Big-O

Big O www.ragetail.com

Very Nice and congrats on that great looking Fish and Bait Big O www.ragetail.com

Yesterday evening, this Gal beat me up and I have bruises to show for it ;D While C rigging the Eeliminator off of a rock ledge, she blasted it and took off like a rocket giving me a nice heavy pullin' fight to enjoy. Just when I was thinking she was worn down pretty well, she came near the boat and saw that big smile on my face then she dove for the deep and wrapped a limb in about 25 ft of water. I laid over the side of the boat trying to free the line for 3 minutes or so and she made one last big pull. I felt the line come free from the limb and went into FINESSE MODE The only finesse fishing I know, is after they're on the hook...I knew the line was probably in bad shape so I loosened my drag and eased her out into open water with my trolling motor before landing her with a white knuckle grip. I was by myself on this outing but there was a couple of fellows running jug lines nearby who had obviously saw the struggle. They came over chuckling and said "It was a Good Show" They snapped a photo for me and we shared a beverage....or two....well maybe three Big O www.ragetail.com

WTG, I'd say they're starting to turn it up too...stay after'em Big O www.ragetail.com

Hope you have fun with'em Derek, if you need help with rigging or other info...let me know. There are rigging tips etc. on several RT links that might assist you Big O www.ragetail.com

Excellent and congratulations to you both Big O www.ragetail.com

Might better get a cup of coffee.....a sandwich.....and another smoke or two so you can relax a bit....This could take a while. And BTW, better keep a good grip on the wheel...never can tell when you might hit something that trys to wreck the whole thing Big O www.ragetail.com

Well Now....that's what a Fathers Day should consist of right there Your Best Fishin Buddy and your Best Girl right there with ya...Don't get no better than that Some nice fatties too WTG Chris Big O www.ragetail.com

kms399, I hate me too especially when I screw up and break one off I guess I could just post photos of the little guys ;D SmokinShad117, A lake in Texas called Choke Canyon near San Antonio. Been doin OK for the past 4 or 5 yrs but the pressure has definitely taken a toll, as it has on most resivoirs around here. Big O www.ragetail.com

WOW, That's terrific L4S and that big girl is built like a TANK No wonder the line was screaming. Glad you two had a great time and congratulations on that new PB Big O www.ragetail.com

That's a fine one there BFM and you might just slow down a bit and have some fun when you're fishin' the tourneys...Obviously you do just fine when the pressures off, so try to reproduce that pattern for yourself first and the rest should all fall into place Big O www.ragetail.com

Tube'n'waders would be my choice....inexpensive models are available and they are extremely safe. And I use standard swimming fins for mobility. I have fished them many times over the years and often when I have boats of all sizes to choose from sitting in my garage. Can you catch large fish from them...well 12.90lbs is my biggest bass so far from a Tube but definitely one of the most memorable to date That ride was better than anything Six Flags has ever had Big O www.ragetail.com

I agree with the above comments on Safety First regardless of the conditions. We have the rest of our life to fish....as long as we're still around to enjoy it Big O www.ragetail.com

Mike, Weightless and weighted hook (swimbait hook) will provide a horizontal fall and the speed you desire for any given bait would be attained by adjusting the weight of the hook used. Using a bullet weight, it can be pegged for fishing brush with a Tx rig or flipping. When not fishing grass, sticks or big rocks, you can just let it slide. The Rig you were referring to with swivel and barrel weight is a Carolina rig and it is extremely effective as well depending on the type of structure you are targeting. Each of the above set-ups provide distinctly different presentations regardless of your bait choice and each can and will be the ticket provided you figure out which the fish are wanting the most at any given time. There are no absolute rules for any given water on how to be the successful, only a variety of styles to consider that will be most successful for you...Kinda like choosing the best bait from the world of choices at hand Hope that helps Big O www.ragetail.com

If your shore bound...I call it the Lawn chair technique ;D Set up at feed time, early or late and backed off from the shore line. Have a seat. Be sure you have plenty of refreshments 8-) Rig up a 6" Lizard weightless on a 3/0 offset round bend hook. Might put MegaStrike or JJ's on it since it's holding in one spot for an extended length of time. Cast it out and let it fall slowly to the bottom. Watch the line for movement, if it doesn't get hit on the fall, let it sit for a minute or two and keep very little tension on the line. Move it only 6" or so at a time with 1 to two minute pauses and repeat. The less splash and commotion on the cast, the better. A Lizard is extremely effective for this slow simmering technique and the more action it has on the slow fall and on the slow 6" moves slides forward...the better. Big O www.ragetail.com

When you're in the thicket, keeping your weight either pegged or bobber stopped is a good idea. The weight sliding freely down the line and snapping to a stop will have you setting the hook on limbs. Plus keeping everything together allows you to feel the bite instantly. When using steel spacers or beads for rattle noise, the bobber stops allows freedom of movement between the parts for more noise. Here's a photo of a Rage Lizard rigged with a bobber stop and steel spacer. I prefer the Rage Hawgs...It's all about the action with me Big O www.ragetail.com

Thanks Y'all When I locate these secret areas holding fish of this caliber, I do my very best to avoid being noticed...Pressure, abuse and relocation of these rather large BABES will put a quick end to their ability to maintain health, as well as a natural presence. My livewells are for drink cans ONLY ;D I am blessed to have been able to fish for these magnificent creatures for many years and here are my notes to self.... If you dream of catching larger than average fish on a regular basis, "Target Only Large Fish"....As you do, you will learn the following: 1) You don't fish for a limit, you fish for "A Fish" 2) You have two motto's, "Fish Slower" and "That's not Slow Enough" 3) You don't fish areas, you fish "sweet spots", very detailed "SWEET SPOTS" 4) Catching a big fish becomes your LOCK, and learning all of the reasons of why you caught that big fish is your KEY. Repeat the process often enough and over a long enough period of time and you will accumulate many KEYS.... With them, you have an opportunity to share with your friends who dream of learning about them as well.... Hope y'all are catchin' some too Big O www.ragetail.com

Nice bunch of fish ETB....I'm goin' nights more and more as well Big O www.ragetail.com

Here's a link to a story about one of my old stormy adventures... http://www.ragetail.com/ragetalk/index.php?topic=173.0 Big O www.ragetail.com

In one year, that's amazing Paul....A perfect example of a young fish that is well fed and well managed. WTG Man Big O www.ragetail.com

YOOOO HOOOOOO....is that good enuff Ken ;D Missed ya at the RoadTrip Big O www.ragetail.com

Yeah...that's nice one and I say easy 5 lber Big O www.ragetail.com

Had to fish a couple of more days this week...hehehe, YEAH RIGHT - I Love it WOOO HOOOOO and a few friends Gene, Matt and Joey decided to take off work and help me out ;D With the extreme heat, we decided to cut out the mid day fishing altogether...NAP TIME and concentrate on the Morning, Evening and Night Bites to maximize our time on the water. Matt and Joey were already there when we arrived Tues night. The wind howled at us most of the time, but we were still able to catch some quality fish at several different places we checked. Our starting line up was Thumpers, Jig'n'Lobster, Eeliminators and Anacondas and since they were hitting'em hard, we left'em in the game and cheered'em on Matt started off hitting two biggun's back to back on a Jig'n'Lobster then Gene followed up with a Thumper HOGG. Overall the night bite was good as long as I could hold position by keeping the nose of the boat in the wind with the trolling motor churnin'.... Early mornings were also good and Gene and I Thumped a couple of nice ones on deep timber drops. Will post another of Matt's "Big Heads" when I get the photo Big O www.ragetail.com

That's terrific HS....what were you feedin'em Big O www.ragetail.com

Fine looking Fish and sounded like a fun trip too... Big O www.ragetail.com