Nick B

Welcome to the forum

I would use a mojo rig, mojo weights cut through the grass better.

If you dont understand the owners manual or dont have one, I suggest scan over an area of water that you know what is under the surface, and look at how the returns come back. Use that knowledge to better use your depth finder.

The beginner info is great take a look at it. As to your question about live bait, the reason you dont hear alot about folks using it is because most folks here are tournment anglers, which means that they cant use live bait. In my opinion live bait is better than any lure any day, because you cant fake the real thing. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits imitiate injured baitfish. I dont know where you are from but depending on where you from will determine what type of live bait you will use. When I was stationed in Georgia ( why did I ever leave there) shiners were the live bait of choice. We would catch shiners out of the lake and use them, not only is that cheaper, but wild shiners act more "natural" than store bought. I hope this rambling helped you out.

Last year I had a shorten year last year due to a deployment and some boat problems, but I still managed a 4lb 10 oz LM and a 3lb SM. For 07, providing I stay in New Mexico the entire year, I will aim for a 5lb LM and 4lb SM.

Bass are opportunistic feeders, know what kind of forage is in the lake you are fishing and that should help you with lure selection

If they are hitting bugs, try some flies or poppers.

Bill Dance is certainly one guy I would go fishing with.

Maybe one of the interior seals is bad.

I talk to myself, at least I know someone is listening

Topwater is a good way to go in the morning.

Well get your depth finder working and see also if you can find any kind deep water near or through any of the flooded timber, those would be hot spots especially now that it is getting hot

A Floater

Thanks all. Tom, I am looking to get back out east, the Carolinas would be good for me. If I ever make it out that way, Ill look you up.

Hey guys thanks for all the kind words. I have finally made it back home, (got back Fri). I have to get some things taken care of before I get to go fishing, but I will be hitting hard real soon. Thanks again guys

Guys I just want to thank you for giving something to look forward to everyday while I was deployed here in Iraq. I have been paroled and start my journey home. I wanted to thank you guys for keeping me sane by talking about something I love to do. It will take me a few days to get home, and I wont be able to read this for a few days. Im really looking forward to getting home to see the family, but mostly to kick some bass!! Thanks again guys

Well I think it would depend on what you are fishing, structure, cover etc. would determine the success of the carolina rig. What are you fishing in the tournament?

I had a bass hunter when I lived in South Ga. It was great. I could get into lots of small places. I put the battery in the center of the boat. I only had one TM. It seemed fine with one battery. Where in Ga are you?

You have the right idea, just find those routes that bass took from deeper water to flats. A lot of techniques work around this time

Yeah DNR would have been the way to go.

Sorry about that Shad Master I would say, that the time it takes to establish a pattern, would depend on you. How fast you find the fish, and figure out where they are and what they want. If it is a lake you fish regularly developing the pattern could be fairly fast. How much information you need, honestly I think you need 2 pieces, location and presentation. How you break down that info would make it appear like more information.

Well patterns can change throughout the day, and there can be several patterns working. In your tournament,Shad Master, you may have been able to develop your plastic worm/ reed pattern more if you had noted what was different between the two reed mats. Obviously the first had something the second didnt, on a point, near a ditch or channel, etc. Its those little things that can make a big difference.

You are on the right track. A pattern is using a particular lure the same way on certain types of structure or cover. For example using a C-rig on main lake points.

I love to shiner fish. I got hooked on it when I was stationed in South Ga.

I have a charger with an auto setting, it slowly charges the battery and shuts off when it is done. But like cajun said how long are you going to keep it plugged in?