king fisher

1. Fish feeding just outside of casting range. 2.. Fish feeding just outside my casting range after spending way to much money on a new rod and reel, to increase my casting range. 4., Guy in boat can only cast ten feet with a cheap rod and reel, but catches the fish feeding just outside my casting range. 5. Fish refusing to bite my lure. 6. My friend wanting to be lazy and watch TV on his day off rather than go fishing with me in his boat.

I caught my PB last week on a spinnerbait with one gold, and one chartreuse blade. I can't say the chartreuse blade made a difference, but there is a good chance that bait will get tied on a lot more in the future.

Thanks for all the replies. Turns out I didn't need to try different lures. Location is everything. The water went down and I found some flooded trees. That is where the bass were hanging out at least they were yesterday. Landed two big ones. One 25 1/4 inches, the other 25 3/4 inches. I'm guessing the weight around 10 pounds. One on a spook type lure, the other on a spinner bait. Lost another one around the same size on a square bill. Same lures I caught dinks on the last time. I did order a big Spro Rat, to try next time I go.

There is no need to match the hatch if there is no hatch. When there is an abundance of one type of prey, then it may be necessary to match the hatch. Bass are hunters, and like all hunters, will use all of their senses, and skill to catch their prey. If a hunter walks in to a field determined to get something for dinner with no idea what is abundant in the field, he will likely shoot the first edible thing he sees. Could be a rabbit duck, or pheasant, doesn't really make any difference. If the same hunter walks in to a field with thousands of rabbits everywhere but finds they are hard to shoot because they are very fast, and don't run in a straight line he may start to concentrate on rabbits. He may discover if he sees a white patch on a rabbit giving its location away before it starts to run, he can get a quick easy shot. While concentrating on the ground looking for white patches, a duck could fly over and he most likely wont even notice. Not because he prefers rabbit over duck, but because he is concentrating on finding and shooting rabbits that happen to be very abundant at the time. The same thing happens when a bass is hunting. If there is no hatch he looks everywhere for anything and doesn't concentrate on one, color, action, sound, or other factor and will most likely hit a variety of lures, fished in a variety of ways. When there is a large amount of one type of prey ( hatch) he may start to concentrate on one or more aspects of that particular prey, in order to make it easier to catch. During the hatch the bass become selective not because they prefer one type of prey over another, but because by concentrating one or more factors they become more successful at locating and catching the prey while it is abundant. The angler does not know exactly what the main thing the bass is looking for so it can be wise to try and match the size, speed, action, color, sound, smell, and any other aspect of that particular prey. An anger does not have to get an exact match, maybe only need to fish the lure, fast, instead of slow, with pauses instead of straight retrieve, a dark over light color, quiet instead of noisy, and scent likely wont matter at all. One time size and speed may be all you have to match. Other times the bass may only be looking for a flash of red, or silver, and size doesn't make a difference. Changing retrieve is the first and easiest thing to try to match the hatch. Size and color require changing lures. You never know until you experiment. Though many times it is not required, I don't think it ever hurts to try and match what the fish are feeding on.

I was finally able to go back to this small reservoir and my luck definitely changed. The water was significantly lower, exposing many trees that I previously didn't know were there. I started the morning fishing top water a around some trees in about 15- 20 feet of water. After just a dozen or so casts with a Rebel Jumping Minnow, I landed my short lived new personal best. I didn't have a scale, and had left my camera in my car, (big mistake) but I measured the bass at 25 1/4 inches. Needless to say it crushed my old PB. of 5.5 lbs. from 1977. Last summer I caught some that were close but didn't have a scale so wasn't sure. Landed a few more from 1 to 2 pounds, on top water, then switched to a square bill. Hooked another monster, but had difficulty backing my kayak out to open water, and the fish wrapped me on a branch. Win some, loose some. Tried a jig and multiple soft plastics, with no success, but fishing slower presentation techniques is my big weakness. When the afternoon winds picked up I switched to a spinner bait. On my second cast I hooked and landed my new PB. It measured 25 3/4 inches and was fatter than the one I caught in the morning. I was close to the launch, so I made a stringer, and slowly peddled back to get my camera. A family was swimming there, and were glad to help take a few pictures. I revived the bass, but unfortunately didn't feel it was strong enough to make it. If I had it to do over again, I would have released it immediately, a picture is not worth killing a bass of that size, very bad decision on my part. I gave the fish to the family that helped take the pictures, and they were grateful, so wasn't a complete loss. The small bass that had given me so much trouble the times before at this lake were gone, replaced by monsters. What a difference a few weeks can make. I never solved the puzzle from the last time ,simply was there at the right time using the same lures as before. Sometimes its better to be lucky than good. I don't know the weights of the two big bass, but I'm sure they were both well over 8 pounds. My old personal best from 1977 was caught on a solid fiberglass rod, with a Zebco 33 reel. Times have really changed. The old PB was also caught on a spinner bait, a Cotton Cordel black and yellow spring killer, and my new PB was caught on a home made spinner bait, I guess some things haven't changed. I know I wont be around for another 40 years so a plan on buying a scale and hope to break my record a little sooner next time.

I guided in Alaska for over 30 years. With more than a few encounters with bears. Many surprise encounters, false charges, that sort of thing. Lots of bear chewed rafts, oars, outboard cowlings, and one even chewed the fabric on the tail of my airplane. without damaging the metal tubing ( Glad I had lots of duck tape). With all the close calls, I only had to shoot one bear in self defense. One night a small brown bear destroyed my fish cleaning table, then decided to join me in my tent. I yelled and fired a warning shot in the air but he kept coming. When he got less than five yards away, I had no choice but to kill him. The next morning when I went to start my outboard, I noticed oil leaking. Taking a closer look, I found I had not only shot the bear, but also shot my oil filter. Killed a brown bear and a Honda in one shot. Replaced the oil filter, put a piece of duck tape over the whole in the cowling, and went fishing. I still have the bullet some place. I Thought about sending it to Nosler, thanking them for making such a fine product, but never got around to it.

Now I can prove to my family, I am not a hoarder, but instead a very wise forward thinking fisherman. Because of many shrewd prior tackle purchases, I have the ability to provide my family with high protein meals. What tackle I don't loose providing them with subsidence will be saved, and appreciated as wise investments. No longer will my wife refer to my prized possessions, as my stupid fishing junk. If this tackle drought continues, I may be in possession of a small fortune. Just goes to show, one day crazy hoarder, next day genius investor.

Because of the replies to this thread, I decided I would listen to the Bait Monkey and buy one RkCrawler 55 to try, even though I have way to many crankbaits that are similar. After seeing this purchase, I realize the Bait Monkey wasn't wasting his time talking to me. He wasn't even in the same room. My wife would be very happy if you could keep him over at your place for awhile longer.

I start the day planning on catching lots of big fish, on top water. Sometimes by the end of the day, I am questioning the intelligence of the governments decision not allowing dynamite as a legal fishing method. Most days, if I'm catching lots of small fish, I try and change tactics to see if I can get bigger fish. If I'm not having any luck, I switch to trying to catch anything, and plan on lying to make them bigger.

I grew up in a small town of about 500 people. There was a lake close enough to ride my bike to that had a decent population, of large mouth, panfish, and rainbow trout. The creek flowing out of the lake had small mouth bass, and being a local, I had shore access to anyplace I could find to cast. There was a public access at one end of the lake, with a small dock. I went fishing there, almost every day of the summer. A friend of mine lived a quarter mile away from the lake and fished with me whenever he could. We both owned a bass plug or two, and preferred to fish for bass, but most days were spent fishing off the small dock for whatever would bite a worm dug up out of the garden. We would usually catch our limits of trout, and maybe a few crappie. If conditions were right would walk the shore casting for bass. We were envious of what we called rich city fishermen. They would launch there boats at the ramp by the dock. They would always have more than one rod, and at least one large tackle box full of lures. We would always ask if they would show us thier lures. I always looked with envy, and hoped that some day I would be rich and have a huge tackle box stuffed with the best bass plugs money could buy. The odd thing was, when they would get back to the dock, they usually hadn't caught as many fish as my friend and I. They didn't know the lake well, and would fish all the good spots at the wrong time of day, or when the wind was blowing the wrong direction. We would never waste our time fishing the one shallow bay close enough to walk to when the wind wasn't blowing strong out of the west or the fish the opposite bank from the dock in the middle of the day. A strong west wind made it worth an hour walk to the bay to cast our Mepps spinners, and the opposite bank was great in the evening for a Hulla Popper. Any other time was better spent catching trout for dinner. One time one of the city fishermen asked me if I would show him where the fish were. It was a perfect day for walking down the creek for the small mouth bass. I took him to a few of the best spots and we both caught lots of bass. I asked him why he bothered to fish from the bank with me, when he had a boat and could fish anywhere in the lake. He replied he had been to that lake before without much luck, and we had caught more bass from the bank than on his other trips combined. He told me that local knowledge and time on the water was more important than nice gear and a big boat, even if the local knowledge was coming from a 13 year old farm kid. He told me I was so lucky to have access to such great fishing and the time to take advantage of it. Before he left he promised not to tell any one about the small mouths in the creek, and gave me a floating Rapala that was my favorite lure for many years. He told me a nice boat and great gear, is only good if you have time to use it and I should consider myself very lucky. I told my friend about the city angler and we both agreed that the man was right. Fishing is more fun than having great gear but no time to use it. Of course, I still dreamed of owning a big tackle box full of the latest and best. Even at that young age, the Bait Monkey was trying to work his way in to my life. Now the situation is reversed. I have way to much gear, and very little time. Once a year or so I get a chance to fish with that same friend. He still brings one spinning rod, a few inline spinners, some crappie jigs, and a Jitterbug. He fishes almost every evening and all day on the weekends. I show up with all my gear, and constantly try to get him to try my rod, reels, lures, and modern super lines. He laughs and out fishes me with the gear he has. He always tells me he doesn't need any fancy gear to catch more fish than a city angler. I try and claim that I am not a city angler, but then realize who am I kidding. Some days when the Bait Monkey has me on line ordering every new lure, line, or rod-reel, that I read about, I have to stop and tell myself, to spend less time reading and buying, and more time fishing. I hope to retire some day and be a country fisherman with a city anglers tackle box. Now to convince my wife, that the perfect place to retire is a small house, no yard, garden, or other time wasting luxury, 10 miles from a paved road, 60 miles from a shopping mall, close to a lake with big bass in it.

Price isn't a factor. Depends on how well the lure is working, is anything else working, do I have more, can I get more, how bad I'm out fishing my friend, and if I don't will my friend will go swimming.

Maxima Ultragreen. 12# for bait casters. Trilene 6# for spinning . Hard to give up braid for most spinning, but I caught lots of fish and had just as much fun, when mono was simply called fishing line.

I have no idea how far they will go to hit, but I'm positive I have zero chance of getting hit. A bass would have to travel miles over land, then somehow get in my house to strike. Sure hope I can get to the lake this weekend. I would be happy to make it easy for a big bass, and place a lure right on her nose.

I use all three, but prefer to use mono when practical. Braid to leader (mono leader most of the time) on most spinning rods. Bait caster I prefer straight braid for punching, and frogging. Keep going back and forth between floro and mono for crank baits. Most every thing else I use mono. Favorites are-- Braid-- J braid Mono- Maxima Ultra Green or Berkly Big Game Floro - still searching for a favorite. Currently using Sunline Sniper. If I could only use one it would be mono. Fortunately for me and the Bait Monkey there are lots of choices.

Transducers can over heat if ran out of the water for a long period of time. I don't think you could hurt a 500 watt transducer, which is what comes with most units made for fresh water. I do know you can ruin a 2 or 3 KW transducer by running it out of water at max power output. I Personally know of one that was left on for a few days while boat was hauled out for repairs. Transducer cost $3000 to replace. That captain will not make that mistake again. I would not worry about a 500 Watt or even a 1 KW. transducer.

Why do I always feel I need to buy more or better equipment, rod, reels, lures, electronics etc? When what I really need is the time, and ability to fish what I have more effectively.

Alberto tied correctly is strong, and almost as slim as an FG. If it catches in your guides, I would recommend bigger guides or don't use a leader. Uni to Uni is not as strong or as slim as the Alberto, but has worked for better anglers than me for a long time. Blood knot is not as strong as Uni to Uni and about the same diameter, but is used successfully by far better anglers than me, including the tactical bass'n guys and many pros. FG is the strongest and slimmest, with practice can be tied quickly, but in my opinion is only needed, when you use leader over #50 test. If you feel you need a leader, and want the strongest slimmest knot than use the FG. As many great fishermen prove every day, you don't need the strongest, slimmest knot to catch trophy fish. I rarely use a leader, but when I do prefer the Alberto because of the strength, size, and can be tied quickly.

I bought a Hobie Outback a few months ago, I fish for a couple hours in it almost every day. I have had some of the most enjoyable fishing experiences, of my life, and some of the most frustrating experiences kayak fishing. Don't get discouraged, the frustration goes away with time on the water. I recommend fishing with yours a few times before you start to buy accessories. The Hobie Pro Angler comes equipped with rod holders, slots for pliers, etc., lots of places to store gear, and a great pedal system. Depending on how you fish, you might not want anything more than a PFD and if the water is cold, rain gear, or waders ( you will get wet in all but the calmest conditions). An Anchor system can come in handy when I bass fish, but I use the anchor less now that I learned to plan my casts and boat position more in advance. A milk crate works as well as anything to store tackle boxes. If you are going to use it on lakes that can get rough, or salt water, I highly recommend taking it out with no gear, and practice getting in after flipping a few times. Also practice launching and landing, on a beach with some wind and waves. A little practice in less than ideal conditions, will give you a good idea of what you are capable of handling without risking any expensive fishing equipment.

I have way to many, but for some reason feel I need just one more. Especially one with a new Coastal SV. Where does it end?

I use a pair of gloves. I can rap the line around my hand without cutting myself, and am able to use both hands if I need too.

They are all similar. I would make sure what ever brand you buy, has a quality ball bearing swivel. I make my own and have every combination you could imagine. All a person really needs, is a couple different sizes, a dark color, a light color, and a few different blade types and sizes.

I would add, do not talk politics. While guiding I had had to learn to bite my tongue, smile and laugh at any political comment no matter how stupid I personally thought the comment was. Because of that experience, I do not want to hear someones political views while out fishing for fun, even if I agree with them. Same goes for jokes, The joke I think is great might be highly offensive to the person I am fishing with. I try to error on the side of caution when it comes to all conversation.

I have fallen through the ice fishing, Flipped rafts in rapids, numerous close calls while flying to my favorite fishing spots in marginal weather, had to shoot a brown bear, worst part was the bear didn't stop the bullet and it put a whole in the oil filter of my Honda outboard, ( killed a bear and Honda in one shot). Hooked many times, worst was with a size 12 /0 hook buried deep in my leg with the other hook on the double hook lure still hooked to a dorodo. Worst close call was when I was 14, lost the biggest bass I had ever seen right at my feet resulting in sever psychological trauma, and over 40 years of nightmares.

You can buy Blue Fox Vibrax #3 spinners with an optional single hook. Just as effective as one with a treble, but kinder on the fish. You may hook a few less fish, but once you have one hooked you have less chance of loosing it. Not sure if Mepps offer a version with a single hook, but you could buy hooks and change them out.

I am a big spinner bait fan. I haven't fished a chatterbait very much. I bought one a few years ago to try. I didn't catch any bass on it, but it sure worked on the brown trout. The same day and location the brown trout crushed the chatterbait, the brown bass attacked a jerk bait. I guess you never know, with fishing. The bait Monkey talked me in to buying a couple Chatter baits, so I will have to give them another try. Even if they work great, I'm sure they wont replace my spinner baits. Just another tool in the box.