Bluebasser86

Put my reel covers and rod socks on before I leave the lake, then I hang my rods up when I get home. I have a bunch of bicycle hooks screwed into the ceiling in the garage that I hang my rods on so they aren't getting knocked over or stepped on. That's the only ritual I have that I do every trip. I organize my stuff and clean my rods and reels off once in awhile but my wife isn't going to stand around and watch my clean all my gear off after I've been fishing all day

The top one screams green sunfish to me with that combination of colors together, very nice looking bait.

Man, send some rain this way! I don't know how many 100+ degree days in a row we've had but the lakes and ponds are drying up quick! I would have gladly traded places. Been at work since 4pm on the 4th, got another hour to go before I can go home. Couldn't see a single firework from here

So you've caught one of the elusive La Cygne DD bass huh? I've caught lots over 5 and had a 30+lb 5 fish stringer that included the biggest bass I've caught from there, 7lbs 2ozs. I've seen several 8's, and a high 9 in person down there and I've seen the pictures of the 10's that get caught each winter. The odds are against me but I'm still out there almost every weekend during the winter months. As for the OP's question, there is a couple lakes in Northern Missouri that have DD fish in them. I hooked one a few years ago at Hazel Creek Lake in Kirksville, MO that would have given the MO state record a run for it's money. Mozingo lake produces several 8+lb fish a year and I'm sure probably has a few DD bass in it. Still, the amount of time and money you'd spend trying to find a northern largemouth will be way more than if you take a couple trips to a lake that is known for it's big bass potential.

We catch them out of the powerplant lakes around here in the outlets where the water temps get up to 95, doesn't seem to bother them.

There doesn't have to be bigger fish. I've fished several ponds and smaller lakes with tons of fish but no big fish at all, even when the state shocks or nets them they find no big fish. Like WRB said a big swimbait or big worm will find the big fish if they are in there, just be ready to not get as many bites.

Looks like a bait shop shiner to me. Maybe someone was using live bait and dumped their leftovers on the bank right there?

7.1 and even that isn't fast enough to keep up with some of them that come screaming towards deeper water.

I think Ike needs to worry a little more about his performance in tournaments and less on marketing products. I liked to see him doing good and it just seems like it's been forever since he's had a good tournament.

I think spinnerbait color probably matters very little at night since the fish are going to be using their lateral lines to find food more than their eyes.

If you pull on your line you can often get your bait to pull further up out of the throat. With something as big as a frog bait you'd be better off tearing the bass up trying to get it out and letting him go that way. I highly doubt it will be able to survive with that bait in it's mouth or dislodge the bait.

Yep, they won't reach full potential if you don't PUT THEM BACK!

That would be cool to see, on video. I would have been taking pictures over my shoulder while I was hightailing it back to the ramp

It isn't good around KC either, we drove an hour south to Melvern Lake where the fishing is much better! We talked about doing it closer just to meet up with everyone but we decided it would be better just to plan it far enough in advance to give people a chance to get the day off or make the plans they needed to make and whoever wanted to be there could be there. Everyone caught some fish, many caught their first smallmouths, and we had some good eats afterwards.

I caught one that was 7lbs like that several years ago. It was skinny and seemed to have difficulty swimming but it must have been doing well enough.

Carp will leave a bubble trail when they stir up vegetation that has trapped gas bubbles coming from the bottom of the lake. It could be a big softshell turtle, they swim surprisingly fast and will leave a bubble trail just like a snapper. If I was guessing I'd guess a carp or maybe a big catfish.

We had a small get together for the KC area guys about a month ago and had a really good time. We had a little bragging rights tourny and grilled some food afterwards. It was a lot of fun (minus one hook to the hand that required an ER visit).

The wonder bar works surprisingly well but toothpaste is very effective also. Dishsoap and mechanics soap work well also. Lemon and lime juice work but they'll also find every cut or poke you got during your day on the water

Deadsticking plastics and other baits is a popular way to catch sluggish or finicky bass for those who have the patience. I'm sure lots of guys on here have gotten a backlash and been picking it and suddenly noticed their line moving off or had a fish start pulling.

Doesn't matter how many times I see that picture it makes a little sick to my stomach.

Jig in stained water or where there's big fish shakeyhead rigged trick worm in clear water

I pour my own with a big, flashy blade that has tons of vibrations and put a football head on it, I think it balances and swims better with the football head. Plus I put a long, very sharp Mustad hook on it that sticks them and holds them. Total costs to build one in about $1.75 or $2 because I get my lead for free My biggest bass this year was on one of my black and blue homemade chatterbaits.

I never have understood that thought process. You didn't want it to end up on someone else's wall so you kept it for your own? Replicas cost about the same as a skin mount and last a lot longer. It's just if you don't put the big ones back they'll never have a chance to get to full potential. Not trying to rain on your parade, just something to think about next time a big fish comes knocking. Get the measurements and pictures if you want a replica and put her back so maybe you can catch her again when she's even bigger!

Those are about an average days number for me but I still experience that midday lull. Most of them are caught early and late but I usually fish through the tough times because you can't catch them if you're not fishing!

Man that is a monster redear. I'd love to catch one of those beasts but they just don't get that big around here, 11" is about as big as I've ever seen in our lakes.