A-Jay

That too is a nice fish - but browns are All nice. The toad I post is also not mine, my wife's uncle, the trout guide, landed it. I'm half glad I did not hook that fish as I most likely would have had to be hospitalized for SHOCK ! A-Jay

This freak of a fish was taken in mid-June from an under cut bank on the Au Sable River here in Northern Mi. A-Jay

What ~ No Red Eye Shad ? Just kidding ~ Very Cool ! What made you do this particular test ? I am liking that Live Target bait - very sweet. A-Jay

A couple of weeks ago I took this one eyed gal from under a dock near a drop off. She sucked in a jig-n-craw with in 2-3 seconds of the bait slipping into the water. She had no trouble finding this bait although it may have very well hit her on the head. A-Jay

I'm north of you in MI. This state has define laws prohibiting these illegal act against us and they are posted on the MI DNR website for all to read. After looking briefly at the OH DNR site I could not find anything regarding Angler Harassment but I did find this while searching. Best course of action is report them all as soon as possible and Every time. > A-Jay http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/outdoors/hunting/harassment/ohio-hunter-harassment-law.html OHIO BALDWIN'S OHIO REVISED CODE ANNOTATED TITLE XV. CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER 1533. HUNTING; FISHING GENERAL PROVISIONS1533.03 HARASSMENT OF HUNTERS, TRAPPERS, AND FISHERS PROHIBITED (A) No person shall purposely prevent or attempt to prevent any person from hunting, trapping, or fishing for a wild animal as authorized by this chapter by any of the following means: (1) Placing oneself in a location in which he knows or should know that his presence may affect the behavior of the wild animal being hunted, trapped, or fished for or otherwise affect the feasibility of the taking of the wild animal by the hunter, trapper, or fisherman; (2) Creating a visual, aural, olfactory, or physical stimulus intended to affect the behavior of the wild animal being hunted, trapped, or fished for; (3) Affecting the condition or location of personal property intended for use in the hunting, trapping, or fishing activity. ( No person shall fail to obey the order of a peace officer or wildlife officer to desist from conduct that violates division (A) of this section. © This section applies only to acts committed on lands or waters upon which hunting, trapping, or fishing activity may lawfully occur. This section does not apply to acts of a peace officer, the owner of the lands or waters, or a tenant or other person acting under authority of the owner on the lands or waters. (D) Upon petition by a person who is or reasonably may be affected by conduct that violates or will violate division (A) of this section and a showing by that person that the conduct has occurred in a particular place and may reasonably be expected to occur in or near that place again, a court of common pleas may enjoin the conduct in accordance with Civil Rule 65. (E) As used in this section, "peace officer" has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, and "wildlife officer" has the same meaning as in section 1531.13 of the Revised Code. (1994 S 182, eff. 10-20-94; 1991 S 46, eff. 10-23-91)

X2 - I Fish from a canoe exclusively. I can sit or stand to fish and the comments above regarding seeing and working through cover play an important role for my success depending where I'm fishing. Here's a brief thought involving hook sets when either sitting and standing When I'm focused, alert and ready for the strike, it does not matter if I'm sitting or standing, I usually can get a decent hook set either way. But when sitting down I have to be conscious to ensure that I am poised and ready to pull the trigger. I have a tendency to not stay as focused as I do when I'm standing up. So if I get "surprised" by a strike while sitting my hook up ratio is about half of what it is when I get surprised while standing. It sounds like a little thing but I know I have missed considerably more strikes sitting than standing. It's my own version of FADD ~ Fishing Attention Deficit Disorder. I am working on it A-Jay

A-Jay I cant tell you how many big fish Iv caught on those. Well, Looks like it not a "secret" any more . . . 8-) A-Jay

I think there is a good chance that the members who listed baits in this thread realize that these are not "secret lures". We are just sharing info and having a little fun. btw - welcome to BR. A-Jay

The night operations this week have provided excellent topwater action. Looking for something different and a bit bigger profile, I broke out The Jitter-stick. A-Jay

Congrats ! Sweet looking bass with a Big Ole Head A-Jay

Word is that Big-O has one of these mounted on the bow . . . . A-Jay

Sounds about right - I was getting ready to start a support group but I didn't know what to call it . . . 8-) A-Jay

Nice RW . . . . Got anything from this century ? A-Jay

I'll admit it. I catch far more smb in the spring and fall, when fish are generally shallower and more willing to strike, than I ever do in July. . But as the heat of summer drives them deeper I am really challenged to find those above keeper size fish that seemed so abundant just a few short weeks ago. Reviewing the BR SMB Forum, there seems to be relatively few PB smb being posted in July as well. Fishing pressure, over all lake boating/jet ski pressure and the smb's summer time deep water residence all combine to really complicate catching a bragging size fish. I don't give up even though it would be easy to do. I apply all the standard "summer time tactics" ie. finesse fishing deep, drop shots, night time trips, early/late day top water, new and full moons, rainy days and even drastic barometric changes. They all produce at times but not consistently and rarely do those tactics provide the size and numbers associated with early and late season trips. Perhaps this is the reason we do not see many TV fishing show hosts doing a Mid-Summer Smallie show. So I keep at it. I know there down there. And they have to eat some time . . .right ? I just hope that I'm out there when they do fishing the right bait in the right place. And ANY above average smb I manage to land now is just that much more special. I will also admit however, I am looking forward to the fall. A-Jay

Lake Fork Parallelium FluoroHybrid - thank you A-Jay

Don't be so hard on yourself - we've all been there. As for the sad situation mentioned above - when the article appears in the local rag, I would expect to see the following term - Alcohol was a factor. A-Jay

Big-O, Congrats on your another fantastic catch ! I always enjoy your narrative as well. I felt like I was there with you - minus the sweating and the shortness of breath. You are indeed a fortunate man. Not so much for the bass but more for being blessed with an "on the spot photographer " - and for 40 years no less ! I have but 2 brief questions ~ 1. What is your line of choice in that environment ? and 2. Where on earth is that Magic Tree ? A-Jay

I will always agree with this statement. The first season I took my wife fishing and was "teaching" her the "importance of presentation" often times her cast was a bit off target. Initially I would ask her to reel it in and cast again thinking that her "poor presentation" had little chance of success. It wasn't long before she got tired for continually casting, missing and reeling in without having an opportunity to work/fish her bait. It took me a while but I finally figured out that she was not enjoying this "casting practice" I remembered something my grandfather had said to me when I was first starting out and casting all over the place - "fish it like you meant it". Well My wife's "poor Presentations" have resulted in more decent fish than I care to admit. Through the years my wife's casting/presentation skills have improved accordingly. Still, where I will reel in an off target/poor presentation, she will still "Fish It Like She Meant It" - and I end up doing the dishes. A-Jay

What the heck were you THINK'in ? We call that a temporary loss of situational awareness ....... A-Jay

As far as baits and techniques go, you have received several excellent suggestions above. However, you did mention that "you can see them" down in the weeds. That means they can see you. Sight fishing for smb (other than on a spawning bed) is a tough chore most times. If you can make your presentation to these fish without them knowing you're there, you may find them a little more willing strike your bait. You might consider making the most stealthy approach you can and make your cast from as far away as you can and still be accurate. Sometimes even changing the direction of your approach can help. A lighter line (or even Fluorocarbon) might be the ticket as well. Good Luck A-Jay

Hey thanks alot Dwight - my wife got her's on the same trip, We're both just so proud. A-Jay

Sorry to hear you've been on the DL - no worries - I've been leaving at least 1 lunker in every hole for your return. A-Jay

OK - here's the two smallest smb for last season ~ Unfortunately for them, they were both foul hooked. A-Jay

Thanks for the info - you know I fired up the search before posting but came up empty. I also am fishing from a canoe and my MK 55T gets me around just fine. Not really looking to throw a rooster tail either. I would REALLY like to be able to hold position in the wind a bit better. As for the warranty void, I think I'm already past it anyway. Unless I hear some horror stories I'm picking one up. A-Jay

Nice narrative on a great big bass ! Congrats A-Jay