Gatorbassman

For me, winter fishing starts with the baitfish. If baitfish aren't in the area I leave. I downsize the lures that look like baitfish and I put a smaller trailer on my jigs. I slow way down. As the water dips into the mid 40's I start looking deep and I keep a jigging spoon handy.

When I can no longer use my boat as an icebreaker.

Florida in February is a dream trip for me. You have plenty of places you can go. Toho should be on fire at that time.

I LOVE mine. It is a wonderful addition to my cranking reel.

From what I understand the advanced cast won't be very advanced. It will be available at the same time as the TV show but will still be the full uncut episodes.

I have two pellet rifles that I shoot squirrels in my yard with. (I live in a subdivision.) One is a Gamo Nitro. The other is a RWS 34 .177. Both will take out a Squirrel with ease and I've taken a few rabbits with them also. Don't shoot those light weight Gamo pellets. They are fast but they suck when it comes to accuracy. Just shoot the led ones and you'll be fine.

X2

That's a fine first deer. Congrats.

It should be ok. I smoke mine between 225 and 250 until the meat is 165.

7 to 8 acres is a good sized pond. Most farm ponds are less than 3 acres.

I used to make my own spice mix but I find it much more cost effective to buy a mix these days. The best mix company that I've found is Legg's Old Plantation. I'm probably preaching to the choir but don't over smoke them. I smoke mine for about 1/3rd of the cook time. I use fruit wood like apple and peach and they come out heavenly.

I have built a couple of ponds and I have worked with one of the best biologist/pond builders in the country (The Pond Boss). I live just over the GA/SC border so I fish the same type of water. First of all, I wouldn't use those stumps exclusively. They will eventually rot and be gone. Build your cover out of plastic. You want them to last a lifetime. Build lots of it and locate it in groups along key areas along the creek channel, on points and on top of ledges. Make cover for the small fish too. I like using plastic milk crates turned upside down on the bottom. Anchor them down in 3 to 5 ft of water and put them in groups of 10 or more. The small fish use them for cover to keep from getting eaten. Then one day they will be to big to go back inside and they will be a big meal for your bass. Put in a few large rock piles out in deep water for the bass to hang on in summer and winter. You can make them out of rubble from a demolition site where they tour down something made out of brick or concrete. Before they dig, mark out a couple of places where they can create a point, make some short ledges. (1 or 2 ft drops) Your bottom contour is probably the most important thing. You've got to have shallow and deep water. A lake that is too shallow will get to hot in the summer and kill some fish. A lake that has very little shallow water will make it hard for your fish to reproduce in numbers and also make fishing more difficult. Like has already been said. Check out our articles about pond management. And check out www.pondboss.com. If you need someone to come and take a look at it just shoot me a PM. I'd be glad to.

Way back when I was fishing Wednesday Night Pot Tournaments in my 14ft jon boat I remember a top FLW Pro showing up almost every week in his wrapped boat. He grew up on the lake and made his name fishing there. I would crank up my 8hp motor and head over to my spot and do what I do. I always chuckled when I would see him running back and fourth in his boat and I really enjoyed taking his money. Bass Fishing is one of those few sports where it can be a level playing ground. That little green fish is what makes it level. We all have to go out and catch them. But you can't let the fact that they are Pro's get in your head. Come up with a game plan that can catch the weight that is needed to win on that particular lake. Then go out and execute and nobody can beat you.

You guys are going to love the Pro Max reels. I have two of them and have tried to wear them out this past year and they held up great. I sold my last Shimano reel a few months ago and I am finally at 100% Abu baitcasting. I have: 2 Silver Max 2 Black Max 2 Pro Max 1 Revo S 2 Revo SX 2 Revo SC (Cabelas Model) 4 Revo STX But I just can't give up my Okuma spinning reels.

1/4 is where you set it if you are trolling. If you want to get precise than set it a 1/2 to 3/4 the breaking strength of the line and you should be good. I set my rods at a little over 1/2.

This is my favorite take on it.

I've been fishing Georgia my whole life and have written an unpublished book on all the small public lakes in the state. I have never heard of a lake like that. There are a few public lakes where a 14lb bass is possible but not one where it's the norm.

Hey s--thead. It's great to have you back. It made my day when I saw your logo in the middle of our sponsors list. Let the ball busting begin.

Blondie

My wife went with some friends and I stayed home with the kids.

Your post makes no sense. Here at BassResource we feel that so long as someone is obeying the game laws that they can keep any fish they want.

There's nothing better than a bow kill. Congrats.

Ronnie you have always been one of the most resourceful people I know. I pictured you dusting yourself off and opening the bass bus up to your neighbors, then heading down the road to find people to help. I'm glad all is well with ya.

As a medic I had my fair share of negative results with things that go boom. The sad thing is that all of them were during training exercises.