SuskyDude

You're right about them seeking slack water, but not for the reasons you mentioned. Slow current isn't any warmer then fast current, not the fish cares one way or another: they're ectotherms, or "cold-blooded." In other words, a smallie is whatever temperature the water is, it has no way of self-regulating its body tempertaure. To that end, cold-water isn't uncomfortable to a smallie. But what it does do, is slow the fish down. The temperature-dependant, metabolic chemical reactions that occur within a fish are slowed down when the temperature decreases. Digestion slows, reflexes slow, muscle movement becomes less effecient/effective. This is when river smallies move into slow, to no-current areas. Keeping position in fast current (or any current for that matter) becomes a real chore when you are sluggish. The energy needed to keep position stays the same (or may even increase as the density of water increses with decresing temp), but the ability to create that enegy within the muscles decreases as metabolism drops. Add to the fact that the amount of forage needed to fuel the fish becomes more and more scarce as the fall wears on, and you have a recipe for over-winter migration.

Around here in NY it happens at the same temps as all other prespawn activity, between 45-50 degrees. They'll stack up in the mouth first for a few days and feed heavily before they start trickling up to find suitable spawning areas. Very good fishing.

Be careful on river ice! It can change daily. Especially when there is a warm up. Make sure the river isn't rising or you might find yourself floating downstream on a brand new ice-raft.

Ya know back in the Great Depression that sort of figure WAS drop dead sexy to women. It meant you were eating and you have money. Hey if our economy decides to nose dive in the next ten years or so, you'll wish you had that distended belly back!

Yep. Everything. The steriod freak in the first shot, the 50 year old wearing purple man-panties in the second picture, and the muscle chick in the last picture. Did not want to see any of that.

I tried to read the article. Made it down to the part about all his "achievments." Had to stop there. Oh video game dorks. Why do you take this crap so seriously?

I played a little basketball back in the day. Wasn't good, so I played CYO (catholic youth org.). Thats where you played when you weren't good enough for school ball, or if you were too much of a trouble maker, slacker, etc. Anyway, we played a very good team that whooped us by at least 60 pts. It was ugly. These guys were bigger, faster and just plain better. What was worse, is that we knew we had to play them again weeks later. We didn't cry and feel sorry for ourselves. Rather, we kept practicing and kept our heads up. We won the second game. 8-)

Without a doubt I use tubes the most. I go through roughly 3-4 100 packs of Mizmos a year.

Or an "Albino Shad?" Or a shad that you would consider "sexy"? ;D

I can totally see another Seahawks upset. They've got nothing to lose. They're the underdogs who "don't deserve to be there "(even though they just beat the champs). Football is about momentum, and seahwks got it. I don't see them in the SB, but I can see them beating the Bears.

Everything old is new again. I remeber when braided line was "new." I thought to myself, "haven't I seen this before?" So I dug some old reels of my great grandfathers out of my closet, and there was bradied line on half of them (dacron I assume). Go figure.

I'm pretty sure its because of all the "ifs" and "shoulds" that people think its best to just kill a fish rather than release it back in the wild. "If" you do it right they "should" be fine, but people rather not take the chance. I think its a good policy.

Absolutely. Buy in bulk, don't "try" in bulk. ;D SFT: excellent operation with terrific service How are the hooks on those tube jigs? Thats an excellent deal. They're not what many on this site would consider to be "premium quality," but they are great for the price. I've been using them for years and haven't had a problem with hookups or had a fish straighten one out. I've landed many a giant carp and a few muskies/pike with them no problem.

Then you should be fine with natives. Aside from the quirks of a few species, most are very easy to keep, and many are breedable. You'll be suprised by the beauty and diversity of the minnow and darter families. If you really get in to it you'll be driving across three counties to a certain creek just to find that species of shiner or dace. It can be alot of fun.

Jigheads for about 90% of my fishing.

Absolutely. Buy in bulk, don't "try" in bulk. ;D SFT: excellent operation with terrific service

60 degrees would probably be okay, but the tank will be warmer from lights, powerheads, filters, etc. Perhaps some stockie browns could handle it, but probably not brookies. Browns get BIG though, don't forget that. Have you ever kept fish before? If not I'd suggest to keep it simple first. Don't overwhelm yourself with a big complicated tank and demanding fish. Most reccomend something in the 20 to 40 gal range for a first tank.

Here how I save some loot: Mizmo Big Boy 4inch tubes. 100 pack: $37.99 http://sfttackle.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=9&ParentCat=7 SFT Big hook tube jighead. 100 pack: $15.99 http://sfttackle.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=308&ParentCat=13 Buy in bulk. Less than 54 cents a jig.

Nate, check this site out if you haven't already: http://forum.nanfa.org/ Everything you will ever need to know about native fish keeping can be found on this site, and then some. Be sure to browse the pictures of other peoples tanks for inspiration before you set up yours. There are some really amazing tanks out there.

Yes, I suppose you could, but it would cost some coin. Not just in food, but you would probably need a chiller to keep the water cool and oxygenated, and those things aren't cheap. And again, big predatory fish mean lots of poop, and lots of water changes/tank cleanings.

Yeah, the idea is you can't really know for sure if the fish is disease free and its not worth risking an ecosystem for the sake of one fish. So its either for life or kill it. Keeping some sunnies in a 100-200 gal tank would be cool, but they're work. They eat alot and poop alot. Bass would be even worse. I would reccomend putting together a stream tank. Use powerheads on one end to to create current (you can use pvc to extend the intake to the opposite end of the tank to creat a more natural flow), fill it with rocks and stock it with dace, darters, and shiners. Not only are they easier/cheaper to feed, they are alot more interesting to watch then sunnies, in my opinion any way. Sunnies don't do anything but beg for food once they figure out you're the one who brings it.

Yeah releasing them back is frowned upon in many fish keeping circles. Either keep it for life or kill it.

Most days, your probably not missing too much. On some days, however, your probably missing ALOT of action. Sometimes they just want a fast moving crank, etc.

Spoons and jigs tipped with fatheads or grubs have caught me many bass through the ice while jigging for panfish. Just slowly jig about a foot off the bottom. If you have a flasher, put it right in their face and jiggle the rod tip. Heres my largest ice bass, caught on a swedish pimple with a fathead.

rubba bubba and Goose52 - thanks for the info. I crank quite a bit with high speed reels, but never deep diving so I never thought about that. Sorry if I started a tangent.