senile1

Below is a link for the schedule of "The Bass Pros." It is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops. The schedule is on their site. http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.CFPage?appID=487&option=2&template=schedule.cfm

For over a month we've been having average highs in the teens and a few 20s. All of the lakes are iced over, including quite a bit Of Truman lake which is 55,000 acres. We've had much colder temperatures than this in previous years, but the consistency of this cold spell is keeping thin ice on the big lakes and keeping me from wetting a line.

Me too. 0.0 lbs. Same for me.

I have the same Powell rod as you, but I haven't compared it to the Kistler rods. However, Tackletour.com makes some comparisons in one of their archived tests on the Powell 683c. They gave it their Editor's choice award. Here's the link. http://tackletour.com/reviewpowell683cxfast.html

justfishin, I'm so glad your son made it home and I salute him for his dedication to duty and his bravery. I hope he has a good future. To all of you who have served our country, I offer my ultimate respect and thanks.

The Bass Pros is a very good show. Bill Dance still gives a lot of information. I'm Ok with the Lindner's and In-Fisherman. I used to be Ok with Roland Martin but it has been years since he has done a show that wasn't mostly about product. I understand these guys have to make money, but Bill Dance gives a lot of info without being in your face. Someone mentioned Roland using the sunscreen. Look at how dark Roland's skin is. Does he really think we believe that he applies any sunscreen on a regular basis? Give me a break.

I think Flechero said it all. When you're young you buy a certain brand of reel, based on your parents or a friends opinion, or something you're read. If that reel turns out to be a quality reel, you tend to stick with it, unless the next two or three you buy turn out to be lemons. I think all of the brands mentioned make quality reels. I tend to buy mostly Shimanos and Daiwas because they've always served me well and most tests and opinions on these reels are good. Because of this I haven't really given other reel brands a chance to displace these as my favorites.

I posted actual brand and types of lures used for 2006, but some of these weren't used much. I have 5 -10 baits that are "go-to" baits and then I use the other baits to fill in the gaps and make minor adustments when the go-to baits aren't working.

Are we talking about the number of actual lures used or different types or brands? For example, I use Rapala DTs but in three or four colors and depth ranges. I'll count these as one crankbait. I guess my 2006 list is for number of types/brands. Topwaters 6 Buzzbaits 1 (Two different sizes and multiple colors) Crankbaits 7 (doesn't count different depth ranges of the same crankbait) Spinnerbaits 3 (3 brands with different weights, blades, skirts, and arm lengths) Jerkbaits 3 (multiple sizes) Jigs 3 (3 brands in mutiple colors and sizes) Soft Plastics Too many in every different style Spoons 1 (1 brand in different sizes and colors)

I use the Zulu flukes, the Zeroes, and the lizards. I think these are good baits and they are economical as well. I push the hooks all the way through and then skin hook them. These do slide a bit on the hook shank, but if you push them up over the hook eye an 1/8 of an inch or a little more they'll usually stay up there for two or three casts. You just have to check them often. Sticking a toothpick through the bait and the hook eye, as suggested by LBH, is a good idea.

23 degrees w/ wind chill it feels like 12, per Weather.com for my zip code which is the northern metro area of K.C., MO.

Avid, I found this online. I included the link. http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq11.htm If possible in a well ventilated area and at room temperature, recharge a deep cycle battery each day it is used and as soon as possible after each use. The best way to prevent permanent lead sulfation when a starting or deep cycle battery (or battery bank) is not in use, is to maintain it's State-of-Charge at 100% by continuous float charging. If continuous float charging is not possible, recharge before the State-of-Charge drops below 80%. Permanent sulfation kills approximately 85% of all deep cycle and starting lead-acid batteries not in weekly service. During hot weather, try and drive your vehicle at least once per week and in cold weather, once every two weeks. This is because batteries are perishable and the vehicle's parasitic (ignition key off) load and the natural self-discharge drain the battery. When the battery is not fully charged, sulfation occurs and the lead sulfate crystals will accumulate, harden and reduce the capacity of the battery. The same phenomenon occurs when a battery is undercharged or when electrolyte stratification occurs in larger wet lead-acid batteries. Please see Section 16. for more information on sulfation.

I've caught quite a few fish on these. They last a long time. If you need to reposition your hook it can be a pain because the barb will hang in the material.

Where there's a will there's a way. Get in there and fish that thing!

Don't mean to steal the thread. If the Mod want to deleate it. Yes I met Roger the first day we was their. I don't remember the guide name. He really love to hunt and fish. Great guy. senile1 That should have read 11 POUNDS 8 OZ I knew what you meant, Bud. I just had to give you a hard time.

While I agree with you, GMAN, the original post referred to sight fishing specifically during the spawn and during tournaments. Fish-fighting-illini stated:

I think that is a good point, Zel. Immediate release is a very good idea. Of course, if you stick a fish that you know is close to your personal best, you're going to want to weigh it and take a picture. I still think if you keep it in water until you weigh it and shoot the picture, and then release the fish, you minimize any possible problems. Not to bash tournaments, but I do think that taking the fish off the bed and keeping them in your livewell all day will result in losing the eggs at that nest. Is that necessarily a bad thing? It depends on the individual fishery. As I stated in an earlier post, I think you have to consider other possible detrimental situations at each particular lake, before you choose to sight fish.

Bud, your personal best is only 11.8 ounces????

Give credit to RW for the rod choice, but regarding the reel you'll have to define the meaning of "under 75 bucks."

Generally, I like for the trailer color to match up with the jig to some extent. You want it to look natural. I use trailers that imitate craws under normal jigging situations. When swimming a jig, the other trailers mentioned in your post are useful, though some people will use twin tail grubs when jigging on bottom as well.

I'm one who worries that sight fishing could hurt bass populations, but I think the jury is still out. And if you combine it with the factors mentioned in Chris's post it can definitely be detrimental. Chris stated: In the 90s, Smithville Lake north of K.C. had a combination of a loss of aquatic vegetation and high tournament numbers, some of which occurred during and around the spawn. The bass population plummeted like a rock and just started recovering in 2003 - 2004. I know this is only anecdotal evidence but it makes me wonder. If you have a lake that is going through a detrimental transition of some sort (i.e. loss of cover, etc.) I think I would limit or eliminate sight fishing on beds during that transition. Funny, some of us quoted an In-Fisherman study regarding sight-fishing. I'm not saying it is incorrect, but just because In-Fisherman performed the study doesn't mean it can't be questioned. Tobacco companies performed studies showing tobacco wasn't detrimental to health. Oil companies have studies that show they aren't damaging the environment. It is possible that In-Fisherman could be biased in some way as well. Their livelihood depends on fishermen. On the other hand, their study could be absolutely correct as they probably want to protect fish populations. I prefer to research many sources before forming an opinion. Question everything.

If it lacks memory, then it lacks fluorocarbon. Reducing the memory of fluorocarbon is what inspired copolymer lines (hybrid lines). By blending nylon with fluorocarbon you end up with line-memory somewhere between the two (there's no magic). Roger Ditto. That pretty much covers it.

Thanks, Fish Chris. Other than using my cell phone to take a snapshot of a fish, I was curious about taking shots, with a camera and tripod, when I am by myself as well.

Hello, HOPTOAD. Welcome.

I like different seasons too, but I'd like to be far enough south where my lakes aren't freezing over, including the smaller lakes.