Gatorbassman

I use the 4" Yums and the 5" Mad Man Craws with the new Pro Model Spot Removers. The small ones will work to. Any soft plastic will work just fine. I once caught the Big Fish of a Tourny with a spider grub on one. I only use super glue when using a tube bait. But with the new Pro Model you get the cork screw that many people like.

95% of the time I use a finesse worm. Just pinch of bite off the first 1/8 of an inch to make it easier to rig. The rest of the time it will be a.... Speed Craw Trick Worm Yum Crawbug The one in my avatar was caught on a Spot Remover with a Yum Crawbug.

Right on Catt. That is some great advise. Thanks

That's a great rig. Just remember you can't catch a bass going 100mph. lol

I don't have my maps with me so I will look when I get a chance. I live and die by maps when it the first time at a new lake. The things I am looking for on Fork are simple. I mark spawning flats and coves first then I study the creek channels that lead to those coves. I like creek bends but I want a creek that only has a few drastic bends. Those will be the hot spots. I look for where two or more creek channels come together. These will be the places that the fish fall back to when the weather turns bad. From what I have read on Fork the best spots are where creek channel, grass and timber meet. I will only know this from time on the water. The next thing I look for is under water points that close to or in those spawning areas. The deep parts of these points should be staging areas. Notice that I have said very little about the timber. That is the last think I think about. The only timber I am interested in is the ones that the fish are spawning next to and the ones that are along the creek channels and edges of grass flats. That should eliminate allot of water for ya.

Long Mike you have done all that you can do. The rest has to be done by getting on the water. Spend the rest of your cabin fever time just getting to know the lake. Look for the names/nicknames of creeks, coves, humps, local fishing spots. So when you hear us talk about them at dinner you will know where they are. Only 50 days.

Here we go again. Keep it civil ya'll.

Very well put Glenn. As ya'll read this remember that the House of Representatives is only one part of our government. At this point in time they just so happened to be the loudest part, but they can't do anything on their own. They still need the backing of the Senate and the President must sign it. The Senate has several outstanding level headed men and women on both sides of the isles that see and know what is going on. The NRA and many other lobbying groups are doing a fine job. We must let the people that represent us hear what we have to say in order to have an impact personally. Please don't just sit around an point fingers. Do something about it. And yes I am a member of the NRA and several other groups who work to protect our right to protect ourselves.

There is now an extra bed in my room at Fisherman's if anyone want's to split the cost of the room with me. That's only 32.50 a night

ditto but no AIM

I just want to have fun and go fishing with as many of you as possible. If I find a 13+ getting ready to spawn all deals are off though.

Tie your line to that little ring it it's nose and toss him in the water.

I want to see another Avid and Shaq Tango.

I second that!!!!!!!!

These are my own observations during the spawn. Many people say that bass won't start spawning untill the water temp reaches 65 degrees. I used to live by this rule untill the best day of bed fishing I have ever had was in 57 degree water. I have caught bass on the bed when the water temp was 85 degrees. Last year I was sight fishing for bedding bass in very clear water. The bass were bedding next to stumps in 15ft of water. Depending on what part of the country you live in bass might start bedding as early as January or as late as June. I caught this bass off the bed last year in the Savannah River, at the base of the Clarks Hill Dam. It was July 15th. Water temp was 63 degrees. I know of a small lake here in Georgia that you can mark St Patricks day on your calander and on that day the bass just be starting to spawn, but the other 20 small lakes within a 1/4 mile won't start for another three weeks. So from my experiance I can tell you that bass will spawn when they are ready to spawn. They will spawn as shallow as they feel comfortable. They like just enough light penetration to be able to see to protect their bed. If possible they like something to protect at least one side of the bed. (log, stick, stump, rock, weeds, ect..) They love holes in grass. They prefer a hard sandy bottom. I have seen them bed on top of a stump though. The first places you will find spawning bass are in areas that are protected from North and West winds. As the water and the weather warms they will spawn just about anywhere.

What's your favorite food? What's your favorite color? Demacrat or Republican?

My wife lost the camera but I will try to borrow one from a friend in the next few days. I already thought about the temptation for touching the finish. I dripped a little on my table and I left it there so I could check it. I have really taken my time on this rod. I read all I could find and asked some questions and read some more. Then it took me nearly a month to build it. Here's the specs on the rod. 6'10" MH Shikari Blank Burl Cork, Split grip turned and shaped to fit my big hands and balanced to perfection. Fuji ECS exposed blank reel seat. Fuji Fire Red framed SiC guides. (Spiral Wrapped) The wrapping colors are Red and Silver. So with a black blank that makes it Georgia Bulldog colors. lol The next rod will be a 7'6" St Croux Heavy Flippin Stick. I have a few tricks I'm gonna do with that one. I've got a few burnt cork rings to play with.

Dang, Those things look great. I have got to find my camera. I just finish my first rod build and I am proud of it. It's split gripped and spiral wrapped and it's on the dryer as I am typing this. Thanks fletch and ReelMech for your help. I will give proper thanks when I get some pics.

Have you thought about mailing just the rods to your distination. I should cost around 20 or 30 bucks.

Do you know how hard it is to explain to five year old why daddy can't stop laughing.

How about a 6inch swimbait? This is Triton Mike with a Magnum Spot on a swimbait.

Johnson Silver Minnow http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1169225238

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/species.html Spotted Bass Description: Upper jaw not past rear of eye. Tooth patch on tongue. Spiny & soft dorsal fin clearly connected Largemouth Bass Description: Upper jaw extends beyond the eye. Tongue normally smooth, tooth patch rare. Spiny & soft dorsal fin separate or nearly so.

I used to collect stamps when I was young. I have some that are worth some serious $. But now I collect trophy animal heads. My wife hates it. She is going to kill me when I bring my 10pt from two years ago home this week. The wildlife artist finally got around to finishing it.

Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Hooks Gamakatsu Weedless Finesse Wide Gap Hook