Rattlinrogue

I hate it when I'm fishing a spot and some yahoo(fishermen and skiers)zoom by me within 20-30 ft wide open throttle.I usually "get 'em back" in exactly the same way before I leave.

I used the Penzoil brand for years with my 20 hp Evinrude,and it worked fine.When I bought a new 25 hp Yamaha I've used Yamalube because the salesman told me it was best to run it with my new Yamaha.The Penzoil worked as well as the Yamalube does.

My cousin turned me on to bassin'.When I was 15 we went bass fishing in his canoe.I caught my first bass on a Rapala Original Floater on a Zebco 33.It was about a pound I guess.It hooked me.

Welcome Chug Bug and Tiger.You're in a group not as big as BASS,but you'll learn a whole lot more.And have a whole lot more fun .These are some great members and so are you!

Boy,I used to ! Canoes,jon boats,you name it.Those were some good days and I have a lot of fond memories.

I like Bill Dance,and I could care less where he catches 'em .He was the guy that got me interested in bass fishing when I was a teenager with what I consider entertaining and educational fishing shows.He doesn't have to scream,holler,dance,or talk with an overly fake Southern accent to get my interest.

Thanks Cajun for the heads up ! I saw the first episode and was totally pleased.That guy is the under dog that we all pull for.One of these days he'll bust loose.

No complaints here! I catch and release because I choose to , and I don't pass judgements on those who keep some.I used to back when it was a sport and a way of getting a fine fried fish dinner.For me,it's all sport now.To any other bassman, what you do is up to you.

I'd have to say the technique that isn't for me is vertical jigging spoons in the winter on deep structure.I've read all the articles,but I can't see myself getting that desperate.By the way the Carolina rig is my go to technique this time of the year in the deep South.I mean,it's about the only way to get any action down here when the water temp hits the high 80's.

I carry a small mushroom anchor with me,but I haven't used it even once.I'd rather put the bow into the wind and control the boat with the trolling motor.

I use a 1/2 ounce brass weight,two plastic beads,and a brass knocker above the swivel.The package says 1/2 ounce, but it sure feels more like an ounce.

I also use the drag and pause method.Sometimes I drag and reel without pausing.Othertimes I pause between dragging and reeling depending on how the bass are cooperating.I know that I need to slow down now and really cover every bit of stucture that I'm fishing.I've been trying to cover too many spots and not taking the time to really take a piece of structure apart.

The weirdest way I caught one was last summer.I was fishing a topwater early in the morning.I was using a new Quantum reel and hadn't tightened it down enough.I set the hook on a bass and my reel popped off my rod and fell in the water.It was still attached to the line so I fished it out and put it back on the rod.After tightening it down I reeled in the slack and the bass was still on.I boated a fat 2 pounder.

Yes,I use a Hummingbird.

Sorethumb.He's a geat bassman,he likes to pitch and flip,and he's my brother-in-law so I've known him for 26 years.

Bassboat

I keep no fish,but as RW said when you hook a 3 pound bass it's starting to get fun.

On the water at 5:15 AM.At the ramp at 10:30 AM.

I start off with topwaters,but even early morning bassin' has gotten tough down here in South MS .Yesterday morning at 5:30 AM the water temp was 86 degrees.

Although I'll fish in worse conditions,I prefer fishing with a nice little ripple.

For the whole year,I'd vote 2-4 pounds.In the mid to late spring,I caught two 8's, two 7's,and a bunch of 3-6 pounders.In the last two weeks,I'm struggling to not get skunked.The winter fish were mostly smaller fish.

I recently named mine "Rogue" (how original...LOL).The name fits that poor ole beat up thang!

With you guys,I'll spill my guts with what little I know.Locally,if you tell where you're catching your lunkers,the next time you go fishing the lake will be overrun with bassboats.I don't mind giving tips and advice,but I'm not telling where my honey holes that I've spent hundreds of mornings getting up at 3 AM to develope to every Tom,Dick, and Harry who for the most part sleeps in every morning and horns in on hot spots.

My home lake is also my favorite lake.I've fished it since I was a boy and know it up and down.The thing I find unique about it is even though I know it so well,I always seem to find something new about it that enhances my knowledge of it.

I subscribe to Bassmaster mag and recently subscribed to Bass Times.I also read Bassin',FLW Outdoors,In-Fisherman,Outdoor Life,and Field and Stream.