RoLo

Technically, lizards are land animals rather than aquatic creatures. If a lizard falls out of a tree it's capable of swimming on the surface, but they can't swim underwater (Salamanders, YES) Most creatures that are seized by bedding bass don't end up in their stomachs. More often, the intruder will be ushered outside the nesting territory, then ejected. This is why many bed-fisherman use small lures, so the bass don't carry the critter by the tail and avoid the hook. Roger

Spro Aruku Shad 75 (5/8 oz x 3.0") Roger

Line density is only significant when you compare the buoyancy of lines with 'nothing' attached. Once you attach a lure, water resistance moves center-stage, and the line with the finer diameter offers the deeper running lure (i.e. braid). Roger

The shoreline and an offshore breakline are often totally unrelated. That said, there's really no specific rule to follow regarding your line-of-retrieve. Naturally, retrieving the lure 'upslope' is going to follow bottom contour the best. However, when you know the holding depth of fish, retrieves that run parallel to the breakline will spend more time in the strike window. Roger

Bass locked on a bed are usually fasting, and not interested in food. In my opinion, if there's any secret to catching bedding bass it's not so much the lure itself, but your delivery technique. There's usually a hot spot in every bed, where trespass raises the hackles of parent bass. 'Any' drop-shot lure dangling over or laying on the hot button is going to provoke parental concern. Roger

My sonar/GPS unit is powered 'on' at the ramp, and runs nonstop until it's powered 'down' at the ramp. My gut feel is that fish are not disturbed by radio waves, but since I have no way to confirm that belief, I remain open to any new findings. Without a doubt, there are situations when excess surface disturbance will alarm bass, but I've always believed that the larger the bass, the less likely that it’ll be alarmed, and the more likely it will be intrigued. Lunker bass harvest many solid meals from the water surface, which might explain why buzzbaits, spooks & hollow frogs are all noted for wall-hangers. It's well-known that northern pike, muskies, tuna & mackerel are all attracted to the whitewater wake of a boat. When trolling for mackerel & tuna, most of our best action on flat lines came from lures riding the 3rd wave. Roger

I've owned several rod brands in the same price range, but in my personal experience the GL2 brings up the rear. Roger

Warn me the next time, so I can fetch my sunglasses

With respect to casting lightweight lures, A topshot of 10-lb braid has a line diameter equivalent to 2-lb nylon mono. Howya gonna beat that? Roger

Not a bad start

Pure braided polyethylene

The largest commercial solid toad I'm aware of is Manns Hardnose Swim Toad, but that's only 5" long. As stated above, it's most likely a custom pour. Roger

When someone is catching bass at the same time & place that you are not, that offers a learning opportunity. Watch the successful angler very closely. It's not enough to tie on the same lure, you also need to watch where he or she is placing their casts, how long they pause on the bottom, the speed and cadence of their retrieve, and so on. Frankly, it's the skunks and slumps that amplify the challenge, the stuff that keeps us coming back for more. Good Luck Roger

Bingo!

I use braided line without any leader. BUT, I use a big red hook to distract the bass's attention away from the terminal snap, clevis, fiber weedguard, double rattlebox & fishing line. Seems to work All kidding aside, would a shad be safe if a length of braided line got wrapped around its gill cover? I sure wouldn't want to be that shad. Roger

That can't be answered without knowing the plant structure, current weather conditions & water clarity. Roger

Welcome Aboard Looks like your chunk was very busy nest-sweeping Roger

In-line spinners are generally considered more productive than overhead spinners, but the choice between the two is highly subjective. In any case, since you're a bank fisherman I would definitely go with a safety-pin spinner, because they're typically more weedless. Also, with safety-pin spinners you always have a choice between single blades and tandem blades, and your choice between willow-leaf, Indiana or Colorado blades (vibration or flash). Roger

I'm guessing someone spiked their Pablum with angel dust

I enjoy all genres of music: ROCK (Fleetwood Mac -70s) POP (Whitney Houston - 80s) FUNK (Prince - 80s) R&B (Alicia Keys) COUNTRY (Carrie Underwood) ROCKABILLY (Roy Orbison - 60s) Roger

Aluminum Hull: Lund Fiberglass Hull: Phoenix

On balance, a well-proportioned 21-inch largemouth bass will weigh 5 pounds. Your fish is well-proportioned and not obese, so I'd guess 5 lb 1 oz. Roger

Q: What's the best way to stop milk from turning sour? A: Keep it in the cow

Over the past few years alone, the cormorant population in Florida has exploded multifold. It's not the bird's fault that it was born a cormorant, but as Glenn pointed out, they're unfortunately impacting the forage base in many major lakes. In Le Cheneaux Islands, Lake Michgan, cormorants took the rap for the collapsed yellow perch fishery. About a month ago, Lois & I were fishing in Lake Eloise, Florida (former home of Cypress Gardens). There were several hundred cormorants perched along the shoreline trees. Determined to fish the cypress knees, I placed the Triton directly underneath the black mass of feathers. Well, that was a mistake, because Lois & I got mass bombarded. The next day we spent an hour cleaning cormorant droppings off the boat :-(( Roger

I believe you, no need for a photo ID A 7-3/4-lb bass from North Carolina is nothing short of astounding! Roger