Fish Chris

Much thanks guys. Hey A-Jay..... yea...... night fishing :-/ I've never been good at that. I always feel completely lost / out of my element. Not to mention how frigging cold it is at night here in December ! Sure, I have cold weather gear, but gloves just get in the way, and its hard to make your hands work in 25 degrees. Not to mention the fact that often your just sitting still for long hours on end. All that said, I can't ignore the fact that many / most of the true giants caught by friends and acquaintances (45 lbs and larger) were caught at night. I have actually been thinking about "staying over" on one of those 6 or 8 hour tides that start 2 hours before dark.... Next week ? Another thing I'm thinking about.... For whatever reason, these fish almost NEVER bite an artificial lure, in the water I'm catching them. However, this is a large, very shallow bay (1ft to 6 ft, depending on the tide) so I can't help but believe these fish would blast a 9" MS Slammer drug right over their heads at night. How freaking crazy / exciting / scary would that be, to hook, fight, and land a 40+ lb'er on a top-water... at night ! Hmmmmm..... Peace, Fish

Much thanks guys I certainly had a blast the last two days sticking these big ol' Bass The only bummer is, it's a totally tidal dependent bite. So, next week, all during most of the days sunlight, it will be an incoming tide.... so I will basically have about 1 to 2 hours of good fishing time. The rest is just messing around, trying to catch bait, and wasting time. ....but I have a plan First off, I already have some dead, frozen Split tails (often 95% as effective as live ones. BTW, the 25.2 today was on a dead one) So, I think I might just have to run around looking for a dino-fish (Sturgeon) and then, right when the tide starts to turn around, run back to my Striper spot, bust out the frozen Splitties, and Bam ! Fish on ! The only hideous thing is, I have 5 days of work before I can try to make this happen Isn't work a PITA ? Oh well. Had my fish catching fix today, so now I'll have something to day dream about this work week Peace, Fish

Had another great Striper trip today ! Caught 5 of them. 3 in the 32" range, 1 a little smaller, and this 38", 25.2 lb'er :-) Fought like a freight train too ! Caught, photo'd and released with "explosive energy" ! I love it when they do that.... Peace, Fish

Much thanks to all. Hey RW, I wouldn't really consider that to be one of my better photos either. Poor lighting angle... Todays trophy shot was better Peace, Fish

Yesterday was kind of weird.... During the first 1 1/2 hours of the outgo (the time I was sticking them last week), not so much as a touch ! So of course I was thinking, "It figures, right ? Get to fish a whole outgo, nice weather, great bait, and now the fish are gone" Then finally, I had a hit, run, and miss.... in fact maybe two. Then it was just on ! Granted, I missed a lot of fish, but after I caught one only about 4 or 5 lbs, I could see that a lot of them were just too small to eat the bait. Not a problem for this one though ! It was totally empty bellied, but still weighed 21.0 lbs. Not too bad, huh ? Fought great too. I still think that monster I lost last week was bigger.... but they are always bigger when they get off, right ? LOL Anyway, can't wait to get back out there again today ! Just for the record, my PB Striper is only a 32.2 lb'er. But every time I get into a good bite, I always think that that PB should be easy to break. Maybe today ? Wish me luck Peace, Fish

Hey Redline, much thanks, but I was about a day late, and with rent coming up soon, $87 short Oh well, Fish

Bilgerat ! Yes ! That is exactly what I was looking for. Don't know why I didn't see those on the Daiwa website. I'll have to go back and look again. But anyway, I used to LOVE my Daiwa Regal Z's. I'm sure I'll love this baitrunner type as well.... and the price is great Ern, when I said, "Baitrunner" I just meant it in a generic way. But just now, I did a search on baitrunner, and I guess that is a name trademarked by Shimano, huh ? So, I looked at those, and they looked pretty good also, but more than twice the cost of the Daiwa baitrunner style. Anyway, thanks guys. I need to get one of these ASAP ! Peace, Fish

I'd like to find a good baitrunner type spinning reel. My Okumas are getting pretty wore out, and I'd like something new / different anyway. Doesn't Daiwa or Shimano still make a nice baitrunner ? I can't seem to find one though ? Needs to be less than $100. I'd prefer a 3000 or 3500 series.... but I guess I would go with a 4000 if I had to. Something smooth. Must have infinite anti-reverse, and a good smooth drag. Any suggestions ? Thank you, Fish

Much thanks to all of you Hey Shimmy, that is exactly what I did. But it's funny you should say that, because depending on how one looks at it, it is actually a psychological issue (obsessive / compulsiveness) that has both allowed me to catch a bunch of giant bass, as well as go completely crazy on the health and fitness thing. I've actually had several (well meaning) people on the health and fitness board, suggest that I seek professional help for that.... But after 46 years, I've pretty much learned to live with myself LOL And besides, obsessive / compulsiveness is not "all that bad" as long as one picks the right things to be obsessive / compulsive about, right ? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hey anyway, I hope to post some shots of the monsters I'm going to stick Monday and Tues Peace, Fish

Hope you all been sticking them, and having fun I've been majorly sidetracked with the whole health and fitness thing. Didn't fish all Summer {like 5 months ! Probably the longest non-fishing stretch of my entire life !} Just hill climbing, mountain biking, and a ton of time on my Bow Flex. But the good news is, I might actually live a few extra years, which could mean more fishing later I lost 80 lbs. Dropped my BP from a dangerous 150/100, to 105/65. And my mistake cholesterol from 300+ to below 140. Anyway, in a nut-shell, I'm a totally different person. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Oh, so hey, I finally got out and did some Striper fishing, and I whacked them Whooo Hooo ! That was a blast ! I caught 7 of them in the 29" to 32" range, in two short evening periods. They only bite on an outgoing tide, and that didn't start last week until right before dark... so very little fishing time. But next week, the outgo starts at 9am Yea' buddies ! Oh.... and the only bummer... I did actually hook, and fight one for over 10 minutes, on heavier gear no less (my swimbait rod) that after all that, simply came unbuttoned :( Still crying over that one. I caught a glimpse of it, and it looked to be a 30+ lb'er. But wait until next week ! The Sturgeon still haven't come into my backwaters here.... But what the hey, as long as the Stripers want to play with me, I'm good Oh BTW, I have been using a live bait rig for these, but I'm using a highly modified, barbless hook..... So, the ones I didn't keep, were released unharmed. I would have released that monster..... if it hadn't released itself first ! Oh well. Peace, Fish

You know, I think I like / respect every fighter that fought in 116, including Brock. He's a physical freak, and he's obviously training hard, to be a greatm well rounded MMA fighter. Carwin is cool too. But hey now, I don't think anybody has mentioned Kristoph "The Polish Experiment" Xxxxxxski ! I've only seen this guy fight twice, and he lost both times.... But it's only because he goes at 110 % with "No fear" ! The guy holds nothing back ! Really exciting to watch ! Granted, Stephan Bonner, is sure not afraid to get hit either.... Which is why that was such a good fight. Anyway, all in all, one of the best PPV UFC events I've seen in a while ! Fish

Much thanks again guys Hey SirSnook, that's for sure ! I got a great work out last night. Of course it's up to you how hard you train on the thing. I'm starting out light... don't want any injuries. But I can already tell that by bumping the tension up a little, and going through full steady motions, that thing will flat kick your but ! Oh, and yea', late this Fall, when the weather starts turning, and I can't do my hill climbs, I plan to get a tread mill... or maybe a good exercise bike. Big muscles look cool, but heart / lungs are what keep you alive. Peace, Fish

Much thanks guys To say I feel better now, just doesn't close to describing it. I actually feel like a whole different person. I was thinking that since I got the Bowflex, I was just going to concentrate really hard on it, 3 days, and only do my cardio every 4th day, for a little while..... But I didn't climb my hill yesterday, and today I think I'll be climbing the walls if I don't go do some kind of cardio again ! It's starting to get to the point where "I just have to do something to release those endorphines" or I'll go crazy ! But I guess this is a good addiction to have, right ? Thanks again guys, Peace, Fish

In case anyone wonders where I've been, and what the heck I've been up to.... Well, the whacked out weather caused me more lost days of fishing this Spring, than any other year in my life I replaced some of that time with photography. But my big new major change in life, has been my new health and fitness kick. Do any of you watch "Biggest Loser" ? Well, I haven't been on TV, but I'm a pretty big loser myself October of 09', I weighed 268 lbs. Blood pressure averaged 150 over 100 ! (yikes !) Cholesterol, about 300 ! Geeez, I wonder why ? You don't think it could have been from eating 6000 to 8000 calories a day (seriously !) of fat, processed sugar, and chemicals I can't even pronounce, do you ? In a nutshell, I was heading for an early grave ! Skip to the present. (9 months later) I currently weigh 196 (72 lb loss) Blood pressure averaging 123 over 78. Haven't had the cholesterol checked yet, but it has to be down. I'm still eating a good, healthy amount of calories... was about 2000 a day, when I was fat cutting, but I have bumped it back up to 2500 now, with the addition of protein shakes, for muscle building, and cardio workouts. Still almost ZERO processed sugar though. And what little fat I get, comes from Salmon, avocado's, and almonds / nuts. I'm doing this power hill climb thing (it's 3.0 miles, and involves an 1100 foot vertical climb) 3 or 4 days a week. Still kicks my arse.... but my time has improved by like 30%. And yesterday, I just got me my Bowflex ! Whooo Hooo ! So, with my current weight at 196, and body fat, still probably 16%, my 3 year goal, is to get back up to 215 (220 or 225 would be even cooler though ) at 8% body fat. I always wanted to be ripped. From 15 to 18 years old, I was well on my way..... then, somehow my stupid arse let that get away But that's water under the bridge, right ? I can't change the past, but I can sure change the future ! Anyway, sorry to ramble. But as you can tell, I'm pretty stoked Here's my new toy Wish I had some better "ugly, fat shots"... I was such a master, at hiding it... But even with size 40 pants, and a huge shirt, you can still see that belly rolling... and that pumpkin head... I've actually lost about 20 more lbs since this shot, but as I say, I'm not trying to lose any more weight now anyway... just a little more fat, and start gaining muscle. Don't worry, I'll be posting some fish pics sometime soon. Maybe Halibut next week ? Almost surely Sturgeon this Fall. And definitely a few of those Green and Bronze ones next Spring Hope everyone is doing well, and sticking some good ones. Peace, Fish

I remember learning that most people who were fishing for numbers of small to medium sized fish, were not catching what I wanted to catch. That ANY sized fish can be caught on ANY sized gear, with the proper use of a drag (clutch). That most fishermen just follow the leader.... and never try anything different / crazy. That Carp are an awesome sport fish I'm sure their are lots more.... But going to be late for work as it is ! Peace, Fish

Must be nice. I'm nondextrous. I can't cast worth a $#%& with either hand Oh well. Instead of making accurate casts, I look for fish with a good aim (accurate fish ) Peace, Fish

I'd like to fish with any of the members who catch giant Muskies, or Northern Pike..... or Blue Cats, or Flatheads.... Just because we dont have those. But honestly, when I say, "I'd like to fish with....." I actually prefer to fish by myself, so I can concentrate on fishing, instead of socializing (darn AADD ) But I would like to go out to discuss, and watch the pro's here, while "they" fished for these species. Then give me a week by myself, to see if I learned anything Oh, specifically, I would like to go out with Mattlures, to see what they do differently in So Cal.... And what I'd REALLY love to do, would be to go do a monster Sunfish trip with him ! I'd trade a DD bass, for a legit 2 lb Bluegill right now ! Peace, Fish

Around here, fishing in private ponds would make a HUGE difference alright.... I mean, if that all you ever fished, you'd probably never get a 10 lb'er !!! Seriously though.... their might be a private pond or two, somewhere up here in Nor Cal, managed specifically for a handful of giants, where the small fish are constantly caught and removed, and lots of attention is placed on a fat, constant, food supply. But WAAAAY more common in the private ponds around here, are decent numbers of easy to catch 4 to 7 lb'ers. You want good numbers of 10+ lb'ers in these parts, you need to go to heavily pressured, public waters, where mostly dinks get caught (and hopefully removed) while giants pig out on hatchery trout, and don't get caught by the average angler near so often.... and the guys that do catch them with regularity, usually have already learned the importance of releasing those giants. It's human nature to think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. But as far as I'm concerned, certainly with trophy bass fishing in Nor Cal, those private farm pond owners can just stay over there catching their 4 to 7's. I'll fish the heavily pressured, public waters for my 10 to 15's (or bigger ) thank you. As for Butch Brown vs. Mike Long..... Ahhh geeez. Both of those guys are big bass gods. Both have caught far more 15+ lb'ers than I have. And (to back my point) both have caught the vast majority (maybe all) of their huge bass in heavily pressured public waters. BTW, I've never fished So Cal, but from what I hear, there are a LOT more 10 to 15+ lb'ers swimming around down there, than their are up here. Maybe if I had lived in So Cal, instead of Nor Cal, I'd have 200 DD bass, instead of 89. But I can pretty much guarantee that both BB and ML would still be way out in front of me ! Those guys are just bad a$$ trophy bass guys ! Peace, Fish

OMG !!! Those are like absolute dream conditions ! I never experienced more than a couple hours of conditions like these, all freaking year ! Just give me 1 full day like this. Please ! I'll find 3/4's of the big fish in that water (okay, exaggeration) and I'll worry about catching them later..... If not later that same day, then later in the week. So anyway, with conditions like that, you had to have seen some good ones, huh ? You should have sighted them..... then left.... then snuck back up on them later, and fly-lined a crawler to them Peace, Fish

Oh and Duh ! How could I forget... The life jacket, of course ! The last thing I'd want, would be to confused with any of the other goof-balls out there without a life jacket ! BTW, that's another cool thing (to me) about wearing a life jacket, since I hardly ever see another adult with one on, it gives me just one more way to seperate myself from the crowd There are 6 1/2 billion people on this planet. I'm not one of them. I just happen to be stuck here with them Peace, Fish

Immediately the first thing that comes to mind, is a Pelican case ! Every angler should have one. Waterproof, shockproof, dust proof, insulated... I carry my fish photo camera, my back-up camera, my certified scale, the face plate of my stereo, my cell phone, and my two-way remote alarm in mine. To me, my Pelican and it's contents, are about as important as my tackle bag. In fact, I'm so unlikely to leave it behind, I leave my fishing license lanyard noosed around the handle of it, when I'm not fishing BTW, they make one in nearly every size imaginable, in lots of different colors. I chose yellow as it won't get as hot sitting in the sun, and would be easier to find, should it ever leave my boat. Remember, they float Peace, Fish

Wow. This is really sad. But did you catch this part ? Easy for me to talk garbage about though, because I always wear a life jacket Do you ? Fish PS, Some guys think a life jacket makes them look wimpy. I think mine makes me look smart.

Awesome story. And call me crazy, but I think Keith's late cousin Scott, had everything to do with that catch, and his spirit was there to watch that catch. Oh, and when he said he thinks he had an angel on his side, well sure he did....... Peace, Fish

Mattlures, Fourbizz, Bassman, and anyone who enjoys sight fishing, but who know how challenging, and downright frustrating it can be, I totally agree ! And wind !!!!! URRGGGG ! I DESPISE WIND ! 1 mph is more than I prefer when I'm sight fishing.... but 10 to 15 mph is about normal Stinking wind ! To anyone who doesn't want to know how big a fish is until they lip it, that's all fine and good, but for myself, I don't even want to waste my valuable fishing time on a bass that isn't big. Sure, I do plenty of blind fishing, but most times, with a large swimbait, where the average bass I catch, are still usually good ones. Oh, one more thing..... Often times (and here again in this thread) I hear guys use the terms sight fish, and bed fish interchangeably. To me, these terms have totally separate meanings. I sight big bass, about 10 months out of the year.... way outside of the spawn. Sometimes just cruising. Sometimes just chilling out. Sometimes following my swimbaits to the boat. And each time I do sight one, I remember where I saw it. To me, knowing where a big one is hanging out, is 3/4's of the battle. I'll go back again, and again, and the odds are really good, I'll eventually stick that big momma' For me trophy bass fishing is more like hunting, than fishing. It's all about sneaking around and seeing them with my own two eyes. I just totally don't care for "blind fishing". Too many small ones out there to steal your fishing time. Peace, Fish

Hands down, my biggest flaw, is I'm a terrible caster. And if 40 years of practice hasn't sharpened my casting skills, I don't believe anything ever will. I am ridiculously patient though. I can fish 10 hours without a bite, then pull up to a new spot, whip out a Hud, and actually believe "This is it ! I know I'm going to get blasted on this cast" ! I'm just ridiculously optimistic. And I can find fish almost anywhere, any time. I don't know why it is, but when I get up shallow snooping around with my polarized glasses, big fish often find me ! I can't tell you how many times (on more trips than not) big fish have cruised right up to the side of my boat, and just stared at me ! Okay, granted, I almost never catch them right then..... But I mark that spot on the map in my head, then sneak back up on it later, again, and again, and again, if necessary, and eventually, I often end up putting that hawg in my boat ! Now, if you were to ask me what I think most other bass fishermen's biggest flaw is, I'd say that WAAAY too many of them get up on the front of there boat, and just blindly cast down a bank, covering a lot of (dead... or little fish) water, just looking for a biter.... Instead of putting together a big fish rout, and concentrating their efforts on just a handful of big fish spots. Peace, Fish