mud

I wear a government issued boonie hat. Does the trick

Have a short memory! But seriously, I keep plugging. If I'm in a slump, I either switch to a slower easier to fish lure, such as a senko. Or I relocate. I don't let a slump affect me too much. I just remember to breathe and go back to where I started.

Just out of curiousity how long are you playing out the bass? And are you keeping tension on the line at all times? First and foremost is your drag set right? I don't know the specific ratio to line breakage, I go by feel, but I've noticed that I lose fish when I give any slack to them. I also like to put my rod down in the water when reeling in so that the fish can't jump as easily. I like a sweeping hookset with cranks, a snap up with jigs, and with plastics I like to go the opposite direction of the fish on the hookset. I am not the most experianced, but these tactics work for me. mud

I guess I'm lucky. My girl got me started in bass fishing by buying me a bunch of lures for fathers day. Her family is all about fishing and hunting. But she wants nothing to do with it. She understands the bait monkey. And she gives me the time to get away and has no interest to go with me.

First and foremost, don't worry about catching a fish, just make sure you go out and enjoy the day. Any time I get myself into a slump I analyze way too much about what I'm doing wrong. Today in fact was the first time I haven't been skunked in 2 weeks. I slowed down, and went back to my basics. And lo and behold catch 5 decent sized perch.

I would like to say that I learned everything I know about bass fishing from this year. I started this year and had no clue what I was getting into. I've spent too much money, time, and effort on bass. And I plan to do even more next year (not that I'm done with this year). mud Oh, forgot to mention that I also learned not to show my fiance what I buy. Don't like dealing with that can of worms.

If one type of fish is dying then I would assume the DNR would investigate. There could be something in the water that would cause all of the fish to eventually die. Not only that, it could present and evironmental threat to surrounding environments.

I always see carp dead in the canals. There shouldnt be a massive die off unless the water has something wrong with it. Did you notice anything different? Water color? Smell? Usually bait fish are the first to die off.

Every now and then me and the in laws will go out looking for lures in trees and other stuff floating on the canal. Well I must say the first introduction to the family was like that and I love it. You wouldn't believe the stuff we find. I've fallen in the water a few times, but I always get what Im going for. Now for my own personnal Lures, I've climbed trees that were definatly not strong enough to hold my 240lbs. I have a bad habit of wanting to cast under that fallen log or tree and having that one errant cast that I get caught in the tree every time. If I think I can get it I'll go for it. Even walked out shoulder deep in 50 degree water cause I'm too cheap or the boss (fiance) bought me the lure and threatened me to not lose it. mud

At my local pond, I've caught crappy on 5" Senkos, Rapalas, and a Chatter Bait

The way things are going right now, all fisherman that seek education would be better off contacting OLN or Versus. They seem to be more intune with what viewers want than ESPN.