Denea

It's been a tough year for smallies in WNY. By now, I am usually around 100 caught, but the amount of rain we are constantly getting, the creek(s) are always chocolate milk. I am hopefully getting out tomorrow and/or Friday for a few hours.

Have your parents given you a reason why? If not, it doesn't hurt to ask (and when you do ask, don't keep pressuring them to get one). You said your birthday was in a week. Maybe they are planning on getting you one, for your birthday. Does your Father fish? If not, trying getting him to go sometime, and get him on some bass. I bet as soon as he hooks into one, and lands it...his perspective will change on you only fishing for 2 years. Good luck, and Happy early Birthday to you!

You can melt your plastic in a microwave, but it would be best to find an old one ( ie. garage sale), and use it. You should never use a microwave that you reheat food in. The toxins in the plastic are bad for your health. Make sure you wear proper protective gear (clear eyeglasses, painters mask (for the smell, and toxins), and gloves (I use Hot Mill gloves which can withstand 450 degrees, and they are only $5.50 from Bear's Baits - these are mainly for injection molds) that can sustain temps of 300-400+ degrees. I would refrain from melting down old plastics, unless it is the plastic you poured. Combining other plastics (Shaw's, GYCB, Rage Tail) can be bad. I have never tried it, but all plastics are made differently. I reuse my old plastics that I have poured without a problem. But, you need to be careful, as the more you reuse (reheat) your plastic, it will eventually "burn", and will destroy it.

(1) I have been pouring my own plastics since 2010, and it has paid off big time for me (in the long run). In the beginning, you spend a lot getting all of your equipment (see below for a breakdown on pricing (give or take $5 depending on where you purchase it). I have five (5) 5.25" Senko style molds (each is 5 cavities, injection molds) - $73.50 each Calhoun's Medium Plastic 2.5 Gallon - $74.50 (my senkos last between 2-5 fish with a 3/0 hook through the top) I have a large injector, medium injector, and a dual injector for laminates - I don't know the exact amounts on these, but the medium injector was around $50 (Large is probably $70-$75 and when I purchased the dual injector is was around $100) Gloves (ones that can withstand heats of 300-400+ degrees if you get plastic on them) I use Hot Mill Gloves which can withstand 450 degrees ($5.50 at Bear's Baits - these are mainly for injection molds) Eye wear and a painters mask are highly recommended. The plastic burns at high temps, and releases toxins which are hazardous Pyrex cup (preferably a 2 cup size) I have probably a total of $2,000 in everything that I have purchased over the years. I am doing this as a hobby and for me to have an unlimited supply of plastics. I also have craw, tubes, lizards, frogs, grubs molds which can run you anywhere between $50 to $150 per mold (depending on what you want). It's a big initial investment in the beginning, but to me, in my opinion, the risk (money spent & time) has well been worth it. (2) I just poured (on Saturday) 50 blue fleck with green glitter (.015 size) with 1.5 cups of plastic in 20 minutes. I can pump out 25 at a time with my 5 molds. I have poured as many as 500 baits in about 5-6 hours. I work overnights, so the night before I go back in, I stay up late and pour plastic. (3) I had purchased GYCB back in 2008, and went through a ton of them. I was spending $50-$60/week just on senkos. I decided to pour my own. The plastic I use seems to be a little bit stronger, but can also depend on how hard the fish hammers it. My avatar shows my senko from a local pond. If you're interested, I can send you some of my plastics I have poured. Just shoot me a PM, and I will send them out on Thursday or Friday (my weekend). Hopefully this little bit of info help you out some.

Try Coca Cola or Carbonic Water.

That was awesome. Favorited, shared, and will watch again! Thanks Raul!

Nope. I use Tapatalk daily for other forums. I like BR's mobile version.

Read this - https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Bagwell/how-to-get-sponsors.html

I consider a nice fish to be any fish I am able to catch. I have gone summers where I can catch 1-2/day to 25-30/day smallies in my local creek. The tributary to Lake Erie is amazing, and there are a ton of smallies in the creek. I would like to catch a nice big smallie like Dwight always flaunts around (jk, but you are a pro at catching some disgusting pigs on LE, and I look up to that). I enjoy the time on the water, that one monster hit, that jump, that one that takes the drag to be considered a nice fish. I used to be about how heavy it was, but then realized the biggest they can get in the creek are about 4#, but the ones I love the most, are the ones that fight like a pig, and end up being a solid, beautiful 2# fish.

Awesome first half of the year! Some amazing catches, and awesome photos of them. Congrats on your new fishing partner coming within the next month! Look forward to checking out what the second half of the year brings you.

Looks like a nice spot where I would fish topwater. I would use a frog, and skip it underneath the trees. I have always had success tossing frogs underneath, and around overhanging trees. Keep casting even if you don't get hit right away. By any chance, do you know if this is fished often?

You should be able to find everything you need from here --> http://www.bassmaster.com/highschool

First pitcher in 104 years to no hit the same team. Last pitcher to do that was Addie Joss for the Cleveland Naps in 1908 & 1910 versus the White Sox. I wish still I had his signed rookie card, but I sold it back in 2010.

I always use Pic Resize (http://www.picresize.com/) when I need to resize photos. It's quick and easy. Just need to locate the picture on your PC, and it's simple from there.

Not sure what type of job you had before, but you could be using muscles in your arms that you have never really used before. With any type of lifting, you use all sorts of different muscles, that cause spasms (and keep hydrated like flyfisher said). It's quite normal. I've had a desk/computer job where I wear a suit all day, so when I do manual labor...I am a big wuss. Had to help my brother move about 20 packages of siding for his new house. This was 4 days ago. My back (muscles) is still jacked up...and when I go golfing for the first time of the year. My sides, and arms experience the same spasms you mentioned. My belly keeps getting bigger every year.

Awesome post RF, and awesome fish your son caught! It's the best when your child catches a fish. I take my daughter fishing every chance that we get, and she loves it. I see your son does too, by his smile. I like posts like these.

I enjoy listening to nature when I go fishing. I would never listen to music, as to me, it defeats the purpose of being out on the water (or bank fishing). I like hearing the birds, water flowing through, and over rocks (creek/rivers), and most importantly the top water action you get when fishing with frogs. The explosion of the water is awesome.

When I fish lily pads, I pretty just fish topwater. Tossing a frog out on the pads, reeling, and waiting for that monster hit is awesome!

Pull out a fishing magazine, and read. I fall asleep within 10-15 minutes.

Hi Paul, and welcome to BR! Have you tried any other size hooks? Whenever I wacky rig, I typically use a 2/0 to 3/0 finese hook when I use my 5.25" senkos. I've never had any succes using anything smalling than a 2/0.

Awesome story, and great photo's!

Bighead, also make sure you have a proper ventilation (and a respirator), along with good gloves when pouring. Plastisol, and other plastics fumes are toxic.

Congrats on your nice smallies, and your awesome outing!

Welcome fellow WNY'er! You'll definitely enjoy your stay at BR!

Dwight, I still can't believe the size of the smallmouth you are catching in Lake Erie. I really need to get a boat, and make it to Erie more often. I am only 20-30 mintues from it, and can fish from Buffalo to Erie. Keep posting the hogs, you have me shooting for these pigs this year.