KyakR

I made the transition to BC fairly late, after years of spinning.....was taught on S, so after struggling so futilely with a RH reel that I was wearing scissors around my neck, I got a LH reel and was immediately better. Was a little sheepish at not sticking with it, though. I also heard from an older-timer (he!) what WRB said: that 60 years ago BC had no triggers, anti-reverse or drags, so reeling with the right hand was essential. He implied that LH reels were for wussies then he winked at me

Oh, and I also usually go to the gym at about 1 or 2 in the afternoon. It quiets me, makes me feel steady and ready

I actually like hip-hop (Black-eyed Peas), but not too loud I almost always fish from twilight into the night. I like watching everybody else leave

Ragetail, Megastrike, and the most beautiful custom rod made for me by Mike at Delaware Valley Tackle! First one I ever owned. Casts like a dream! Going to buy a Chronarch 50e and JJ's next

Winter bass try to conserve energy and can often be found on steep dropoffs where they can move up and down with minimal effort. I often throw a finesse jig or TR plastic to the top of the ledge and let it slowly tumble down......that is if I can find open water in early winter up here

I had some good luck this last summer with a fat ika, besides that was learning drop-shotting and that's my new favorite! As I look out my window at almost 2 ft. of snow ........ it's also in the 30's here

For me it's accuracy! And a quieter entry. This winter I'm going to practice cast out on the lawn in the snow. After I make a 3-D hunt range for fish out there the neighbors will probably call the cops but at least I'll be accurater

Years ago I casted into a low-hanging tree.......the lure (a TR powerworm) fell through the branches and dangled slightly in the water, having entered with nary a splash. I was relieved that I'd be able to get it back, but as I was paddling over, line slack, a nice fish sucked it up and pulled it under! The line remained tangled in the tree, and I fought the bass 'til his head was out of the water. Then I snipped the line and lipped my 3.25 lb tree-fish I had unwittingly reproduced the effects of an expert cast (silent entry, almost no weight for the bass to feel) long before I could do it myself.

Wow Wayne P!!! Thanks!

Wish I had electronics that good! Always amazed at Tom's insight, how he can apply what he knows! My method of finding the thermocline is to cast my little depth/temperature gauge several times 'til I find it. But, Tom, from what you're saying it can vary hugely from place to place due to many factors! In a kayak my access is limited. Sometimes I ask my region's fisheries biologist questions.........he usually focuses on the interplay of all the aquatic organisms in a lake, what temperature and oxygen levels they need, what they eat, where they can escape predation. He tells me that some prey fish actually use the thermocline as a place to hide.......that they actually go into the lethal zone to forage! It always amazes me how everything's connected in nature, how one thing changing can change everything else. He also mentioned pH, but I didn't quite get that one

Thanks Stitch Wish you both could come to the Roadtrip so I could meet you!

When people are irritating, too aggressive or generally irresponsible it's a PIA, but I can usually go somewhere else, take constructive action at the time (pick up trash, get the x#!)rrrrr line out of the water, get the gum off my shoe, shimmy up a tree if someone sets their dogs on me etc. But the real thing that makes me boil over is when people damage the fisheries. The DNR can't be everywhere. they're funded poorly and overworked. I'm talking about criminals who introduce alien fish such as pike, which were put into trout and bass lakes because some fishermen "like" them. Never mind what it does to the ecology of the lake! They pour baitfish bought elsewhere into streams, illegally take fish of all kinds, and generally ignore the laws and efforts of the DNR to maintain healthy fisheries for all of us. These things I can't walk away from or correct on my own. Some of our laws may tempt me too, but I remember always that they're there for a good reason, put there by people who know a whole lot more than I do. Pardon the rant. And yes the dogs did almost get me

I remember getting the word on Gitzits, trying them out and getting bit left and right! Was in love I use the smallest ones with an exposed hook for smallmouth in rip-rap. Although I lose a lot of them they're deadly! Caught my PB on one. I always wondered why the Helen's flatfish went out of favor......I used them all the time in the 60's and still do.

Don't rest it yet http://youtu.be/344UzGjDCSY

Thanks deaknh03! Got my package and it's under the tree waiting for Christmas morning ! Am really excited....it's fun to be in agony waiting This is my first time having FD's Fishmas.....hope what I sent fits you as well as the loot I see on this thread!

I'm still waiting for some Glenlivit 18 for FishinDaddy's Fishmas..... I miss my Ripple......

Really enjoyed reading this fascinating study.....thanks! I've known that it's easy to catch tournament fish near their release point (especially a large lake, Thompson Lake in Maine) for years, as many anglers near this lake do. After a while it felt unfair, like fishing the spawn. As for smaller lakes, don't know, though the conclusions in the study seem to indicate that because fish have likely a smaller distance to go to get to their capture location, tournaments might affect them less overall. I thought it was interesting when they made a distinction between the way SMB and LMB navigate! "This is consistent with other studies and it has been suggested that largemouth bass navigate using visual landmarks (Wilde 2003). Gilliland (1999) reported 84% of tagged largemouth bass were recaptured at sites connected to a release site by a continuous shoreline while only 16% were recaptured in areas where they had to cross deep, open water." ! I remember the red-head plug! Don't know if Maine has a law about how far out to release tourney bass, but sure seems like a great idea to get them away from the same point every time.

-5% here last night.....up at 4 am to feed the woodstove.......my new rod stands forlornly in the corner......forecast for a foot of snow tomorrow. Some people have a sadistic streak Guess I could try going out on the ice for pike

MacP, your video took my breath away. This is one of my all time favorites now! I had goosebumps all through it........whoever shot this knows what fishing is beyond particulars about equipment, weights and charts. I never saw anything better wordlessly describe the joy and reverence we have in nature, for the creatures in it. Thanks!!

Spotted bass info (says hopefully....) ?

Think I did it....

GOT to share this with you all, and special thanks to Mike at Delaware Valley Tackle. Today I received my new custom rod!! I took it out of the box and couldn't believe my eyes just at how beautiful it is. It's light as a feather! I asked Mike to build it specifically to address my right-sided weakness, smaller hands and wish to cast farther, and boy did I get my wish. Specs: high modulus blank, MF, 1/8-5/8, titanium micro-wave guide system with titanium Fuji tip-top, Aero comfort seat, EVA split-grip. And to top it all off, my name in gold. It casts like a dream, feels great!! I've never had a custom rod before. Can't wait to try it out at Wilson Lake......my PB is only 5lb 7oz, and there's every chance I'll hook into something bigger there Hope this is in the right thread. I haven't thanked Mike yet and thought he deserved a happy and grateful Christmas rant here! Pics to follow if I can fix 'em so I can download the dang things !!

This thread is a Christmas gift to all who read it. There's a gentle optimism, acceptance and a profound gratitude coming from you all. Even in the darker moments there's faith, and a belief in what's good and beautiful in this world. I've read some of it to a friend who's sick. It may very well be that the gift of life you have back is not just for you When I came on BR it was to learn about fishing. I've received so much more! Bill, I'm happy for you, Stitch, happy for you, retiredbosn too!! Merry Christmas! Laurie

Actually, young men would be without true guidance if it weren't for fathers and other men willing to take them out and let them have reality teach them, learn how to take the buffeting and not only survive, but grow stronger. I mostly agree with you, Brian It must be a balance, the right guidance at the right time. I was a single mom with a son who's dad was gone. At a certain point (13 or thereabout) my approach wasn't enough! I'm not a father, period. So I swallowed hard and got him karate (goju) lessons with a strong, no nonsense sensai (master). I was terrified. But he took his falls, got into brawls, lost a tooth and some fights, and now he says it was one of the best experiences he had. Now he does run with the big dogs. If I'd had a daughter, it'd be much the same.....a father shows his offspring how to cope in the larger world. Actually, a father's involvement in his daughter's life is the major determinant of her confidence as a woman. Grown men are warriors in their way, no matter what vocation they settle on. I have the deepest respect for this. But women are warriors in their way, like a mother bear is, but the timing must be right. My gender had nothing to do with my comments. If someone had implied sarcastically that you were writing checks you couldn't cash and they weren't joking I'd still find it inappropriate on this forum. Think about the difference in how you would have commented on what I said if I'd been a man. But I can see how Coryn might have been embarrassed, and you might be right there. Sorry Coryn. I have too hot a temper at times. And Brian, I do like your bluntness ! You Irish?

So not fair!! I can only imagine the fights you guys enjoyed with those big gals! That's a smallie. I caught one with the other oar too