Dwight Hottle

It can happen anytime you catch a fish deeper than about 30 fow. Except for lake trout which belch or pass air bubbles to regulate their air bladders. If you bring fish up slowly enough from deeper water it helps minimize the damage. Now gobies are not a problem as they have no air bladder. That is why they stay oriented to the bottom.

Enjoy your new reel. The only thing sweeter than a calais dc is a calais dc with a hawgtech handle.

Good fish Mike. When I first read this title I thought is was a Steve Parks thread.

As long as I'm catching smallies out of that boat it is a BASS boat, right.

Paul has a very unusual finger hold there J. Nice work.

Those walleye fisherman catch some big fish besides walleye.

I fish jerk baits on a croix MHM while most people prefer MF or MXF. Whatever works for you . Bill Dance is a old school guy and probably uses one rod for many different applications because it just works for him.

Sam I have fished erie for about 10 years now. After having read your post I could not understand the 4 foot swells suddenly becoming 8 foot swells & then disappearing. All this happening without any storm or wind. The swells are always left over waves from previous wind episodes. The only thing I can think of is if a freighter was in close proximity to them. The swells decline in size as time passes without any wind to stir things up. The drift sock if attached to the transom could very be the problem. With a bass boat you really have to pick and chose your time on erie because when the sh t hits the fan it can get nasty really quick.

Maybe he did, maybe he did not. That is not the point. Most states require a state record be weighed on a certified scales like you find at a meat market or grocery store. Some states require the fish be examined by dnr or a biologist to certify it is the correct species. Many times a witness is required for the weighing process besides the scale operator. It is not a simple process like you suggest.

If you want the state record most often that fish is going to be dead because of the lengthy verification process. Any licensed angler has the right to keep that fish if they want their name in the record books. There is no shame in that decision.

Captain Shane your are on a roll this year.

I just hope she is as generous with her big fish as she is with her beauty.

I don't know where you were fishing but I never saw a fish under 4lbs on the end of my line at lake B.

Capt. Bob those are great blanks. I really love that 7'2" MHM.

Glad you like it Mitch. Those are great blanks.

Sorry I just saw this old thread had been updated. My experience with this rod has been limited. It works well for straight braid or mono but I had problems with a back to back uni knot hanging up in the V side supports of the tip top guide. Consequently I did not give it any boat time fishing for smallies.

Hey Mitch it's about time. Nice mixed bag.

You are hooked now.

Now Mexico is excluded right?

I have been following this thread for a while & it is a very good cause. I would like to match Jeff's (00 mod) years end total. Keep catching Jeff.

I have xc70mf and it will handle 3/4 oz baits with no problem. That sound like what you want for where you fish. The 7' mh takes you up to 3/4 oz rating but will handle 1 oz when you need it to.

Good luck man. Who's going to keep speedbead motivated while your gone?

Take a look at this from another thread. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/bass-fishing-fish-biology.html

Nice skis Wayne.

Good luck with your quest.