J Francho

Its all in the context (or out of, LOL). No problem shaner, if you read higher up, I made my point earlier: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1236212631/38#38.

My buddy throws cranks with a very similar rod, and thinks I'm crazy for using moderate action rod, LOL. Its all what you get used to. For years and years, 6 to 7' MH/F rods were all I used for bass fishing, both spinning and casting. That St. Croix will last you a lifetime if used properly.

Why? As long as its a legal fish I see nothing wrong with keeping and eating it if thats what the person chooses to do If you answered, "Yes, " then the second half of the question doesn't apply to you, and there is no need to answer the thread. Read th initial post again, and you'll see what the OP is getting at. I never said anything about whether it was right or wrong for you to keep and eat bass, as you said, its legal. Legal issues and moral issues are two different things. The assumption is, that if your answer to the title is, "Yes, " then there is no need to explain bed fishing, since you'll keep and eat those as well. As its legal. The OP is referring to a bigger moral question, and possibly trolling in the meantime.

My PB brown is 22 lbs. I have at least a dozen surpassing 15 lbs. I cannot even imagine what something nearly twice the mass would be like catching. For reference, this egg laden hen was around 12, IIRC: Paul knows why the background is obscured

Or you could judt go fishing, LOL. Tin, you know as well as I do that to limit our shortened fishing season any more would basically leave us all of 5 weekends a year to fish. Not going to happen. ;D

The 10# CXX will serve you just fine, as the measured stretch necessary for treble hook baits is a good match. I use 12# CXX, FWIW.

Pads and emergent or very thick vegetation = peg. All else, free.

Why are we discussing C&R? The question isn't whether you C&R or not, its if you C&R, why do you bed fish? I think many are missing the analogy. The answer to the rhetorical question posed in the thread title should be, "No." What we're answering is the question, "Does removing a male guarding a nest equate to harvesting bass." I already answered that question above.

I have an Alienware desktop specifically built for image editing. I have a Dell lattitude D810 for location shoots, and shooting tethered for portraits and commercial photography. At my day job, I use another D810 and a Precision 870 with dual Xeons for developing and compiling code. Personally, if all I did was music, a few digital snaps, surf, email, and watching videos, I'd get an Imac. If sticking to Windows suits you, you really can't go wrong with a Dell system in the $1200-1500 range. Get as much RAM and disk storage as you can afford.

You stick it to the spool before you fill it. By doing this, you can simply use an arbor knot, and the tape gives the braid something to "bite" into, preventing spooled up line spinning on the spool arbor. Personally, I go through a lot of line, but I prefer the spool to be full for consistent retrieve speeds. I pretty much fill the majority of the spool with copolymer line, like CXX, and then spool about 75 yards of braid on top.

I think the point the OP is trying to make is that bed fishing equates to eating them, despite practicing C&R. I don't agree, but on smaller waters, I avoid bed fishing. This is a VERY personal issue, and I wouldn't even bother to try to convince one side to change their minds, let alone cast any judgment about that person's opinions. I don't think any results, either anecdotal or published research can possibly apply to every body of water, everywhere. Bottom line, it is an ethics question, and for me the answer is fluid. As far as the fish I have caught off beds (BTW, I suck at this when targeting them, LOL), I have no guilt or remorse.

Just use a diameter braid that you're used to. 50# Power Pro is similar in diameter to 12# mono. Treat it with KVD Line & Lure. Be sure to use a mono backer, or the line will slip on the spool.

I bet it was orange check the fish's mouth in the picture ;D You have a lot to learn about trout fishing, and its secrets, LOL. I know PLENTY of guys that will stick some gaudy ESL in the fish's mouth, when I know too well he caught it on a pink worm. ;D

The drop shot is NOT a tactic, its a terminal rig, and can be fished on any gear, with any plastic. To limit yourself to using light line/spinning gear is a mistake. Tie up a 5/0 EWG, and a 3/4 oz. weight, put a 10" worm on the hook on 65# braid, and chuck the rig into the pads. Wait, move tip slightly, set hook, reel in slob.

TD-Sol Lefty as well. Much lighter than the Zillion.

Real Magic

Ahh, there it is in the third link, Mepps Cyclops. I wonder what color, LOL.

C'mon guys, verify your sources before posting new "world" records. This fish was caught in 2007 in CANADA! It is a triploid (genetically engineered, sterile) rainbow that escaped from a hatchery many years ago. The theory is that since none of their energy is spent on completing the rigorous spawning run, that they get huge. I'll say. Some don't think the fish qualifies, since its a triploid - whatever! The twin brothers have been trophy hunting this particular lake in Saskatchewan for a while. There was a very good feature story in Salmon Trout Steelheader last year that detailed a weekend spent fishing with these guys.They offer a guide service up there now as well. IIRC, the fish was caught on live bait. Some links: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/news/story?id=2901070 http://www.troutfishinghelp.com/blog/labels/Adam%20Konrad.html http://trophytroutguide.com/articles/world_record_rainbow_trout_adam.htm

You can use a drop shot rig using ANY tackle and ANY plastic bait that you either want to drag off the bottom, or hold in place while imparting slight action to the bait.

I've been using a Team All Star 6' M/f, but I just picked up a AVC62MXF that I've been dying to tryout. I'd really prefer something a little longer, if I was a little taller. Your physical height, and retrieve style will have a lot to do with your length preference.

Stop at XPS, you've already found one of the best FC lines out there.

Axe, Phoenix.

My uncle runs a charter operation on Lake Ontario, and that amount would tell him that you are either cheap, or had a bad day. Start at 15-20%, and you'll be in the ballpark.

Our club is going down that week for our spring trip. We'll be fishing for fun, probably going to hit the weigh ins, and maybe run into a few pros on the water. Should be a great way to get rid of the chills. Could care less about all the hype and fishy macho-ism. That lake has a BUTTLOAD of shoreline, so I'm sure there's room for everyone. Like any other time, it'll more about attitude and etiquette than actual room to fish. FBL, we should meet up while I'm down your way.

Geek, I mean IT consultant.