Peter E.

jamaddox, personally I would be more worried about those redfish and flounder than the cats...

Well in that case I would say that even though the mercury hasn't killed you lead poisoning will every time... I eat the fish in my river and there is a paper mill up stream. That is the first perch I have ever seen. We don't have them down here.

Tennessee like all of the South East provides a plethora of great fishing, RW pointed out a variety of fish that are there to be caught now the catching is up to you . Tell us how it goes Big C

thats some wild stuff where did you catch those little devils?

I really have no credible explination and the only ictheologist at the college here retired this year but one explination for the ble color may have been due to blood circulation, not in that the limbs were turning blue due to lack of blood flow (which is possible) but perhaps the pigments in the skin of the fish were not receiving adequate nutrients. Of course it could be due to Aliens :-?

Well we all agree that these bigg bass are more dominant, well think on this a sec, Now a study was done a while back and they had a write up about it in BassMasters and I think it may have even been batted around on this site. Big Bass get to where they get set in their ways and begin to preffer certain prey to others. I reckon its about like you and I they like what they like, I will attack oysters over a steak while ya'll might throw out the oysters and opt. for the steak, Savvy? Those bass will not hesitate to knock those younger fish out of the way to get to that preffered prey. Avid put it best, they are not going to allow the smaller fish to eat that preffered Cuisine. That is how they got big in the first place being aggressively territorial and a voracious eater. That is why they break from schools, to cut down on comp. Once they set up that home range they will do a number on intruders. Although I have seen some blue gill do a number on them. As far as dominate and aggressive, my dream fish is a five pound bream!

Big Ahmen to Avid here in the South we live for winter, it offers the biggest fish and ice is never an issue. So I really am out of the running as far this talk goes, it isn't an issue here.

I would say that that is a great idea! I use sailing suits. It is easy to move in them and they are made for water, you can check your local West Marine and/or Boaters' World for them. Those things are tops! I would like to add that as soon as temps start to drop that it is imparative for all of us to take care of ourselves. Luckily I live in LA (lower Alabama) so these things aren't ussually a big deal. Sometimes they are though and I know alot of guys on this forum know what it is to fall in the water on an ice cold day.

You know Catt that is a great question and it is up for debate in alot of circles. Doug Hannon, who as you know, is one of if not the leading expert in big bass. His stand on the matter, and I agree, is that the biggest fish in the system are the most aggresive. He contends that those fish had to be in order to reach such size. He also contends that for this reason these large fish are the first to be caught in an area when man is introduced because of their aggressive tendencies. It is because of this that these fish are so few in number. This is what makes most fishermen beleive that these fish are shy and elusive. This is why he says that fishermen need to seek out secluded places with certain conditions to catch the biggest fish. Peter

Catt, I couldn't agree more. Keep in mind what Catt has just said there Laggyman, it is not about the myriad of thechniques you use but how you use those techniques! That is so key to fishing success! Knowing the correct way to use a technique and then putting it into practice until you are an expert at its useage. In FLP formula that I have been preaching it is not about knowing some secrete technique, but instead knowing when to use techniques that you are proficent at. The best lure in your tackle box is between the ears! Get to know the fish and then learn when to use those techniques you hav mastered. I know some guys that catch plenty of bass and only use two techniques.

Ahmen to Catt and LBH, they are spot on! Think of this here is a bit of the f in the FLP. F- as the water cools it slows the fishes metabolism. Bass are cold blooded and as things like cold go that means that the colder the water the less movement. They will relate much more heavily to the bottom of the lake because it is les trouble for them to do this than it is for them to fill their air bladder and suspend. It is al part of the Calender period of a fishes year. Once water temps drop below 50 degrees they begin to become lethargic and will relate to bottom cover and structure. They will still take horizontal presentations but are more likely to take it if you can keep it slow. Imagine having a cold, if its too much trouble to do something you don't do it! P- One of the ways that you can keep a slow presentation and maintain constant bottom control is with a carolina rig. There is a great write up about this technique on this site. I would suggest a floating soft plastic when usin this pres. but thats just me. Oh and try a drop shot it might be a hot pattern we didn't think of. When you asked if bass would avoid a wild shakey fast presentation the answer is that it depends. If the fish is shallow sunning in the flats then go for it! Also remember that these types of lures (cranks, spinners, chatterbaits and buzz baits) are generally used as reaction baits. My father can work a deep diver slower than most guys do a worm and it works for him. If you want to try throwing a deep diver and when it makes the bottom contact stop the lure and let it sit, then reel until you make bottom contact, and let it sit, do this for your entire retrieve. This is one of those great family secretes so enjoy! Oh and this works for floaters and suspending baits, try both to see what they like the best. L- Know the lake make up to find where these fish are holding, and what the water temp is and how it affects the fishes behavior. Good luck, and go get em'!

What do Southern girls think of gators and snakes? well not much really, or at least not that I have seen. My gf is a real trooper, she'll wade snake infested creeks, fish all day long, and would rather tie her own knots and take her own fish off the hook! She is also hella competitive! She is alot like Pond Hopper's girl, her motto is the bigger the better! It really started when she figured out I was going to fish at least twice a week. She asked me if I would teach her to fish, I raised an eyebrow and asked her why she wanted to learn, she said that it was either that or get left behind! I told her to grab a spinning reel and come on. She loved the scenery on those secluded creeks and all the critters running around. Before you knew it she had caught her first bass, about a 1 1/2 pund spot and she decided that fishing was rather fun and that we should do it more. When we go to Academy Sports or Dick's she goes through the fishing section slowly and carefully, she'll tell me about how she thinks it will work because of how something worked the last time we went fishing. So yessir I know that I'm a lucky fellow, and I entend to hold on to her, but I agree with some that sometimes those fishing trps need to be for the boys if you will such things are good for the relationship, time seperate to regroup and revamp. As a matter of fact she and i are heading fishing tommorrow, I am sure to enjoy it!

Laggy you have my complete agreement! And if it looks realistic (but most likely won't work) and for some reason Frogs seem to attract their attention... But once they start to enjoy fishing the biggest hurdle for me is stressing a firm hook set, without becoming irrate. And my favorite, if they end up killing a fish, don't call her a murderer (my mistake, thought it was funny though). Simple reels are a big pluss and shorter rods too. But I stress don't skimp on quality, they pick up on that stuff fast. Don't exclude them from a day with the boys for any reason, she most likely is learning to fish so that she feels more accepted by you and your friends. And I am in complete agreement when they say take pictures (develope them quickly), and lavish praise! It is a great guide you found bud. But that other hooby junk, well, who said this was a hobby... Obessesion maybe, hobby, never!

The secrete to knowing rather or not to try to use large or small baits is a matter of knowing your fish, and your lake. These are two of the most important parts of the FLP formula. Know your fish! What is it that these fish have done in the past in simular conditions? What do these bass do with water temps like those you are faced with? How do the bass react to water clarity like those you are faced with? Know your location! What types of forage do these areas provide? What is the class fish in that lake? What types of cover are available? And one of the most important, what is the water clarity? THESE TWO PARTS OF THE FLP FORMULA GO HAND IN HAND! Also these two parts will determine your Presentation. F(fish, or what you know about the fish) L(location, what you know about the location) P(presentation, how you match your presentaion to the fish and its location) F+L+P=Success! Oh and as a rule of thumb, clear water, go small; dark water, go big! Got it? OK go catch us some fish! Peter

Well yes there is a chance that you will be able to catch more than one fish in an area. Even when bass scatter in transitional periods they still form schools, all be it small ones. If you tried deep divng crank baits on the drop offs with no results, then you might switch to a slow dead sticking pattern with a soft plastic. I would go with a very bulky bait, for two reasons, first off the fish may be starting to really slow down and take on their winter patterns. This will start the fish to taking only the larger baits as a rule of thumb, because they aren't as likely to take small baits because the mount of energy they would have to exert. In other words if they are going to bother to move to take prey they are going to prefer larger prey because it is more bang for the buck! I would also suggest a large single spin colorado bladed spinner bait that you can slow roll on the flats and helicopter on the drop offs. Try slow movig large jigs. These are also very productive. And since you have no electronics, use a carolina rig in new areas since it keeps bottom contact the entire time it is fished. There are signs of creek channels such as old trees that are still standing, look for the cove or bay that may have been created. Remember that since the Co2 levels in the dying weeds are up to go to where the weeds are green. Also in a clutch try the shallow areas with a sand or rock bottom, bass will sometimes move to those locations in order to sun. The are also ussually actively feeding, but beware they are easily spooked! Apply the FLP formula to the situation, buy a pool thermometer and see what the water tem is that day, suspend it on some twine about two feet beow the surface for the best reading. Remember that water will act as insulation the deeper you go down. The pool thermometer is to see what temp the bass are living in this will determine their actions. Read up on this topic, I would say it would be easy to find on the net. That is the F section. L- examine your lake, draw a map, buy one, what ever and learn how the bottom contour works. Understand the structure and bottom content. How do these things effect bass behavior. Bass will relate differentl to wood than they do weed or rocks. P- match a presentation that best fits the situation you are faced with. F+L+P= Success Here is a basic fall pattern that bass world wide relate to. Fish will move from the depths to the flats as they day progresses. Try slow moving jigs and carolina rigs during mid day and the spinners and cranks about mid afternoon and spend the evening in the shallows. Remember keep it slow! Have fun and take it easy, oh and do take a bud, new ideas and good company are always good, and it makes the trip safer. Peter

Well keep in mind first safety of course but knowing all young men that is not very high in your priority list. Look for creek channels and also the deep weed edges. Here is a rule for finding those, in a dark lake weed only grow to about 8 feet, mid clarity 12 and in clear water 18-20. As the shallow weeds start to die off they cease to make oxygen and instead produce CO2. This will push bass into deeper water. During this time of the year try shad looking baits and a horizontal approach. Bass are on their fall feeding binges and will be getting it on by now. When this doesn't work try slow presentations and especailly a craolina rig. It forces you to slow down. And if all else fails dead stick em'. This site has more than enough pages on those techniques but get a temp on the water of the lake you are fishing and I will give you a good heads up on my solution. Tell you what just apply the FLP pformula to it and you are set! Peter

I took my girl friend fishing at a lake by the house a couple of weeks ago and she reeled in a 4 incher on a mann's minus 1. The tremle hook wne through the brain and killed the fish. She loves to fish but is big on the idea of catch and release (one of my prouder accomplishments!) and she felt horrible for the rest of the day. Of course me calling her a murder didn't help much . I like to fly fish for blue gill so my smallest bass isn't even worth pondering over. I just kiss em' and let em' swim, no matter what their size.

MudCatWilly, Sir, in regards to your question on what you can do to break your slump, I would like to inquire as to your knowledge of the FLP formula. Nearly all of the older and more experienced anglers can inform you about the Flp formula. I would like to say that sinve I started using it I have seen my catch rate improve dramatically! I am firm in the beleif that all begining fishermen should have a firm understanding of the FLP formula because no matter how many lure you have, or how many techniques you may be familiar with, all of it is hit and mis until you apply the FLP formula to it. Within the past two years it has become so second nature to me that I do not any longer have to break dow the fishing situations I am faced with to find the best solution. If you don't mind I'll break it down and try to explain the way that the FLP formula is broken down. It goes like this: F+L+P= Success! F- stands for the Fish, L- stands for the Location, P- stands for the Presentation! What this does is it allows you to take what you know about the fish and its enviroment and then how to best fit your presentation to the factors forementioned. Try to break it down like you would the Pythagerian formula. But try it like this; F- what do you know about the bass? What are the basic behavioral paterns of the fish? Every bass, no matter where on earth it is will handle situations in a certain way. That's instincts for you. L- What do you know about the location you are fishing? Waht is the depth? Vegetation, structure, and water clarity? Also look at the past week and see what the weather patens have been, examine the barometric pressure and the moon phase. P- Now match a presentation that will best fit the location and mood of that fish. The best tool you have at your disposal for catching fish is between your ears! So if you would do just that tell us about the location and the weather trend for the past week and then we can give you are really good answer to how to break you out of Your SLUMP! Peter

To be honest when I fish in a storm I say to my self, "self what are you doing? is that a graphite rod in your hands?" I answer myself saying yessir I ask myself, "self is that line still in the water?" I answer my self saying yessir. I ask myself, "self are you still standing in that aluminum john boat?" I answer myself saying yessir I ask myself, "self have you seen the Caddy Shack?" I answer myself saying yessir. I ask myself, "self, Do yo want to end up like the preacher?" Now by about this point I take myself to the bank until things cool down a bit. Besides if I try to argue with myself I always lose!

I am lucky in the fact that when I fish out of a Kayak it has been provided by a freind of mine that has already tried many types of kayaks out. His have the anchor reels in the front and back and the whole nine yards, so for me it has always been a great experience. He and I went after some stripes and hybrids in the Alabama river about a month ago and since then I can think of no more fun way to catch a big fish in open water. When we fished in a small river I hooked a good size spot, say four pounds and it pulled me in the brush pile with him! Once you get used to working the boat while you fight the fish it is fun. MY only thing is that I like to stand when I fish.

I second that opinion.

If I was talking about my favorite fishing I would want a john boat and a swampy old creek full of cypress and blck gums. Trust me in places like that, the fish are always there. But if we were talking about dream fishing then well I have two words: Kayak and Tarpon

Well bud if I were to really tell someone what a basses strike zone was I would agree with KenDamnit28's statement on what it generally is. But to really give you a better understanding of what can change a strike zone I guess I would break it down into two categories one that describes what will lengthen a strike zone and what would reduce a strike Zone. Expand: good water clarity low barometric pressure overhead cloud cover changes in the bass' year (such as it relates to the pre-spawn or fall feeding binge) Sunlight shining to the rear of the fish so that its structure shades it smaller amount of available cover Reduce: Poor water clarity high barometric pressure no overhead cloud cover changes in the bass' year (such as it relates to the post-spawn or transition periods) Sunlight shining on the fish so that its structure doesn't shade Larger amount of available cover Once you understand the strike zone of the fish you encounter you can more easily determine the most effective presentaion. Big strike zone go with a horizontal presentation, small strike zone vertical. Hope that helps, good fishing to ya, Peter

To be honest my freind I am not exactly sure what the bench marks are. I would say that it varies by degrees on each fish and by the area the fish inhabit. Say in areas that have strong current and have tide influences then it may not have the same affect. I would suggest having a barometer handy when you are fishing, and logging the pressure durring times of really good fishing and when it seems the fish have lock jaw. Longer term weather trends also could make the fish relate differently to the pressure. Sorry I don't have a more rock solid answer. I would hope if I were you that Raul or perhaps RoLo would scroll through. They most likely could give a better answer. Peter

Well windknot51 I can understand how you feel. And also I am not trying to change your point of veiw, but if you would think of it in these terms you might find those conditions more agreeable for fishing. Not for the challenge but for the sun. If that person were to keep all of the fish that they were to catch it would be a cardinal sin. But, so long as they follow the creel limits for their state i could not honestly fault someone for taking advantage of a situation that only cames along so often. For a catch and release angler that is just simply good fun. Though it is not the most challenging fishing situation it is still good fun fast fishing. To me we all really love those days where you can seemingly do no wrong on the water. Those moments are rare and can be a wonderland for any angler but especailly a novice. I always try to take any new and begining angler to a place where I am sure that they will walk away saying, wow that was great, and I can't wait to do that again. I have been fishing nearly 15 years and I love those days. There are times i love to go to a privately stocked pond and just catch fish till my thumbs are raw and my arms hurt! Though people like you and I derive our fullest enjoyment from the sport by having those days when conditions are at their worst and still being able to pull a good limit. Some folks have fun simply catching fish. Booger try the newly flooded cover close to a run off. Personally I would run buzz baits until I found an active school. Then slow down and really work a variety of lures until you can find at least 3 dependable presentaions and soak up the fishing bonanza i personally beleive will await you. Fish fast and cover water in those types of areas until you can establish a pattern for where the most active schools are and i wouldn't bother fishing any where other than those types of enviroments that have held the most active bass. Have fun, Peter