clooney

I would like to move over to the boater side in tourney's. I fish the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, Delaware River, Hudson and any other large lakes that might be on the schedule. What should I look for in the $5000-$10000 range. Should I look for a newer 18'-19' with maybe a 150-200hp or do you think I need a bigger boat on those type of waters? Also, what type of maintenance costs would I be looking at yearly in general. Can I compete in BFL's and such with a boat in this price range? Thanks in advance for your tips and thoughts!

Thanks Cart! We(and I) appreciate you giving such a thorough answer on such a wide subject. I agree it's basically up to the individual who will be operating the boat. For people like myself who don't own a bass boat yet, it's great to get as much feedback as possible from a boat owner. Time on the water is a plus and being a co-angler definitley helps. Co-angling is a great way to not only learn the water your fishing, but experience the pro's and con's of diffferent bass boat manufacturer's while your on the water. Can't wait to be an owner!

By the way Cart, what things have you personally heard about Skeeters? I will be in the market for about that same boat in a few weeks. Right now I'm leaning towards Skeeters and Stratos'. Any good articles or other web sites to check for more info?

I was going to say around $9000. I was close...lol! Gl!

Chris and Earthworm

Pick something you can use all season and fish it almost exclusively. This is great for learning new baits and techniques. I did this last year with jigs, which I had never really used before. Jigs are now my #1 bait and the one I have the most confidence in. Good luck this year!

State record here in Delaware is a little over 10 lbs....So, if I could hit something over 8 I would be happy!...No live bait is my only basic rule. I don't fish with braided line anyhow unless I was in heavy cover during a tournament, and that wouldn't be in my home state anyway. Within a pound of the state record would be a trophy I guess!

Could be shad...like where Fivebass fishes. Could be crawfish in a lot of waters...Could be bluegill in certain waters. Depends on the body of water. In an enclosed tank I believe crawfish would be the easiest to catch.

Which type of trailer do you use on jigs, and why? Pork or plastic ?

I've been catching bedding bass, sometimes two or three times with the same fish, using a multi-colored black jig with either a black or black/chartruese pork trailer. Throw it into the bed or just past it and hop it back into the bed. Let it sit, jiggle it and always watch your line especially if you can't actually see the fish. Crawdad trailer work pretty well also. Give it a try! Good luck!

Jerkbait hit it on the head! "Occasionally", a spinner or other type of reaction bait will catch a big one. All Roadwarrior and Raul are saying is that on average a jig or plastic will catch a higher percentage of big bass versus a reaction bait. It's a fact. Please don't get bent out of shape if it's not your favorite fishing technique! The people posting here are just trying to be helpful.

I agree. You do use some pretty heavy gauge line. I would go a little lighter and keep using whatever they are biting on.

We're in the spawn right now and the bass fishing is a little tough. So, trying to drum up some excitement I figured I would throw out a line or two for catfish. Of course all I caught was bass. Go figure. Now, I've seen little kids catchin' bass on hot dogs before, but just thought it was luck. It seems bass like something about hot dogs. The scent I guess? Certainly not the movement or realistic baitlike appearance! Anyone know why they bite on hot dogs? I have no clue.

Glad to hear you're back in the game. Now go for 10 next time!

Appreciate the advise! What hook type and size do you use for flukes and soft jerkbaits? I've never caught anything on a soft jerkbait, but not sure if I rig them right for the proper action either!?

Yes the water is in the 60's. I think your right, maybe a buzz or something to try to get a reaction strike!?

Some fish are starting to spawn here in the mid atlantic. During the day you can see the big ones just cruising around. What would you throw to entice them? They don't seem to be intersted in anything but cruising around!? Spinnerbaits are ignored. Is to early in the season for topwaters or frogs? I've never used those much during the mid day though. Suggestions appreciated.

Most certainly go fishing or stay fishing!

I believe fishing in the rain can be as productive or better than when it's clear. If it starts to rain heavily with no lightening, I never head to the car. I've had some of the biggest hits and caught most of my bigger fish during the rain. Depending on the season I will use a 4" worm or a shallow shad rap fished within 6 ft. of a bank in shallower water. If it's raining, I'm fishing!

Hour an a half to BPS right below Baltimore, Md...Five or ten minutes to Dick's depending on which one of the two I go to.

That's funny! ;D

Starting to stage in Delaware.

Just because a fish is stationary in shallow water doesn't mean that it is "bedding". They don't "bed" all year. Some fish may come to the shallows all year but that doesn't mean they are bedding. As far as the "northern" thing. I think they were saying that "usually" the northern end gets more sun and the temp's are warmer. Not always due to different bodies of water we all fish.

It was always fun catching big nightcrawlers under the pile of leaves in the back yard the morning of a day of fishing. Besides them, I also used Mepps spinners, jitterbugs(the most fun by the lilly pads), creme worms(they stink IMO)and roster tails for trout. Nowadays I really like spinners, buzzbaits and cranks. But as of late I'm digging carolina rigs with crawdads and kreature baits.

Hungry or blind!