Catt

I use a Mustad 4/0 Straight Shank Denny Brauer Flipping Hook their wire diameter is thicker than just about any hook on the market, so there is no flexing when setting hook.

I'll tell you the way I look at and it may tick some people off but so be it People who aren't willing to do what's necessary to obtain quality equipment aint serious enough about bass fishing. When I step up on that deck with rod in hand; a lunatic smile crosses my face, my eyes get cold and restless there is no room for second best. It's me against that bass so there will be no question marks about rod, reel, line, hook or bait selection because those things have long been settled. Yea I can hook a double digit hawg on a Zebco 33 but what my odds of landing it? Dude I've been a poor boy all my life so I know all about being broke but you can start a coin bank, you know where you throw all your loose change in a bottle or drawer. Aint no one saying go out and spend $200 out of you monthly budget but it is an attainable goal.

$200 in one month is only $6.67 a day

What a way to hang tuff Ask around here I'm sure someone can help with Lake Anna, Sam's gotta ya pointed in the right direction already.

Every time I witnessed chemicals used to control vegetation the results were not good

To me high end equipment does not mean big bucks but rather big quality and a quality setup can be had for under $200.

Now add in Abu Garcia's C3 & C4's and you can have a quality setup for under $200. You could afford this on minimum wage so what I don't get is all the whining about high end equipment.

While I have yet to see any fresh water baits in Gulp Alive the salt water baits are tearing up the speckle trout and red fish all over the gulf coast.

I have caught 5 bass over 10 lbs, a 11 lb 3 oz, & a 12 lb 8 oz this year alone; all were caught on 15 pound test Berkley Big Game and all were caught in thick vegetation.

Sounds to me you've already made you mind up since you didn't give much information on the Daiwa. I have a Daiwa TD-V701MHRB Team Daiwa-V Length: 7' 0 Line Class: 10-20 lb Lure Weight: ¼-1 oz Power: Medium Heavy Action: Extra Fast. I use it for pitching jigs in deep water Hydrilla as well as flipping buck brush in the spring.

According to Dr. Jones fish can't smell oil based scents and he also stated bass are turned off by anise oil; yet anise oil is added to most plastic baits sold on today's market. I use Fish Formula II or Baitmate (clear) with a ½ oz of pure anise oil added, while I can't give you scientific evidence supporting its use, I can tell you that many times when not getting bite I added scent and started getting bites. I have also seen many times when my fishing partner was not using scent and I was and the difference in catch ratio was 5:1, then my partner added scent and started catching. I believe scents fall under the same category as the color red, I can't explain why it works but it does.

Here's the question if you were just starting out in bass fishing and couldn't afford to buy high end rod & reels what would you choices be. I would buy 2 ea. as soon as I possibly could, with this selection I feel I could compete in any tournament or target big bass. Shimano Cardiff 100B $99.99 Falcon® Original Series $74.99

There are time when slow works, there are times burning it works, there are times clackers work and there are time squealers work. Only the bass can tell you which they prefer

Lunar phases are just one part to the equation; one must take into account weather, seasons, availability of food, or your ability to locate fish. I normally prefer fishing during the full moon vs. the new moon even though the gravitational pull is three times greater during the new moon. It is more difficult to fish a new moon because it is harder to keep your boat off of stumps and it is harder for the bass & angler to connect. If I fish a new moon I will usually fish open water and avoid shoreline areas.

With out a doubt Xpress

There have been numerous books, articles, charts, ect. Published on this great mystery of bass fishing. A lot of the authors of these publications go through great lengths explaining how difficult it is to determine these times. It is really quiet simple to determine these times for your self with a little inside information. River and salt water publications go through great lengths explaining how difficult it is to determine tidal movements. The reality is that these best times and tidal movements are related to the moon's phases. People in animal husbandry, farming, hunting, and fishing have used the moons phases for centuries. One of the oldest publications giving this information is the "Poor Richard's Almanac". The moon's phases are divided into four quarters, two of which are your minor times, and two of which are your major times. The times for the major periods are as follows An hour and a half prior the moon reaching its apex An hour and a half prior to the moon reaching its perigee The major periods are the first quarter new moon and the third quarter full moon. The gravitational pull of the sun and moon is three times greater on the new moon than the full moon. At the time of the new moon the earth has the moon and the sun in a straight line pulling together. This first quarter, dark night phase differs from the third quarter full moon phase when the earth moves between the moon and the sun. The new moon dark night is only difficult on the angler because you must rely on your sense of feel when working your bait. If you want to really learn how to fish baits that require a lot of feel like worm or jigs try nights. The times for the minor periods of these moon phases are as follows An hour and a half prior to the raising of the moon on the horizon. An hour and a half prior to the setting of the moon. Now take into consideration the above listed times you end up with 3 hrs. of major time periods and 3 hrs. of minor times periods. This does not take into account weather, seasons, or your ability to locate fish!

Over population and stunted growth

The red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, is a fish of many monikers. Most anglers in Texas and Louisiana call it "redfish," but some call it "channel bass" in parts of Florida, and "Pescado Colorado" or simply "Colorado" in Mexico. Redfish, also get names for different age classes. "Rat red" signifies juveniles whereas the term "bull red" applies to big, sexually mature specimens. The species is fast growing, reaching approximately 11 inches and 1 pound in its first year, 17-22 inches and 3-1/2 pounds in two years, and 22-24 inches and 6-8 pounds in three years. The world record red drum weighed 96 pounds and hailed from the East Coast. The current Texas record is 55 pounds. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has successfully stocked them in several freshwater reservoirs including Fairfield, Braunig, and Calaveras. They cannot spawn in these lakes, but they grow to immense size and take to the habitat like, well, a fish takes to water. Instead of feeding on crab, they eat crawfish and terrorize the perch, shad, bass, and other wimpy freshwater species. Redfish are highly adaptable, and this allows them to survive in many habitats and live to great age.

I still vote for Toledo Bend; at 65 miles long it allows pre-spawn to spawn fishing from late January through mid- April; although big bass fishing is good year round. The lake is large enough to handle both the weekend warriors and all of our members with room left over. In the event of bad weather there are numerous large creeks with launches that would allow good fishing for smaller boats. As to the question of boat rentals from what I gathered from the Guntersville post there will be more than enough members with seats open to handle members with out boats. On the down side depending on how early reservations are made lodging could be an issue if everyone plans on staying at one location. But many marinas have large pavilions for meetings and cooking

One must first understand there is no such thing as a Fish Finder; a fish finder is tied to the end of your rod. I have a Cuda 168EX which has a wide screen; it's several years old and haven't had a single problem. Mounting it to your trolling motor is difficult all that is required is the after market bracket, a few zip ties and a large hose clamp.

This happens numerous times through out the month; at times the moon will actually rise & set during the day

Try a light weight Texas Rigged Worm but reel it on top like a frog stopping it in openings

Hate when that happens & happen it does

I go fishing when I can but I'm completely aware of what the moon is doing at all times

Dude even a dumb Cajun knows that's for after the party Geezz!!!!! What do you expect I am a Yankee and A Mook Dude what do you think tailgating is? Chasing tail & we aint talking crawfish