smallfry

I broke 3 bills in the last week. Colder weather probably doesn't help. I was starting to like th DT10, but probably done with it now.

You can always put the fluke onto 1/4 oz or even heavier jig head w/ a gamakatsu hook (not a cheap wire hook with a really small gap). I sometimes do this in still water, but it is even better in current since the fish are conditioned to quickly decide to strike or not. It won't walk the dog like it does weightless, but you can "jig" it through the eddies and holding areas and really clean up...

Oh, and for fly rod, if you tie your own flies make some clousers w/ brown marabou over orange supreme hair and split the supreme hair on each side of the hook (so they split a little kinda like pinchers)...

1/2 oz black and brown jigs w/ pumpkinseed chunk trailers...

There are times when bass get "zoned into" a specific prey. I have experienced that during these times the smartest bass (usually the biggest) will ignore baits if they are too big compared to the natural prey while the smaller dumb ones will attack just about anything... Other than these times I hardly ever find myself throwing "small" baits any more.

They aren't my favorite spots to fish because often the fish aren't as bunched up, but I too have had good luck in sandy areas. I have one sandy point that is always good for one solid fish, rarely 2 or 3 and never more than that In my experience, it depends on what prey the bass are keyed in on and how both prey and bass are relating to the available cover. Open sandy patches in a weedy area or isolated weeds on a big sandy flat/point can be as "money" as the opening of a rockpile in a weedy area or weed clumps on a rocky point. Keep in mind that shiners (for example) often breed and feed on sandy areas...

5.9 lbs from West Okoboji. If it didn't spit up some food beside the boat it probably would have went over 6...

On average, I'd say the Elites. However, that is more a function of the anglers 100-200 on the FLW pulling down their average (vs. only 100 anglers total in BASS). If you were to compare the top 10 in each, I'd call it a toss up.

I used to live in that area. Most of those reservoirs I don't know by name, but I assume they are the drinking water lakes that are not open for fishing (or anything else). Canoe creek has both largemouth and smallmouth. I used to fish it from a float tube. You can catch fish from shore, especially on the side with the park (not the boat ramp side, the other side). There is an old road bed that crosses the lake from the "upstream" side of the boat ramp area over to the park side. You can to it on the park side. The weedbeds down stream from this always have some largemouth. You can probably cast to the creek channel upstream from this as well. I've heard the spillway holds fish too, but I never really fished it. For smallies though, the best thing to do would be to go to the Frankstown branch of the Little J. I fished a lot from its end in Petersburg all the way upstream a ways past the Etna furnace area. For an outsider not familiar with the area the easiest thing to do may be to park off 22 at the Water Street flea market and walk upstream a little ways. Theres a park around Etna Furnace where you could access the river too. Those may be further than you want to drive though. Upstream from Williamsburg would be closer, but I don't really know how the fishing is so I can't offer advice.

On the one hand, it makes perfect sense. Fishing with a co-angler is like golfing and your caddy gets to take a swing at your ball every so often. This should put more emphasis solely on the pros skill. On the other hand, it is a unique part of the tournament culture that will be lost. Also, what happens when some of the most die hard local tournament guys no longer have this opportunity? Do they still lay off the fish in anticipation for a tournament they aren't even fishing in? Or do they now just go fishing as they normally would prior to the pro's tournament resulting in more pre-tourney pressure? Do they go to "watch" pros fish from the back of the pros boat, or do they take their own boat out to watch the pros (and maybe do a little fishing while they are out there too?)? How many club tournaments will get scheduled the same time as the Elite tourney that wouldn't have before? The pros fish for a living, but a lot of die hards live to fish. Both have equal right to the water. Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it...

Movarus -- As long as my wife doesn't find out, does it really matter how much? ebby -- I'm sure I'll find a use for fishing them w/ a "fast" retriee past ambush points, under docka and maybe "jigging" them. Mass Hole -- I put a lot of time in with the perch bait last year. Looks great in the water. I know the big bass eat perch this size because they spit them up, and I know I threw it around big fish that were feeding. Unfortunately it just didn't get bit for me. Hope your luck is better. speedbead -- I did that with the Ultimate and think it will help a little w/ the originals too. I don't expect it to make them equal, but it can't hurt either.

I've been experimenting with different swimbaits quite a bit. One bait I experimented w/ was the mattlures ulimate blue gill. I had fish follow and look at it all spring and have been slowly building confidence in it. Then, a few weeks ago while crank baiting a big bluegill hit my crankbait. I saw something follow it up to the boat and turn away. I quickly picked up and threw the ultimate gill and after a few casts got bit by what I assumed might be a pike or muskie. Then I saw the fish and it was a big bass that unfortunately came unbuttoned before I could land it. Once again, building more confidence in the lure. The next time out I lost the lure (screw up #1). So I ordered two more, which arrived today. Only problem is I ordered the original Bluegill, not the ultimate blue gill (screw up #2). I'm not bothered by the slightly smaller profile or the lack of flaring fins, but the tail doesn't kick at as low a speed as the ultimate. Given the overall appearance of the baits, maybe the fish don't care if the tail even kicks at all. However, building confidence in lures can be a fickle thing and I don't want to lose that momentum. Luckily, there is a cure for my screw up. I'll just order some more ultimates too!...

The drop shot weights have a wire form that you put the end of the line through and then slide the line into the "pinch" area. It pinches the line and is actually quite a strong connection. http://www.***.com/descpageDSNSW-DRDSS.html

It is so simple it is stupid, and I'm sure I'm not the first to drop shot this way, but maybe somebody will benefit from this. This spring I ran out of my larger drop shot weights (the balls with the little wire form you wedge the line into). What to do? I put two of the lighter weights onto the line. I stumbled upon what I feel is a nice little set up. First, I don't have to stock two different weights in my tackle box. One weight size to add/remove/re-store as necessary. Not a big deal, but a little less hassle. Second, the double weights offer an irregular shape and have the ability to move somewhat independently. If they get in a tight spot, they usually "adjust" enough to pull out. This has resulted in far fewer snags and lost weights than a single weight set up. The reduction of lost weights is nice. Thirdly, I wonder if the weights "click" together at all.

People seem to either love or hate fireline. For spinning reels I love it. I find its "stiffness" to be a great attribute, as it reduces the chance of tip wrap or other problems (especially if using baits that impart twist or twitching or "bouncing" baits aggressively). I also find it to be stronger and, despite appearances, more durable than some of the other super lines (power pro and suffix).