Paul Roberts

Backing for most warmwater fishing is unnecessary. Kite string will do it. Do you have muskies? Or maybe you might go after trout larger than say 3lbs (that's a big trout) ? Then you need backing. As to knowing how much to put on -you definitely want a full reel, for retrieve speed at least. The best way to be sure is to first wind on the fly-line. (Owning a line-winder helps, but you can improvise.) Then knot on your backing and fill the reel. Then, take it all off again. Without a line-winder: Wind the backing onto a spool (even a paper towel tube will work) and peel the flyline off onto the floor being careful to spread it around so it doesn't tangle too much. (Get the cats outta the room!) Then Uni-knot the backing to the spool and wind it all back on again. After your 50th time loading reels you'll be able to guestimate how much backing pretty well.

Solid paddle-tails can be used, but you need the right head. They are unstable on weedless heads (seem to need a near 90deg eye bend). I've found two heads that work well though and are fairly weedless -fine for weed clumps and edges. A quick snap of the rod clears them pretty well: -Chompers Stand-up Head (has a 4/0 hook in 1/4 and 1/8 oz) -Bass Stalker Spot Stalker (also has a 4/0 which is just long enough to use with a 4-5" shad/Shaker style paddle tails.

Holy Sh.... ;D ;D ;D

Paul- I was watching an episode of Bill Dance the other day and he had a pie chart on there showing percentages of people who catch fish from 5-10lbs. It said only 2% of bass fishermen catch a bass over 10lbs in their lifetime. And that's only in certain parts of the country. In Colorado and NY, where I've lived, that percentage would be WAY smaller. Now, take that to each specific water in those two states and the number for all practical purposes, disappears. In the two states I've lived and fished, I know of one each verified 10lber -both the state records -and both were 11-4. Now, there were likely others, but VERY VERY VERY few.

sqhertz, now that takes skill. And I bet you were sight fishing. Or did you do it by feel?? Ah, so few can appreciate true mastery.

Very nice. Larger bass have a thing for jigs. GMAN is right -there will be more.

I think the numbers really measure self esteem, not fish. That's the whole problem. Ego's normal, but inferiority complexes gets tiresome fast. I really hate the BassMaster "lunker club" with it's 10lb cutoff, which pretty much excludes half the country and 90% of lakes, rivers, and ponds in this country. I'm tired of hearing NY and Colorado anglers tell me about the 10lber they caught out of such-n-such pond. Or the 8s, or the 5s -odd how it's ALWAYS those three numbers. : Where I live, except in very rare circumstances or waters, 99% of those fish weighed 5lbs or under.

You go Burley! ;D

Taxidermy is an art. I've seen some real flops -if I had time I'd relate some funny/sad stories. And then there are the artists. They usually have a long waiting list, and keep that in check with high per inch prices. It pays to do the research and find someone really good. The alternative is not worth the time and money you might save.

I don't bed fish. I have, but now leave them be. Somehow bed fishing feels cheap to me. The fish won't swim away really and it's only a matter of time. And through all that time I feel like I'm just harassing them. I don't disrespect others for doing it -I know there's a whole game there that some people love. It's just not for me. Now sight fishing at other seasons is a different story. I've learned an awful lot sight fishing to bass in various scenarios. It's all good. I will say this though, sight fishing can be pretty frustrating -realizing how many bass aren't fooled, and darned fascinating figuring out just what DOES work.

Has everything to do with matching line strength to hook size -or make that wire diameter.

I once weighed a pot-bellied 23" LM on a De-Liar (Zebco version), and it pulled 7lbs. I wonder what it REALLY weighed lol. Probably pretty close -I like to think it was a bit light ;D.

Congrats! Sure feels good to get in to 'em. What state are you in?

For easy cheap calibration I picked up some a 2 and two 5 lb weights (barbel weights) from a Salvation Army for a few bucks. I can calibrate to 2, 5, 7 and 10lbs with those three pieces.

Good post, Todd. I think getting him to close his eyes and then pay attention to what things feel like is a good idea. You know, we aren't really feeling fish at all, but line and rod movement. We need to be familiar with the rig we are fishing with, and what it can tell us. If you don't know what you are feeling for, you are outta the game. I like your way of calling attention to the rod-line connection, and quelling distractions.

Thanks for the kind words on the writing. I enjoy that almost as much as the fishing.

So true. What night does is remove those distractions. They are her/our biggest hurdle.

That's good point -how she's holding the rod. Two suggestions: -Ditto Fanatic on rod angle -keeping close to 90degrees line angle off the rod tip -whether held up or to one side. -Hold the rod still -solid. Thus any movement from below is felt. If she's distracted, which is easy to do, she may not notice changes. It's easiest to notice changes when you aren't making them. You can also introduce slow dragging of the lure with the rod tip to feel, and to watch the rod tip (vibrating lures) and/or the line (jigs or plastics). Here you still need the solid in-control rod, but there is now movement on your part involved. From here you can go to more complex rod movements -later.

Cool story.

Very nice! Look at that sky! Finesse day.

;D That is a great story. I'd have rather been in your buddy's shoes too. With a float and bait working for you, you actually have time to go chase a snake. Fishing lures is a bit different than pitching out a piece of bait under a float (not that that cannot be sophisticated too). If you want to fish with lures, the simplest advice I can give: -Pick the appropriate sized lure for the fish you are after (you mentioned fish with different mouth sizes). -Pay attention to the depth your lures are at. If you are fishing too high and the fish are near bottom or cover, you are too far away from them. Don't fish lures expecting the fish to find your lure, get it to the fish -and that often means very close to them. -Pay attention to the forward speed of your lures. Fish may not be willing to chase. Sometimes high speed works like a charm. But remember both are related to depth control, so get your lures to the fish first, then play with speed. Often a varied speed triggers strikes. Changing lures doesn't help unless the change allows you to cover one of the above mentioned things.

They might. Bass and crappie have similar, but not identical needs. I strongly suggest you get a couple books: The In-Fisherman Handbook of Strategies series. The one for largemouth bass, and the one for crappie. They will give you the basic background you need to understand these different species.

Nothing teaches better than the fish, esp if the student is keenly interested -good bite is helpful there. If she's not that interested then there are certain techniques that may be too challenging, and dull or frustrating. If she's game, one thing that might help a lot is to go into the shallows in areas with specific bottom makeup: mud, sand, gravel, rock, wood, weeds, ... and have her see what they feel like. I do this anyway as I fish. I may find stuff by electronics or by looking at shoreline layout, but the real nitty-gritty is done by braile. And I can still be fooled by the sharp "rap!" of a firm twig amongst soft weeds or mud. This mistake is more common than some realize I think, bc I see it while watching other anglers. I've many times seen an angler's lure bump a branch or weed clump and they say, "Oh! Missed one!". If I'm not expecting a piece of firm wood, I may be fooled, but not for long -fish feel different, and wood, rocks, weeds, etc feel the same, once your mind is hip to them. Once I identify something it becomes part of the "map" I produce in my mind of the particular area I'm fishing, and from there on out I'm MUCH less apt to be fooled -sorting out the wheat from the chaff. One thing I do is "weigh the line" which tells me if there's life on the other end. If it's a dead branch, or weed, I'll know it. You can do this with any lure, but it's easiest with soft plastics since bass will usually hold them longer. And her senses and reflexes are going to need that. She'll get quicker at assessing "the unseen" with time. It's not easy and takes experience. Practice helps, at least for confidence sake. And each new spot you fish will require this braile work. I always tell new anglers that if it's not a fish you might not know it with certainty, but if it is a fish you'll be able to tell -there's life down there. It's different. You may miss 'em, but you'll have experienced that and it'll be easier each time.

Hey brittlab, Odd question maybe, but, if you get out there again, check and see if those late ice smallies have blood red teeth. Seems to be a coldwater phenomenon. Curious. Thanks. If you wonder where this question comes from see the thread "Red Teeth": http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1258140749/66#66

It's a pet peeve for me, bc too much misinformation gets passed around. I don't want to be a jerk, but if I can set someone straight, tactfully, I will. Add up the excitement of the moment, media influence, wishful thinking, and ego, and things get outta hand fast. I think everyone needs to use a CALIBRATED scale, at least long enough to get the real picture.