Matt Fly

Theres are always a reason for short strikes. The fish are trying to tell you something about your bait isn't right. Too much noise, not enough. Color isn't quite right. Sometimes, it just requires tweaking in small changes. Boat isn't postioned correctly, maybe your casting un-natural shadow out there with the sun at your back Skirt is too long, too short. Cadence is too fast, not fast enough. No two cast should be the same until you have figured the pattern or how they won't you to throw it. Sometimes its boat postition. Most times, top water doesn't last long, so making subtle changes is key to get on the bite before its gone. Hookem Matt

I fish waters that have cerified scales on the lakes, the SAL truck is never more than a couple hours away in East Tx. Theres enough marinas with bait vats to hold her safely until the TP&W show up. That state record or World Record would be on display at some BASS Pro Shop in the future. Some one would be interested in leasing or buying the fish. That fish is or would be close to the end of its life if data is correct on longivity of a LMB in southern impoundments. Hookem Matt

RW, When you say your getting ready for smallmouth season, are you talking the prime time to target smallies? or are you actually talking about a season that opens up in your neck of the woods for smallies? If its just prime time, why is the summer so hard to target smallies? I live in LMB country and the old saying " having your cake and eating it to" applies to LmB, should apply to LMB and smallies, but just not in the right region to pursue them both. Just looking to learn some seasonal patterns on smallies. Matt.

Great post. Matt.

Carolina rig is one of the best at probing bottom contours and structures.

Another note, I would say the south is represented well due to popularity of that magazine. I would venture to say Bass West is more popular on the West Coast than BASS. Just a guess. Wonder what they would say about that. Matt

Considering the source is from BASS magazine contributors only, it is partially correct if at all. Good stats, but, just how many people suscribe to BASS? Compare number of subscription to number of bass fishermen in the World. Very small sampling percentage. Matt

Rebbasser, Who has falcons on Sale? Matt.

Low light conditions, as presented by early morning and late evening darkness brings bass out of cover to search for prey. Making it easier to target on a variety of presentations. I would say yes, these are prime times for bassing in late spring till cold weather set in.

I'd say improperly cooked if they were rubbery. Never ate a rubbery bass. Always white and flakey meat. Matt.

Same here Flyrod, I use an ole bantam light shimano 1000 that can handle small stuff with no problem employed with a Falcon low rider series rod. Notice your not exactly throwing small stuff. Flyrod, rarely do I drop shot shallower than 10ft. Do you dropshot at all depths, or do you limit your target zones with drop shotting? Matt

Why does a baby brush hog, watermelon candy, work sometimes and another time its watermelon red baby brush hog. The base color is the same, the flecks or flakes are different. One day it is red and the next day with same conditions, its candy? We are talking dots, tiny dots. Why gold flake another day? I have read lots of published articles that most found, and as Keith mentioned, there is nothing "written in stone" on the subject that leads you either way other than personal experience. During these high pressure days or the Dog Days of Summer, I could C-rig any of those 3 to find the pattern 90% of the time. Found one article on leading bait company, crank bait came out and did catch fish, just not anglers, bait ended up in sale bin. Same crank was re-designed, added gill flash, tiger stripes to body, raised eyes and the bait is best seller. Moral, it wasn't flashy enough for the angler. matt

I had an eye test to check for that, I hope all states do the same as Texas when getting a license. My first response to bass being color blind. I think not. Do they see colors as us? I would say no. There eyes see better as light diminishes......ie.....low light conditions. Can they see color in low light? Standard answers for nite fishing is throw dark colors.....ie.....black and blue. ??????????? Matt. Keith, very thought provoking, refreshing to see "newer" thread also.

My rule in muddy water is to have some sort of movement because fish aren't fishing from sight, so some type of vibration is important to me. Thus ribbon tail, rattles, and scents are keys.

Never thought of current and the senko. One would think with current, that a ribbon tail would be better suited as current would give the bait action. What is the clarity of the water were you fish? Matt.

Fishing a tourney with one that didn't get rested the night before, didn't have rods rigged, didn't think about drinks or snacks, and when his day goes south, he has excuse for every thing except his "lack of preparation". Hookem matt.

I have had favorite in most states I've lived. Favorites can be due to scenery, exceptional fishing. Lake Fork is my favorite lake. If I fished it 5 days a week, that wouldn't be too much. There are days when I have the answers, and days when I'm humbled by her. Even guides who make their living fishing are humbled by bass. Thats what keeps us going, the humbling days. Hookem Matt.

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/ph_levels.html Give this a good read. Good info as usual from the best library on the net. Matt.

The bass don't seem to mind Falcon Rods or Shimano reels, so I'm fine there. I woud invest in camera equipment. Got to be some money in good down to earth fishing shows. Matt.

I want say that a person is not a true sportsman, but giving the fish a sporting chance one on one seems more appealing to some. Was taught never to shoot ducks setting on the water, wasn't fair chance. Any body, or most should be able to hit a setting duck, wheres the skill? I was never raised to hunt by deer feeders, was never allowed to pursue wild turkey coming off the roost in the mornings. Was taught to never keep anything just for show, it was to provide substance, and thanks to the man above was also given for providing that for us. Was always made to pack out more trash than we made. It boils down to the Respect that is shown to the prey you pursue and the "land". Yes, there are different degrees of sportsman out there in my opinion. Hookem Matt

Another thing to consider on larger lakes. Its been said that 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish, and 90% of the fish can be found in 10% of the water. I find certain areas replenish and just hold more fish than what the shocking report survey tells.

How fertile the waters are carrys alot of weight. The Ecology of the lake itself. ie.... nutrients, type of fish, is fish to control grass like carp. As other mentioned, supplemnetal feeding programs or self sustained. Lots of interesting reading. Google "fish per acre" and you will see so many different situations. Size of fish to be stocked, fingerlings or mature adults. As Jim said, it depends. Matt.

What I do observe in southern waters is lots of hole in the bass sides that are puncture marks from birds of prey. Commorants and such. They also could be battle scars from being hooked in brush and yanked out, but majority look like they where attacked by sharp billed birds. They always appear to be healed or healing nicely. Matt.

Don't see the reference to the USA vs Mexico challenge this year that Lane and George Welcome are talking about. don't know what the pulling of the leg was about. But some huge bass came across the scales from Sugar Lake. 13.3 lbs was largest. One day lead was 41 lbs 2ozs. 71.20 won for the day and half tourney. Only fished 4 hours Sunday. Pretty impressive sack for day and half. Lots of hawgs crossed the scales for that day and half tourney. Results can be seen by going to Basschamps web site. Last year Mexico won by 4 lbs, this year USA won by 70 lbs. Series tied at 1-1. Matt.

A very good reason to keep your own personal fishing log. But if you looked at the Texas Share lunker list. It gives moon phases as part of the catch info. 422 plus entries, All 13 + fish, most with moon phase listed might give strong evidence as to any correlation. No lies on those numbers, because entries are picked up within 12 hours of catch. Hookem Matt