paparock

I'm way down in Arkansas so I'm not familiar with your streams in Wisconsin this time of year but if you can find a used copy of Stream Smallmouth Fishing by Tim Holschlag then I would highly recommend it for you. Here is a link to a copy at less than half of what they want at Amazon. http://www.allbookstores.com/book/0811723844/Tim_Holschlag/Stream_Smallmouth_Fishing.html I hope this helps you.

No, but my great nephew lost one to a catfish right after I told him it was going to happen if he kept laying that rod down and and walking away from it but then what to old folks know. How do I know it was a catfish? The water was clear and the fish kept swimming by within view but well out of reach. I think it was rubbing it in on my great nephew. I know I got a good laugh or two or three. ;D

Nice story! thanks for sharing it.

I seriously believe being a good loser makes the times you do win all that much better. Think how much it means to you when a competitor gives you heart felt praise when you win. Sincerity when you say nice win or you real were really at the top of your game today doesn't take a lot of effort from you but means a lot to the person it is given to. We all need to feel our efforts are noticed and rewarded at times.

Crayfish, crawfish, mudbug, they all look the same on the inside. :-?

I've had so much practice at it I should be a pro by now! ;D Well Said LBH!

Since I wear prescription glasses, I always either wear eye protection prescription sunglasses or clear for night use. 8-)

You know if I caught a new state record bass here in Arkansas I would go to the trouble to make it official but (I am sure I am safe from this ever actually happening) if I ever did catch a new worlds record; I would let it go and never say a word to anyone about its' actual size. It would not be worth the hassle, character assignation, and hell; the press and fishing industry would put you through as far as I am concerned.

If smallmouth got as big as stripped bass you couldn't catch them ;) ;) but boy would it be fun trying!

Isn't "Back Seat Boater" another name for auxiliary boat anchor? ;D

Good to have you Rodbender and Welcome to the forum. Watch out for the bait monkey cause he lurks everywhere.

Right now I would outfit for ultimate underwater electronic warfare from bow to stern with Lowrance. If it's down there I will see it! If there is anything left over a Shimano Stella FB would be nice.

See it just goes to show you; I graduated the year after they invented dirt and I just learned something new.

My dad started me but if my dad could couldn't take me my grandfather was always there to take up the slack so to speak.

You bet smallmouth feed at night! Try a black or dark colored top water and hold on. :-?

A going through my second childhood, I've been gone 25 years from freshwater bass fishing, how the H#ll do you catch these fish at times fisherman. Hey if you can't laugh at yourself sometimes who can you laugh at? It's all part of the fun!

We used a similar rig for Spotted Sea Trout but with either a real or artificial shrimp hanging of the back. Sometimes we used and old popping lure and but some times we used a popping cork make for the technique. At times you could use a sand worm to imitate a small eel and it would drive them wild.

The best fishing site on the net takes a lot of hard work from all that keep it up and running. My hat is off to all!

My dad took me fishing to a small lake just outside El Dorado, Arkansas. We fished by the spill way and I was try to learn how to cast one of my dad's casting reels. I had been casting an artificial but can't recall what it was after all these years. My dad said we had to go so as I was waling toward the truck I let the lure trail in the water. Something big hit that lure and it is a good thing it did not hook up because as it was it almost caused me to fall of the spillway and into the water. That must have been around 1962. Born 1949.

As the water gets hotter I find a better bite shallow early and later in the day. Depth changes things and you can often find fish willing to bite all day. If you know where springs well up offering a thermal refuge be sure to probe that area. Don't forget shade be it from trees or a big bluff or ridge as the shade from them can offer a temperature break.

As a general rule the larger the fish the stronger the taste but that is not universal among all fish species from my experience.

Glenn, I had been reading some on this recently and think it would be worth a larger discussion both for my as well others educations. What do others think?

If they are legal then it's up to you. I mostly catch and release but for each of us it is a personal choice. I grew up back when there were some really big stringers of fish taken before catch and release was even a concept talked about around where I fished. Enjoy your fish be it for the fight or the fillet.

I use both Cabela's and BPS.

I don't like the commercial but I'm not offended.