Bazoo

Shore, I'm a 9. I fish primarily from shore. With my bass buster, which I have paddled and with no electronics, I'd say I'm a 3-4. I'm not the most proficient with a small boat, but I am okay. If I spent some more time there, I'd be a solid 7. With a bass boat, 0 currently as I've never owned one. Been on one, but never the lead. That said, I'd use it the same way I use my small boat, except that I'd quickly learn the sonar, spotlock, shallow water anchors, and be on some hawgs. I am the type of person, that reading about something and seeing it done a few times, I pretty much have it. And already having a fairly broad knowledge of bass fishing, it'd just hone my already razor sharp skills.

I would do my best to keep the fish alive. Possible I'd best the state record with is 14-9.5 I fish waters much like this, smaller, public, pressured, unsuspecting. In Ky, it must be weighed on a certified scale, and examined by a biologist. I would first stringer the critter, then I would get on the phone to the biologist. If one couldn't be there shortly, which I doubt, the next plan is to use a portable livewell to bring it home and into the 55 gallon water barrel, then put the aerator in there. I don't have a portable livewell, but I'm thinking on making one for the occasion. I'm handy, So I'd have a tote set up in an hour provided a local store had an aerator. Otherwise, I'd remove the one from my boat and make that work. I wouldn't have to but mention it to put the boy to digging worms to feed the critter. He'd be half a pound more by the time the biologist got there probably. I wonder if that would effect the record? Would I kill it if need be, yes, but very reluctantly. I would also consider the body of water... first, I fish mostly public, and nothing that's to myself. If it was Freeman Lake, with the hundreds of people every weekend... no worries. If it was a hard access public lake that sees little pressure, not sure, it'd sure ruin it for me, but probably. Best thing would be putting the pictures up on the latest pic thread though.

I don't disagree, sometimes it is hard/impossible to slow down. One other thing to consider, the rod its on. If it was a fiberglass rod like a zebco usually has, I think that makes a more subtle wiggle than a graphite rod.

It depends for me if I have a change of clothes in the car or my poncho not far. If I have a change of clothes, I'll pretty much go into a medium rain. If I have my poncho... whatever. I have fished in pouring rain lots of times because once I got started I was too deadset to quit, but I don't care for being soaked to the bone, nor having to dry all my gear. Which includes my tackle bag, holster/belt, gun, and wallet. Drying my holster really sucks, because I don't have a spare. I'd actually like a waterproof backpack for fishing. I don't like having to dry out my tackle bag, that's a pain. I've seemed to notice that... but then again, I've gotten bit then too, but it does seem that it dies off.

Thanks. When you said using superglue for the guide, do you put it so it runs between the guide and rod, or on the wrap area if it is chipped, or both? That didn't occur to me, thank you.

I appreciate this discussion. I'm working on improving my finesse presentation and techniques. I prefer power fishing, but it doesn't always produce fish. That said... I LOVE plastic worm fishing because of feeling the bite. It's probably my favorite part of the bass catching cycle... the nibble.

What should I consider for rod maintenance? I have 5 rods that I use all the time, not counting the cheapos that the boy and mom have. Most of the time the rods are in the car, since I fish nearly daily. The heat and the sun are something I am concerned about. I try not to be rough with my rods, but of course things sometimes happen. Once in a while I'll take the rod, remove the real, wipe all the accumulated muck off the seat, handle, blank, and guides. Sometimes with just a rag, if it's mild, sometimes with water and a toothbrush if it's more stubborn. I don't use soap or anything. I'd say I do this every 2 months on average. I do the same to the reel of course, and give it a few drops of oil. I change my line about once a month or anytime I have any suspicion of it, and I often do a bit of light cleaning and oiling then, though I don't oil every time because I don't want to flood the reel. I normally wait until it seems "dry". Considering my automobile "storage", how long should I expect my rods to last? I don't think that this will be detrimental to the reels, but I expect the UV to be harsh on the rods themselves. What does everyone else do?

Thanks. I would likely be the only person to ever put a boat in this. There are a few people that fish this, but very few, and all from the dam area. They just made it public, access includes a 1/4 mile walk down a graveled path (which turns most off).

Yes, there is public access to this reservoir in the form of a city owned access road to the dam which is city owned. It's an earthen dam where the gravel road goes the entire length of it right next to the water. There is a locked gate and a no motorized vehicles sign, so a small boat/kayak on a dolly would still be accessible. My question is: can I fish the entire body of water from a boat, since 3 sides of it are privately owned? The dam has no trees or cover, but the sides and north end opposite the dam are covered with trees and brush.

If my boat, and it's hand trailer was ready, I would. First, because there is no signs saying no boats, and my understanding is, that if they do regulate boats, they will specifically state it. There is a public access pond I occasionally go to (its out of the way), and it has a sign stating the regulations, including no boats. Second, is that I've had some dealings with the local game enforcement officers and they are all pretty nice. If I was in the wrong, they would most likely inform me, and turn me loose with a warning. Of course, I am very polite to F&W officers. Their overall attitude is that they are there to inform the folks that are honest, and bust the ones that are doing drugs and such. Regardless, I do want to know for the specific bodies of waters I have interest in. It also occurred to me, that if there is no regulation, and I go asking about it, signs might start going up.

Thanks for the replies. I am familiar with the registration laws here. Anything powered, electric or otherwise has to be registered.

I have some noob questions regarding using my boat. I own a small 2 man plastic bass boat, the type that can be launched by hand on a body of water without a ramp. There is a large pond in town, public. And it has a sign that says "state fishing regulations enforced". I assume that includes putting my boat in. There is a small reservoir in town, that is private land all the way around on the east/north/west. And marked so, but the dam is owned by the city just like the above pond, and is open to the public. I assume that I can put in there at the dam, and I am free to fish around the shore as long as I don't go ashore anywhere other than at the dam area? Where do I find out such information? I have one of the boating/fishing guides that the state puts out, but it doesn't answer these type of questions.

I was checking this out and figured I'd add. I certainly think its awesome that this young man caught such an awesome bass. I have not seen mention made if he was able to release it. I assume it was killed.

I don't always get these picture sorted by the day, and often I'll fish it several days close, so forgive me if you notice the lighting is off. Sometimes I'll hit this lake a bit before bible study, and then again after. The boy entices them somehow, with is his furious retreives! Learning split shot rigging... Working too.. now just to find the hawgs. I rigged this up for the wife, gave it a test cast and caught this little fighter. I often give her or the boys rig a test cast to make sure things are in order, and often connect. I think this is the first bass I've ever caught on a roostertail. I don't fish inline spinners much. It twisted my line Got my first jig, albeit a swim jig, bass. Yum FF Sonar minnow on a Carolina rig seems to work pretty good. These are red because they were in my catchall bag with a red lure a few days. Worked at the river too! She had a knob on her nose, and another angler there mentioned catching one like that, upon seeing the pictures, he said he'd caught her the other day. Back to the private lake. Where the brim are energetic. Couple days later. Split shotting is working good and I have a good feel for it with a #3 weight and 10lb line. I am going to go to 8lb line and see if I can get the weight down some and still keep my distance reasonable. I don't particularly like these worms, but I have a bag of them. Not sure if this classic color works or is just nostalgic, which is why everyone fishes it. The boy wanted a white grub, this was my test cast. I don't use that suncatcher line for stuff normally. I do have it on a rod that I've been throwing topwaters on, but I just generally don't have any confidence in it. The next day. Watermelon with red flecks is working just fine. Eat anything that don't eat him first is his motto! I was trying this color out... eh... I still don't have much confidence in it. Probably lose it at the river anyways.

When you're starving, you'll eat about anything.

I took an almost 15 year break, taking it back up last year. When I was about 13 through about 18, it was all I ever wanted to do. Then I got bit by the gun bug at 18. I started trading guns and it became an obsession. So much so, that I didn't learn how to drive, and I had no interest in anything unless it was gun related, even then, I still fished some. Then at 22 I became a born again Christian and was set free from what was a debilitating oppression of idolizing guns/2nd Amendment/freedom. I fished right up until the time I got marred at 24. Several things happened... I lost both of my decent spots in short order. I found that it was harder to take off with a friend or by myself on a whim. Work and life seemed to just get in my way. Then in 2015 we had a housefire, and I lost all my possessions including all of my fishing gear. I lived in an apartment above a business, and didn't have renters insurance. Then when we had a son, I decided I was going to bring him up in the hunting and fishing life. When he was 3, last year, I started back at it with more vigor than previously. I now fish almost daily, if not, 3 times a week, usually taking the boy with me. The old passion came back, and most of what I'd learned. Now I'm learning new things, and really perfecting my skillset. I go to church 2 times a week, and keep God first, and go through phases where fishing is my primary hobby, and then guns/shooting. I try to balance it out. I have a fishing hole right down the road from where I go to church so I normally hit that Sunday and Wednesday. Sorry for your loss. I lost my mom 3 years ago. I used to do a little gaming... I had Bass Master Classic tournament edition on the computer. I stayed up all night and won the classic 2 times in one night!

Interesting discussion. I've skipped here and there, but never really took to master it. I have however been working on mastering a nice roll cast for short range close cover accuracy. It never occurred to me to try to use a roll cast to skip.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I don't know what the history of the boat is for sure, but I was told it was left out for the summer and garaged during winter.

I always thought that the Zebco 33 would outcast a spinning rod. I sometimes use one, but my boy uses spincasters a lot. I always thought the difference was the fiberglass rod and how it loads up on a cast. The rods that normally accompany Zebcos are good casting rods, albeit cheap. Thanks @bulldog1935.

Best: Probably casting accuracy and lure presentation. I have practiced in the yard since I was a kid and still do. I taught myself how to cast lefthanded this year. Worst: using the same lure an extra hour even though it ain't working. I tend to get tunnel vision and just keep trying, instead of realizing it ain't working and thinking of something different to try.

Thanks for all the information shared here. I saw the cheapo version of the Super Spot at my local Walmart. I didn't pick any up, but wondered about it. I do use the Super Spot.

I just became aware of this, and purchased one at Walmart. Mine sinks; mention was made of them floating... are they supported to sink or float?

I purchased a wafer shad from walmart and I haven't had any luck with it. I was hoping it'd be different enough that it'd get bit at my heavily pressured local city lake, but I haven't tried it there yet. I did try it at a small private lake with little pressure, but they didn't like it that day. How does one fish it? I'm not used to sinking lipped crankbaits. I fished it about like I would a suspending jerkbait.

Thanks.

I just finished reading all the post, very informative and interesting discussion, thanks all for contributing. I fish some at night, so far, always from the bank. Always a place I'm familiar with. I've not done it enough to have major success stories like others, but I've caught a few here and there.