J-B

I understand the paranoia thing. When one is not used to spending bigger bucks on a lure they are scared to cast it out. I was like that when I fist got mine (I still am a lil bit). I always make sure I have a solid knot on the bait before it gets near the water. It takes some practice to learn where to use it effectively, at least it did for me. I learned to use it along the edges of weed lines ond over drop-offs the most. I have not had the guts to use it over a brush pile yet because of the fear of a fish taking it into the pile. If that happened, I think I would have to pull that pile right out of the water to get my bait back.

If you just got the bait, and the chipping is not due to your lure hitting anything, I would contact Matt ASAP. The man provides awesome customer service IMO. I have had some of his baits for a while now and I have had no chipping problems that I have noticed. It might be a flaw in the paint job. Shoot Matt an email and talk to him about it. I feel confident that he will try to make you a happy customer. J-B

I have been told by a couple of friends that fish it on a regular basis that the northern half is where to be at this time and that they have been having luck using shaky heads with green pumkin finess worms and also with chartruse spiner baits. I plan on trying that but I also wish to hear from others what their advice might be.

Hey guys, I have been invited to fish as a guest in a local bass club tournament on Lake Lanier this coming Sunday morning. Do any of you have any advice as to what baits I should be fishing with? What colors or styles? Thanks. J-B

A trick that I have seen anglers use around here is a styrofoam cooler. It keeps drinks, or JJ's magic cool and the sides give you a place to stick your hooks into for fast access without them sliding around or damaging your boat.

If that is redneck, then that is a redneck with a lot of stock in Budweiser. It looks like he put a lot of time, thought and money into that one. Probably the same for the Alabama one too. At least the time and thought.

The ideas of just talking about it, getting to the point are correct IMO. Just tell him how you feel about the way he is driving and ask him if he would mind changing it up a bit. Ask him to try different patterns in his approach to see if it will benefit either one of you, if not both. If he likes to get too close for your style of fishing when he is driving, as long as you are safe, try changing your style to compensate. Develop some good teamwork fishing strategies. If you are fishing for the fun of it, do just that. Use it to learn and try to have fun doing it. Being a shore fishing fool, I could care less where I am in a boat so long as I can get my line in the water. If I don't like how close to, or how far I am from the shore, I can always cast off the back or there is the whole lake behind me to fish in also. Who knows, that magic drop off might just be on the other side of the boat.

Where are you fishing at?

As long as you have the pass, go enjoy yourself. I have been up and down that road many times at my fathers subdivision. Many of the people there now know me but quite a few others are sticklers for the rules and want to check on everything. They have had issues with many unauthorized people fishing their lake and keeping all the fish that they paid to have stocked. I have had the local police called on me many times and I have gotten to know a few of them because of it (which I like because when the caller sees them come out and start joking around with me it really irritates them). Just keep in your mind that some old people (and many young) go through mood swings due to either medication or other issues. Like the others said, just be polite to them and in time it may pay off for you. Just my 2 cents.

I usualy tie to the lure but lately I have been considering the snap swivel. My 9 year old daughter uses one for everything (she is scared of getting hooked when tying knots) and the last 5 or 6 times that I have taken her fishing, she has out fished me while using the snap swivel. I might just have to give it a try.

Welcome. Glad to see another Georgian here.

I have to agree. With either spinning or baitcaster you will develop a feel for how to throw it. Trial and error will teach you the way. Feel the force mcbob.

From most of what I have read RW, that is your choice during the day also.

For those of you that are skeptical of Matt's baits and their prices, here is my 2 cents. I was once right there with you in wondering if it was worth the $50 to purchase one of his swimbaits. After doing research and reading many of the comments about Matt's lures, I finally coughed up the dough and purchased a Male Bluegill Hardgill. I have not been happier with any other bait in my tackle box. The quality and detail is unreal. In the water, nothing looks more like a fish except a real fish. When fishing the hardgill, I have even seen other bluegill swim along side of the bait. Seeing this made me feel good about my purchase. I have caught quite a few bass in the 3-5 lb range with this lure since I started fishing it (still looking for the big ones). In short, do not freak out over the price and instead marvel at the quality. These baits are excellent and they catch fish. I currently own two Mattlure baits and I plan on getting more in the future. JB

I have been hearing stories of people using polident, alka seltzer type things inserted into their plastics to help attract bass. It supposedly creates a sound that is similar to the clicking sound of a crawdad when it moves. Some have said that it works great and others have said that they have seen no difference. Has anyone here heard of this, or better yet, tried this? How do you create a hole in the plastic to hold a piece of the tablet without making the bait so weak that it tears apart? This seems a bit weird to me but I am curious about it. Thanks, JB

...small white fish with yellow eyes? It sounds like they might be young white perch.

Minnows are fish too.

You're a weight lifter man. Suck it up! The pain is good. Pain is your friend. The pain and burn means you are getting stronger and better. Seriously, it is probably like Mike said. Lifting weights with dry skin can cause small cuts in the skin that you would not notice until the salt finds it. Definitely use some lotion at night to help your skin. Maybe use some Mega Strike on your hands at night. Your hands will smell good and the fish will like it better than jergens I am sure.

Aye, this is a tough one. I am sure I will end up changing my list soon. 1/2oz black, crome and orange manns little george 5" watermelon/red flake *** trick stick purple and crome rattletrap blackand gold split tail rapala DBK black and blue 1/2oz jig with craw trailer

Almost did that with my hardgill. I got it hung on a tree out in the middle of lake weiss. I took a swim to get it back.

I use a baitcaster and 12lb mono. I have not had any problems with tangles. I have had the front and rear hooks tangle though. I will check into the 0 shaped hooks.

Matt is always making me drool with his creations. If he keeps making lures that realistic, I will end up forgetting to fish and cook a lure and eat it instead.

That would be a sad day indeed. I think this country would see a cival war on their hands...Anglers vs. any opponent of fishing. I have the gut feeling there are a lot of anglers out there.

Thank you for the heads up. I will check the ones near me to see what I can get.

Hey guys, I wanted to tell you about my new foundation's first ever Bass Tournament. To begin and to head off complaints, yes I got permission to post this from Glenn since it is for a good cause. A big Thank you goes to Glenn. I know that is a bit early to bring it up, but CastforaCause is putting on its first CFAC Bass Torunamet. It is currently scheduled for April 10, 2010 at Lake Sinclair, GA at the Little River Park marina. Launch time will be at safe light. We are currently looking at a $100 team entry fee with a 1 in 5 payout. This tournament is being brought to you with the help of Clay Johns from C & R Outdoors. Other information is being worked on and I it will be available soon. This tournament's goal is to raise funds for Cast for a Cause. If you would like to be part of this tournament, please visit www.castforacause.organd click the registration link on the CFAC Bass Tournaments page. I will be asking for cash at entry or checks in advance. I can be reached at (678) 421-4159, john@castforacause.org. I would like to see you guys there. Lets make this event a success! Thank you, John