Mike L

Florida bass are notorious for just flst shutting down after a cold front. And the farther south you go the bite gets harder and lasts longer. Take Okeechobee for example...The north shore bite can be completely different than say in So. Bay and it's only 30+ miles away. This last cold front wasn't as bad as what we'll see later on. A few days after the front passed it warmed up considerably and with it the bite also.. Mike

I tryed a friends micro guide rod for punching one time and I was sold. It felt and fished so much lighter and easier than a regular sized guided rod I was useing of the same brand. And also agree it was just a tad more sensitive. Mike

Wow...I've never had a real southern dinner like that!!....You got an empty chair over there?? Mike

They really work in any and all conditions. When I want a lot of action tie the bug When I want some flair tie the bomb When I want slick penetration with subtle movement tie the beaver Mike

Stike King has a line of those. When I want to run a trailer I'll tie one of these on first. Mike

Sweet Beaver D Bomb Rage Bug Not necessarily in that order Mike

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, from my family to yours. Mike

When you sit around the table today giving Thanks for the people in your lives...Don't forget the one's lost for the time you had with them. Happy Thanksgiving friends Mike

Hello and Welcome ! Mike

Hello and Welcome ! Mike

All the link means is that each of you are guaranteeing each others entry. Mike

You're Welcome Yes it's tough sometimes to compete from the back when you're in direct competition with the guy in the front. Just don't let it intimidate you.. Unles he's "back boating" you on a flippin bite along a weed line..always keep in mind he's only about 10-15ft away and there is still water under the boat, and on 3 sides of you. Sometimes co anglers get all bummed out because they feel thier boater is inhibiting thier chances to compete because he's up front and they're not. That's not always true. I fish the BFL, TBF and Bass Nations as a co-angler and have for the last 6 years.. Let me tell you honestly that I have been hampered because of boat position only a handful of times but still managed to catch fish. I feel that the ONLY advantage a boater has (and its huge) is he can cast into virgin water straight out where you can't, and he ultimately makes the final decision of where to go..BUT, you both have water on 3 sides of you. You just have to fish your strengths a little harder, make good bait selections and casting decisions. It can be done. Best of luck to you! Mike

I use a 7' for froggin and a 7' 2" for punching for many years..You're Good Mike

Hello and Welcome ! Mike

Hello and Welcome ! Mike

Hello and Welcome ! Mike

Big O, Toho...'Nuff Said. Mike

"Of course you have to look for and develop a pattern for the current conditions"..Thats why we have a bag full of different baits of different styles and colors and different rods for different presentation's. But to me having a knowledge of where to start, with what is an advantage that will keep you from running all over. Trying to force feed a fish with what you want them to eat is not the way to be successful, but neither is giving up on what you've learned to go hunting isn't either. Mike

Yes, boaters and co anglers have thier own division. I fish the Gator Div and down here there is always a wait list for co anglers. The best thing to do is find a boater to guarantee your entry. You guarantee him and he guarantees you, but do it before the priority deadline of your division. If you can't find a boater to pair up with, register now.. Mike

Enjoy the fight, land the fish, take a picture, release quick and carry on. A 5 minute delay to catch a personal best is worth it. Mike

Ditto Mike

I personally know guides on Okeechobee, Toho, St. Johns River and the Kissimmee Chain and all of them have certain "spots" they hold for tournament fishing only. They do not take clients there..Ever. They know where to go based on the time of year and temperature. A few have areas where they know will hold numbers and a few which hold kickers All of this based on experience. There is no guarantee of course but they go based on memory and throw what worked in the past and then go from there. When it comes to what bait to use, I have certain ones I use on certain lakes and break it down from there. Example..On Okeechobee I know where the best frog water is in the summer and where swim baits work the best in the fall and spring. All this based on what has worked for me and other's based on memory. Also, there are baits that I won't throw at one but only use at another. So to me I'm useing a pattern based on memory. Does it work all the time? No it doesn't, but at least when I go to any of these lakes I don't waste time running all over junk fishing. Mike

If you're gonna flip and flip till your arm falls off, and considering what you said about your conditions, I'd start small. Use a BB Cricket as Primetime suggested, a jr size brush hog, or a small beaver type bait of your choice. Dont over work it. Use small movements. Dragging with intermittent times of small, in place hops. Deadstick it a while also until you find a pattern. In cold water as you describe, and IF they are holding to shore or buried up, they won't want to move much. You have to drop it in front of them or on top of thier head to get bit. Good Luck Mike

Ditto Mike

Hello and Welcome ! Mike