Bluebasser86

Check the walk in fishing atlas. There'sa few down south that would be options for you that you don't need the permit for.

Most Wal-Marts in Joco sell them, you can buy then at Kill Creek Park and Shawnee Mission park as well. There's lots of public ponds in Joco with lots of bluegills that you don't need a permit for though.

It's one of the biggest redear sunfish I've ever caught too. I usually just grabbed them and if I could barely get my haND around them, they were big enough.

Stick with it, I don't think color matters much, just have to actually use it when you get it.

Yes, I use a screwdriver meant for glasses.

Yeah, that wouldn't go well with the equipment the OP is using. I've seen a lot of broken lines and bent hooks using a traditional hookset with a Ned rig on braid. It works fine with mono or fluoro though because of the stretch.

I've never seen ones that were riveted, usually just small screws. If they really are riveted though, a pair of side cutters and a split ring will still allow you change out hooks.

Welcome and thank you for your service!

I've always felt that some bass are just inheritently easier to catch than others. I've known a few bass in bodies of water that I caught multiple times throughout their lifetime, usually in the same general area at the same times of year. Then I've seen big bass caught in small bodies of water that myself and others fished for years and never knew they were there.

If all you're wanting is to ID these fish, Some cheap 4 or 6lb mono, some small aberdeen hooks, maybe a small split shot or two, and catch a couple nightcrawlers or garden worms. Cut a willowly limb or small tree and tie about twice the length of line to the end of the stick. Add the hook, split shot, and worm, drop it next to the log and you'll find out pretty quickly what you have in there. If you're wanting something a little nicer than that, basically any light or ultralight combo out there will do what you're asking of it. Most combos will come prespooled with some line so one with 4 or 6 pound test would work fine. I'd get some small roostertails, 1/16oz probably. A cast or two through that pool should get you an answer. The live bait option will still be the cheapest and most effective way to find out what they are though.

A couple new challengers to this category, the Pflueger President and President XT. The XT is backordered for the foreseeable future so I'll have to wait awhile on that one. I got the President in hand, spooled, and fished for the first time yesterday. If it was any indication, it's going to be an awesome little reel.

Owner ST-36 for me.

I like a colorado blade in dirty water and colder water when I need to retrieve slower, or at night. Willow leaf I like in clearer water, when I want a faster retrieve, or when I want the bait to run deeper. Indiana is a good compromise of the two and the blade that I fish a majority of the time because it seems to work most of the time if they're eating a spinnerbait.

Straight braid unless you need the abrasion resistance. Braid that small is such thin diameter that it's hard to see as is.

Just like any other bait, the color matters when it matters. Sometimes they'll hit anything you throw, sometimes it has to be that certain color or they won't touch it. A baitfish or dark color is going to cover a good portion of your needs though.

http://www.bassresource.com/lake-management/ http://www.pondboss.com/

Perfect! Soon I'll be able to use my 12' surf rod to reach those pesky schoolers that want to keep coming up on the opposite side of the cove every time! I don't own a 10' bass rod and can't think of a reason why I would, but I don't care either way as far as them being allowed in the Elites.

I caught several with it at Wilson also. Still nothing over 3 pounds, but it's bound to happen. No doubt it's going to be a good WC swimmer and I'm sure the smallies at the 'Vern will like it too. I'm really hoping it looks like a big La Cygne gizzard shad this winter though.

When they're too big to use for bait Something like this.

Exactly, then get into local fish names and it really gets crazy. Here, a white perch is a white perch. Elsewhere if someone says that, they're talking about a crappie, or a crappy. Whereas others call them a "speck" (which is also another term for a speckled trout), and folks around @Catt probably call them a sac-a-lait. Us fishermen are a confusing bunch

Exactly why I suggested looking into pouring in my post. Same with the prices they ask for Ned rig heads, which go in a hurry if a person fishes that rig much. They're around $1 apiece as well, but cost me $.04 to pour. At that price, a person can much up the difference very quickly.

The options are only limited by your imagination.

Although I've caught much bigger, the one bass I have on the wall was 6 pounds. A long fight and hook in the gills did her in and I decided to get it mounted since it was my biggest at the time.

Never had a boat with them until my current boat. Now I'll never own another trailer without them. Looks very good.