FlyRod

I have this belief that if a person thinks a fine is "Stupid", regardless of the clearly written and legally ordained ordinance that imposes it, said person will, himself, show up on the police/warden blotter sooner than later. So, Bassmasta, how do ya' look in stripes ? FlyTheLawAndOrderLovin'Rod

Right on, Cuz! However, I now use the rubber pegs (See: "PEG-IT" ) available at many tackle stores except for certain tungsten bullets which have openings too large to grip the rubber peg. For those, I use ROUND toothpicks and, after snugging them, clip them leaving about 1/16th inch protruding from the nose of the weight. Thus, I can grip the the stub and pull the weight out, using the clippers or a pair of pliers, perhaps even thumb and forefinger. Likewise, I leave a smidge of the rubber peg protruding for the same ease of removal. Note: Since wooden toothpicks can damage your line, 'cept for braid, ALWAYS moisten the 'pick with saliva or worm scent before insertion and snugging. (I still carry a paperclip, just in case.) To peg, or not to peg? That is the question. I hereby aver that pegging, in all but the rarest of instances, will reduce hangups, allow for greater sensitivity, and maybe even cure the heartbreak of psoriasis. FlyRod

I shall indeed give that a try. Thanks for the tip. FR

I'm pretty stuck on the Gamakatsu EWG hooks for most applications. 7" worm, such as Berkley Power Worm, usually 2/0, especially if inserting a rattle in the "breeding ring" of the worm. Maybe a 3/0 if water isn't too clear OR at night. 7" ZOOM Trick Worm, Strike King 3X, or similar, get a 2/0 OR 3/0 EWG, depending on presentation. 10" worm, such as 10" Power Worm, 6/0 to 7/0 EWG Gamakatsu. Sweet Beaver OR similar lures, such as YUM Wooly Hawg Tail or Wooly Hawg Craw: It depends on the length of the lure. I choose a hook that will allow the hook point to be so far back as possible and still have sufficient plastic present to hold it. Examples: SUPER Brush Hog (Shorter than a Brush Hog), a 2/0 EWG. YUM 3" Wooly Hawg Tail, a #1 (NOT 1/0) EWG. Kinami/Yamamoto Skirted Grub, a 1/0 to assure having some "body" left where the point is inserted. NOTE: I often fish the skirted grub on a Spot Stalker jig head with the wire weed guard. 4" Lizard: Usually a #1. 6": 2/0 with rattle, daytime or dark; 3/0 night if no rattle. It may seem to that I use a lot of smaller softies and I do. I fish mostly "Highland" Lakes here in Texas; Canyon, Boerne, etc, and they are pretty clear as well as not being noted as "Big Bass" lakes. I do adjust when fishing lakes such as Bastrop, Choke Canyon, etc. Good luck and be safe! FR

Well, I generally peg my weights (PEG-IT, available most major tackle places) and I'm convinced it reduces hang-ups. You can still use a bead, and even get some noise from it, by using a brass or tungsten($$$) weight and pegging the weight so that there is about 1/16" of play between the weight and the bead. Sharp little twitches will result in some "clacking". Rattles, you say? Wellllllll, I'll tell you... I use them on occasion, especially in murkier water. Most complaints re weights are either that they shake out easily or that they bulge or split the worm. Solution: Go to a hobby shop that deals in model aviation and/or railroad supplies. Select some brass tubing slightly less in diameter than the (tubular) rattles you use. Are you paying attention? Good! Now, using your lady's Revlon Shaping/Finishing nail file, Shaping side first, file one or both end(s) of the tubing to bevel the edge. Try to form a uniform "cone" or funnel shape. Then, use the finishing side to further hone the edges. To use, bend the worm in a U-shape at the selected insertion point, "drill" the sharpened end of the tube into the critter, making sure you stay centered and that you dont poke through the plastic. Go about and inch, then pull the tube out very quickly. This should cause the cut part of the plastic to be visible at the opening. Grasp it between thumb and forefinger and try to stretch out and break off so much of it as you can. You have now formed a pocket in the worm. This, if you've used the right diameter tube for the selected weight, has alleviated PART of the pop-out problem. Step Two: Put a small drop of super glue into the pocket, then QUICKLY force the weight in so far as it will go. Wait a few moments before use. In fact, it's better to do a few the night before. You might also put a tidy drop into the "wound" after inserting the weight. Caution: Be certain that you select the location for the weight so as not to block insertion of the hook point. While I prefer to have the weight AHEAD of the hook point, if space is limited, I'll insert it behind, given sufficiant thickness of the plastic. For instance, I'll use a 2/0 on a 7" Power Worm and place the weight behind the point. The "Breeding Ring" of the worm is usually the best place. F. Rod

I still get creative, now and then, and paint my weights. I mostly use the little cans of Testor's spray enamels intended for model builders. (Speakin' of model building, does anyone have the blueprints for oh, say, one of these ? I mean the voice-controlled fully functional version.) I believe , however that our friend is inquiring re presenting the lure to the lil' green fish. So... I fish a lot of T-rigged worms. Most of my hits occur on the initial fall once the worm (or Senko-type, lizard, soft craw, etc.) hits the water. Ergo, my "presentation" revolves around "target acquisition and identification" and accurate placement. There are times, more than one might imagine, when a "miss", by even a few inches, means no bite. So, "FlyRod's First Law of Presentation" is "Select the target. Hit the target", and there ain't no substitute for practice. "FlyRods Second Law of Presentation" is "Rig it right." If using a worm with a curly or ribbon tail I want the worm to fall so slowly as possible consistent with attractive "live" tail action. I usually want so slow a fall as possible but one must make sure that the weight used will cause sufficient fall speed to activate the tail. Many times I've watched a worm fall with the tail inert, not fluttering at all, because the weight is not sufficient. Therefore, I make an effort to select the right weight, still seeking to keep it so light as possible, given the "Flutter Factor", wind (control!), etc. Still within the bounds of The Second Law is hook size. Consistent with having enough hook to engage the fish I want so much of the worm as possible free to wiggle, squiggle, writhe seductively, etc., and that refers to the portion of the worm past the point of hook insertion. Remember that the worm is virtually stiff between the eye of the hook and the point of insertion. I note that some bassers use so much as a 4/0 hook on a 6 inch worm. Well, I rarely, if ever, use more than a 2/0 and I'll bet that I get more hits during periods when "Wiggle" is critical and I'll further wager that I miss very few hookups using a 2/0. That said, a curly-tailed worm is more forgiving of over-hooking so long as the tail still flutters or oscillates on the fall. With a straight-tailed worm tail action is mostly imparted by the angler. Consider the technique called "Shaking" and you get the idea. However, shaking is not the only application for the straight-tailed worm and pronounced movement of the tail is not always the key. Still, even techniques such as "Do nothing" and "Dead sticking" are not necessarily devoid of tail movement. The slightest current or, if one is fishing very shallow water, wave action, will cause movement of the straight tail. Again, smaller hook=more action. As an example, I use a lot of ZOOM Finesse worms. These lil' jewels are only 4.75" long. All but the blindest can see that a large hook (length, not depth, EWGs are AOK in most cases,) will severely hamper tail action. My choice for the Finesse Zoomies is usually a 1/0 Gamakatsu EWG, usually in red. I use the ZOOM Trick Worm and the Strike King 3X version when I wanna fish a weightless rig. Since the stretchy-no breaky 3X stuff floats, by the way, I sometimes carefully rubber-peg a 1/32 bullet weight with the worm so I can twitch it down a few inches. A 3/0 might be OK here, since the worms are 7 inches long, but I often use the trusty 2/0 here as well. Before I drift off too far...Once the critter is wet, pay careful attention as it falls. Line-watching is critical, and some lines are darned hard to see, some all of the time, some some of the time. You might go to a Hi-Vis type braid and learn to attach a 5-6 foot pure fluorocarbon leader (not regular fluoro line, but something like P-Line Fluoro LEADER, which comes in little spools of about 35 meters, which also means you'll need to learn to tie the &^&*$%@! J-Knot found on the DuPont Stren website. Any twitch in the line usually means action below. Also, it you know you're casting into 10 feet of water and the fall stops after maybe five feet of line has disappeared, guess what! Of course, touchy-feely is critical too, in that one is sometimes fortunate enough for a bass to attack the lure with enough "Ooomph" to send a little shock wave your way. (Braid, I love thee!) If you're still awake...Let's say that cruel fate has decreed that your offering was not accepted at it's debut. OK, so now do you reel in and recast (and I often do when firing at an isolated patch of cover,) or "work it back"? Since fish will sometimes suspend OFF the cover, at times "relating" to it rather than lurking therein, you need to adjust to that. Given the bottom depth and composition, and the possiblility of unseen cover between your initial target and the boat, one needs to comb the "target to boat" line to some degree. This is where one's sense of touch often takes precedence over line-watching. This is also where high-modulus rods and light-weight reels and braid really make a difference. You get what you pay for...sometimes. Given the depth, degree of slope, and other factors, you might make repeated casts and use various retrieves in order to cover the water column. You could swim the worm back at, say, estimated increments of 3-5 foot depths (ZOOM Finesse!), imparting a subtle shake or two...SUBTLE! Finally, casting, letting it fall to the bottom and retrieving via a series of short or long hops (the curlies shine here), twitches, or crawls may be the key. This could go on forever, but my monitor is running outta ink . If asked, I will elaborate further later on, perhaps via PMs in order not to clog up this board. F.Rod

I'm among those who bailed on them. Frankly, I think they've shot themselves in the foot with their arrogance, dictatorial tournament management, and a magazine that is more advertisement and fluff than substance. Even the "Harry n' Charlie" stories are rather boring and poor sweet old Uncle Homer seems unable to think past the era of direct drive reels, Terry bassboats, and Dacron line. FLW will probably follow the same sad path. For now, however, if I were an aspiring pro I'd hitch my wagon to the FLW star, even if I consider a trip to WalMart to be a sad and generally disgusting experience, especially here in South Texas. ("Why is that?" I hear you ask. Well, let's just say that if we'd closed the border and put crocodiles in the Rio Grande decades ago, I MIGHT be able to stomach an hour at WalMart.) In my opinion, bass fishing, (or the pursuit of ANY kind of fish, for that matter,) should never have become the cult it is now. All of us, you and me alike, are guilty to some extent of creating this "Sport" and the attendant industry that exists for the purpose of draining our wallets, jeopardizing our marriages, and jobs, We don't need reels that substitute computer chips and magnets for casting practice. We don't need to go 70, 80, 90, 100+ MPH on the water. We don't need rods that cost over 75.00 (although, admittedly, some of mine cost well in excess of that,) nor do we need the bewildering array of lures and copycat versions thereof that are advertised in such a way as to cause us to despair of ever catching another bass until UPS delivers the latest variant of worm, frog, spinnerbait, crankbait, or foul-smelling ointment to apply thereto. We don't need boats that cost so much as a needed upgrade to our family's home or living standard or take away from our kids' college funds. We don't need trucks that suck down over-priced fuel in order to tow those boats. We don't need 150 pounds of terminal tackle and 20 rod and reel combos in order to catch a little green fish. We don't need electronics that allow us to count the scales on a bass at a depth of 50 feet. We need to be in church on Sunday morning. We need to spend at least 3/4ths of our free time with our wives and kids, moms and dads, kid brothers and sisters, or the lonely old widow or widower that lives down the street. We need to be volunteers at our kid's schools, the local retirement home, or be active in the Boy or Girl Scouts. Having said all this, I'm even more aware of how badly I've failed in these areas. Even though I'm not now nearly at the level of obsession that many others are and I once was, I allowed myself to fall into the trap and remain there for far too long. Happily, I get to fish pretty often. Happily, I long ago gave up club and tournament fishing and now spend quality time with three great partners who have their priorities in order and I think I've found a fourth. Happily, at the end of the day we're more grateful for the cameraderie, a safe trip, the beauty of the sunrise, than we are for the numbers and size of the catch. With thin, at best, apologies to various sponsors of this and other boards: I have enough "product" for now, thank you. If you have something that's new, original, and effective (and not priced through the roof,) I might be interested. To those "manufacturers" who pirate someone else's ideas, change the name from Sweet Clam to Sugary Scallop, and undercut the developer, let me say...well...you stink! Enough venting for now. Let the howls of outrage begin, and they will, for I have made some folks look in a mirror, I'll warrant, and they don't like what they see. FlyTheNowUnpopularRod

When I fished from bellyboats I named both of the Fishmaster tubes I used. I named the first one "LUSITANIA" but changed it to "Miss Behavin'" after I spotted what I took to be a periscope following me. The second one I named "BISMARCK" but changed that after some basser with a British accent kept trying to run me down in a bassboat with " HMS HOOD" painted on the stern. F.Rod Kapitan

DO NOT anchor "Beam to" in stiff winds OR where boat traffic might create heavy wakes! One good one over the side may well start you on the way to Davy Jones Locker. If you must anchor, in all but the calmest waters, do so from the bow, which will cut the waves better than the beam or stern. If possible, attach a small buoy to the anchor line and provide for an instantaneous release of the anchor at the approach of a dangerous wave/wake. Two better approaches: Use a drift sock, preferably at the bow, to slow your drift. If you have a splashwell and a WORKING bilge pump, then attaching it at the stern may be OK. NOTE: If the boat rides low at the stern...fuggidaboutit!! Make sure the drift sock has a quick dump strap so that you can collapse it if danger threatens. You won't have to try to haul in a loaded sock, just pull the strap and she empties. OR: If possible, use "brush clips" (NOT knots, unless they release with one pull,) to secure the boat to available trees, bushes, etc. Good luck and above all, be safe. FlyRod

Rachelle, Will you marry me? Fly Rod

Here's a handy device that is lightweight, easy to use and store, and can keep your boat in a "hot spot" or secure it in place while you eat, make repairs, make whoopee 8-), etc. http://a1672.g.akamai.net/7/1672/116/20060401/www.ritzcamera.com/graphics/boatersworld/products/478736986.jpg Ideally, you carry two of them so you can secure both ends of the boat so it doesn't "swing" while you're fishing. F.Rod

Icein, Are you saying that this is in Colorado? Reason for requesting clarification: Smallmouth...check! Pike...OK!...GATORS :-?...in COLORADO? (Psst! Do Colorado gators grow fur in the Fall?) Amazing. Fly R.

Sounds like a job for the Daiwa Viento reel! F.Rod

Mmmmmmm...Crappie Steak Beds! Could I get an electric blanket and some tartar sauce with that? (Mebbe a big ol' glass of sweet tea and some hushpuppies too?) Personally, although crappies steaks are OK, I prefer crappie wings, Buffalo style! (FlyRod, shut up!....OK :-[) Fligh Rahd

In no particular order: Shaw Grigsby Hank Parker Jimmy Houston (Fellow OU fan!) F.Rod 8-)

I'd lay even odds that the big bass is dead by now. The stress of being caught and handled probably did her in. I believe that being out of the water, thus not having the water pressure to support her egg-laden belly, caused internal trauma sufficient to cause a slow death. Holding that fish, nose-up, was probably the "last straw". :'( F.Rod

Well done, RR! Remember, if you coach again, that all truly gifted athletes belong at OU! Congratulations. F.Rod

Gonna miss Ol' Jake ... ... :'( http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/questions/eternal.html Select and click on choice of player. Rodd, Fligh Commanding Officer HMS Indigestible

She was delicious! A. Schwarznegger Governor

Tempest in a teapot...affecting neither the tides nor the spin of the Earth on it's axis; nor the price of tea in China; nor even the mating habits of hamsters. F.R. Heartless SOB (Mmmmmm...fried hamster!)

Oh yeah!!! I'm an athlete all right. 6'2", 265, and it's mostly in the middle! The other day, as I was perched in my favorite pub, I mentioned that we are now considered to be athletes. My favorite b'tender laughed so hard she may have cracked a rib. I WAS athletic in my long-past younger days and was in pretty good shape until a couple of years ago. I had to be in shape to be an Army Officer (ARMOR!) and later on too, in order to hang on to my last lady (she was 25.5 years younger.) Well, since she suddenly passed away (9/23/03.) I've been compensating by way of poor dietary habits and sheer ennui...'cept for fishing, of course. I've gained 40 pounds since she went away...dang! Anyway, I DO agree that bass fishing, as many of us pursue it, is both physically and mentally demanding. Most non-anglers think fishing is a matter of sitting with rod in one hand, beer in the other, and waiting for something to bite. Well, it AIN'T like that when most of us here fish, now is it? I fished from 0700 to 1500 y'day. We fought wind and fish (See: post in Fishing Trip forum..."Another Day on Canyon".) and I felt as though I'd played two quarters against the OU Sooners Defensive line. My casting hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder ache. My face is scorched. My knees and back are shot and my feet hurt. In short, it was WONDERFUL! Rebbasser and I are going tomorrow, in fact. (I fished with another good pal y'day.) Yes, we're athletes, especially the guys on the pro tour. Luckily, most of us are in the minor leagues and don't have to work so hard 'cept when we want to. F.Rod

Dude! Wot luck! You'll have a wonderful time if you observe a few safety rules for traveling in Meh-hee-Ko. They are: 1. Don't drink the water. 2. Don't breathe the air. 3. The kid is lying. His "Seester" is NOT a virgin. 4. When two Mexican waiters, two deck hands, two maids, etc. are smiling at you as they converse with each other en Espanol they are A. Making fun of you. B. Discussing your wife's bazooms. C. Planning to rob and kill you. 5. Order only "top shelf" brands of Tequila and watch the bartender pour it. 6. Take muy mucho Emetrol, PepcidAC, and Pepto-Bismol. 7. The they sell without prescription is really a combination of chalk, aspirin, and Fix-a-Flat. 8. Do not, at any time, ask a Mexican why a buzzard is molesting an earthworm in the middle of the Bandera Nacional de Mexico ( their flag)...he will keel ju! 9. Always tip generously. The life you save may be your own. 10. Be back to your hotel before dark. 11. Never try to show off your new language skills by ordering your dinner in fractured Espanol. You will think you ordered the Bisteca Tampiqueno (Beefsteak Tampico) but you will be served Casserole of Iguana Parts and a bowl of goat milk . 12. At the Corrida (De Bool Fight) NEVER cheer if El Toro actually wins and kills the pansy in the pretty clothes. His Hermano, El Jefe de Drogas (Brother, The Drug Lord ) may be sitting nearby, admiring your wife's bazooms and ingesting Fix-a-Flat. 13. Even if you love Mountain Oysters and you heard that a certain restaurant always serves them after the bull fight. Always wait to be certain that MATADOR won before ordering. Besides, if the bull wins, you'll leave still hungry. You want fries with that? 14. When the strolling Mariachis come to your table, those pretty lyrics translate into "He's a sucker, but she's got great bazooms." Well, that oughta get you through OK. Wait! One more item; Never leave your spouse alone with Roberto, the pool boy or Ricardo, the Tango instructor. Vaya Con Dios, Amigo! El Roddo de Flyo

I tried spawning in a private pond once. The &^#$! rancher ran us off. Here in Texiz, many "tanks", as we call ponds or some of the larger private lakes, are ill-suited to spawning for a number of reasons. In areas of soft soil, silt is an egg-killer, and that is often aggravated by cattle stomping about in the water. For my part, I might like to try standing in a pool of Maker's Mark as I sipped but the bar tab would bankrupt me well beyond what the Baitmonkey has already done. Also, the presence of carp can prevent successful spawns both due to siltation they create so well as ingesting the bass's eggs. A pond full of stunted and ravenous bluegill, catfish, turtles, etc. will also preclude or severely inhibit a successful spawn. Tanks in many areas of the state are subject to wide fluctuations in water level and that also creates a poor spawning environment. Our Beautiful Texas Hill Country is rife with tanks. Many are not only of considerable surface area, but are quite deep as well, being mini-versions of our "Highland" lakes such as Travis, Canyon, Medina, et al. They can provide a better spawning environment since siltation is not so severe but they are subject to fluctuations so much as any other body of water. Eggs laid at a suitable depth (re temperature and light penetration) on rocky ledges can be affected by sudden rises in depth or a rapid decline in water level. Another problem, mired in controversy, is the increase in the range and numbers of cormorants. Many, including your humble scribe, are convinced that they appreciably damage the bass crop, especially the "yearlings" in shallower tanks. Despite laws against it, many cormorants are slain by landowners in an attempt to stem the tide. In addition to simple gunfire, I have heard of one frustrated individual who strung subsurface gill nets to entrap and drown the critters...mixed feelings there :-/. Just some commentary based on less-than-scientific observation . Fly. R. Odd Nonexpert Ichthyologist

It had better be a Cara or better! FR

Just how many sane fisherman would wanna be in a club with another "MikeIke"? :-? You might wanna change your handle to "Good-natured Nice Basser"...just sayin'. Rotsa Ruck! F.Rod