Bass Dude

Same thing will happen with the Sexy Shad craze. Somebody wins a tourney on a bait and everyone hops on the bandwagon! I've caught some nice fish on a chatterbait, but it was horrible fishing it in the weeds. I would rather stick with a spinnerbait.

The first thing I do is look at a map and try to find an area of the lake that has a lot of options (deep, shallow, rocks, weeds, etc) and I call this my "test" area. This allows me to try different approaches within a small area to determine what the fish are doing (based on time of year and all the other usual variables). Once I find success I then expand and find these same areas in other parts of the lake. This helps me out because I can try different things without trying to fish the whole lake in a day. I can just go to the areas that are similar to the ones I caught fish on in my "test" area.

A buddy of mine had a Nitro--he had stress cracks in the hull in the first year. He had to pull teeth to get them to help him out, they eventually caved in and gave him a new boat. Same thing happened with the new boat---they wouldn't do anything for him the second time. They said he ran the boat too hard. That's like saying you went on a road that was too rough with your 4x4 truck!! I have a Stratos 285XL, it's about the same price and I've had no issues---neither have any others I know and a lot of people in my area own a Stratos.

I like the hook coming off the top. Interesting idea---that lure should be able to get over anything.

Excalibur---great finishes and cast like a bullet. You can't go wrong with X-Raps either. Remember don't jerk your lure on a tight line, leave a little slack and "pop" that slack tight. It makes the lure dance almost in place and keeps it in the strike zone longer.

There is just under 2 months until The Classic. What are your predictions for the top three finishers? Mine: 1. Greg Hackney 2. Dean Rojas 3. Kelly Jordan

Why do you want to go after smallies at Amistad ??? Are those 15 pound largemouth too boring!!

Just to egg this on a little. Everyone says there is nothing to dislike about KVD. Is there anything to hate Jimmie Johnson for, all he does is win a ton of races! Tom Brady has done nothing except win a million football games and a few Super Bowls---people are always "hatin'" on him and he is one of the few football players without an attitude! I'm wierd, I find this very interesting. I appreciate all of your responses---keep 'em coming.

I'm with you on Reid's play calling, but it wasn't bad yesterday!! Good balance, if he sticks with it. Being from Syracuse----McNabb used to get sick on the sidelines in college too! I just thought it was because he partied the night before, that is until he did the same thing in the Super Bowl!! Well, maybe he partied the night before that too! I think they'll get past the Vikings, anything after that, is up in the air.

Here's my additional two cents!!! There are tons of variables that result in a poor bass population, not only how many bass there are. A biological study will take everything into account.

I went to school for fisheries management--farmers and landowners used to contact the school to do studies on their ponds. Look into seeing if any universities in your area have a fisheries program---they will do all of the data retrieval and analysis on the pond, and it's at no charge!!

I bleed Eagle green!!! That was the best Cowgirl beat down in a while . Go Birds!!! Down with TO and down with Romo!

Nice bait for Carolina rigs too. Also, good with a little weight (1/32, 1/64), fished like a senko around docks and holes in the weeds.

I do want to stress that although I posted this topic, I don't dislike or hate KVD. I just find it an interesting difference in fans between fishing and the other "stick and ball" type sports. And...I meant Greg Hackney will kill in '09!!!!

I have been an Eagles fan since the Jaworski years. With that said I have been a Cowboys hater just as long!! How great was that killing of the Cowgirls yesterday!! Even if they "backdoored" themselves in, the Eagles are in the playoffs. TO and Romo can cry the whole plane ride back to Irving, TX. :'( :'( :'( :'(

I was thinking about this topic over the weekend while I was watching the AOY show on ESPN. In other sports when people win so much, people tend to start disliking that person---like Jimmie Johnson, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer etc. Although they have a lot of fans, they have about an equal number of "haters". I don't see this with KVD, unless you just don't hear about it as much because it's not one of the bigger sports. Anyone know any KVD haters or know why this sport seems to be immune to such a phenomena? I am not a "hater" and his accomplishments are ridiculous, but I wouldn't call myself a fan. Although I am fairly young, my favorites are the "old school" guys like Clunn, Nixon and Brauer, with the exception of Greg Hackeny (who is going to kill during the 2010 season!!!) .

I agree with the post to master one thing at a time. Tackle Underground is a great forum to go to for advice. It's totally devoted to all aspects of tackle making and they are very willing to pass along info.

I've had my Presidents for 3 years now and they are still working and look like new (except for some boat rash!). All I've done is a yearly cleaning and lube. I've owned Trions even longer and still work great!! Not really surprised about your Quatums--a lot of my friends have switched because of problems too. They start out working great and shortly after they seem to blow up.

I have been very productive at work today---If by productive you mean post on BR!!! ;D

Am I the only one at work today?? I'm bored out of my mind!!!

If you remember, he had a couple different tournies this year where he caught two on the same Fat Free Shad.

I wouldn't let what the pros use be your guide to deciding on which line test to use. Your line choice is dictated by many variables such as(but not limited to)--water color, cover, what depth the fish are at, what kind of lure you're using, etc. Your twelve pound line is ample for most applications, if you start running into heavy cover you may need to up your line weight. If you're in a tourney you may also need to upgrade your line, for that added security. If you go to clearer water you may need to downgrade your line weight. There really isn't a clear cut answer. I use the heaviest line I think I can get away with given the current water and cover conditions.

For those of you that live in the Northeast or anywhere else it snows----clean the snow of your vehicles!!!!!!! I am sick of seeing people driving around with snow covering all the windows except for a head-sized spot in windshield. You are dangerous >!!!! Take the extra time to clean the snow off so you can see. Don't forget the headlights---they don't do much good with a foot of snow over them >!!!!!!

I'll go with a Rick Clunn-like answer. I enjoy it because it reminds me that I am a part of the environment---not just a part of the "rat race". I have seen so many things, not fish related, while I'm out fishing---things that most people only see on the Animal Planet channel. I've seen bald eagles catch thermals and dissapear into the sky. I've seen a red-tailed hawk catch dinner..and devour it! I also enjoy putting the pieces of the puzzle together and finding success! I have found few things in life that offer me the sense of accomplishment that a successful fishing day does.

Bomber Fat-Free Shads come in deep divers. AWESOME bait--just aske Timmy Horton !!!