BassmanDan

COMMIT to it.

the behind-the-back, off the heron, beside the laydown...nothing but water.

I live in Raleigh and used to fish all winter but it gets pretty tough (for bass) when the water temps get in the upper thirties and low forties. Most of the guys I know either fish for crappie or stay by the fire in January and February. [edit]No links to other forums allowed.[/edit]

Quick, play me off Johnny!

Enjoy the day...you could be working.

Great looking bass...plenty of girth on her so I'd agree with your estimate of 7ish...congrats!

It's good to know I'm not the only one having a tough year. Last year was one of my best for big fish, and this year the 5-6 pounders are all I can manage. Maybe it's one of natures cycles (sounds better than saying I can't catch em)

...me too Raul. But I called and they gave me a gift card for the 10% anyway. Now that's service!

It can be very frustrating when they just won't bite anything. The lake you're fishing can absolutely make all the difference in the world. Go where the bite is hot if you can...this time of year they are going to be catchable soon, and on the banks where they can be quickly located.

true dat!

Good luck Bob...let us know how it turned out. At least you're out there shaking off the cabin fever.

Thanks for all the good info!

I bought my first Diawa reel from TW...it's a Fuego that they have had on closeout. Fished with it last week and it performed fine, especially for the price. It came with a bottle of oil but now I'm reading the manual and it says this is a special oil to only be used on the left and right spool bearings...after every trip. It also says not to use it on any other parts...and that there's a special lube for the drag washers that you get directly from Diawa. Any of you Diawa guys know if this is the norm for their reels?... Any help is appreciated.

I like this game.... how about call in sick turn cellphone off get up early stay out late and my favorite FISH IN MARCH!!

...being at work on a gorgeous day in March.

throw a satellite dish on the roof and I might never get off that baby...great pic.

I've been going through some of that the last couple years. It may be because my ultimate goal has been to catch a NC ten pounder, and fortunately that happened in March. Now when it's 40 degrees and raining in December staying home and watching football seems like a pretty good idea.

...at 19 I wasn't even thinking about fishing. The ladies had my undivided attention. Now I fish twice a week, year-round and loving every minute of it.

I have been fishing in NC for a decade and have yet to catch a bass...they just don't exist in this state. ...are you sure you weren't in South Carolina?

Great looking fish- congrats...if you don't want to give up your spot, how about line, lure, depth, time of day and retrieve?

I've been baking my brains out all day in the NC summer heat for 10 years now...but it gets harder to do every year. I normally go through a gallon of water, keep the Stetson pulled down, and fish the shady banks in the afternoons...oh yeah, and stay in the wind!!

Congrats to State...they have some good sticks on their team. Chris made the local paper this spring by catching two 10's and a couple 9's in less than a week. Kudos to all who participated.

Great advice and a good looking fish ya got there. Good to know the bass east of the Mississippi like trout too.

I live in Garner. Save your money and forget about Benson. Try Wheeler for big bass if you buy a boat...or Harris, Falls and Jordan. Garner is a big change from Miami, but there's plenty of good fishing around. Welcome to the neighborhood!! P.S.... Here's a couple links with good fishing info for our area... http://www../bassfish/reports/northcar/index.html http://www.ncangler.com/

Thanks for the comments y'all...I'll be back out there tomorrow for another round of fun.