Rattlinrogue

I like and use the following brands a lot:Abu Garcia,Quantum,Berkley,Yo-Zuri,Strike King,Smithwick,Rapala,Zoom,Yamaha,Rebel,and Excaliber.

Not to worry.My wife had me on a leasch(SIC).Between my wife and my yougest son(who is a hunting freak),I barely made a dent.I did manage to buy some 3X plastics and some strike king tubes that are hard to find where I live.Boy,that is a toy store,ain't it? I felt like an Irishman at a beer factory(you Irish dudes don't get mad.I'm one too!)It was a great experience,and I'll be going back soon with only the bait monkey and a credit card as company.I fell in love with a metallic green and white Nitro 750.I'll be riding in that in a year or two(soon as I get two kids graduated from college).It was great and I hope to really tear 'em up on the next visit.Tight Lines to all,RR

I've caught them throwing chrome w/black or blue back hard jerkbaits(floating and suspending).I had an old basser who fished tournaments in the late 70's and early 80's tell me to throw a white curly tailed grub on a lead head jig at 'em.I tried it this fall and winter and had some sucess doing it.At times it worked really well and other times,nada.I know what you mean about following schools with a trolling motor.They'll run ya around in circles and make ya look foolish at times.That happened SEVERAL times to me this year.

I've fished my home lake since I was 15 years old.32 years later,the hottest area on the lake is still the hottest.You don't catch as many now,but they're much bigger on average.They went to stocking Florida bass 15 years ago,and that would explain it.

Zell Rowland;don't know if he's a nice guy or not,But when you look up redneck bass angler in the dictionary it's got his picture beside it.Also a great topwater angler!

I've got to go to Jackson tomorrow(2-3-06) to finalize my paperwork with the state retirement system.I'll be officially retired from teaching and coaching(26 years,Arrgggh) on March 31,2006(just in time for Spring bassin').Afterwards I'm going to the new BPS there for the first time! I'm stoked!I'm ,for sure ,gonna buy a lot of those baits that I read about here and in Bassmaster mag,FLW Outdoors,Etc.Any suggestions on some fine Spring time baits sold at BPS?I'll let ya know about my haul tomorrow night.Tight Lines to all,RR

Sorry about the tone of that post last night,RW.I really had a burr up my bass.Tight Lines,RR

I really don't keep count like some others ,but I'd guess 200-300.I mean,I'm not on the Tour.It's all for the fun of it!

12.2 Largemouth 7/5/03 Geiger Lake 6:35 AM

Hard to believe,but I've caught LOTS of BIG bass on that ole floating Rogue.And the jig,plenty there too!

I really like the looks of the B-60 and the B-60 Procaster.I'd ,for sure, take either over a jon boat.Put a 25 hp outboard and a good FC trolling motor on it,and you're in business.

With Spring right around the corner,what do you think are the best techniques and baits to use during cold front conditions? I'm going to pitch and flip tubes and jigs into heavy wood cover and also into the thick grass mats that abound at my home lake.Also,I think downsizing your baits can be important.

I fish 5 on a regular basis,but I fish my #1 lake about 80% of the time.It's only 2 miles from where I live and is one of the top five lakes in Mississippi for giant,lunker bass.Even though I like a little variety,it's hard to pass up a jewel of a lake that's so close to home.

That's one beautiful boat!

It takes all kinds to make the bassin' tours interesting.From quiet,stoic,and talented Zell Rowland to the Zany antics of Ike.At first,I wasn't too sure,but he brings something to the game that is fun.From what I'm told,Ike is a pretty down to earth guy.He's found his "sctick" and it's made him famous.Good for him.Don't forget it's not all show.He's one hail of a bassman.

JT,that was a great article! I'm not a tournament fisherman,but I totally agree with you.When I catch a trophy bass every now and then,I'm not telling anyone where I caught it or on what bait I caught it.If they're naive enough to ask,then they deserve the "tale" they get.Otherwise there would be a dozen boats the next day all over what I discovered!

Fisherman 54,I'm using 20 lb Yo-Zuri as my main line and 10 lb Berkley Sensation as my leader.I've been having pretty good results.

I own a Minn-Kota 40 lb thrust All-Terrain,and I can tell you,it's really all you need.Mine did fine on the "Bass Teched" jon that I owned,and it still does fine on my 16 ft. Terry glass boat.I do agree with bipr8.If you can afford the bigger thrust,by all means go for it.

If a storm is rolling in ,I'll make it a priority to go bassin' so I can catch all those barometer dropping bass.If lightning starts popping on the lake,I'll take cover.

I also have the Minn Kota All Terrain with cable steer.It has 5 speeds and a "constant" setting on it,which I never use.

It all depends on where I'm fishing.If I'm in water that's deep enough not to hit stumps and other wood cover,I have the motor down fairly deep.When I'm fishing shallow,stump and snag infested waters, I raise it up to about a foot under the surface of the water.

In all the posts I've ever read from RW,I've yet to read sarcasm,negativity,or just plain ole talking about someone.To me,that is a man of high character.They don't make many like him anymore.Although I've never met him,I consider him a friend.RW,You're one hail of a guy.Tight Lines,RR

Big bass!

Pitchin' is my favorite technique.It takes some practice to get it down without backlashing every other pitch.I worked on it for a month every day during the aftermath of Katrina when I had nothing else to do.It's a fun technique to go in after the bass when conditions aren't so good.Just practice,practice,practice and you'll eventually get it down.It's definitely is a technique that takes some skill to master.

I don't think big bass are smart.I think they are just experienced from all their lifes experiences in their particular environment.They've seen it all and through managing to survive,they've become wise to the ways of anglers and their prey.