D.Cox

I have been working at a location that keeps 1 minute records on Barometric pressure and after fishing I can go back and view what the BP was doing at the time I caught fish, not caught fish, ect.. The location where the BP is recorded are within 2- 60 miles of all the lakes I fished. What WBR stated is correct on the scientific side. After 5 year of keeping logs, I can not say that the fish bite is better at any BP with water temps 60-85 degs. I have noticed that when the BP is falling, I seem to catch more fish on reaction baits: Spinner Baits, Buzz Baits, Rattle Traps, Ect. But, I have fished on a day that the BP fell through the day, clougy, windy and could not get a bite. On Post frontal conditions I usually do the best flipping jigs, worms, jerk baits- something slow. Most of these trips were spring to early fall. The only time of the year that I can predict a good bite, is in the Fall of the year on a cloudy day, steady BP or falling with the water temp 58-52 degrees- a little wind is also good. In this range the fish will be feeding up for winter and an aggressive bite, cloudy they bite better whether the BP is falling or steady. Sometimes when a strong front moves through and the BP starts rising, fish will slow even if cloudy. Not sure if it is the BP or that the fish are full. In the winter, when water temps are 48-43 a cloudy day can be very productive on Small Mouth on a float and fly, the cloudiness seems to more of a factor that BP. Have fished mostly clear days that the BP fell and the bite was slow. I have over 300 trips that I have tracked this BP, water temp, weather, moon phase and lake levels. I fish in east Tenn. and fish Cherokee, Douglas, Boone, South Holston, Watauga and Patrick Henry. All of the lakes do not have any grass and fluctuate 20-60 foot between winter and summer. I think the moon phase has the most predictable bite, moon over head or under foot, best. Hope this helps.

I have some of the Texas Tackle and they are good, but you can take a cheep pair and make a good pair with a dremel tool or a small file. Most are to big for small split rings and i will file them down like the Texas tackle pliers.

I have looked at a lot of articles on spinner baits blades. From my testing in a swimming pool, I have a different take on spinner bait blades. Willow leaf blade has a lot of flash and I agree with what has been said. Colorado blade puts out a lot of thump and gives the bait a lot of lift. The Indiana blade- all of the articles I could find when developing Spinnerbaits state that it is in between a willow and colorado. But from my testing, an Indiana will put out more vibration that can be felt on the fishing rod than a standard Colorado. I use a bait that has a #5 deep cupped Colorado blade but have tested a #5 Indiana blade. You can feel the thump in the rod better with the Indiana blade, but seem to catch more fish on the #5 Colorado. If anyone has heard of a Pickens blade (a blade used for years in east Tennessee), it produces the most rod thumping vibration and is close to the Indiana blade. Does anyone else agree with this? I understand that blade thickness and cup, split ring hole location, and other factors can influence the vibration.

Idlov2fish: You are exactly right, I misspoke in my earlier post. I was in a hurry, and I must have had color schemes on my mind, where Mattman was talking about custom paint jobs. I should have said "such as the shape of an object." Here is the definition of a design from the US Patent office. Definition of a Design. A design consists of the visual ornamental characteristics embodied in, or applied to, an article of manufacture. Since a design is manifested in appearance, the subject matter of a design patent application may relate to the configuration or shape of an article, to the surface ornamentation applied to an article, or to the combination of configuration and surface ornamentation. A design for surface ornamentation is inseparable from the article to which it is applied and cannot exist alone. It must be a definite pattern of surface ornamentation, applied to an article of manufacture Mattman as far, as painting someone else's lures, I don't foresee a problem as long as you abide by two simply rules 1) an utility or design patent is not held on any lure that you are customizing (that is the ones you have bought youself to resell, not the one people buy themselves and bring to you to customize) and 2) you do not repackage and sell the lure under your own label. A guys does that locally where I live. He works at a local tackle store and hangs his unpackaged custom painted lures on a little wire counter display rack. His customers also bring him in lures to customize. Been doing it for years and he is very good.

Sorry didn't finish : hyperlink above, 3rd page, 1st column, 8th lure down

Maybe a paw paw jointed pike lure? From looking on the internet, paw paw boxes appear to be actually rarer that the lure. Found a picture on the link below http://www.antiquefishingluresonline.com/antique/paw%20paw

KVD anywhere they are bitting! Steve Kennedy on Clear Lake in CA with swim baits.

A friend of mine, sent me a email and said he caught some good numbers on a ½ oz double willow spinner bait in White or White and chart. He finished 6th in the Minor's tournament 2 weeks ago. I would start out throwing a buzz bait until the sun comes up then change over to the spinner bait. If it gets slick and no wind, worm or jig. Good luck!

There are two types of patents, Utility Patents and Design Patents. Utility Patents cover the concept of the idea itself and are very difficult to get around whereas a design patent only covers color schemes, etc. and can be gotten around by changing the design, I believe, by 15%. For example. we have a utility patent on Rattle Head Baits which covers the concept of the idea itself of a moveable hook in some type of chamber. We had to pay an issue fee and we now pay maintenance fees to maintain the patent rights on our concept. Utility patents are so well protected that, as far as I know, a fishig lure protected by a utility patent has never been copied (Leverage, Terminator, etc.) without the company that is copying it paying a usage fee to the company holding those patent rights. So, although a lot of companies copy other manufacturers' lures, these lures that they are copying are either unpatented or only hold a design patent and the design of the lure that is being copied has been changed by at least 15%. Thus, I guess what I am trying to say, is that since these compaies pay large amounts of money to issue and then maintain patent rights, you better believe that if they find out that you are copying their lure in a way that is in violation of their patent, they are going to file a lawsuit. And so, if in doubt, do a patent search at the US Patent Office. As far as putting custom paint jobs on others' lures, I would think the easiest thing to do would be to advertise at a local tackle store that you do custom paint jobs on lures and then let your customers' buy their own lures and then bring them to you to customize. I have seen this done before at several tackle stores

In the spring of the year on 2 East TN Lakes, I have caught fish on buzz baits all day long after the spawn. 2 years ago we had 17 lbs in a tournamnet, last fish we weighed came at 2:00 on a buzz bait. we caught 15 keepers that day and 10 the next in a different event. We live where there is alway some shade somewhere, on bluffs, over hanging trees, or docks. So, they will bite all day long. On most of these trips, the water temp. is below 75. After this, it is hard to get them to come up. In the fall of the year when the temp gets down to 60, it will start up again and continue until the temp. gets into the low 50's. This will happen on the lakes that draw down (These lakes drop 20 ft. for winter pool) and you can fish any structure that you can see: stumps, rocks, logs. When it is right, you can call where you will catch the next fish. My buddy and I will fight to cast to the next good looking spot.

I agree, my husband likes those as well and they are great for changing weather conditions on the water. Didn't think about it until low budget hooker posted. In addition, since you are not set on getting a tournament shirt, they sell some nice light fishing shirts that have air vents on the back at BassPro. This allows the shirt to breathe and helps keep one cool on the water. BTW Wickyman: Just wanted to comment that you seem very well spoken and that you have a good attitude toward fishing. Two great assets to start out with in pro fishing. Best of luck.

When I fish a nighttime spinnerbait on lakes that do not have grass, I use a bait caster with 17-20 fluorescent line, a 6.6 -7 foot MH rod and a black light. As for spinnerbaits, 1/2 & 3/4 are what I use the most. I will rig the spinnerbaits with a zoom grub, twin tail, zoom chunk or paca craw. When fishing a spinnerbait at night, I will fish points, humps, flats, etc. And target isolated structure such as stumps, brush, or rocks. I will cast out, letting the bait go to the bottom, and start a slow retrieve, trying to stay in contact with the bottom. Most bites will be after coming across some object or when the bait comes off a ledge. Sometimes the fish want a spinnerbait that puts out a lot of thump, sometimes they want one that doesn't. Get some different size and colors of blades and change up. A #5 Colorado is the standard size most use, if you want one that puts out a lot of thump, try a #5 indiana blade. As a general rule, use dark colors (black, blue, purple) skirts and gold or black blades on dark nights. On moonlit nights use (red, purple, etc.) with gold or nickel blades. All with a good ball-bearing swivel, Sampo are the best. The depth 4-8 foot ½ oz and 8+ use the ¾ oz spinner bait.

I think we are getting ahead of yourselves. If an angler does not yet have any sponsors and wants a tournament shirt. The easiest and most economical thing for him to do is to order a button-up tournament shirt on-line directly from a boat manufacturer. They sell for around 59.00-71.00 on average. Then, if he so desires, he can take it to his local embroiderer and have his name embroidered on it for around 6.00. In addition, as he gains sponsors, patches can easily be added to this type of tournament shirt. I sponsor several elite series anglers and several Southern Open anglers and have traveled the Southern Open Schedule for 7-8 years. The Southern Open Anglers (Regional Staff Members) I supply with a tournament shirt with their name and our logo. The elite series anglers (National Pro Staffers) must have all the logos on their shirts printed at once, and I have to personally supply the digitized logo to the printing location before they will put it on the shirt. Field Staff Members receive patches. Personally, as a sponsor, I could care less if my anglers wear shorts: blue jeans, khaki or whatever, After all its hot and they are fishing. What I look for on the Opens is that they appear neat, clean and have a good stage presence.

Buying a tournament shirt with your brand of boat on it is a good idea. You can have patches added to it as you pick up sponsors. However, most guys do not want to get their tournament shirts dirty while fishing. So, they wear a t-shirt on the water and then put their tournament shirt on over it before they weigh-in their fish. This keeps it clean and wrinkle free for the stage. As far as pants go, the most common are jeans & blue jean shorts or khaki shorts.

Bobby Thanks for the personal favor! I owe you one! Good luck in Vegas and tell the guys I said Hi and to try to behave themselves. Bekki

Advice from a woman who has been married 14 years to an avid fisherman. After you apologize to her for your thoughtlessness, reassure her that she means much more to you than fishing. Then explain to her that you would really like to include her in your hobby and that you would really like to be included in hers. Tell her to pack for however may days that you plan on being out of town and that you have some surprises for her to show her how much she means to you. She will pout, but she will go. If she asks about the boat, tell her its part of the surprise. Some ideas. Call the bed and breakfast, theater, etc. and ask them what they do special for anniversaries. Spend every minute of the week romancing and doing stuff that she likes to do just with her. In addition, Splurge a little-a ten year anniversary is special to a women. Get her some small gifts, flowers, etc. to give her periodically through the weekend. Tell her she looks beautiful Then Monday- Wed. You should take her on the lake one day, don't fish too long and don't fish the whole time. Do some joy riding, talk to her about your hobby and have her talk to you about hers. If she reads or works crosswords, etc, have her a book handy or whatever that you picked up yourself just for her. You might even have the bed and breakfast fix you a romantic picnic lunch for the bank. The rest of the week you should be able to fish, but make sure you come in before dinner and that you have dinner/evening plans that you planned based on your wife's interests. In addition make sure you have her some activities planned while your fishing each day. Know where the shops are, book her a tour, whatever, (the local chamber of commerce should be able to help you with this.) Discuss the different things at dinner and you might want to offer some spending money. But, by all means,l her that you missed her company while you were on the lake. This shows her that you are taking her needs into your consideration and that she is special to you. Hope this helps. Bekki

Welcome. Fish the bait that you have confidence in.

They work, for years I purchased the Bill Dance polarized from walmart until I could keep a pair all year. About 2 years ago I bought some Costal Delmar. The more expensive one did not help me see better, but my eyes were not as tired at the end of the day. Make sure to have a strap on them, and hang them around you neck when not using. I have lost to many to count from the top of my head, fish to dark, put my glasses on my head and the first time I get on plane in the boat. They are gone!

When it's tough- a Jig or a finess worm!

Nutter Butter Cookies & apples.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Nice Catch!!

I saw 7 on lake George on the St John's river in one of the springs in Jan. two were babies, 500 lbs. The mom's were big!

Rattle Head Baits thanks you for all the support and looks forward to reading the posts on this site. The Rattle Head Baits' line is something new for 2008. We offer spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and jigs with our exclusive rattling hook enclosed within the head of the bait. This feature produces a different sounding bait that fish have not heard. Good fishing. Dow Cox