senile1

If you're slow rolling very close to the bottom I can see this happening, though usually most of mine are hooked on the inside. For anything else but slow rolling the bass are usually swimming horizontal or up to get the bait so they are more likely to hit the bulky part of the lure. Still, if you use a fairly sensitive rod you can sometimes feel the bass bump the blades but not take the lure. It seems like they take a half-hearted swipe at the lure and brush by the blades.

Cravin, there's no greater feeling than the feeling that comes from turning your kids onto something like fishing, and seeing them enjoy it.

Welcome, Cutie. As for the guys telling you that you can't fish because you're female, I've spoken to a few guys whose wives seem to outfish them often. I know when I fish for crappie with my wife I struggle to keep up with her. Alas, she isn't into bass as much so I get off the hook there.

Sorry, Muddy_Man. I didn't mean to say that you said that. That's what I meant by saying I was digressing. I was getting off the subject. I just got online and reread my remarks and I can see why you thought I was referring to you. That's the point in the post where I started to digress to another subject and I should have made that clear.

Yes, please. Ed

Unless you make some assumptions that some of the remarks are referring to certain racial groups, none of the statements were rascist. (I'm going by the posts I see. Maybe these posts Muddy is speaking of were deleted.) I think there are many light-skinned people who have black heroes these days. The assumption that those with white skin are the only people who are rascists seems to be getting a little out of hand at times. Having said that, white skinned people must remember that there are many more of us than there are blacks. If 10 or 20 percent of every race is prejudiced, then Blacks will run into more Whites who are racists than White people will, at least in this country. (i.e If you have 1000 people, 850 whites, 150 blacks, and 10 percent of all people are rascist, then the 150 Blacks would have to deal with 85 white rascists while the 850 whites would only have to deal with 15 Black rascists.) But I digress . . .

Well, don't delete stuff so fast. I didn't even get to read what the hubbub is all about. I grew up on a farm and after college moved to the city. I guess you'd call me a city bumpkin or a country slicker. Either way, I love nature and I've seen "those city people" and "those rednecks" litter. They all need to learn to respect nature and handle their refuse appropriately.

IMO, this is an excellent post, Sam. If I throw 20 - 25 casts with the same bait and can it, did I throw the bait enough to try every angle, every type of structure, and every depth that the bass could occupy in the current seasonal pattern? Probably not. Of course, time is a factor in trying every possible situation and educated guesses have to be made depending on your confidence in the lure for the current situation. I'll sometimes come back to a bait, also. Behavior can change depending on the time of day and the conditions.

I think the fact that they're everywhere is a good point. Also, they just have the look of a vicious, predatory fish. Other fish have the predatory look, but they aren't as widespread.

Thanks for the info, Catt. Unless Jason Quinn's wife is bringing in a decent income, this is not a great deal of money for a family of five.

Thanks for the clarification bassmaster8100. There's a lot of older recreational anglers, and former tournament anglers who have the skills but prefer not to fish tournaments at this point in their life. And my attitude is similar to Cart7's. I haven't had any troubles with any tournament anglers per se, but I do think that sometimes a limit needs to be set on how many tournaments a lake can support at any one time, and throughout the year.

Bassmaster8100 stated: How does this solve the problem that Cart7 was talking about above? He didn't say he couldn't fish for bass who were pressured. I fish Smithville Lake, a 7200 acre lake 20 miles from downtown Kansas City. It is always packed whether there is a tournament or not. The Lake also has numerous tournaments throughout the year. Missouri Game and Fish magazine calls it a small Lake of the Ozarks because of the crowds there. Fishing this lake, you either learn how to fish for pressured bass or you go somewhere else. I think the assumption that recreational anglers don't have the ability to fish for pressured bass is offensive to those of us who can. And there are a number of us on this forum.

I do think we are missing some lively discussions on the forum over the last few months. Maybe it's just me. I think this site is managed well, but I miss lively debate as long as it is done in a respectful manner. The trouble is once you reach a certain number of members, there will inevitably be a knucklehead or two who can't understand someone having an opinion other than his or hers. That's too bad.

I am one of those who believes in the dark/light color dichotomy mentioned by Roadwarrior, but that only tells you what works for me. It would be nice to have an explanation for the contradictory information we receive regarding the color of lures from the "experts" but I don't have one.

I'm completely blown away. He mentions that the true essentials for a successful life are a heart, a mind, and a soul. He has all of these in abundance. What an incredible human being.

Bassmasta7, I was just reading about the sweep of the Pirates. The pitching has been surprisingly good. If the Cardinal's pitchers continue to do this well, and it should be only a matter of time before Pujols and company awaken, then the Cardinals may surprise a few people. CBSsportsline.com has them ranked 13th right now in their power rankings due to their unproven starting pitchers and the loss of Carp,

It's still very early in the season but three teams are tied for first in the National League Central division with .500 records. This may be one of the weakest divisions regarding regular season wins again this year. Time will tell.

I've heard it before, but it's still funny, and it's good to hear it again.

Congratulations, Speedbead!

Grienke has been the most impressive Royal thus far in my opinion. Did you see him hit 97 on the gun a couple times tonight? I had no idea he could run it up that hard. That's a good thing to have. He consistently throws his fastball in the 89-92 range with movement. Then if he reaches back and puts one up to 97 ..... that's going to be tough to hit. IMO, Greinke has always been a decent pitcher. His first season he pitched well but the Royals wouldn't put any runs on the board for him. In his second season, I think the losing got into his head and he didn't pitch as well. Now that he has regrouped I hope he has a good season.

If all of the above are true, and your "obsession" doesn't interfere with handling your responsibilities, then you shouldn't be worried.

Many bass tend to spawn when the water temperature is in the mid 60s. However, you will find many early spawners when the temperatures are in the upper 50s and around a full moon. You will also have late spawners that will be doing the deed in the lower 70s. I think of it like a bell curve. Most of your fish will spawn in water that is in the mid 60s. Whenever they spawn you should be able to see them up shallow and you'll see their beds. The clearer the water, usually the deeper they will spawn. I know this is fairly general information, but anglers who live in your area can give you more detailed info. One of the most sure-fire ways to tell if bass are spawning is to listen for their gentle moans.

uh oh...... You got it.... Wayne Uh oh is right. If you're talking about what I think you're talking about, I hope she likes fishing or it will be just like the job you just quit.

Cardinal comment: Looper pitched very well today. Here's to him being able to do this over the whole season. The KC Star paper today showed 5 Mariners laying in the snow. Some appeared to be making snow angels.

I was the first and I'm angry as hell!!!!!!! :