benito

OK Folks- Next weekend is my annual "Happy Birthday to me" fishing trip, which I look forward to All Year.......It's the only 3-day weekend of "nothing but fishing" I get all year, so I'm obsessing about every detail! I'm wondering which 2-3 lures would be your "go-to" choices if you were me, given the following conditions: -Lake - Fishing a small, 15-20 acre lake near Birmingham, AL. Lake is about 8-12 feet deep in most places, about 20 feet near the dam. -Shad - Threadfin Shad are the main forage base, but I believe many were killed off a few weeks ago in our very cold Shad-kill there.....Not sure how many are left. -Weather - Water temps are currently around 48-50.....Today it will get up to about 70, but later this week it will get back down to about 50 (high) and 30 (low) each day. The days I'll be fishing it should get up to about 55 degrees (air temp) and be sunny each day, as of today's forecast. -Depth/Structure - I don't know much about structure or contour/depth change, as I've never used electronics. However, for the first time, I WILL be bringing a portable fishfinder/depthfinder, so what should I be looking for? -Water - I believe the water will be lightly-stained to medium-stained.....Shouldn't be muddy, but doubtful it will be gin-clear, either..... -Fish - Lake is stocked with Florida-strain bass, usually pretty hard to catch. Lots of small (1 pound or less), and a few Giants (6-8 pounders or bigger), which again are typically VERY hard to catch. Thanks - have a few ideas, but really would love your input as well. BEN

Today thru Monday - Highs around 63, Lows at night around 44..... Tuesday through Saturday - Highs around 51-53, Lows at night around 35-36........ I'm fishing Friday 26th through Sunday 28th...... BEN

Oh - And I'll be fishing on a small 15-acre lake, with most of depth at around 8-12 feet, and about 20 feet near the dam. BEN

Hey Folks- I'm going fishing next weekend (8 days from today), in Alabama. The current water temp is around 45 where I'm going....Just curious what to expect next weekend, considering the following weather: Next 4 days - High around 62, low around 42 Following 4 days - High around 53, low around 36 So, with a decent warming trend the next 4 days, then slightly cooler (but still WAY warmer than it's been last couple of months), what do you think the water temp will be? Also, will this trend help much, or will the 4 days of 53 degrees make it tough again? Thanks- BEN

Have been with Alex / "Spinnerbait Kid" 2 times, after doing lots of research on Guntersville guides. He's very, very good at putting you on fish - seems to consistently outfish most other guides on Guntersville (both #'s and size), and he's a nice guy. Highly recommended. BEN

Total numbers each year (as in, ___ people each year take up fishing in the US....) Thanks- BEN

Hey Folks- I'm trying to find out how many NEW people take up/start fishing each year in the US..... I've read statistics that say anywhere from 40 million to 60 million people in the US do some freshwater fishing each year, but how many NEW people start fishing each year? I'm not looking just for die-hards, but in general, people that start or fish for the first time each year? Anyone know? Thanks- BEN

Hey Man - Yes, that's me! Still cherish that trophy, no matter how lucky I was to win it. I'm hoping to attend the outing at Charlie Elliot (haven't seen a date yet), and will gladly bring the trophy. I'm also bringing my daughter to the "Mini-Me" tournament in April...Are you gonna be at either one of those? Who is this, by the way? BEN

Hey Folks- I've got my annual 3 day fishing trip in a little over 2 weeks.....I'll be fising in Alabamba, and the weather has been HORRIBLE for nearly 2 months (cold, rainy, more cold, more rain, etc....) Water temps are close to 40, water looks like Yoo-Hoo, and everyone is saying nothing is biting...... I'm concerned about the weather, especially water temps. Right now, the "extended 15 day forecast" calls for more of the same - highs in upper 40's, lows in mid 20's, some rain, etc....right up through my trip. My question - I know it's not ultra-accurate, but for a 10 to 15 day weather forecast, is it usually at least in the ballpark? I'm really hoping for a warming spell, with highs about 60 or better for a few days before. If the 15 day forecast says 45 every day that week, what are the chances it would be completely different? If a major warming-trend were to show up, would they know this far ahead of time, like 2 weeks before? Like I mentioned, I know anything can happen that far out - just curious, what's been your experience? I've never looked that far ahead on a weather forecast. Am I dreaming to think we'll get a major warming trend, highs in the low to mid 60's for a few days before? Thanks - really appreciate your help. If you can't tell, this trip is a BIG deal to me each year, and I'm getting real nervous! Trip is Feb. 26th-28th, by the way....If the weather stays this bad, I may postpone until April/May, which I would HATE to have to do! BEN

I'm hoping to finally break the 10lb barrier.....Won't go so far as to "predict" it, but that's certainly my #1 goal. My PB is 9-12, and I netted a 14-6 (yes, 14-6) for someone I was fishing with last December, so my appetite is more than wetted. Hoping that 2010 is the year.... BEN

Hey Man, looks like we'll be there at the same time. I'm fishing there on Friday (Feb. 26th), and possibly Saturday (27th)....Is that same time y'all will be there? Can't wait, but also getting VERY nervous about the rainy/cold weather we've been having down south. Hope the fish will still be biting. BEN

Sorry - I live in Atlanta, GA.... However, the fishing trip will take place just south of Birmingham, AL for 2 days (very small private 14-acre pond, about 12-15 feet deep at it's deepest point) And one day will take place about 2 hours south of there, at "Dream Lake" in Livingston, AL (75 acre lake, 20-25 feet deep at it's deepest) Thanks

Hey Folks- Where I live, it's been one of the coldest/wettest winters on record. Seems like it's been between 30-45 degrees every day for months.....Also, lots of rain. Not suprisingly, the fishing has been HORRIBLE for nearly everybody. My question is - how many "nice/warm" days will it take to get them biting/active again? I'm not necessarily talking about Spawning (that would be great), but just active and biting again? I've got my annual 3-day fishing trip on Feb. 26-28th, and am starting to get very nervous about weather. I'm hoping the weather will get better beforehand, but will it be enough? What does it take to "turn them back on" - 2-3 days of over 60 degrees, more, less? For the record, I'll be fishing fairly small, fairly shallow ponds/lakes on my trip...... Thanks folks- BEN

It's in Livingston, AL - about 2 and a half hours from Birmingham, I believe.... The website is Dreamlakelodge.com I have not ever been, but am going at end of February. BEN

Hey Folks- Has anyone ever been to Dream Lake in Alabama? My wife got me a day there for late February.... Any tips? How'd you do? Worth the hype? Thanks- BEN

Hey Folks- Considering making a trip next Spring to Florida, and looking at John Fox's "Trophy Bass" guide service, located in Oklawaha, FL.... Anyone have any experience with their guide service, or that area? Haven't ever fished that area.... BEN

In my opinion, the best there is for Largemouth is Lake Fork Taxidermy in Texas.... I live in Georgia, and when I caught my PB (9-12), I asked tons of people, researched many places across the country, and everything pointed me to them. Took about 3 months, and cost $350, but it is AMAZING! Looks just like the real fish, color/texture/pose/etc., it's the best I've ever seen. Good luck either way, but I'd put the one I got for $350 up against any on the other guy's website. BEN

Another for Lake Fork - Had my PB done by them, and it's absolutely amazing.....

Does anyone have any leads/contacts in this area? Either looking for direct folks within lure companies, or Sales Reps/Distributors.... Thanks- BEN (bensmith630@hotmail.com)

Now you're talking.....What would it be, about a 16 hour drive? If the fishing's as good as I keep hearing, might be worth it some day.... BEN

Just curious - If you're coming from out of state (Atlanta...), what's best way to get to either of these 2 lakes. Do most people fly into San Antonio and drive, or fly into somewhere else? BEN

Great question - My friends and I try to do the same thing every February/March as well...This coming Spring, we're looking at either Lake Guntersville (AL), or Stick-Marsh 13. In my opinion, DO NOT go to Lake Fork! We went there last year, first weekend in March. Weather was perfect (had been warming for several days, was about 70 both days we were there, close to full moon, everything was as "good" as it could be) 6 of us from across the country flew to Dallas, and fished all weekend - and caught basically nothing! We had a professional guide, and literally caught no fish at all that Saturday, and a grand total of 4 fish on Sunday - biggest was maybe 2 pounds. And there were probably 2000-3000 boats on the water that weekend. Crazy..... I know this can happen anywhere, but seemed to happen to several others at Fork this Spring (I've read reports ever since our trip) In my opinion, if you're going to have 6 people in 2 different boats, with a guide for both days, and you're travelling across the country, AND you get "perfect" weather, you've got to do better than that! OK, I'll stop venting.....And either way, good luck! BEN

No question - Mattlures.....Have both soft and hard baits, and they look more realistic than some real fish I've caught!

Thanks to everyone for your help/knowledge..... If anyone has any contacts or knows anyone in this business, would love to contact them. Take care, and thanks again! BEN (Bensmith630@hotmail.com)

Hey Folks- Does anyone have any idea how much the Lure companies sell their lures to Retailers for? For instance, if a lure costs me $5 at Bass Pro Shops, how much on average did the lure company sell it to BPS for? $4, $3, less? I'm sure this varies, but just looking for general, ballpark - how much do these companies sell their lures to the retailers, vs. the retail price? I've got a long-shot idea for a way to sell/market lures, but have no idea what typical wholesale vs. Retail is in this industry. Also, if any of y'all have any contacts/friends/relatives within the lure/tackle industry, I would love any help you may have! Thank you in advance! BEN SMITH (Bensmith630@hotmail.com)