BassmanDan

Lesson One: Don't remove your lure while holding a big bass over the side of the boat. Followed by Lesson Two: Never underestimate the strength of a big bass in your hand when she starts to head shake. DOH!!

My wife looks over my shoulder way too much when I'm online to answer this.

Life is too short...go for what will really make you happy and don't look back. I did that today and got the Chronarch Ci4 for $50 off with the reel trade. Happy, happy, happy.

All work and no fishing makes Dan a dull boy...all work and no fishing makes Dan a dull boy.

In the lakes around here where shad are the primary forage a spinnerbait catches many of the biggest bass I've seen or heard about. There's nothing like an eight pounder crushing a big spinnerbait...gives me chills.

If I stopped buying lures right now I would not use everything I have in my lifetime...but what fun would that be? You gotta hand it to the fishing industry for constantly improving and designing new toys to buy.

You call in sick and the next day your boss asks "how were they biting?"

Me: throw at a piece of cover or laydown and come up short. Partner: Don't be scaird I love it when he says that.

No one in this town could catch any fish except this one man The game warden asked him how he did it so the man told the game warden that he would take him fishing the next day... Once they got to the middle of the lake the man took out a stick of dynamite, lit it, and threw it in the water. After the explosion fish started floating to the top of the water. The man took out a net and started picking up the fish. The game warden told him that this was illegal. The man took out another stick of dynamite and lit it. He then handed it to the game warden and said " are you going to fish or talk?"

Break out the flippin stick, jig and coffee cup for a little living room practice. The dog and wife give me the same "you're doing that again?" look. I'm surprised no one has mentioned all of the good books on bassfishing...I guess it is the internet age, but there's plenty of good reading material out there if you go old school.

Since most of my time is spent fishing a few select lakes, I am always trying to find new big fish habitat and understand their movements throughout the seasons. It's more of a mindset to learn something new on every trip.

1) Work out so I can better tolerate those 12 hour days in the 100 degree North Carolina heat. 2) Our fishing expo is Jan 10th---yay! 3) NFL playoffs GO COLTS!! 4) There is a new BPS that opens in February so I'll be living there part time. 5) We still get some 50 degree days in Jan and Feb, and that's when you can catch that fish of a lifetime.

NC is a big state. Hard to recommend any particular lake since you didn't mention what area you are in. Crappie are my favorite to eat, and I release the bass.

Partying with the big girls...they know how to throw down. Opening weekend on my home lake is in two weeks...it has been closed since October. That means mag lizards, stumps the size of your easy chair, and 10 hour fishing days. Can't wait!!!

This is what my partner does and he always seems to outfish me. I'm going to spend more time cranking...even if he is whoopin up on me.

Yep, you've definitely hooked a keeper. Good luck on your trip.

If I could keep the fish alive and have it certified as a state record, I'd do it. Much harder decision if the fish would have to die, and I can't honestly answer that. I'm from Indiana BTW, and that's an unreal bass if it's legit. Guess we'll never know.

I fish standing in a jonboat and get it right in the middle of my back too. Seems like the only remedy is to sit down. It is much more noticeable fishing cranks and baits with more resistance. I've been working out hard this year but so far it hasn't helped much. Of course then there's the shoulder, the thumb, the neck...it sucks getting old.

I would also vote for the T-rig, and since it will be pre-spawn soon in WV give the mag-lizard and trickworm a good soaking. If the bass are feeding they will eat the worm and if they are pi$$ed off then they will crush the lizard. Spinnerbaits are also a great option in pre-spawn...good luck!

Used to hate spoons until I tried the flutterspoon and got some of the most arm-wrenching bites I've ever felt. Never messed with swimbaits until the Money Minnow came out and my PB ate one. The A -rig is probably the only technique I really don't care for...yet.

Every time I fish I'm trying for a PB which would be over ten...and around here those fish seem to be down in the biggest stumps, laydowns and rocks. I may only get one shot if I'm lucky, and I'm not taking any chances with light tackle. Like others have said, it's all about where and how you enjoy fishing.

It's been mostly tough the last few weeks, but we are getting close to the good stuff now. Just when it seem like we are turning the corner old man winter comes back to shut it down. But those big females will only wait so long, and March is the beginning of the days where you better be on the water...I know I will.

If he would have tried that in front of my wife there would have been monkey stew for supper.

That's a beautiful NC Hawg...great start to the season and we haven't even made it to March yet! Congratulations!

Those came out what 4 years ago? Yeah those were the good ol glory days of bassin LOL. Seriously y'all made me remember I have some mudbugs and old balsa cranks that need dusted off and put back in play.