fishfordollars

The best places USUALLY are the hardest to find. Humps and ridges out on the main lake are great producers. Timing is everything though. You can fish across the best spot on the lake and not get bit. You just have to keep checking the great looking areas to define time and circumstance. I have hit spots as many as six times during the day without a bite then move back on and catch the heck out of them for ten minutes. If I am reasonably sure fish are using several areas I will rotate through at different times to try to figure it out. One morning I may set up a run and then completely reverse the order the next day to check them in opposite order. If that does not work i will delay my start the next day picking other areas to add to the list. Sooner rather than later you will have certain areas that produce early and others that will be better later in the day. Just keep checking and adding and subtracting aeras and before you know it you will have a half a dozen areas that you can do a milk run on and consistantly catch fish.

Really appreciate it. If you ever head this way just let me know. Can help you on Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend. Thanks, Jack

If you want to try the goose and/or duck trip just let me know.

The last bad gas I got came straight from the pump. It was trash. i have pics that i will post later. It's some bad looking stuff. Had to drain the entire system.

I watched "America, The story of Us" and recorded the Stephen Hawking show. Shame they had both on at the same time.

Flying into Birmingham Friday morning to visit the family. Going to be on Lay Lake Saturday and Sunday to check out those Coosa river spots. Anyone with current water temps and water conditions would be appreciated. Fished the lake for years back when I was younger, but have not been on that water in almost 20 years. Thanks, Jack

I have not owned a bird in a while, but all the older units I use to run had the keel offset feature built in them. Not at all sure about the newer versions, but I would bet they do.

First thing I do is turn off that stupid fish ID function. Just worthless and you never know if it's a fish or a small log, turtle, etc. floating between the bottom and the surface.

Totally understand. Although not that high my antenna is mounted 6" above the cap.

There is a huge difference from the five to the seven or eight inch screen for me. Get the largest you can afford, you will not regret it. As for Lowrance being more expensive, it just depends on what you want. I have fished behind both and prefer the Lowrance, but that's not to say the bird is not a quality unit. They both have pros and cons. The HDS-8 lowrance has the on screen touch points that I like and it saves a little time to access certain functions, but that may not be an issue for you. It also will run you a lot more money than you are willing to spend. Try to fish with someone that has both and then make your own decision. Good luck

Ain't the vent. It's the gas. Real problem for everyone. Don't leave the tank half full. Run a water seperator(Use the one with the glass bowl), inline fuel filter, and treat the hell out of any gas you buy. I have had this system on my boat for 6 months and have yet to see a drop of water in the bottom of the bowl. It's an ongoing problem that ain't going to go away. I run a Skeeter and the vent is located over on the side of the cap. Never had a problem with water intrusion from it and never heard anyone even mention that to be a problem. Again, it's bad gas and/or lack of attention to the treatment of it. If skeeter even dreamed that would be a problem they would have relocated the venting tubes years ago.

Never happen with the judges in this area.

What refund? Haven't seen one of those in years. most of my earnings are 1009-misc so that is something I seldom see.

Ramp etiquette is an issue. Lines will be long and congested. If you are not comfortable running in the dark with a GPS just stay back and let the fools go. You will be allowed to trailer. Get to the ramp around 4:00am, get in the water and just relax. They will be out of the way shortly. Do your map study before arriving at the lake. Pick an area, launch as close as possible and be prepared to share. Boaters will come and go, cutting each other off and running too close at times. You won't be the only one that is unsure of the procedures. Just take a deep breath and concentrate on the fishing. Rayburn last weekend was not that bad. I was not cutoff one time, but i was a little leary running before daylight. Not my operating I was concerned with, it was the other ones running on plane in the dark knowing that they were unsure of what was out in front of them. Nothing wrong with laying back and letting the rest get out in front of you. There will be plenty of unfished water waiting for you to attack. Good luck. FYI, all you weekend warriors that will run on the GPS in the dark. All the builtin maps on those units show the original lake outline. There will be plenty of islands, humps, and flooded timber that will show up as open water on your unit.It will all depend on the lake level at the time of tournament. If you have not run a track to and from your fishing spots beforehand with your GPS, just give it time for a little daylight to creep up from the east. Be wise and live to fish another day. Let me know where you will be fishing and I will try to send you some cordinates that may help you. Just remember you can't run a straight line from the ramp to the locations. Good luck to all. Jack

It's known for fishing tough at times. Just when you think you have it all figured out it throws you a curve that can last for a few days. Kicked my bass so many times it ain't funny. That being said the next bite can be the fish of a lifetime.

I buy factory parts from the dealer. If you are purchasing fuel lines or parts for the fuel system stay away from after market pieces.

Boarter/Skeeter

Well it's Houston. Most 11-13 year olds just pull out the real deal.

The spot you are refering to is worth sitting on for three days. I've been on it with Catt.

Thanks Catt, I'm fishing all three also.

thanks Dan, will contact you shortly.

first, I would have not been in that water depth this time of year. I would have been fishing the first and second drops or the mouths of the creeks as I was doing. I am never comfortable fishing behind the fish. I would rather be out and let them come to me instead of up shallow chasing the smaller bucks. The better fish have allready done the deal and have moved out to a little deeper water, tightened up to the deeper grass, and started to bunch up out on the creek channel bends in 8-15 ft. of water. you will still catch a larger fish up shallow at times, but the odds will favor you if you move on out a little and find the outside grass lines along the points and channel bends. Lots of pressure up shallow right now. Not so out in the mid depths. The fish are recovering from the spawn and at times can be harder to catch. Just stay at it and you will find them. Good luck.

DING DING DING DING!!!!!!!!! I'm really glad I'm not the only guy throwing the straight shank round bends. The ONLY thing I use the EWGs for are my Flukes. Other than that, all my baits go on the straight shanks with a toothpick threaded through the eye to hold the bait up. You never miss fish because the bite is huge. Glad to see I'm not alone. Add me to the list. No hookup problems with these hooks. One of the old school methods that continue to be a better option.

Great info Catt. Question, could we get them to move a couple of the special ones out into the woods maybe?

Yes I did. Caught lots of small fish. Lost a possibly money fish Saturday morning at 10:20. Only big fish i stuck in two days.