BaitMonkey1984

I change my line at the beginning of each year, yet some of my go to rods start to show line wear in the middle of the season. I have not had any issues with the line weakening, as I use Power Pro 10 lb test and have reeled in plenty of lunkers with the line in this worn condition. However, after begin curious as to line conditioner, not only did it revive the color, as mentioned above, but it improved casting distance greatly. I will never not use this product again. Well worth the couple of bucks.

I started using soft plastics two years ago, and now it is my go to. I would estimate that I have over 500 bags of soft plastics. I keep them in 3700 boxes base upon color, size, technique. If they are hitting black/brown worms I grab one 3700 and have 16+ types of worms to choose for. However, if I am going out after work, or not taking the boat out, I want to downsize my lures. I therefore keep a 3700 box of my "go to" lures. That includes only a few of each soft plastic, but everything I could want to use on a short trip.

Haven't had to fish blind in a number of years, but I remember what I would do. One, get a map so you have an idea as to depth, channels, points etc. My state fish and game has a website where they have maps of most lakes and fishing information, see if your state has the same info. Then, when you get to the lake I always would keep things simple, only a few rods. It is hard to beat a crank bait/spinner bait followed up by a senko.

I am a lawyer, and I got the fishing bug a few years before graduating from law school. I always wondered about working for the fishing/hunting industry or someone like the NRA. I thought that this would be quite the little niche, as many of my friends from law school were not interested in chasing a little green fish around. However, many companies (sadly) don't really care if the employee is personally invested in their "mission", so long as they perform their duties satisfactorily. Jakob if you have any questions about law school/lawyers send me a PM, I'd be happy to help in any way I could.

I always buy too much to even put in the boat, so much so that if I bring someone to go to BPS they always make me feel like I am stocking up for the apocalypse.

Consider yourself lucky enough to be getting out fishing, and having some fish interested in your lures. Up here in NE, bass fishing becomes painful after October. A power fisherman by nature, I simply cannot slow down a jig/ jerk bait to a stand still as much as I need for those presentations to be productive this time of year. Thats why I instead head into the woods in search of whitetail. Any time you are on the water, is a chance for you to improve as an angler. And you don't even need a single keeper for that.

Ask someone you see as they troll by. Most anglers I have experienced are more willing to share information who is bank fishing. Maybe because they know your not going to go highjack their secret spot. Also, if it is a popular lake look online for fishing conditions in the forums, water temp is important so their should be lots of information readily accessible on the web. If Not throw the pool thermometer in like mentioned above, however be cognizant that is only the temp for the top say 6 inches of the water column, and likely several degrees (10+) warmer than the lower water columns.

Do as you said and get the license. For one, you can enjoy fishing and not worrying about losing all your equipment and fines. And two, equally important some of the money you pay a license will go towards ensuring that your resources are protected for years to come. And three, if you get caught without a license you may be subject to license revocation. Imagine not being bale to fish for a year. A license is well worth the price for a year of enjoyment.

Not that I am unbiased on this topic by any stretch of the imagination (see my username) but that Livingston Lure Howler Crank bait caught more fish this year for me than any crank bait in the past. Much more. Much more than I could attribute to any other factor. Same lakes. Same equipment...etc. Nothing in fishing is guaranteed to succeed, but if something works for you, use it. I don't care if someone wants to call it a "gimmick", because I'll be laughing as I keep landing the big ones. Also, sometimes the fish just want something new.

I have not catfishes for a few years now. Back when I was first getting into fishing (still using live bait) I did my fair share of cat fishing at night. No better way to spend the night that to sit on the end of a dock with a few lines in the water using dinner's leftovers/hotdogs/or jerky as bait. Up here in NE, we have some catfish, but they are all very small, but still tasty. I hope to do more cat fishing this upcoming spring.

Brown and orange all day here in the NE.

Yes i do for my boat and trailer. Walk around make surr everything is clamped down tight and tbe winch is envaged withthe boat sitting on the keel guard tight and that all lights are working.

You are going to need tip ups or ice jig rods. You want to try to find deeper water thats going to hold fish. If you dont have a flasher, then just drill holes till your lucky. I generally wait for 3 inches of ice on my lake before i go out on it, and believe websites are out there that tell you how thick the i e has to be to walk on, drive an atv out, or even take a car out there. You can get a hand auger for fairly cheap money that will allow you to drill holes. Feel free to PM me and I can give you more info.

I go almost every day in the sunmer, even if its just a few hours. However, i still consider myself a planner, especially on the weekend trips that are longer in length. This means tying new leaders and the lures i will use X 14 on Friday.

Hi and Welcome Adam,

I typically ice fish every weekend in the winter. It is challenging, but very rewarding. Hit me up for a PM if you want to discuss more fully. I use "tip-up" traps and use shiners. It can be slow, but usually never get skunked. And when we do hook up, it is usually very good sized fish. Find a few friends to ice fish with and hang out with, it makes the time go by fast, and then you just have to sit back and wait for the orange flags!

Lucky enough to get out today, not quite lucky enough to get bit.

I picked up the original Creme worm, wanting to go old school after reading about their long history in an issue of Bassmaster. It just looked so natural at BPS that I couldn't resist buying a pack. I was unable to get bit on it. Would have been cool to get bit on the worm that started it all. Maybe next year.

In MA and NH, the states I primary fish the state fish and game have maps of the majority of the body waters with other information. This additional information includes depth, clarity, and fish species. I would see if your state has similar information on their fish and game website. Otherwise, try using the local forums on this site to speak to a member with personal knowledge, they can probably help you identify whats in your water.

Does anywhere on here fish any waters in the Merrimack Valley? I am looking to gain knowledge of more waters next year, and discuss some waters that I fish regularly, to see how others attack these same bodies of water. My main bodies of water are Long Pond, Mascuppic, and the Merrimack River.

Thank you all for your service, allowing myself and every other American to live life according to our own terms.

I agree with Darren. I use braid on all my set-ups with a fluorocarbon leader. I know a lot of the guys on here swear by fluorocarbon, I just find Power Pro Super Slick 8 hard to beat for casting, durability, memory, etc.

I upgraded the Electronics on my Ranger last year, purchasing two Lowrance Elite 7 Units. Keep in mind that Lowrance often has rebates that you can take advantage of from time to time. If not, I believe the units are right in the vicinity of your price point. I am impressed with the Units, and it has great mapping capabilities which are a breeze to operate. The Navionics chip is also helpful to finding high percentage areas in new, big bodies of water. The only issue I have with the Unit is the DSI was not as clear as I would have liked. It is by no means a poor image, it just isn't fantastic. It is good. I played around with the sensitivity and the other options, however I was unable to get the detail I had expected. The new CHIRP Sonar version appears to be a much better unit, so take a look at that unit too- it may be worth the extra $ in the long run.

I would agree with slonzep that placement is critical. You can have the right looking bait, with the right presentation, and at the right speed of retrieval and if there is no fish in the area, you come back empty handed despite your efforts. Other than placement, I think stealth would be my second choice. I fish a lot of waters where you are fishing in 1-5 foot ranger, clear to stained water, and heavy fishing pressure. I always try my best to slow down the trolling motor and make long, accurate casts so the fish do not see/hear me before I get them hooked up.

I agree that many people over embellish the size and weight of a fish, though I do not believe there is any malicious intent to do so. Quite simply I believe that many people are so excited to catch a big bass coupled with little to no experience with landing decent size fish, that they figure it must weigh more than just a few pounds. Then you have those that just like to tell fish stories. Many of us fall into both these categories at some point in their fishing career. Or even week. I had the very opposite of this initial thread happen to me, and wonder if it has happened to anyone else. I always carry several scales. Mechanical and digital, so I can get a true weight/length measurement for my own log. It was spawn and I was fishing 20 yards off shore with a wacky rigged GY senko, and had been slaying the fish in the early morning. A guy on shore was fishing with his wife. I landed a few fish in front of them, and then ended up landing a nice fish a little over 5 lbs. I was fishing solo, and went Ike during the fight/netting of this fish. I took some pictures and weighed the fish. As I was revving the fish, he guy from shore asked me how big it was, and so I told him, just over 5lbs. He apparently believed I was telling him yet another fish story, and quite candidly told me no way, it was a 3lber tops. I was approx 50 yards from this guy at this point. Part of me wanted to tell the guy to feel free to swim over to my boat and he could see by himself, instead I said that's what my three scales said pal, I don't know what to tell you. Really left a bad taste in my mouth...until I hooked up with another fish and forgot about his comments.