RoLo

I always tie direct to the line-eye, because split-rings and snaps can pick-up weeds. However, if a split-ring is included with the lure, I'll tie direct to the split-ring. If the manufacturer includes a split-ring, the odds are high that they have a good reason. The cost of one split-ring is negligible, but the cost of a hundred thousand split-rings gets into real money. Roger

Somehow I missed this thread. Anyway, a trip to the Hudson Canyon is a Big Deal, so if you weren't totally prepared, the cancellation may be a blessing in disguise. Off the Jersey coast, there's usually a nice run of football bluefins in September. But if yellowfin tuna was your target, the best is yet to come, as they usually peak around mid October. So if you really wanted to go this year, you may still be able to book a trip out of Manasquan, Highlands or Atlantic Highlands. In any case, it's typically "stand-up" fishing on the charter boats using a gimbal belt, shoulder harness and lots of muscle potassium. During a good year the charter boats will only have to go to Monster Ledge, which is barely halfway to the Hudson Canyon, otherwise it's about a 90-mile trip to the Canyon. Tuna never really quit fighting, but swim in ever decreasing circles right up to the boat. The best way to get in shape for tuna is with a half-dozen charter trips for jumbo blues Roger

It goes without saying, if you're serious about learning ANY lure, you'll need to spend 'many days' perfecting your presentation. However, I don't believe it's necessary to limit yourself to one lure all day long, that can be dangerous. If the lure in question happens to be ineffective on that day (happens often), you may end up despising that lure, which only defeats the purpose. Experimentation is the most enjoyable phase of my fishing day, so I have absolutely no problem sticking to the same lure all day long -OR- putting that project on hold for a more suitable day. It's not something you're going to pick up in one day anyway. By now of course, I've been around Robin's barn with all the lures, yet I still learn new things practically every day on the water. Roger

Now that you brought it up, among the ten categories of topwater lures, I too rank buzzbaits and propbaits on the bottom, but openly confess that buzzbaits are a joy to fish Roger

I think she tried to beat the drawbridge, and didn't make it All kidding aside, kudos to a nice catch, I'll bet she gave you a good tussle. Roger

I've also seen instances where an outing report was posted to the outings forum as well as the regional forum, but that's tough on bandwidth. Roger

An unabridged answer to that question would fill a book. Very basically speaking, a good place to begin is by first accessing the "surface turbulence", then select a topwater lure that produces somewhat greater "lure commotion". If the lure produces equal or lesser commotion than wind turbulence, bass will have great difficulty homing in. Conversely, on a flat slick surface, a topwater lure that sends out tiny ripples will normally be enough. There are ten categories of topwater lures, but a surface lure that 'advances steadily' and one that's worked 'stop-&-go' will handle most situations. (At night of course, you'd always want maximal sound) Roger

The "Johnson Silver Minnow" is a great all-around fish-catcher, but it sure don't float. The hook is safer around children than the hooks on most lures, and the lure is VERY weedless. The 1/4oz X 2-1/4" spoon will take pickerel, bass & large panfish, but the 1/8oz spoon would be best for panfishing. Roger

The Ribbit, which is a "solid toad", generally offers better hook-ups than a "hollow frog". I have to wonder if there are any gar in your waters (Florida is loaded with them). If you're dealing with gar, even a delayed hook-set won't improve your hook-up ratio. Roger

WOW, Speedy really hammered the smallies! Can I assume he was fishing the tailwaters of Pickwick? BTW: I'll be looking forward to that link. Roger

I would exchange the new Fireline computer for a new Thinkmate ;D Roger

Russ, I wasn't sure what "greenie" means, so I looked it up and found several meanings: a) A member of the Green Party An environmentalist c) Computer slang for 'newbie' d) A Pot Smoker Well I'll be darned...that makes me one of the Greenies that misses you ;D Glad to hear from you buddy and hope that all is well. Roger

The short answer is: I don't know. My best guess though would be Bladderwort, but it's tough to say without a defined image. If it is bladderwort, the filament-like foliage would be interspersed with translucent jelly-like globes (carnivorous bladders): URL> http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Uk_pond_bladderwort.jpg Roger

If redbreasts are said to spawn during June in Virginia, that would pretty much coincide with bluegills. Actually, bluegills spawn several times during the bedding season, probably throughout July in Virginia. Redbreast sunfish are said to eat invertebrates, so that shouldn't cause any problem with redears which eat mollusks. Bluegills and redbreasts however, do have a similar diet, but the redbreasts would most likely gravitate to the feeder creek. As for tilapia, I don't know if their range extends to Virginia, but in many lakes here in Florida, tilapia, redear and bluegills all coexist well together (ex redbreasts). With regard to the redbreast's chance of survival, I would ask the Fish Hatchery that question. If the pond has an ample rate of water exchange it just might support redbreast sunnies. In any event, I wish you the best of luck, that's a very kool project. Roger

I realize that photos can be deceiving, but to me she looks like an honest "7" Congratulations on a Great Catch! Roger

Humph...I'll have to give that a try

I thought I destroyed all the old photos of my first boat.

Favorite lures will vary from season-to-season but they also vary according to geographic latitude. For instance, fall fishing in central Florida is very different from what we knew in New Jersey, so the key is flexibility. Today (September 26), mom & I fished down the afternoon and witnessed a massive mayfly hatch and oppressive heat. Although shad is the traditional focus during fall, our most productive lure by far was the Gambler 8" Flapp'n Tail worm. Ironically, we fished many baitfish imitators including the Spro Aruku Shad, Bandit 100, Berkley Hollow Belly Swimbait and Huddleston Weedless Trout. This is not an anomaly, and even during topwater activity, the worm profile will commonly outproduce the baitfish profile. Stay flexible. Roger

I think I get the joke -coontail doesn't root? Or did I mis-ID -again! Nice to have you on board to keep me on my toes Roger. It's coontail as you stated Paul, but every time I see a lush bed of that stuff, I find it hard to imagine that it doesn't produce a true root system (certainly no "taproot"). After a bad windstorm, a coontail bed may possibly be relocated Roger

Amen to that Roger

The last time I caught redbreast sunfish, was in the Delaware River between Jersey and Pennsy. They eagerly struck topwater lures meant for bass...I miss those gutsy buggers. I personally would not transplant them to any pond, because the redbreast sunfish is basically a stream fish. Unlike largemouth bass, they won't make it in a landlocked bass pond because they have a high dissolved oxygen requirement. On balance, if the pond isn't suited for smallmouth bass, the redbreast sunfish will have little chance. Roger

From what you've described, it sounds like you're dealing with a lonely old man. He doesn't seem to mind if you guys fish the pond, as long as he gets the opportunity to talk to someone. If it were me, I'd be nice to the fellow, not only would it cost you nothing, but you can only benefit in the long run. Roger

Wow, another comprehensive report. Boy, that's an all too common scenario...a pond with high trophy potential that's characterized by slow fishing. I remember catching a similar catfish (7lbs even), and can appreciate both the fight it put up and the disappointment that only a target angler would feel. Hey, how can you be sure that's coontail without having the taproot in your hand (okay, bad joke) ;D Roger

During a rising pool level, bass are forced to change their location in order to maintain the same depth range. For example, if bass were found 6 to 10 ft below the surface before the lake level rose, they will still be 6 to 10 ft below the surface, but far more scattered. Similar to the spokes of a wheel, as you move outward from the axle, the diameter of the 6 to 10 ft depth zone will involve more and more perimeter real estate. Roger

Actually, those soft suction strikes are very common when a lure is worked in place on a slick surface. What I'm wondering though, is whether the battery is included? ;D Roger