alhuff

Congrats, now on to bigger and better things. Alfred

Welcome!!!! You have came to the right site, you will learn alot here. For $50 you can get a nice Spinning combo at Wal Mart. I would start with the spinning combo, you can use a wide range of baits with it. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5439146 The great thing about bass fishing is that it can be done without having to drop hundreds of $$$$$$ on equipment. Hope this helps, Alfred Huff

that is an awesome fish and story.... Alfred

The main thing you need to you do, when keeping fish, is to make sure you keep them as fresh as possible. The two ways to do that is, like mentioned before, keeping them alive, or on ice. I'm not a big fan of filetting pan fish, they are a bit small and it can be faster just cleaning them. I have found that it is much harder to filet a pan fish. If you have never cleaned a fish it can be a bit akward at first. 1. You will need to scale the fish, using a knife will cut the fish, a spoon makes for a great fish scaler when you don't have a fish scaler. Start at the tale and work your way to the head, make sure you get the entire fish, the last thing you want is to eat a scale. 2. Once scaled, you will need to remove the head before taking the guts out, its easier to remove the guts when the head is off. You will need a sharp knife for this. Start behind the pectoral fin and in front of the pelvic fin, making a cut circling the fish, not cutting through the bone as this will dull your knife. Once the cut is made break the bone to remove the head. 3. With the head removed, make a cut from the vent to where the head once was and remove any remaining guts. 4. Wash the fish with clear, cold water and it is ready to be cooked. Now i may have to get some of the bulegills i have in the freezer out this weekend and fry them up.......... I hope this helps, Alfred

Thanks for the help guys, I'll let you know what I plan to do. Alfred

Very Nice Work!!!!!! Love the seat idea in the rear of the boat...you have given me some ideas. Alfred

The first thing is to fix the dam!!!!! Does he know that if the dam burst then he is liable for any damages caused by the flood? The fixing of the dam could fix the problems with the small size in the fish. They may have to drain the pond in order to fix the dam, this would give him an opportunity to re stock, and this time with bass and bluegill ONLY! As far as the fish is concered, I've read a few articles that talk about how crappie and bass compete for forage in smaller ponds and don't recommend stocking the two together. He may have to stock more bluegill, alot more. I would first have the dam checked out and fixed!!!! ASAP!!! Hope this helps, Alfred

I second that AMEN!!!!! Alfred

I think that no matter what you are using, its a matter of being in the right place at the right time. I will admitt, live bait does the work but catching a 9lb bass is great, no matter what it was caught on. Alfred

another tip to try, its not always possible, but keep the fish from jumping, like stated before, this gives the fish the opportunity to throw your bait. Hope this helps, Alfred

I would have to take the paint off any way due to wanting to repaint. My thought was that I could leave it bare and clear coat it with a durable clear coat. Clear coating only would be cheaper than painting and cheaper is the only way I can go right now. Thanks guys, Alfred

There is a growing trend with states to create Community Fishing Programs, I know VA and NC do it. The state comes in and stocks and maintains the pond and anyone with a state license can fish the ponds, even if they are in a community. I think all states should do this as alot of these ponds go unused and wasted. I have fished ponds that are in communities and I'm not sure but I don't think its illegal due to it not being posted as private. The ponds in communities are, more than likely, gonna be on public land. Just my 2cents, Alfred

Welcome..... Alfred

I have a questiopn for you all....... I was thinking about sanding the paint off my aluminum boat and leaving it bare, the bare aluminum looks really good. Would there be any problems if I leave it bare? Thanks, Alfred Huff

Welcome to the site, its the bestest on the web.... ;D A family that fishes together stays together... Alfred

I don't keep bass but my dad does when we go fishing together, he keeps them to eat. It really only bugs me when people keep the large bass, smaller ones need to be thined out, but only a few, not everyone you catch. My dad always taught us that if you are not going to eat what you kill then don't kill it, as long as then person keeping the fish is going to eat it then thats ok. My 2cents, Alfred

slow and pick apart the cover....... Alfred

Welcome to the site.... Alfred

Hey Muddy Man, As crazy as it may seem, LBH knows what he is talking about when it comes to jigs. I have become a believer. give it some time and you will love the jig.... Get Jiggy with it, Alfred

Nice fish, and now the fun really starts.....buying gear. Alfred

Nice!!!! Very Nice!!!!!!!

Sounds like one crazy outing...... The topwater bite can and is very addicting...... ;D How old is the line that you have? You want to keep the line new. The problems with your line breaking could have been from it being old, old to me is last season. The fishermans knot is ok but I would try to tie the Palomar knot, it is very strong and once you get used to tying it, very easy and quick to tie....follow the link below to see the knot..... http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html hit me up if you have any questions.... Hope this helps, Alfred

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!! Keep it up, Alfred

Congrats!!!!! Thats a nice fish. Keep it up, Alfred

i feel your pain, i had one do the same thing........but i went to a good friends house and he pushed it trough my finger enough to pull it the rest of the way out. Now thats a new kinda hurt right there....... Happy Fishing, Alfred