senile1

Good luck, Bassn Blvd. Let us know how it goes.

Sorry, Glenn. That was meant as more of a joke than anything. As you know, I'm in a related field of expertise and I know exactly what you mean.

Glenn always takes care of problems, but if members don't post about the issues they experience it will take longer for him to be aware of the bugs, and hence longer to correct any issues. So forget about taking a deep breath. Post away.

That's good advice from five.bass.limit. And it brings up a question that was discussed in another thread. What if the main forage on a lake is bluegill? Bluegill behavior is different compared to shad. Paul Roberts and I were discussing this in another thread and we were wondering if the bass in a "shad lake" would have more opportunity to feed in winter compared to a "bluegill" lake. Both of us seem to notice that we catch more bass in cold water when the main forage is shad, as compared to bluegill.

Thanks for the comments. I'm thinking I will go with GPS capable units at both locations after reading what everyone thinks.

The answer to this question depends on one's definition of the word "consistently." Micro, what is your definition of consistently catching bass when it is cold?

The x510c is selling for $399 and the LMS 520c without the GPS is selling for $449 at Cabelas right now. There just weren't a lot of the lms 520c's left when I was there a week ago.

The lake I fish most often is 7190 acres and 4100 acres were left with standing timber when the dam was completed in 1977. In such a lake, there is a lot of timber standing in unproductive water, which is why I quoted Sam's post. One has to find the structure and cover situation that creates productive water. Otherwise, fishing timber can be an unproductive experience and it may be incorrectly assumed that the water is oxygen depleted.

I need some advise from those of you who have networked your sonar units on your boats. I'm planning on purchasing two new sonar units soon. I was considering getting a Lowrance LMS 520c w/GPS for the console and an x510c for the bow, with the GPS puck located at the bow. The more I think about this the more I doubt my choices. I wanted to network these which would share my sonar data, but the more I think about it I'm wondering if I should place GPS capable sonars at both locations so I can mark points and share GPS information between the units as well. I can see that it would be convenient to share the GPS data between the units, but is it really a huge benefit? For those of you who only have a GPS unit at the console, do you find that you run back to the console often to mark a location that you caught on your bow sonar? Any other information that you all can provide regarding the networking of sonar units is appreciated as well.

Jig Man, does your lms 520c ever lose bottom over milfoil, coontail, etc? I'm considering the purchase of one for the console and placing an x510c on my bow with both devices in a networked configuration. However, I fish a lot of thick vegetation and losing bottom is a big concern. My current fishfinders lose bottom consistently over vegetation. I'm trying to correct this and add GPS to my setup.

Actually, it's the women that just want someone to listen. Men actually want their problems fixed unless you're making some type of insinuation about fourbizz. ;D I had no intention of questioning the manliness of fourbizz, though after posting this, I thought that the comment could be taken that way. I just meant that I find myself always trying to give advice and I was going to lay low on this one.

I have been considering purchasing a couple of new sonar/gps units for my boat and I've been researching this. It seems a lot of people like this unit but a few have run into problems with losing bottom, etc. Use the search function and look for lms 520c and you'll, hopefully, find some info that fits your situation. Here's one thread that might help. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1209403346/4#4

We men tend to try to provide solutions when someone comes to us with what we perceive as a problem. I know. I do it all the time with my two daughters who are 23 and 19. Usually, they just want someone to listen and I'm always trying to solve their problems. So, I'm not going to give you any advice (not that it would be any good, anyway ). You're a sharp Dude, and, as the Great Mook quoted, "All things will pass." We're listening.

Way back when this thread started I was in the market for a boat and I was considering the 186XT. After paying heed to Cart7t's advice, I purchased a boat and I have to say you can't go wrong listening to him. With the economy in the condition it is in, you can bet there are some great deals on good used boats on the Internet. I perused a number of sites when I was seeking a boat. (One of the best is iboats.com.) I found a 2000 Stratos 295XL with a 200 HP Evinrude motor for $15,000. The boat had been babied and the motor runs like a champ. I never thought I needed to go 60 or 70 mph on a lake either but it definitely adds to the fun factor and can be very useful when you're trying to get off the lake to beat an incoming storm. The boat I purchased is a much greater value than the 186XT and it is cheaper. You can't go wrong looking at used boats, as long as you are careful, and check them out with a mechanic. I spent a great deal of time checking out everything and I know I drove the seller nuts but that's what you have to do when buying anything used.

I thought Ryan was going to have to stand on a stool to keep the tail fin from dragging the ground on that thing! I never get over the awe of seeing that kid holding that huge momma. Back to the thread topic, I catch fish of similar size on these though I think I would give the edge to the jig. As Senko stated, the big bass will tend to prefer more subtle lure movement, so a jig with a bulky skirt actually might fall a bit slower than a t-rigged craw lure. This could be the difference between getting a bite or not. But this also depends on the bulkiness of the craw lure you use.

I wouldn't consider myself an expert on spoons, not by a long shot, but the typical use in Winter is to find a group of fish and drop the spoon straight down into the group. In the dead of Winter from the mid-latitudes and further North, water temperatures will drop to around 35 degrees, even in larger lakes. The fish will tend to be on bottom because this is where the warmest layer of water is in Winter, just the opposite of summer. Drop the spoon down and the fish will usually hit it on the drop. Ripping it up is fine I guess, but I haven't had much luck with that when the water is this cold. I usually will raise the spoon gently and then let it fall back down. I use the following brands: Hopkins, Kastmaster, and a spoon sold at a local shop called the pepper spoon. Unfortunately, I don't get to fish as much in the Winter as I would like but I'm sure there are some other people who do and they can provide better input.

Thank you, Glenn. What is happening to us? It seems we're attacking first and asking questions later. Daniel, very funny. Do you have too much time on your hands?

You quoted me earlier but you must have missed Jonathan Winters in my post that you quoted. Speaking of the RIFFS and paying homage to former comedians, Robin Williams was inspired by and based much of his style on Jonathan Winters. Pretty cool.

Pigsticker stated: Robin Williams started well before Howie Mandel so it would seem that Mandel would be copying Williams if anyone was plagiarizing. I watched both of these guys in their heyday and Robin Williams was one of the best. Howie was an also-ran. I don't see the comparison though Robin isn't as funny now as he was then. It was all fresh then. Anyway, everyone has an opinion, including me. Jonathan Winters Robin Williams Dave Chapelle Red Skelton Wanda Sykes I have seen some smaller-time comedians who would rival any of the best though I can't remember their names. Sometimes it's about being in the right place at the right time.

Wow. Maybe I don't know the history of this entanglement, but it sounds like some hard feelings exist here. I was thinking, "What's a little brainstorming amongst friends even if the suggestions aren't going to be used?" Again, maybe there is some history here of which I am not aware. I was going to suggest a porn section. :

Great rods. Great price. I own four.

The water temperatures have dropped into the mid to upper 40s in the stained smaller lakes I fish. For those I am having my best November fishing the following: Black/Blue 3/8th oz GMAN jig with Black or Black/Blue Yum chunk (Drag it extremely slowly, stopping at times for more than 30 seconds, tiny hops after hitting obstacles. Fishing 10 - 20 ft deep and pitching to brush and docks in the shallows.) Booyah chartreuse spinnerbait with single number 3 or 4 gold colorado blade (slow rolled or yo-yo'd). The larger lakes I fish are still in the 50s and I'm having luck with jigs, husky jerks, and LC pointers, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits. When water temperatures reach the 30s, break out the spoons.

Gman's jigs catch fish. I bought a few earlier in the year to compare with the other jigs that I have. I'm due to purchase more.

That's funny, Muddy. Did you quote the song on purpose? "Have you ever been . . . to Electric Ladyland?" I know the Electric Ladyland Studio was way ahead of its time, but I've never been there. Every time I listen to "1983 - A Merman I Should Turn to be," I am blown away by what they did with that music. I think Jimi's work with the Echoplex was unparalleled at that time.

Handful is right! Looks like a great trip.