"hamma"

Smelts,... are the "main" forage base up there. But they will eat anything

Correct me if I'm wrong, but, the Massachusetts law states any "weight" under 1 oz, or any "jig" under a certain length,... spinnerbaits, crankbaits, or anything that a loon cant accidentally swallow isnt a issue. Now this covers "freshwaters" and doesnt effect salt water anglers The states environmental police do have a way to check,..I have not been, but I spoke to some shore trout anglers that told me they were checked. The State stocks trout so these lakes where stocking takes place gets more attention then "unstocked" or bass waters. I have seen one environmental police vehicle at bass waters in the past several years, at a bass lakes ramp. And I beleive it was for a complaint from a homeowner, as they didnt bother me at all, didnt even get out of the truck, So I think they were looking for someone specific. As far as a countrywide ban on lead? All I do know is that there is a way to check compliance, and I for one want to not only do whats deemed legal, but have begun searching and will soon be gathering the means to pour my own jigs and weights. Tungsten is out of the question for a do it yourselfer,...Bismuth/tin is a good alternative but tricky to powder coat as powdercoating, suggests 350 degrees at least for 15 minutes to "cure" and most bismuth/tins melt at 290, so if you dont want to paint your jigs/weights, this may work for you. Im looking at pewter, and a certain bismuth /tin suggested by Will Wetline. These may be the future of weights and jigs, as they are less expensive than tungsten, and much easier to work with. They both can be powdercoated, the bismuth/ tin may need "special" attention to do so, but possible the same. Brass and steel? I havent even considered yet, but, Im sure some experienced pourers would have already gone that route if they were viable. Will the ban effect you? I dont know,... But I do know that I have been searching for quality "specialized" or "technique specific" jigs and weights at a feasable price, and have found none as of yet. So, I've come to the crossroads, of making my own. You can find a few decent round ball jigs, football jigs, and "some" weights., in a bismuth/tin,..and oh yeah tungsten too, but they are not cheap..but if you fish any darter, stand-up, wobble heads, shad heads, etc.,... or specialized weights?,... your high and dry like me. I cant fathom the amount of money, and time I have wasted on lead weights, jigheads, and bass jigs that at the time were fine, but now deemed illegal here,..I did send alot out to friends throughout the country that dont have lead bans. But as any true "old timer" bass angler, I keep finding more and more in my overstocked stuff. I am almost ready to pull the trigger on my own pouring operation, and have not only sought out, and acquired the saftey requirements, but am now waiting on the New England weather to break as this will take place in my, large hand built shed, which doesnt have any heat,...lol. This is a push comes to shove type deal for me. The techniques and tricks I've acquired over the years calls for many different means of jigs, and weights. I'd say 1/8th of them I can buy on the cheaper tin/bismuth mix,...the rest either isnt available, or are very, very expensive. So I have been relegated to abandon some of my techniques, until I can again facilitate the materials needed to do so. As a diligent, stubborn, and resouceful cuss! I am not allowing the treehuggers to ruin my day anymore. Im going to make the stuff I need,... in the law abiding materials. (as I raspberry p.e.t.a.) even they can,...."have a nice day",...lol believe it? or not? ,... they did have a hand in this. Hopefully I will be forced to thank them in the near future, as this may be the beginning of "Hammafish Lure Co." if all goes well.

Last year things changed for me, so I just brought 3 waters, 1 gatorade, 2 peanut butter sandwiches, a bag of fritos and a granola bar or 3. In a small cooler bag Years ago I would cook up some marinated chicken wings, steak tips, and pork kabobs on the grill the night before, let them cool down stick them in a gallon sized ziplock bags and they would replace the sandwiches. And yeah,..they are still good cold. all fit in a med sized igloo cooler

I fish,....alot, when im not disabled,...lol Bass, trout, pickeral, crappie, perch,....stripers, flounder, and even for saltwater bait, as in herring (when allowed), mackeral, pogies, squid, etc. I own alot of gear, some for shore fishing, and some off a boat. I do have a preferrence for shimano reels, they do their jobs well, last a long time, and offer features that I believe give me some edge That's not to say I have "only" shimano's, as I do have a couple abu garcia rounds, diawa's. and penns As for rods? again no real 100% loyalty, but I do have mostly shimano rods, with several berkley's, a couple diawa's. The thing is this,... what fits?,.. you dont buy a wrench to screw in a screw.,.... as in tackle? lies the same criteria. yeah,.. snap on tools are undoubtably the best, and they offer just about anything, but are you going to buy them exclusivly? in a pinch craftsmans tools are just as good, and are much less expensive, which I have many of again the same goes with tackle. The "best" isnt necessary,..maybe nice to have, but not "needed",....get what you need to fit the bill is my creedo here. If what the job calls for med action slow rod,..a ugly stick, my do just fine,...but if you need to have alot of sensetivity, its my last choice. a good graphite blank and a spot for your fingers to touch the blank may be all you "need",..Be it a expensive kistler, or g-loomis,..or even a much less expensive berkley, or bass pro shops. The "choice" is yours,. go with what "you" like/need.,.. Bass care not of our social status, financial well being means nothing. All the fishing gear and stuff I've bought in my lifetime would amount to a crapload of money. But, a kid on a dock with a canepole, 15' of cheap mono line, and a single hook, can catch the same bass I may pitch towards. And then yet,..everything considered?. Brand loyalty in the fishing industry, is a option in some instances. But rarely possible/feasable in all,.... other than maybe shimano, or penn. Think about it,..from 2 pound test line to 300 pound test,...is there another company thats got it covered? Not that I can think of at this moment, considering im highly medicated, that may not be a long stretch, but a point to think of still

My "skipping rod" is a old shimano speedmaster pool cue type spinning rod, 5'10" heavy fast action. Paired with a original shimano symetre 4000 reel. I will tie on a 1/4 oz "custom" jig I tie for skipping, paired with a #11 pork rind. With that being said,...it is my "designated skipping rod", as a spinning rod offers the line more freedom and I find it skips better than a baitcaster,...(for me),.. Now,.. I flip and pitch with a flipping rod, and a heavier jig, again a "custom" tie,,... but, I have come up with a sideways pitch that I can pitch a very good distance, and have found that this sideways pitch will also skip quite well, and offers me a "around" the dock cast/skip. which I employ after I've targeted the front of the dock. Seems like just a bit of attention with my thumb keeps the backlashes at bay The jigs I use arent any special head type, just a certain "tied" on skirt, tweaked hook, body added is what makes it "custom"...so,..its, really not the jig. Line? I use 12 pound mono,.. so its not any special line either. I believe its more the cast angle, force asserted, and most of all.,..Practice,...and I say again,..PRACTICE. Even with the spinning rod?,..at first? I was the worst at skipping. It took a ton of practice, almost a whole season, before I got it right. But being proactive I targeted overhanging trees, so as to not be beating up homeowners personal property when targeting docks. And I highly recommend this while practicing One thing I do when I "decide" to skip, rather than flip or pitch? I drop the trolling motor as low as I can to get it out of the way. The lower your rod tip is while casting, the better I've found.

Black/blue jig, weight determined by depth fishing, But,...emphasis on RATTLES,...they have been a good friend to me in muddy or even algae bloomed waters. A quality glass rattle either built in or added, I prefer the smaller versions that I tie on, when I tie on my skirts and have some ready to go anytime Im to fish the dirty or greener waters. I think these I have, I bought many years ago, for inserting in worms but they tie in ok

Sweet Mike!,..alot of info I didnt know about that place.,... If you get to fish it soon, the deep water straight out from the ramp area should be holding most of the fish. I wont be un-buttoning my boat til "at least" after February's freeze.

There's really no way for anyone to pinpoint this, what line is used will vary this, what type of jig, make of jig, its amount of strands in the skirt, and the skirt material itself will vary this as well. what trailer, if any? to many variables to consider,... BUT,... I fish the lightest jig that I can still feel on bottom.

I tend to adhere to the natural colors with slight variations for water clarity kept in mind. I do believe color matters. Some lures are slow moving and I will stay more with natural colors when using them. As for faster moving lures, whites and chartruese will work just as well as a natural looking ones will in many instances. Like a muddied up area from rain runoff, or a stained area, or so on. So many of our local waters are clear, and I will go with naturals in those waters, as usually thats all that will work there.

the shelving material is a good idea S Sass,... I have the same plano for my terminal tackle that goes in a plano bag for my bass hunter, for the tracker? I have a different system But the op was talking shore fishing and as your idea would work great, I have a backpack for shore fishing, And have a small black tackle logic tackle wrap ( I think its for jigs) for my terminal tackle that fist nicely in a side pocket, works well, minimal space used, and all I need for terminal stuff fits in it

Meet , greet, and eat is today at 1:30,... Basspro shops fireplace,...stop by if you can. The more the merrier.

Bass like change, the left side of the maps deep water, has not only a island to the east but also a nice point to the west.,.. The deeper water in the middle of the map has some decent changes, at the point to its east adding in a couple shoals to the points south and north. The deep water to the right of the map has not only a point to its east, but a island or shoal to its north. Id check all these areas out.

There is a trick to it, First, I bite off the head of the grub so its now got a flat section against the head of the jig instead of a point. Then I will lay the grub against the side of the jig ensuring the now flat part is tight against the jig's head. Not only take note of where the hook should exit the grub, but you can count the "lines" on the grub if there are lines, Or put your thumb on the spot the hook needs to exit, or just eye it, and keep diligent note of its location. Now, inserting the hook can be a pain, but just insert the hook in the center of the grub, and try to do so in one single steady movement, kinda like a star wars jedi would use the force, envision that hook running true through that grub. If you need two movements to thread the hook,.. do so with a unhindered concentration, just keep threading it to the exit spot mentioned above. Many grubs will have a seam from molding that will run true from tip to tail, whether you decide to rig the grub tail up, or tail down, exit the hook on that corresponding seam, right where you located the exit spot stated above With a little practice this will become a mainstay, and before you know it that once difficult action, is now easy

This ^^^^^,... engage the reel before it touches down and your good to GO!,.. As far as whens the best time to use a buzzbait?,.... when its raining! best season?,... if done right, any of them but summer is a good time for one. Typically,... I only throw one when its raining,...

Many have questions about what to do when the going gets tough, and being this site is a "resource" rightfully so. But what are your go to baits, bait of choice, or favorite technique when the goings good. You get to the ramp and the days skies are kinda cloudy, the temps are perfect. The winds are mild, blowing enough to keep the skeeters at bay, but not so strong to blow the boat around, making handling difficult. There's a evident bite going on as the past couple weeks barometer was high, but 5 days ago it dropped, and you can see off in the slight distance a feedbag is on, as there's baitfish jumping and splash's within them. It's going to be a good day, you launch the boat and park the rig, you climb aboard and the lake seems to be yours as there's no other rigs in the parking lot, and no other boats in sight., Your trolling away from the dock and decide to start fishing right away. What bait do you reach for? Personally, I will start with my favorite topwater, a pop-r. I will get my fill of that and when I get bored?,..... the finesse type bait,.. 1/4 oz. jighead and grub will be next and here's why. Many days the conditions "dictate" what we use, and we become slaves to their quirks. Tossing big deep cranks can produce pigs, but they can be tiring when tossing them all day, a spinnerbait is another good pig lure, but their "resistence" can beat one up too. I choose the pop-r,. as I love that topwater explosion, or even better yet,.. lack thereof, the telltale "sucked under" pigs bite. It just gets my heart pumpin a mile a minute, when I set the hooks after a sucked under bite occurs, and feel that big girls weight. But as good things in excess, can produce mediocrity. When the rush of the top bite fades?,..Id choose the jig and grub as its a easy bait to use. Its not so heavy that casting will wear me out, but yet heavy enough to cast a decent distance. Also, the single hook is a welcomed hook to avoid when you've been dodging a couple trebles all morning. If you've ever had a hundred fish day fishing smallies on topwater, you know what I mean. Furthermore, rigging a jighead and grub, is a breeze to me, I have been doing so for so many years now I can probably do it blindfolded, and if you glue your grub to the jighead? Usually, you dont have to re-rig much at all. Consider this to boot,...I bought some hardy grubs in bulk back in the 90's, and still have many as they are not so soft that they tear easy. I bought three of my best producing colors in this "tough" plastic, and I've been reaping the benefits ever since. I've fished days when I rigged one in the morning and used it all day without any further attention from me even when I loaded the boat with fish, so to speak. Only thing Ive done to it, was drop a couple drops of scent on it several times. And dont beleive the hype of bigger baits = bigger bass,..there "may" be some merit there, but I've caught some giants for around here on a 4" grub, and not even a year old bass on a huge 1 1/2 oz spinnerbait with a No.7 willowleaf blade slow rolled in deep water. So I dont follow that train of thought. This is what I do on good days,...And Im compelled to ask, what you do on good days? Is it your "favorite" bait?,.. Or, one you have many of?,...Or, one you'd like to dispose of?,.. Or ,..do you prefer to shoot for the lakes biggest grandma of a bass?, Or,.. test out new gear?,.,.. Or,.. specific specie of bass?,.. and so on. I mean really, we all see the threads about, what rod is best, or what lures to use, and what techniques to employ when the goings tough.,... what do "you" do when the goings good ?? This could be interesting, as this site reaches far and wide, and we all, are as diverse as can be.

WHOOPS!

The hours of fun my daughters and I spent on the boat bobber fishing with worms are some of our best memories. This was only facilitated by the every other weekend parental visitations. So, time together was kinda tough to find something we all agreed on, I didnt have any sisters, so I didnt have any experience on "little girl" stuff. The outings on the boat contained swimming, fishing, and a nice packed cooler, with lunch and munchies. I would take them to lakes that had decent fishing but good water for swimming as well. And they loved it, but these days they have all graduated to smallies, on either topwaters or jerkbaits. It's become more of a demand from them, than a request,.. lol At least they have good taste! Maybe this year I will teach them grub fishing, less hooks, and more of me relaxing other than removing hooks from their smallies, instead of mine.

This bug I got from a flytying site, supposed to be a hellgramite

Right!, like,...try explaining a 54 tear old guy discussing "skipping" with enthusiasm,.... Flipping rod? even takes on a new meaning. Dont even get me started with my swimbait. Talking bass fishing at a local doughnut shop between my house and JE1946's home, we sat for a few hours talking about maps, lures, and presentations, just a week or so ago. There were 2 younger women at a nearby table that I could see readily, and as John and I talked I could tell they could hear us, by the snickers, glances, and outright laughs when we talked. Perception is an amazing aspect of society, with political correctness, generation diversity, and assumption? anything goes, and could actually get one in trouble, mortified, and labeled,...It is pretty stinkin funny at times tho

When I was fishing tourney's (mid 90's), sitting back with a bait out either striper, or trout fishing, was a good change of pace. The relaxing aspect of the sport of fishing does have its place in my arsenal. Back in the early 80's Id sit on the shore with a bobber out there and a shiner beneath it targeting bass. And I had 2 rods, one for me and one for my girlfriend. When I'd fish alone and the fish weren't active, I would set up "her" rod with a culprit worm and occupy myself. This, I believe, was my introduction into my bass fishing as it is today. And I have to laugh at the presentation I employed. The hooks I used for my shiner fishing were old eagle claw weedless bait hooks, the ones with a wire weedguard and double inverted barbs on the hooks shank to keep live worms up. I would thread the culprits up on the shank of the hook as one would attatch a grub on a jighead, only I would thread the worm on so they would ride up on the bend of the hook, giving the worm a twist.,... Oh,.. the line twist I endured,..., Funny part though is that this actually attracted alot of fish, that twisting and turning offering did twist my line, but it also tricked alot of fish, bass and pickeral alike. I actually had a certain few bridges over local rivers that I'd take my "worm" rod to after fishing, and cut the lure and hook off of the line, drape the line out into the river, so to remove the line twist in its current,...lol Im sitting here typing this out thinking back and reminiscing the crazy lengths I used to go to, just to fish. Consider most of this early bass fishing was facilitated by motorcycle,.. Yeah,. two 2 piece rods attached to the sides, and a plano trolling bait bucket lashed to the sissy bar. And this was a suzuki gs 400 ,.. a little street bike, that I'd take down dirt trails to get to some of the secluded ponds to fish,... some of these trails? weren't even for dirt bikes,...lol I attribute these early days of weightless worm fishing to my reluctance towards fishing a senko.,... I had enough line twist to last several lifetimes. But to get back to the post at hand,..I got bored sitting and waiting even in my bass fishing's infantcey, hence the funky rigged weightless culprits. I actually came across some of those hooks last week, searching for some materials for a new tie on the flyvise,... I smiled, recalled those days, and considered...."hmmm,..weightless worms, whodathunk!,...lol",... really! Who these days fishes a weightless worm?,...lol

Jimmies? isnt that a restaurant on 114?,... lol , and a blinkah? is the not so evident automotives directional, or turn signal that not many around here use anyways. And when someone from here single finger salutes you for not using it? be sure to smile and waive, they'll appreciate it.,...its a common gesture,..Munchin bugs? means eating lobster. a sub? is a hoagie sandwich,.tonic is soda or pop,... yeah, you know, coca-cola,,..... and a fluffenutter? just needs to be experienced,...just to clear up a few misnomers. Now, you might survive a trip to beantown.

sweet deal,..looks good too, hope they stay on better then the oem

I like a clear/silver flake silicone skirt for buzzbaits, white and chartruese are good too, black at night?,..yeah. But that clear/silver flake seems to work well in clear waters up here ,... no matter what the lighting is

UMMM,...anything with a single hook

Secret Bait? who would think there's such a thing? Do you mean the giant buzzbait I saw KVD throwing, and allowing to sink to 50' , pulling up huge smallies with? "Oh, Dang!" I was supposed to keep that to myself. Oh well,. Im sure he'll understand. It's not like his livelyhood depends on it. And the flytying vise I have on the desk over there holds no secrets either. I just tie for fun, it keeps me busy. Like they say,...Idle hands harbor evil intent. So,... I tie on my skirts on just to keep them up, Hairjigs are for my evil idle hands, and thoughtful innovations towards forage base, is just for looks. Secrets? do I type short posts? Offer help to those who are learning? There are no secrets on the internet, everything here is well known, tried and true. Photoshop is a farse, and foreign women really do "love" american men, marry one you'll see. Bubbring shakers?,..accents? I live near boston, accents says you? I have no accent, its the rest of the country that has a funny accent. After all, it all started in a pub downtown in the mid 1700's, and "we" have a funny accent? (insert banjo music from deliverence) "I pahk my cah in harvid yahd" ,...lol I got a secret for ya. but you must promise not to share it. shhhhh! if you tie on a hook, and add on a live worm, toss it out there and wait, something will bite. Im tellin ya it works! I know, i know, Im amazed too. First time I tried it I was astonished too. Now be sure to keep it to yaself, ok? Modern science never ceases to amaze, Oh I know, closer to "beam me up scotty!" it couldnt be, right. Like there will ever be a devise that we can hold in our hands, and have the information we need, ability to share it, and still be able to talk to your friends as well. Next thing ya know, we will be seeing fish on a tv screen, with the capabilties as a computer. Ah Huh, I got a bridge in New York for sale you "need" to buy to. Secrets? pishaw! who would do such a thing, especially a bass angler no less? The thought horrifies me! I'd bet you think the next Bassmasters Classic will be won on a certain worm, and then that worm will ever sell? Who would ever fall for such a ploy? I know I dont have a couple totes of gear I bought because I thought I'd need it, Or saw some angler on tv use it on lake fork, and my idea was, "well, it works for him, why not me?" So i ran right out and bought some. "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!",.... "How long do you stay fresh in that can anyways?,...ha ha ha",.. "If I only had a brain, a heart, da neorve!",.... As my favorite local bands big song is "Dream on" ,... here we all sit, dreaming of that "secret" to come along and put us on that magic bite. Im tellin ya,,...it's out there, really,.. it is. Buy my sponsors magic brand x "secret lure" and you too will find valhalla. It used to amaze me, the "Lure" of concept, but these days Im not so amazed anymore. Any secret soon will be mainstream, our ability to share info via the internet has changed everything. If I didnt have this laptop the California spotted bass record, would be area specific info only,... My next tie at the vise would probably fail miserably,... and the op's question, simply mute. We all have a opportunity to share here, learn here, even cut it up like I just did. I feel compelled to thank all of those responsible for such. Otherwise, we all would still be out there surfing the web, looking for that secret lure. I,.. for one, will tell you,.. There are no secrets anymore, The lightning fast internet and the available marketing these days, see to it.