Big Fish Rice

Just like fish, there are natural and invasive species of crayfish. The dangerous aspect is that the invasive species competes for the same resources, like food and habitat. There is a fine line between keeping all populations happy; unfortunately we are usually on either side of that line. We as people may not see the harm in another species of crayfish, but our environment is a product of the "domino effect". One thing will always affect another. I'm not a professional, but my opinion is that it would be quite difficult to rid our waters of invasive crayfish. We have other invasive species that have proven too tough to get rid of - What strategy is being implemented to gain success over current conditions?

Planning to start tournament fishing as a non-boater through Inland Empire Bass Club out of Spokane, WA. Just need to get down there and introduce myself as soon as classes finish up this quarter.

Planning to start tournament fishing as a non-boater through Inland Empire Bass Club out of Spokane, WA. Just need to get down there and introduce myself as soon as classes finish up this quarter.

Planning to start tournament fishing as a non-boater through Inland Empire Bass Club out of Spokane, WA. Just need to get down there and introduce myself as soon as classes finish up this quarter.

I've looked into this myself, simply from googling everything. First thing is first, you would have to get permission from the State to alter a wetland. This could involve fees and permits...so this is a good place to start for legality reasons. When it comes to actually enlarging the pond, you of course would need heavy equipment to dig and shape the area. I would assume this is either through renting or hiring an operator to do the dirty work. Design is crucial to a pond that will be home to bass and other species of fish; you need to create a food chain essentially. Just throwing some fish in a pond will not create the sustainable environment you are looking for. From the contour of the bottom to the weeds that will help hide the fry, everything needs to be in order. I have read a couple articles here on BassResource, but Bob Lusk is the "Pond King". His website has lots of information, and there are forums that you can browse. It's exciting to think about, but be prepared to spend some money http://www.pondboss.com/

I've looked into this myself, simply from googling everything. First thing is first, you would have to get permission from the State to alter a wetland. This could involve fees and permits...so this is a good place to start for legality reasons. When it comes to actually enlarging the pond, you of course would need heavy equipment to dig and shape the area. I would assume this is either through renting or hiring an operator to do the dirty work. Design is crucial to a pond that will be home to bass and other species of fish; you need to create a food chain essentially. Just throwing some fish in a pond will not create the sustainable environment you are looking for. From the contour of the bottom to the weeds that will help hide the fry, everything needs to be in order. I have read a couple articles here on BassResource, but Bob Lusk is the "Pond King". His website has lots of information, and there are forums that you can browse. It's exciting to think about, but be prepared to spend some money http://www.pondboss.com/

I've looked into this myself, simply from googling everything. First thing is first, you would have to get permission from the State to alter a wetland. This could involve fees and permits...so this is a good place to start for legality reasons. When it comes to actually enlarging the pond, you of course would need heavy equipment to dig and shape the area. I would assume this is either through renting or hiring an operator to do the dirty work. Design is crucial to a pond that will be home to bass and other species of fish; you need to create a food chain essentially. Just throwing some fish in a pond will not create the sustainable environment you are looking for. From the contour of the bottom to the weeds that will help hide the fry, everything needs to be in order. I have read a couple articles here on BassResource, but Bob Lusk is the "Pond King". His website has lots of information, and there are forums that you can browse. It's exciting to think about, but be prepared to spend some money http://www.pondboss.com/

Just to update everyone, I went ahead and took my list to my local Wholsale Sports. Gotta admit, the Curado E7 and the Crucial 7' MH felt the best within my budget. I would like the Crucial even more if it was a tad bit lighter, but for the price, it's solid. As a side note, the Revo STX felt great, but the Curado consistently receives high marks. I appreciate all the feedback...now to finalize my swimbait setup

Thanks a lot gentlemen for adding to the post..I have already been eyeing the verdict rod from Abu, and the STX. Just trying to get a few combos down to go and handle. Thanks for the input!

Awesome, this is exactly the kind of help I was looking for. I'll take all suggestions and I appreciate both pieces of advice.

Well, I'm staying with the 6'6" setup for now just due to financial restraints. I understand it's not the most ideal for what I have listed, but I have no other option. I suppose I'm looking for a more efficient crankbait/spinnerbait setup. I realize that most own different combinations for these two techniques, but my hand is forced to compromise. I know I'm looking at a 7' medium or medium heavy, I am merely trying to see what works for others as an efficient setup.

I have finally made the switch to all baitcasting equipment. Here's where I would like some input: I currently have a 6'6" Compre Rod, Medium Power, Fast Action for 8-17lb line. It's been my multipurpose rod and works great with my Citica 201E for plastics, jigs, and light cranks. I have a swimbait setup waiting in the works, just need to go and handle each one to verify my interests. So, this will be my second setup for heavy gear. I need help with choosing another baitcast setup. Since I have the medium setup already mentioned above (Compre/Citica), what other combo would you recommend and for what technique? I like the Crucial series from Shimano, but have been wanting to try the new Quantum Smoke lineup. Price range $300 for rod and reel. Help me make up my mind!

If you're worried about your waypoints, then you should focus on fishing a little more. It's a form of scouting; which is never a private matter in the first place, no matter the sport. I would be worried less about the co-angler, and worry about the lookie-loo's spoiling your hole more than anything.

Through thick and thin, you stick with it. That's what fishing is all about. You more than most, will certainly appreciate that next bass, especially if it ends up being your personal best. Keep at it, and don't worry about losing lures, I go through 4-5 jigs a trip. These dividends of losing your gear will pay off sooner or later.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not asking because I felt the need to justify, or to change his outlook on the whole subject. It just kind of puzzled me that someone wouldn't get the general idea behind sport fishing. Esp. someone who's an avid outdoors man. Then I started thinking about what the best way would be to explain it to someone who didn't know about it. I'd tell him that everyone hunts and fishes for different reasons; some anglers keep and others don't depending on your intention. It comes down to food vs sport. Personally, I get the same interest from friends of mine. I enjoy getting out and being outdoors, and learning new techniques and presentations to catch fish. Most of all, I like catching bass because I truly admire the species; the tug on the other end of the line is what it's all about for me. I don't need to eat them to feel "satisfied".

Honestly, if you hooked large numbers of bass the previous day, putting heavy pressure on them two days in a row would certainly affect the bite. If this area was jammed full of baitfish for several hours, then it could be a possibility that they are not actively feeding. Together, that would make for a tough day, no matter what you were throwing. Give it a couple days, and head back to try again.

Some believe that B.P. affects the bite, while other people don't. Personally, I don't care either way. I get out on the water every chance I get. Only been skunked once this year, so I've had great success without watching the B.P. reports.

Some believe that B.P. affects the bite, while other people don't. Personally, I don't care either way. I get out on the water every chance I get. Only been skunked once this year, so I've had great success without watching the B.P. reports.

Some believe that B.P. affects the bite, while other people don't. Personally, I don't care either way. I get out on the water every chance I get. Only been skunked once this year, so I've had great success without watching the B.P. reports.

Points may or may not hold fish all year. Bass follow the food, and the food does not always stay in one area, especially if the weeds and grass die off. Fish it like it's going out of style. You never know until you try, and don't forget to come back and update the thread.

Absolutely, but it might be awhile. Orders are a few weeks out, so I'll do my best!

Just put an order in at jensenjigs.com, thanks for the link. I've been looking for some hair jigs with a perch pattern. Looks like I found 'em!

Jigs, jigs, jigs...man, I love jig fishing Try both non-rattling and rattling versions for comparison. And if you're fishing them right, you'll come home with two or three less than you had.

I don't know if I completely agree with the Professor. I fish almost entirely northern lakes up here in Washington State; I rarely find "packs" of bass. I don't think either area is more difficult than the other; bass have competition no matter the location. Not all of our lakes are home to muskie and walleye, so I don't agree with splitting the north and south into a dichotomy.

The same lure will never reproduce success for an infinite amount of time; you need to have other confidence lures to cover different situations like the one you are facing now. Your "spinners" are great lures, but they only cover a portion of the water column. Fish move throughout the lake and won't always be in the same areas. This can be due to environmental reasons, or feeding reasons. You seemed to have nailed the right color, but "profile" is another aspect that you might be missing. Try a larger lure, or try fishing deeper with a jig or some other lure that can get to the bottom. You're catching the small ones that normally hang around shallow depths; get down deep. With that being said, keep your lure, but don't use it all day long. Switch up your bait, and continue to experiement with color and lure changes. Try a spinnerbait, or a jig, and see if the larger bass are hanging low. A blade not spinning on a slow retireve is often a lure issue. Are you running the same line and the same knot? If so, make sure the lure is not damaged or the blade isn't bent. As a last resort, try changing your spinner to see if the first one is defective; it happens.