senile1

@Bluebasser86 Nice work! I didn't realize Kansas spotted bass record was only 4.44 lbs. I also see it was set in 1977 so it has stood for some time.

I did a little search and found this in Svivlo's FAQs. Link: https://svivlo.com/faq/?srsltid=AfmBOoqJHQR3k6KZEAXecrIn4C-GPXIKvuZ5gZYNA4u1lQG_eVKDPzbU. Quote: Do I need to use my thumb?Only when releasing the spool and to place the fishing lure in a specific location. When the bait lands in the water, CastGuard will slow down the rotation of the spool. If you place the bait in a tree immediately after casting, the spool will only rotate a few revolutions before stopping.

This is very interesting. I am curious to know what happens when you attempt to place a lure in a specific spot using your thumb to stop the spool, whether that is with a regular cast or pitching a lure.

What that guy told you is news to me when it comes to white bass. In fact, they absolutely love to chase shad and when the wind blows them up against a shallow shelf or island they go into a feeding frenzy. I have had numerous occasions where I have caught tons of white bass one right after another when I found a shallow bank or point that the wind was blowing into and the fish were feeding shallow on shad. The baitfish are crowded into the shallows by the wind and the fish go nuts. Typically I use a white or silver pepper spoon and swim it through these areas. Sometimes I will use a bigger 1/4 or 1/2 oz spoon when I know the whites are closer to 2 or 3 lbs. If conditions are such that the shad are deeper, then I throw the spoons deep, reel and then let them fall a few feet, reel some more, let them fall, etc. I can't think of a time when the wind interfered with me catching whites, but maybe I don't know all the details of the situation where you are trying to catch them.

I have bought rods with only one technique in mind at the time of purchase, but all of them are capable of multiple techniques. Probably two-thirds of my rods are used for approximately two or three techniques while the other third tend to be rigged with techniques I use almost every time I am on the water, so the lures used on them don't change often.

Great subject! It is good to revisit ideas that one believes he or she has already resolved. Years ago, I decided on approximately 6 to 7 feet between my knot and my lure on braid to leader combinations. It has worked for me. I have never had a breakoff at the braid to leader knot with a big fish. However, I am a stickler for checking the knot and when it looks like it might be getting frayed I retie. I started out years ago with a uni to uni but switched to the alberto knot about 15 years ago because it was easier and from what I can tell, I get the same results. Reading this thread has led me to consider that I should try a 20 or 30 foot leader just for grins. With the short leader I use, the cutting off of frayed line near the lure shortens my leader much quicker leading to having to add another 6 to 7 foot leader sooner. I suspect this is why I have never experienced an issue with the braid to leader knot because it is replaced much sooner than it would be with a long leader.

@Dwight Hottle Except for the Duo Realis baits, the other three you listed comprise probably 90 percent of my lipless crankbait usage. None of us can truly say what is the best lipless because I doubt a significant number of us have tried every single one, but we can say what works for us. The Strike King RES, the Spro Aruka Shad, and the Bill Lewis Rat-L-Traps are mainstays for me. Similar to the Rat-L-Traps, I have had similar results with Cotton Cordell lipless cranks as well though I have used them much less than the Bill Lewis lures.

I turned 65 in November of 2025. I am now able to hunt small game and fish in my state without a permit. I do have to purchase the additional permits needed for migratory birds, turkey, and deer, but otherwise, a driver's license is all I need in the state of Missouri.

Lots of unstable weather here. I am catching fish but nothing big enough to brag about so far. One day just a week ago we were at 10 degrees and 4 days later we reached 93. We just came out of the 80s and today the lows were around freezing and the highs are in the 50s. The next few days will be more seasonal temperatures but I will be out of town visiting my youngest daughter and my sister. Later in the week we will be back in the 80s and then back down to lows around 30. Surface water temperatures on a 200 to 300 acre lake I fish are running 46 to 49 and 7190 acre Smithville Lake is around 48 -49. I am hoping when I get back things will be more stable.

This happens more often than I like to admit. 😄 I do many of the items listed in this thread as well. However, keep in mind there are two sides to this coin. While these actions may improve your odds on some days, on others they may decrease your odds. For example, adding rattles to a jig or T-rig in gin clear water may be the worst thing you can do to improve the bite. It doesn't hurt to try something, but be ready to experiment if your changes aren't working.

This is very neat and organized @Glenn. Lots of nice touches. Other than the <Menu> button not working after entering the forum per @Tennessee Boy, I haven't encountered any issues.

Great idea to make the contest last for the full year! It is time for me to reveal my utter hatred of okra of any kind. The Missouri largemouth record has stood for 64 years at 13 lb 14 oz. I am floored at the size of this beast for the state of Missouri. https://ozarkcountytimes.com/outdoor-news/after-60-years-state-record-largemouth-bass-still-stands-despite-son’s-efforts-top-it The smallmouth record is 7 lb 2 oz (set in 1994) and the spotted bass record is 7 lb 8 oz set in 1966. A 10 lb largemouth would be around 72 percent while a 5 lb smallmouth would be approximately 70. Those sizes are Missouri fish of a lifetime these days. It is likely that my chances are slim but it will be fun to hit the more southern lakes often this year in search of nirvana.

Tom was a great forum member and fisherman. He will be missed tremendously. If there is something beyond this life, here's hoping Tom is spending time with his son now. Godspeed, Tom.

Here's one I run across occasionally. You are pulling up to a stoplight and the car in front of you is leaving three or four car lengths between them and the next car, which keeps you from pulling into a lane next to them to turn, pass, etc. As they pull up, you are finally able to go around them and what are they doing? Staring at their cellphone!

I keep track mentally. Occasionally, I may slip and I'll wonder was that number 11 or 12 (etc) but I will only be off by one or two. I rarely lost track when I was younger but it happens a little more now that I am older.

@A-Jay I think your post above is one of the more insightful, though subtle, posts for bass anglers seeking larger fish. Hidden between the lines of your post is that all important "time on the water" mantra. To be "in tune" requires that time to be better at casting, boat handling, and all the other fishing tasks. And that time is also required to be in tune with where the fish are, what they are doing, and how they are behaving. Your success in catching the big tanks shows that the time you spend on the water without bites is extremely important to have those days when the bite is on. I appreciate the reminder.

I saw this thread a few days ago and I have been at a loss for words. Catt, as well as a few other members of BR, personifies what Bass Resource is. For him to be gone is a huge loss. If I am not mistaken I think it was just April when he first found out that he had an issue. Rest in peace, friend. Best hopes and wishes to Tommy's family.

In Northwest Missouri, 5 lbs is a big largemouth bass. Over the past few years, when I have been able to fish regularly, I have caught a few 5s and 6s here and there but I haven't seen a 7 lb plus in a while. There are no smallmouth in my area, but I catch some every year at Table Rock and Stockton Lakes and 3 lbs seems to be the biggest I catch. On the rivers of Southeast Missouri, 18 inches in length is considered a large smallmouth. I did catch a 4 lb spotted bass in Table Rock a few years back but that is a very rare thing here. Most of them run 1 or 2 lbs and 3 lbs is considered large. Strangely enough, our spotted bass record of 7 lbs 8 oz is higher than our smallmouth record of 7 lbs 2 oz.

@MN Fisher I am just seeing this thread today. This is shocking, sad news and words never meet the moment in these situations. I am hoping that your body responds to the treatments much better than the doctors expect and some kind of recovery can be achieved. However, based on your prognosis, I hope you find a way to live your life the way you want to during this difficult time, and love of family and friends sustains you. I know it isn't much, but hope and best wishes are all I have to give.

After all these weeks of ups and downs, I am glad you received good news! While you may have been in bed at the hospital, the mind could use some rest from all the worry. Rest up, Catt. I am happy for you.

Words fail me. All of those are magnificent fish! Congratulations 10 fold.

Wishing the best for you, @Catt.

Have you looked at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks site? https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Where-to-Fish-in-Kansas/Fishing-Locations-Public-Waters/Southeast-Region/Mined-Land-Wildlife-Area#:~:text=Located in the southeast portion,deep with steep sided banks. Also, down at the bottom of the page above is more information including a link for bathymetric maps of the area. Zoom in on the mined lands at this link: https://ksdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3e0ba6a852d2479aa6e384b4f87a0c2b.

@12poundbass If I remember correctly, I think we posted pictures of the scale weight along with the fish caught back in the day.

@Catt You are definitely in a world of hurt if a boat coming your way on that path doesn't slow down and try to avoid you. There are some narrow boat trails on Smithville Lake in the treed portions but there is always room and then some for boats driven properly to pass each other port side to port side. Still, I have had a couple of occasions where I had to pull over into the trees to avoid an oncoming boat speeding right down the middle.