Fish Chris

on that yaught, you weren't even linked to the "big one".... that was only the dinky little 137ft'er ! :-) Click on the 160 ! Check the fuel tank..... 14,000 gallons ! What would that cost to fill at a "marine gas station" ? 60K ??? Just think, you could buy a brand new, top of the line, high performance bass boat, every time you filled the tank :-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seriously though, that 16-7 Egret you posted the link to is freakin' awesome ! I wouldn't get rid of my boat for it..... But if I could afford "two boats", that one would sure be sweet for fishing the Ca Delta, Suisun Bay, San Fran Bay, etc ! .... as a Striper, Halibut, and Sturgeon boat. My buddy has a very similar layout, with his Tracker bay style boat, and a 75hp 4 stroke Merc. His is sweet too.... Unfortunately, his is pretty much used for an expensive yard ornament. I think he should just give it to me ;-) Peace, Fish

I own mine ! No.... I mean, "I really own it". It was paid for the day I drove it off of the lot, 6 months ago. But seriously, if I hit the lotto for $100 million, this would still be my freshwater bass boat. Sure, I'd probably buy a 45 ft, 3000 hp, off shore racer, plus maybe a 90ft yaught I could live on whenever I felt like it...... But for trophy bass fishing, and for that matter, pretty much all freshwater fishing, I really feel that my boat is absolutely perfect ! This is my little baby :-) ...my G3 V143T I can't quite explain it, but anytime I'm forced to fish out of a big, heavy, high performance glitter rocket, I feel a complete loss of confidence..... Although the last time that happened, I stuck an 11.4.... So yea', it's probably all in my head ;-) Peace, Fish

Well, I was waiting to see if anybody would touch on this.... Yes, bass are certainly affected by the conditions, and / or clarity of the water they come from. However, depending on the fishes mood, and what it had going on, prior to, and just after you hooked it, bass can, and often do, change there coloration within minutes. I have caught many very colorful, marked up bass (probably in an agressive mood, thinking, I'm fixing to nail that trout !) but minutes after they realize, "Hey that sucked.... that trout wasn't real.... and it had a hook in it" ! .....you will often see those markings go pale. I have also caught fish which after being kept in a live well for a bit, got so dark overall, that there patterns disapeered too. Most fish can change there colors to varying degrees. Bass are no exception. Peace, Fish

here's another possibility; Bass, being from the sunfish family, love the sun, and feed very effectively in bright daylight (although they can also get by on a dark night too, but you must stop to remember that there prey, at night, is at the same disadvantage). So anyway, maybe the biggest bass don't "wait" for the little ones to get out of the way (they sure don't wait for a prime spot.... when they are ready, they swim in, and the little ones had better get the heck out of the way !) Maybe, the big bass "choose" to feed when the light is best (mid day) and the little ones have learned that it is safer to feed early or late, to avoid becoming lunch for the big ones. Sounds good anyway. Peace, Fish

Hmmmm. I have caught a couple big ones while dead sticking a floating swimbait on the surface.... Does this count as top-water fishing ? Here's a 13.4 that sucked my Castaic right from the surface.... Cool sound too ..... Slurp ! :-) Peace, Fish

All great advice RW. My "guaranteed" method is the good old fashioned Night Crawler :-) Not to mention that everything else that swims will eat a crawler too. Lots of bonus fish :-) They can even catch big bass...... but I only use crawlers for big bass, in very specific, isolated circumstances..... otherwise "artificial lures" generally make it "easier" to stick the big ones. Peace, Fish

Dawn "until" dusk ! :-) ....that way, the fish can decide what is the best time of the day to "get stuck" ! ;-) ......but I typically catch my biggest fish right smack in the middle of the day. I call the hours between 11am and 2 pm, the "magic hours" for trophy bass. Peace, Fish

I've probably caught 6 or 8 of them, but most were shot, and worthless. Earlier this year, however, I too caught an almost new Shimano rod, with a perfect condition Curado reel attached :-) ......too bad I don't use baitcasters.... nor Shimano gear. Sorry for the poor guy that lost it, but lucky for my fishing buddy though :-) Peace, Fish

Well, if they gave me enough money, I might wear "there name" but I would have a hard time wearing there product :-) LOL Seriously though, I LOVE all of my current sponsors. They all take great care of me, and provide (IMPO of course) the best products available. The only other dream sponsors I can think of would be like BP or Chevron !!! Oh, what the heck... how about Dodge. I'd gladly accept a full size Dodge RT10 about now :-) Peace, Fish

Personally, I prefer to go by weights. I will sometimes measure a fish for length and / or girth also, but usually only if it has an exceptional length or girth..... or its like a PB, or a new lake record or something That said, if I tell you I caught an 11.5, or a 13.5, or 15.8, its because I put it on a digital scale, and that was, in fact, what it weighed. (all three of my scales have been calibrated, and one has been certified by the Dept of weights and measures) On the other hand, if I say I caught was that was about 5 lbs, or around 6 lbs, its because I didn't weigh it, and I'm really not too concerned if my guess was plus or minus 1 lb. All of this said (and not to sound like an idiot... but rather, just to make guys think ahead) if I'm reading a post and I see, "I caught one that was around X lbs, or more than X lbs, or at least X lbs, or between X and Y lbs, I always immediatly think to myself, why didn't the poster just say, "I have no idea how much it weighed, because I screwed up, and forgot to bring a scale" ! Anything else is just a wild guess. Peace, Fish

Hey Bassnut, how funny :-) I was reading each of these responses thinking.... Nope, Nope, Nope, Nope..... Then I finally read the last one.... Yours.... And bingo ! That's it ! Nothing bothers me more than people talking to me when I'm trying to fish.... even though, off of the water, I consider myself to be a "people person". I absolutely prefer to fish by myself for this very reason ! I can talk about fishing.... or babes... or the UFC later, but when I'm fishing, I don't want ANY distractions. Heat, cold, rain, bugs, hunger, and thirst, are all things I can (and quite often do) endure.... but don't bother me when I'm fishing ! ;-) Peace, Fish

In-Fisherman has done scientific studies on this exact subject. And fortunately for us, it turns out that Black Bass (Largemouths, Smallies, and Spots) happen to be just about the best candidate for C/R because of there physiology. In other words, fish which do not have a lot of red muscle tissue, do not build up a lot of (.... uh... lactic acid ? ...or maybe I should just say... harmful chemical stuff ;-)) and therefore, can recover much more easily. On the other hand, fish such as Striped bass or a Muskies, which have the musclature to fight for a long time, will build up a lot of this 'bad stuff' and often will not survive. In any case, the way I look at it, fighting a fish quickly, handling it as little, and as gently as possibly, and then releasing it as quickly as possible (if your goal is for a successful C/R) will give the fish an infinitely higher chance for long term survival, than it would have, if you hung it on the wall, or put it in a frying pan (of course the latter is okay sometimes too). Peace, Fish

18.4, on a Basstrix Bluegill 16.5, on a Castaic trout (9" hard head with bill, soft plastic body) 15.8, on a Castaic Baby Shad, bill removed, 1/4 ounce worm weight on line in front of nose. This is the fish in my avatar. Peace, Fish

I concur ! I've only had a cheap set of those, just to try them.... and they were great ! They were polarized, and so they removed ALL of the glare, but yet did not remove any of the brightness. Great for early morning, late evening, or cloudy days sight fishing. I guess one could use them at night too. In any case, I need to get a pair of high quality yellow lens glasses now.... Peace, Fish

Recently I recieved an e-mail with this title, and right away I thought to myself, "Ahhh geeez ! This is going to be gruesome" ! But it was one of those curiosity things, you know... I had to open it. And yes, it was absolutely hideous. So much so, that I would never post it on a family site such as this one. I believe a short explanation should suffice; Basically, this young guy had a large treble hook, with two hooks impaled directly into his eye, one into the inside corner, and one directly down through the top of his eyeball. Their was no text to go along with the photos, but I would think if the guy were VERY lucky, the hook might have been removed and leave him with at least a "little bit" of vision from that eye, if his eye did not have to be completely removed. Now, I'm certainly not talking about all of this to freak anybody out, or upset their stomachs. But personally speaking, the answer is, "YES ! I do ALWAYS wear eye protection". Polarized fishing glasses to be exact. Now, I don't do much night fishing, but I remember thinking to myself, during a few night trips, "Since I can't see much of anything, anyway, if I go to set the hook, or am in the process of fighting a fish, I'm going to tell myself that that hook is ready to fly back at me, at any second, and just look off completely in the other direction" ! If you night fish a lot, it would probably even be smart to get a pair of those cheap, funky looking safety glasses. Heck, nobodies going to see you anyway.... Just remember to take them off for photos :-) Anyway, from time to time, we see photos of forum members here, with a hook through the finger, hand, etc. I think we can be sure they didn't intend on this happening. Therefore, that hook could have ended up in somebodies eye, just as easily ! Think ahead ! Be safe out there ! Peace, Fish

Thanks to all, and hey anglerintraining, in a certain sense, I was being serious ! I do go through bouts of fishing fever which are so bad, it feels like I have drank 10 big cups of strong coffee, then strapped into a chair, and not allowed to move ! But now, as far as your question > Are you sacrificing important things like primary relationships &/or your job to focus on fishing? < Oh absolutely I am ! I have been single for 10 years, and I refuse to get a 'real' Monday through Friday job..... But is this wrong, if these are calculated decisions ? I mean, I have had "serious relationships" and "serious, career type jobs"...... but all that did for me, was allow me to compare lifestyles, so that I would know how much happier I am, living the life that I am now ! :-) If I sounded like I was complaining about anything, it's that I can only manage to fish three 8 to 10 hour days a week, instead of five. Oh well. Fish

the choices nowadays are almost endless ! For a fish photo only camera, I would suggest something that was not too complicated (like one of the small rectangle box styles) of at least 6 mega pixels. I would stick with a Fuji, Canon, Nikon, or Olympus. You should be able to find something like this for $225 or $250 If you would like a link to a REALLY big, booming photography site, with basically ALL of the current digital cameras listed, and many with full reviews, buying links, etc, shoot me a PM. My Fuji S7000 has been a great camera, but its about $475, and has more bells and whistles than one really needs, for just straight fish photography. Peace, Fish PS, Even a 2 mp camera could take photos with more than enough digital info, for photos posted on the internet. The reason I said "of at least 6 mp's", is because should you catch that monster fish of a lifetime, and you would like to have a razor sharp, framed 8 x 10 printed photo, or maybe even larger, this would be perfectly workable. With a 2 or 3 mp though, blown up to 8 x 10 or bigger, it would get really grainy / blurry.

I guess most of my life (except for the time when I'm already on the water ;-) involves some level of fishing fever..... but sometimes it's worse than at others. This morning it's worse ! I joked on another thread, about coming here, as being like group therapy :-) I mean, when I walk into my work place and tell them, "I need a fishing fix REALLY bad" ! They usually just laugh.... but it really kills me, because they just don't / couldn't possibly understand ! I wonder if anybody has ever seen a psychiatrist for "fishing addiction" ? I mean, when you consider that fishing has undoubtedly ruined at least a few careers, relationships, etc. it has to be a very serious thing sometimes, huh ? But then, I think about what they tells alcoholics and addicts..... Nobody can make them stop. They have to "want to stop"....... And darnit.... I don't want to stop ! :-) Oh well. What's a fishin' fool to do ? Peace, Fish Only 1 1/2 more days :-)

Hey Earthworm, that sounds like a sweet, bass catchin' machine you have there yourself ! Glad to hear your loving it :-) Mine is a G3 V143T, with a 25hp four stroker, with p-trim, and electric start, and I can honestly say, regardless of how much I were to spend on a trophy bass boat, my boat really is "my dream boat" ! Nothing against glitter, and 200hp motors (for other guys) but those are just totally NOT me. If I had that kind of money, I'd much sooner buy a brand new truck to pull my V143T :-) Anyway, my G3 has quickly become my new little "baby" :-) ....oh, and yes, I do talk to it too ! ;-) Oh, hey Vyron, I love fishing for Bluegill ! Beautiful, and ounce for ounce, some of the strongest fish that swim ! :-) Peace, Fish

Just one other thing to remember though bow3022..... The breaking of ones line, is not the only way to lose a fish ! Hooks can be straightened, or rip out.... or even, simply fall out, from being given slack, during the fight. Precisely why that one line manufacturers add used to always crack me up > Now nothing gets away" ! < Yea' right ! If nothing ever got away, it wouldn't be fishing ! In any case, whether I am using 2 lb test for Crappie, or 80 lb braid for Sturgeon, my rule about "either the fish is ripping, or I am" always holds true. Peace, Fish

in my personal experience, hooking dads in the tail not only great decreases the number of hookups, but of the fish that you do hook, a MUCH larger percentage of the fish will be deep hooked. Hook them through the spine in the nose.... Like this > They will stay alive much longer, and your bass will be hooked in the top of the mouth, often right in the top center of the lip. Peace, Fish

Well, the way I feel about fighting fish is, I rip on them..... That is, I put as much pressure as I feel I can safely put on them, with my hook, line, rod and reel combination. If that fish is large enough, strong enough, or hot enough to rip drag, then I let er' rip :-) But the split second that fish lets up, I'm on it like stink on..... a dead fish :-) It always bugs me to see guys trying to get more play out of a fish, than its size and strength can offer. If those guys want more of a fight, they ought to do what it takes to catch "more of a fish" ! ;-) So anyway, about the net, I always have one within arms reach. If I hook anything but a big bass (one that I believe is over 10 lbs) I usually won't bother with a net, because admittedly, nets are a pain in the butt, and they do tend to snag everything that gets close to them. However, if I feel I have a double digit on..... and especially if I think its a really big fish of 13, 15, or more, heck yes I use a net ! I still remember one 14-6 that fell off, right beside the boat... right into my net :-) If that one fish is the only big one the net ever saved for me, it was worth every bit of trouble up until then....... and if it saves another big fish for me 20 years from now, it will have been worth having it within arms reach for the next 20 years too. Peace, Fish

Hey Low Budget, well sure... someday maybe. I hear they fight REALLY hard... plus they taste awesome fresh on a B-B-Q grill ;-) But up here in Nor Cal, there is a pretty small window when they come in close enough.... I would certainly do a lot more saltwater fishing (other than just inside of the bay) if I had the appropriate boat for it. Well George, it wouldn't have been quite so bad, except that everybody seems to be out of town for the holiday weekend. This made my 6 hour day seem like 14, plus cut my $ by 70% :-( But that's fine.... I won't need much gas money this week. Just 1 1/2 more days of spinning my wheels, then I'm back on the water :-) Fish

Don't worry.... I think I will have to go back and beat myself up for the trophy Largemouths a little more too. (how could a guy catch a couple of good ones, and then "not" go back ?) I actually have a few more spots and a couple other ideas to add to those trips too. Plus, in between running my bass rout, I can always fish for a lake record Channel cat :-) However, just to keep myself from going completely crazy at that mud hole, I will also have to spend some time in my backyard, shooting for that trophy Striper. Still a bass, right ? ;-) In any case, I'd rather do "ANY" kind of fishing today, instead of going to work :-( Oh well. Only a few more days. Peace, Fish

Okay, those Bat Rays and Leopard Sharks were a lot of fun, but also a lot of gas, and wear and tear on the truck..... Plus, I did put a pretty good hurtin' on em' in the 7 or 8 trips I made for them. Only thing I didn't accomplish with those, was to get a good, beside the boat photo of one of the big Rays, for my photo album. Oh well. So anyway, I found out a couple days ago, that even now, in late Summer, I actually still have a shot at a big ol' trophy Largemouth, at the ol' mud hole :-) Hate that place, but love those big bass ! And then just a little bit ago, I got off of the phone with a buddy who is already (successfully) doing the "Split Tails for trophy Striped Bass" trick, basically right here in my back yard (the launch is only 6 miles from my driveway). He and a buddy caught a 15 and and an 18 lb'er a couple days ago, plus had several runs and drops. Another buddy caught a 25. So no giants yet.... but you stick a 40 plus, the same way you stick a 15 ! It's just like trophy Largemouth fishing.... Patience, Persistence, and Perseverence will make it happen ! What would you shoot for ? I'm thinking bass.... like maybe alternating between the Striped ones, and the big mouthed ones..... Until the Sturgies come in in 8 more weeks.... So many fish, so little time ! Don't you guys think a guy should be able to fish Monday through Friday, then maybe work a couple six hour shifts on the weekends ? Urggg.... At least I was able to shift my schedule to allow me to work on Monday (holidays are a waste for me anyway... too many people in my way) and to get Tues through Thurs off :-) Yea' buddies ! Can't wait until Tuesday ! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ :-) Fish