

10lb braid on my spinning gear, with no leader. I’ve never felt line color made any difference to the fish. If you have issues seeing the line, use whatever color helps you.

Depends on the river, and time of year. The rivers I fish are mostly shallow, with few spots that get as deep as 10 feet. Prime spots are riffles with rocks and faster water, and the head and tail ends of pools near the riffles, eddies with faster water running by, big boulders or downed wood. Weed lines can also be prime spots. Straight, slow, deep water with little cover are what I fish quickly while drifting by. I’ll cast toward the shorelines in spots like those. You can pick up a fish here and there. You never know if a log or rock is hiding there that can hold a fish.

I’ve seen the northern lights several times but none was more spectacular than I saw while on a fishing to Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories in Canada. The city of Yellowknife was the closest city and has often been sited as one of the best places to see the Aurora in North America.

I’m concentrating on higher percentage spots and spending time there. I may not slow down much, but I’m casting at ANY and every likely spot while I’m wading and floating to the next prime spot.

I use mostly spinning reels and have used Quantum’s almost exclusively for 30 years. Each new offering has been very reliable. I keep buying them because they never give me any grief. They quietly do their job year after year.

Weighting it definitely kills the unique slow fall action of a Senko. People often think the wiggle is a big trigger, but I believe the slow fall is the reason a Senko or any of its copies is so effective. There is certainly nothing wrong with using them weighted, but if I need a weighted bait, I’d use a different, more durable worm that costs a lot less.

I’ve been going to Northern Wisconsin for close to 35 years. The lake I’ve been staying on had 8 “resorts” with cabins for rent when I first started going there. There are only 3 left and one of those is mostly a mega sized campground. When I’m up there these days, it’s in late May and during the week, I’m often the only boat on thousands of acres of water. Come the holiday weekend, it’s as you said, skiers, jet skies, and pontoon boat booze cruises. The best thing about northern WI is that for the most part, there aren’t a lot of bass fishermen. The only spots that get pounded are by me.