Bob C

I just bought a new F150 3 weeks ago. Switched to F150's in 1987 and never looked back.

Your wife's comment was priceless. I don't see anything out of line even if your daughter did here it. I'm sure she would have gotten a chuckle out of it.

Why would they taste nasty over 20"? 20 is good but 21 is not. Not buying it unless your big ones came from mud swamp. To answer your question, Drakes batter deep fried in peanut oil.

Exactly. I keep them happy in my live well until I get home. Then they immediately either go in the fryer or vacuum bag and freezer. Works every time.

I eat them often. LM and SM. I cooked them together one time and no one could tell the difference and they all thought it was very good. I've kept a few 4 lb.LM and were delicious. If you think the texture is bad then chances are you're over cooking them. They are firm and flakey if cooked right. I use Drakes batter and peanut oil. I vacuum bag a few for winter. The bag keeps them just like the fresh caught ones.

I traded my 17' Javelin in on a big Deep V 3 yrs ago. It didn't take long to really start missing my small boat. I sold the deep v and I'll be getting something smaller soon.

I've deep fried them together and no one could tell the difference.

I deep fried some last night. They were very good. You see sport fish, I see sport dinner.

I haven't tried that yet. Good idea.

I keep them happy in the live well until I get home. Filet and fry. If you're concerned about them, leave them alone and don't stick hooks in them.

I've deep fried LM and SM and served them together and no one could tell the difference. They all loved it and there were no left overs.

What I've noticed here in Michigan, it works best for 6 weeks from the middle of July through August in the weed lines or under docks. Under docked pontoon boats works very good. Any other time I have to go to deeper water to catch them. I tried it the last week end and got skunked. Couple more weeks. lol

I don't know where you get that weed taste thing from. LM eat the same things as any other fish in the lake. I've eaten them of all sizes and times of the year.

For those that say LM taste bad, it's time to fire your cook. The only time its bad is when it's over cooked.

I had that happen with a 4lb a couple years ago. All the way to the boat it was like reeling in a wet towel. He was completely motionless even after I got hook out. I put him in the live well. When I got home and opened the well door he scared the crap out of me. He jumped all the way out and landed on the boat floor very much alive.

I've had all kinds of boats over the last 30 plus years. Flat bottom, bass boats, deep V. I liked them all. I really believe a guy should have at least 3 boats for different days and places. Try and get that approved by the wife.

I have a Tracker Targa. Way more rod and tackle storage than I need. Bass don't care what boat you have.

Nice catch. The one on the right looks huge.

I usually put on a 4" pumpkin and catch all size bass lm and sm. I've ran out of pumpkin more than once and was forced to use other colors and it doesn't seem to matter what color I used. They really didn't care as long as it was a Senko. Around here a 20" lm is a big fish and I've caught several on a 4".

I just installed one of those in my boat. Looks to be well made.

I'll take my chance with something from a local lake before I'd eat a square fish from an unknown source.

What do the tournament guys do with spectators all around? They must have 10 gallon kidneys.

I've been in a few houses on these lakes. They all seem to have binoculars or a telescope in the window.

How do you guys stay out so long? I can go 4 hrs. max and I've got get rid of my morning coffee. I fish small lakes with houses all around. You can't just stand up and cut loose. Last summer there was a guy anchored about 150 ft. off shore. I was drifting along the shore and he never saw me. I was about 25 ft. from him between him and shore when he stood up and emptied himself in a coffee can. As he turned to empty it he saw me and was obviously embarrassed and pulled anchor and headed for the ramp. Good thing he had his back to us as my wife was with me. We got a laugh out it. Now when I go out the wife asks if I have my Folgers can.