Eddie Munster

Wow; I probably would react much like the guy who asked what he was thinking? Without asking, you must take that as a no; try back later. Especially using someone's boat. That being said, as long as people released what they caught and cleaned up after themselves, I'd let em fish.

Great story Alpster. I hope I have the patience if I need to wait a year for this pond. Thanks for the replies guys. I intend to be VERY polite and adamant about letting them know I can help them out some if they need a hand. I don't mind breaking a sweat to help out folks and if I get to fish that gorgeous pond as a result, it's doubly worth it. I am kind of active in my church and we have ALOT of people that live in subdivisions that have ponds. I've already gotten the green light to fish one (caught a couple decent ones on Cavitron BB) and am working on a couple more.

Very nice fish indeed. Looks like a great lake/pond.

I'm a pretty handy guy who can work a little air cond., do light construction, fix stuff so I'm thinking about approaching some people who have property on a beautiful small lake that I just bet gets ZERO fishing pressure. I would offer them some repair work in return for the right to fish their lake while maintaining strict catch and release fishing. There are several home owners with access to this lake so I would really only need one to agree. Anyone ever try something like this?

Here's an article by Buck Perry on structure. Found it searching Yahoo 'Buck Perry Structure' http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/buck-perry-on-structure Use the internet and you'll never be able to read all the free info that's out there. **EDIT** Here's another 19 page PDF file on structure. Just skimming it looks pretty good and the price is right. http://www.fishnmap.com/structured/Structure-Fishing-Guide.pdf

How much have you read on the subject of LMB and fishing for these fish? You may be fishing in an area that has little or no chance of yielding a LMB. Spend several days/weeks reading the articles from http://www.bassresource.com/fish/bass_fishing_articles.html this site. They are exceptional and should steer you in the right direction. Also, take into account that people post videos of themselves CATCHING fish, not just fishing. Same with the fishing shows. No one wants to see 30 mins of some guy casting and not catching a thing which at times happens to EVERYONE.

Good luck. Take a camera and post some pics of em!

Ah, cut the guy some slack. I would invest in a good digital scale (about $20.00) The spring scale I use that is similar to the one pictured is inaccurate the lower the weight. It's nearly dead on at 10 lbs but near 5 it can be up to 1 lb off. I checked the weight by measuring dumbbells that are gathering dust while I fish. Also get a cellphone capable of taking pictures or a disposable camera to keep in your tackle box. If you do go with disposable, get the 12 exposure one and develop it often. You leave those lying around too long especially exposed to sun and your pics may not develop. Good luck.

X2 !!!!! I strongly discourage you from doing it. X3. Seriously; no disrespect intended but get a fish that's meant to be a pet.

Nice fish Paul and great write up. Glad to see you're humble enough to keep learning and very willing to give others credit where it's due. You're a great fisherman and even greater role model. Thanks.

Nice fish there.

Beautiful fish buddy. Man, you're tearing them up and I guess they're tearing up your wallet. If it were me having just caught those fish back to back, I'd be selling SOMETHING to buy a couple more. May I be the first to suggest maybe a complimentary one for this young man. No doubt he's leading some business to Mattlures.

"My prediction for the 2012 Olympics? PAIN!......unnnn (loud grunt)" "I reject the challenge because they are no challenge. But I will be mo' than happy to beat up on them some mo'"

Study was done a couple years on my subdivision lake (big pond actually) and it advocated the removal of most bass caught under 13" to promote growth of 'trophy' size fish. I asked the HOA administrator what 'removal' meant and he said basically 'get them out of the lake'. Well, I personally am not eating fish that came out of a subdivision lake due to the chances of chemicals from lawns, septic field drainage, etc. being transmitted to the fish. Also, I am not going to kill a fish just to increase the chances of getting a trophy sized fish in that lake. I've thought of approaching several homeowners with ponds to see if they wanted these fish but haven't worked up the nerve, so for now I release them all back. I think as others may have pointed out, the ill tempered tone mdmaynard felt is from guys suggesting it's wrong to keep a bass for the sole purpose of putting it on a wall which short of a world record fish, I wouldn't keep it.

Thanks for the replies guys. Definitely gotta try Horton though. Kendron's hydrilla blanket is overpowering and that water is SOOOOOOO clear.

On days when I'm having my worst luck regarding equipment, casting, etc...I seem to catch a really big fish. Maybe God has a sense of humor.

Thanks for the heads up; what % discount is ridicuous? The pair I bought was about 50%. Some are more, some less. Thanks. Got my registration confirmation this am. I'm seeing anywhere from about 30% to 50% off. Fantastic; now I just need to pick out a pair. Thinking about the Half Jacket ones.

Been to Lake Kendron but haven't had much luck. Had a couple hooked but nothing of size. Any tips on where are some good spots for either of these lakes?

Nice looking fish there. Great color.

Thanks for the heads up; what % discount is ridicuous?

I don't see how scent has nothing to do with how a bass perceives food. Who here avoids rubbing SPF sun protection lotion (or insect repellent, fuel, etc...) on themselves before handling lures? I know I do and I'm sure most everyone here thinks fish will avoid their lure if any of it gets on it. That might be a way to settle the debate; someone go out with live bait (to eliminate presentation as an excuse) on two rods. One has no smell and spray 'X' on the other. It can be an attractant or suntan lotion, insect repellant, etc. Something to make the bait smell different.

When unsure of just how far you're going on a lake, make sure you've charged the trolling motor battery fully. Went fishing Sunday night for a couple hours with the missus and used the trolling motor a little bit. Went fishing in a bigger lake the next day but didn't take into account how far I'd be going with the trolling motor. The battery was depleted at nearly the far end of the lake. Good thing I had an oar and save the residual battery to spell me when my arms got tired. Took a hour to row/troll back the 15 mins. Ouch.

Seen that one Bassin; thanks though.

Is this going in the back of a pickup or on a trailer? If you're able to manage a little over 100 lbs by yourself get the 9' or 10' boat from Dick's. Mind you don't have to dead lift the whole boat into the truck at once but just put the end on the tailgate and push the rest in. Or vise-versa. I'm a decent size guy so it's no trouble for me but I do have to unload stuff from the boat and reload it each time I move it. If it's going on a trailer, go with an aluminum one; maybe 12' and do check Craigslist for that. Alot of them out there for good prices. As far as outfitting it for two guys: my 9' pond prowler is fine for me and a another guy my size (6'1" 200 lbs). I don't have the need for a 20 qt cooler out there (a little one to hold 6 cokes is plenty) and as long as you put padded swivel seats on it, you're fine. My lil' 40 lb trolling motor runs it great and you can add rod holders to the sides, etc...