Hot n Tot

That's what this forum is all about. I've been bass fishing all my life and consider myself a pretty good bass fisherman, but I have learned a lot in the short time I've been a member of this forum. I realized a long time ago that no matter how much you know or think you know there is always something to new learn.

LOL!! ;D

I enjoy fishing crappie fishing with my dad. That's about the only type of fishing that he does. When I go bass fishing I will sometimes fish with a buddy or relative, but I usually prefer to fish alone. I can fish how I want to, where I want to, and leave then I want to. My job can be pretty stressful at times, and fishing it my escape from it all. It's my alone time.

It is definitely the best. I can't believe 5% of the voters have voted the site as somewhat worse to much worse that others.??? I want to know what sites they've been visiting because they have to be unbelievably good.

100% plastic!! Bought a brand new jar of pork trailers. When I put them in my tackle bag little did I know the jar had a slow seep. After the bag sit over night in my house, I had a wet bag and wet carpet underneath. No more pork for me atleast that's what the wife says. >

Instincts like spawning, food, and self preservation dictate the actions of all fish. I don't think they get conditioned to lures except in small ponds where you would be consistently catching the same fish over and over usually with the same types of lures each time. However, they have an incredible ability to determine what is natural and unnatural to their environment.

Jim and Sherry, my prayers are with you. Craig

Thanks again Scooter. I should of had enough sense to think of that, DUH. :-/ I received an e-mail from representative of my state federation. He's sending me a packet of info. You say you are also trying to start a club. Let me know how it turns out.

I agree with these guys. In the stump: If the water is shallow, a Mann's 1-minus crankbait, a floating jerkbait, or a weightless trick worm in bubble gum color would be my picks. A jig is always a good bait in heavy cover.

Good tip Skeeter. I usually target bedding bass with plastics. I'll have to your suggestion.

Go Rebels! I know they sucked last year, but I just had to throw that in since ya'll seem to be making a round through the SEC. Welcome to the forum. It's the best.

A 3 inch bass on a 4 inch pop'r. I have no idea what that little bass thought he was going to do with that pop'r. The treble hook wouldn't fit in its mouth. He hit at it and was snagged on the side of the head. The first time I ever tried to fish a Carolina rig I caught a 25 pound turtle. I was just starting to bass fish, and thought I had hook up with the next state record or something. Talk about a fight.

Good Point. I think I'll put them all back. LOL

Reading these post got me thinking about what I could take out of my suitcase. At least that's what my wife calls my tackle bag. I have a small one that I wasn't using. I put everything that I haven't used or could not remember what it's for into the small bag. When I finished, you would have thought that I removed a couple of cinder blocks based on the weight difference. I've been needing to do this for awhile now. It's amazing how many lures I had collected. Most of them I had to have,;D but they've never left the safe confines of a Plano box.

I have caught 5 bass over 10 pounds. I've caught 3 on plastic worms and 2 on shiners. I've caught numerous 6-9 pounders, mostly on plastic worms. However, this year I've caught 2 over 8 pounds and 1 over 9 pounds. They were all caught on spinnerbaits. I agree that plastics consistently catch bigger bass, but the reaction lures will occassionally entice one of those big gals to bite.

all of my spinning reels are Shimano..2 Symetries, a sahara, a stradic and sustain. I have 3 curados, 2 Calcuttas, a Castaic and two Abu-Garcias.

Thanks Scooter. I sent my state rep an e-mail, and I'm waiting on a response. I think that I may not want to have affiliations until the club has been in existence for a year or two, just to make sure it is going to be long term. I know how some people can be. They are all fired up about an idea, but when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is they suddenly aren't as interested. In that case, what recommendations does anyone have for organizing the club as far as rules, tournaments, officers, etc.

I want to try to organize a bass club in my area. I know several people who said they would join if we had a local club. The idea has received a lot of interest, and I think we would have about 30-40 members. This includes boaters and non-boaters. I've never been in a club. I'm wondering what are some must have guidelines, procedures, fees, etc. for the club events and members to follow? What would you recommend for a tournament structure? If started next year, the plan is to fish one tournament a month from March to August on various local lakes and have a two day championship in September at a non-local lake. Any type of information or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Craig

Great post! Regardless of your age, you never stop learning from your dad. I too am fortunate to be able to fish with my dad. He is a diehard crappie fisherman, who rarely bass fishes. When we go crappie fishing, I sit in the back of the boat. I usually only catch a couple while he usually catches the limit or real close to it. He's more than able, but I usually net and unhook his fish. I could care less if I actually catch anything. Just being outdoors with him is all that matters. He mostly fishes Grenada lake, and I am always amazed at his knowledge of lake.

Is there any cover or structure in the lake? What's the water temp? A rising or falling barometer can have an affect on where the fish will be located. High pressure systems are usually associated with bright sunny weather. Low pressure systems are usually associated with cloudy, rainy weather. The barometer is usually steady during stable weather. Fish feed more actively during low pressure. During high pressure they will either hold tight to cover or go into deeper water. Deeper water in a shallow lake may only be a change of a couple of feet. You can catch fish during high pressure. Fish slower and get your lure as close to the cover at possible.

Glad you found us.

Welcome Rollo. I live in Mississippi about 2 hours south of Memphis. This site is definitely the best of its kind.

I would take lures that are fished horizontally and lures that are fished vertically. Horizontal lures are spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, etc. Vertical lures are worms, jigs, spoons, etc. Before someone replies, I know you can swim a jig or bounce a spinnerbait and catch fish, but they were intended to be fished vertical and horizontal respectively. This way you can give the fish the presentation they want, whether vertical or horizontal. I would carry jerkbaits (of course) silver/black back like Cephkiller said. You can buy suspend strips to make the lure more versatile so you don't have to carry several that suspend at different depths. H&H spinnerbaits in a 3/16 & 1/4 ounce size are small, easily to carry, and will catch anything that swims (cheap too). I've had a lot of success with black/white and chart/blue colored H&H's. 1/8 ounce skirted jigs and 4" worms in natural colors for my vertical presentations. I would keep all of my lures small. If the lake is full of small fish you can catch a few on large lures but not many. Small lures will catch fish large and small.

I live in the small town of Coffeeville in Northwest, MS. 5 min from Grenada Rez, 15 mins from Enid Rez, and 25-30 mins from Sardis Rez. a fisherman couldn't ask for a better location to live in MS.

I am an avid bass fisherman, but I enjoy all types of fishing; trotlining, jug fishing, even grabbling. I cannot stand when fisherman are inconsiderate. Where I live you always here the local talk about the actions of out of towners, when the locals are usually the ones who can be inconsiderate and rude. I was fishing for bass in a slough off of the main lake in a two man boat. Some guys came into the slough from the main lake. The were in a large aluminum boat with a 50 horse engine. They preceded to run around me in my two man boat at full throttle. The weren't ten yards from me when they passed by. When they came back they told me I didn't need to fish there because they had a trotline out in that spot. I told the guy that I was on public water and would fish anywhere I chose. They ran their line which was about 50 yards from where I was at. They preceded to run by me again at full throttle when they left. I later found out that the guys were local from a neighboring town, and had harassed other people in the past. I am always considerate and respectful of others expecially while hunting and fishing. It is sad that guys like these give sportsman a bad name.