Paul Roberts

Awesome! You won't be sorry. Yeah, John's a good guy. I tried to get him to collaborate on a project once a while back, but he was plenty busy on his own. I saw the #2 was out of print and emailed him, then found it on Amazon. But you've already done that and then some. Good luck this summer. Keep us posted on what you find. Neat fishery.

Lots of stories. I was hooked many times. I guess it all started here: I remember my Dad cutting that sapling, and the distinct 'tug, tug' of the bites. "There's SOMETHING down there!" is the feeling I remember. I also remember Dad returning to the cabin near dark with two "bass". They seemed so big, and mysterious. He caught them on a Jitterbug his father gave him. My Dad gave it to me 30 years ago and I still have it, hanging over my desk as I sit here typing. It's not retired, just waiting for my own son to be old enough to use it -likely this year.

On small rivers/creeks I've often used an UL spinning rig with 4lb line -great fun with 10 to 15inch fish. But, on larger rivers with larger fish (>17inch) a medium to MH would be better. Probably the best all around (IME) would be a fast ML or M spinning rig with 6lb line. That will cover a lot of river smallie fishing -fun with smaller fish and able to rope in those bigger dudes.

I use line appropriate for the hook mostly. The other aspect is speed control. Thicker line will buoy you up a bit, and with the 1/4 to 3/8oz heads he said he was using, he probably needed such line in the shallow water he was talking about -"casting to the shore". Why he had such tackle made me wonder if had his LM tackle with him (?), or maybe the jig he's talking about doesn't come lighter (?). I tend to use a 1/8oz head (on 10#) for the top ~4feet of water a lot. If I'm using 4# I may need to go to a 1/32 -which I pour myself with an adequate hook. Depends on depth and speed I need. I swim jigs a lot. In fact it's default for me. Fish often take a swum jig really well and it's relatively fast -a good way of covering water. I fish 'slower' only if I need to: on the drop, hop, bottom crawl,... . A grub body is great for swimming. I use them mostly in the early season (water is clear and cold) and go to a skirted jig later when the bass seem to need a larger profile (and more speed). I think he mentions that particular jig because he sells them or is sponsored by them. (Nothing wrong with that necessarily, just typical 'sponsored' angler speak nowadays.) But you can swim ANY jig as far as I can tell.

It's the Finger Lakes version you want I believe: Fishing Guide 2. Unless he's changed things around a lot. Keuka SM are covered in detail.

I drop-shot weedy ponds. Many of my ponds have Chara, a large course algae also called sandgrass or skunkgrass (odor). It's pretty tough stuff! I use a bullet weight usually used for T-rigging. I use a tiny split-shot for a stopper which will slide to adjust leader distance. An overhand knot at the bottom of the leader keeps the split and weight from sliding off. Since the line comes through the center of the weight, it doesn't twist line as badly as some others.

The Finger Lakes are a challenge. I remember reading a comment by Al Lindner once, paraphrased, he said that with such deep clear water and the coming and going of fronts in the region, if you could catch smallmouth's consistently in the FLs, you are really doing something special. First, get the Sander's Fishing Guide for the FL region. These guides are VERY good (wish every state had a John Sander -a good man) and the Keuka write-up is very detailed for the SM fishing. Essentially, the bass are somewhere in the spawn at the opener, (3 to 12 ft) then drop deep due to the clear water, boat traffic, and the pelagic food source -alewives. Many FL SM are known to move out away from shoreline structure and chase alewives in open water above the thermocline. Summer fishing can be very deep (35 to 60 feet or more) depending on where the alewives are. They tend to prefer temps a bit cooler than the bass (mid 60s), but wrmer than the trout. If you are catching lakers, you are too deep. If you are catching some browns you are getting closer. There is also fishing to be had along shallower shoreline boulder flats in summer, but is known to be predominately a night fishery. There are those that do this and topwater fishing can be really fun then. It would definitely be worth contacting the current DEC biologist for the lake and get his/her opinions and advice. I've always found them to be very willing to help. Start by email and if it sounds good ask if you can call or visit. Another option would be to identify and talk with local anglers, or maybe better, hire a guide that you could extrapolate from. I believe Seneca has smallmouth guides. However, when I was in the area I wasn't aware of anyone who targeted smallies in summer, as the consistent fishing (needed for guiding) tends to be during the spawn and the mid-winter fishery when bass become concentrated in known certain locations. Summer techniques to try might be what others use on alewife (pelagic) waters, strolling alewife colored jig/worms (In-Fisherman and Lindners are hot on this technique the last few years), various depth cranks, or if you mark fish high enough -topwaters! It's possible to draw smallies to the top that are 25-30ft down. Good luck. Do some homework, there's info out there. But, you do have a challenge there. Hours of fishing is probably expected. If you do bang a good fish try to stay on 'em -they aren't alone. Unfortunately, low tech (marker buoys) don't work, unless you have 250 feet of tether LOL. A GPS would be the ticket.

Generally, what the author is talking about is that food chains are based on sunlight, and penetration matters. This doesn't mean the contrary, that clear waters won't have shallow fish. But it's a good bet that very low vis waters do not have a deep bass fishery. I would be interested to hear if others here have had success in very chronically low visibility waters (not transient) in deep water. I am guessing most will echo mrbassky's response. Bass are primarily visual hunters. The lateral line is a short range system sensitive to low frequency vibrations (essentially water motion) that provides info valuable when closing on prey. Hearing is a longer range sense but, according to researchers, is not directionally accurate -that is bass cannot tell precisely where a sound is emanating from. They may attempt to ascertain that by going into a search mode to close in on the sound. Bass that live in low vis waters can adapt to it. They tend to live shallower, and are often tighter to cover using more of a close-in "ambush" type hunting strategy than clear water bass. If clear water bass have a bunch of mud dumped in on them, they may simply shut down. I've seen this, and under prolonged periods, have seen them get really skinny.

Not really, esp at only 50 acres. A bluebird day is tough all over the pond. None of our ponds offer "deep" water, that can shield the effects of such a day. I believe I know the specific pond you are talking about, neighbor. If it is the same water, it's ~13 feet at the very deepest and 10feet or less over much of the rest. What a "boat" offers is access to more areas to fish. Shoreline areas are certainly a good part of this -you now have access to the entire shoreline (although there are advantages to the shorebound approach in many areas, and you can pull out anytime you feel the need). Boats also offer different approaches and angles on areas that you can't achieve when shorebound. And a boat offers access to offshore areas, some visible, some not -found by observation, C-rig, and electronics. Have fun. Explore some, fish some.

Cool catch.

Wow. So sorry to hear that. I have a neighbor who was just diagnosed with the same. I guess "quality of life" is a sliding scale. We make the best with what we do have. Hope you guys can stay positive. Prayers go out to you two.

OK, first the Twilight Zone theme song...Da-da-da-da Da-da-da-da .... (best I can do)... There really is no future. There is only the present. The past is a comet trail of historical constraints and something to draw on, but not be stuck in. Living things are pure potential and the "future" is all contingencies. To put it in fishing terms (from Md's profile -you were on it all along ): So, how do you qualify someone as a great bass fisherman? Lots of history to draw on, raw potential, and staying present. Humble comes with the territory.

Yeah, Rick and I have a lot in common. But he chose bass and I chose creek chubs. I've had to live with that decision. Didn't I already mention humble somewhere?

Holy Moly Dom. You've been around the mill and then some.

Gosh yes. We are all better anglers in hindsight. But in my case it doesn't tend to transfer to the next trip out, especially if it's a week away. But, unless I made some egregious call, I'm always left to wonder if my hindsight was just another idea that might not have panned out. It's like discovering in my journaling that my memory is actually mush and I start re-writing history as soon as I leave the water LOL. Or, it's the "I wish I had my camera!" syndrome, when you see that huge buck step out along the road as you drive by. But try to actually GET that photo. Or hiking without a shotgun and you're flushing grouse like crazy! But, if you HAD your shotgun how many would you ACTUALLY get a good shot on? Hindsight can just be our ego's, or enthusiasm, talking. Reality is much more challenging. Decision making, in the moment, is a key attribute. Book learning is very helpful, but experience brings it home and is a much faster responder.

Good point, O' Lucid 1. I have two waters in my traipsing grounds that have given up almost 20# a few times. However one has become exceptionally low in level, and with the wind we have here has become a mud pit the last two years that would have put a serious dent in growth, maybe even caused some mortality. I've written it off for a while. The other has another issue. It is a bit over fertile, and gets too warm by midsummer (for daytime fishing), and the bass fishing gets really tough and the bass noticeably thin. It's less than a long-shot to give up 20# in mid-summer. I'm better off elsewhere. Is a great fisherman always defined by his catches? Or does understanding the reasons for poor catches count? Not that I'm vying for such a title! ;D

Hey BassManDan, get a neoprene forearm brace (drug stores). It really does help. And stay working on being a lefty for a while (I know how frustrating it is!). But it took a full year for my elbow to heal. Doc said I'd be in for surgery (and all the possible complications down the road) if I didn't respect the healing process. BTW: Welcome!

Substitute any number and TommyBass hit a key point. Approaching 50 and no MAJOR problems as yet. But they are creeping in. -Detached retina (from climbing stairs!!! -Go figure!) -Tendonitis in dominant elbow (my Doc's first case of 'bass elbow'. Can fish ambidextrously now). -I've got a hip that grinds now, only noticeable when hauling a 50+lb pack into the high country. I know that my elk hunting days are numbered. -Need reading glasses, so I have to peer over them to talk to you LOL. What these "minor" chips are signaling is that I have to be MUCH more careful with my body than I used to. Elderly people (>70) tend to be relatively fine until they fall, and the slide begins, oftentimes terminal. Recuperation is MUCH more difficult. This is true with us "younger" folks too. Some suggestions: -Stretch (those muscles and tendons) -Exercise (walking is fine). Stay on it. It gets harder to play catch-up. -Good time to look at your diet. -I now wear a neoprene forearm brace when fishing to protect tendons.

Very true. I guess my fishing is relatively simple compared to, say, top tournament anglers who travel. Great to set goals. But, I wouldn't want readers to think such a thing is (presently) attainable. Then again, I was also hoping someone might pipe in that meets those criteria. Ike just "failed" in Seattle. But only if an unrealistic goal was expected to be met. I doubt he had a problem with that (didn't throw tantrum or anything). Maybe my point is (no argument here I hope you understand -not sure how I'm coming off), a lot of fishing is simply out of our control. Recognizing this (being humble) might be part of "greatness".

Is that a two-fister? Three??

Good responses above: Comparing SM with LM is a great way to highlight one or both. The second provides an understanding of LM hunting behavior. Here's another tact, as per your initial thoughts: http://afs.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-pdf&doi=10.1577%2F1548-8659(1982)111%3C462%3AUOGSAB%3E2.0.CO%3B2

Me too. But recognizing who might be adding pressure to the fish is part of that. Regardless, if you are versatile, you can often catch some fish behind almost anyone. That's quite a standard! Does such a mythical beast really exist? On any/every water?

Ditto above, however, there is some decent bass fishing in many of the 100s of small public reservoirs (and many more private) that cover the front range. Early March is when bass fishing starts to pick up. Spawn starts around ~May 1st. Fish run to 4-5lbs with a few 7+ here and there. Because of the mountains (and snowpack) there is a ton of trout fishing -every little crick has trout.

Seems your post was more along the lines of "can one tell a 'stick' by just looking at them." I've always looked around a water body I'm fishing and made a loose judgment on whether other anglers were "dangerous" or not -that is whether they might stick "my" fish. It is a loose judgment, and one I realize I more rarely use in my bass fishing. It seems any kid with a spinnerbait, buzzer, topwater, soft plastic, etc., could be "dangerous" on my ponds. In more technical methods, like fly-fishing, or fishing in current, some anglers are much more apt to ***** fish than others. Here experience counts a lot, and luck, much less. In general, it depends on what the fish are doing (in what ways they are vulnerable) and, in making the call on the angler, I guess appropriate tackle and methods employed, and then, having good tackle, the right gear, quiet confidence (concentration), and well-used and faded vest, rods, hat, can make me think "uh-oh". That "quiet confidence / concentration" thing can be an "uh-oh" all by itself too. The guys that look like their heads are on swivels I pay little attention to. I just hope they catch SOMETHING!

Man, at first I thought this thread was going to be one induced by a severe case of cabin fever LOl. When I first started with a bc I worked in a tackle shop and had the opportunity to try both. I'm right handed and chose a "standard" LH retrieve reel, simply because it felt more comfortable, nothing more than that -even though I'd been a spinning user for so long. I really don't know why I chose the LH retrieve. I've wanted to try a RH retrieve bc reel because it seems to make the most sense, in terms of rod arm strength and coordination, and the having to switch hands in mid-cast -I thumb the spool with my left after switching. A couple springs ago I got tendonitis in my right elbow and had to switch my spinning stuff over left. My, that was a difficult adjustment -took a while to adapt. And I found jerks the hardest to feel comfortable with. I also found it difficult to work a jerk with my left, casting to my right -that is, making those tugs back-handed. With my right hand I was comfortable making those tugs forehanded or backhanded. Now, after that season fishing as a lefty, I can use either hand, but my right is still better at fine manipulation, and confidence.