RoLo

Roger

Congratulations Chris, your one amazing trophy hunter Roger

No I didn't, but that doesn't mean there's none there now.

I only use buzzbaits in a light chop (i.e. heavy ripple). If anyone knows of a buzzbait that is LOUDER than a Booyah Buzz would you please post it here on the forum...TIA Roger

PM sent. Roger

It's funny, but when I'm fishing I have only one thing on my mind, and do very little eating. We used to bring fried chicken along but I got tired of trying to hold the rod with greasy hands. I don't bother with any hard snacks, but usually sip on a can of diet coke, sprite or rip it. Nowadays Lois just prepares sandwiches which I'll quickly gulp down, but only when I'm running on empty. When we vacationed in Ontario in 2006, to my surprise I had lost 10 lbs in one week, simply because I refused to lay the rod down until I was overcome by hunger Roger

It would be a stretch to say that I have "secret" lakes, but I do have numerous secret spots (I would imagine that everyone does). Though far from secret, there are a few under-exploited waters that I hold as personal favorites. Although I normally spill my guts, there are a few waters and a few hotspots that I hesitate to tout (Is that bad when that happens?) Roger

Water temperature only matters if you plan on swimming

I've never fished Green River Lake so I cannot offer any advice on the bass fishing there. As an FYI, Green River Lake and Cave Run Lake both support a healthy fishery for muskellunge (I'm still contemplating a musky trip there). Roger

Stick to what you're doing, but remain flexible (open to learning). Unless you're actually fishing beds, there's really no need to look for bass, in fact, most bass that you can see, can also see you. Lost stash?? Roger

Bob Lusk, that's a very interesting and informative post. When I lived in northern Georgia I had my own backyard pond that I stocked with bass I caught locally. Very much as you described, those northern-strain bass were unbelievably voracious creatures. My tiny pond was self-sufficient, but for my own selfish enjoyment I'd occasionally feed them store-bought minnows. I transported the shiners in a clear plastic oxygenated bag. The water-filled bag was heavy so I normally laid it down in a few inches of water while supporting the bag with one hand. On this particular day, one of the bass in my pond obviously saw the minnows through the clear plastic bag. You guessed it, he walloped that bag with such force that it busted the bag wide-open freeing all minnows at once. In a matter of moments there wasn't a minnow in sight. By the way, the bass that blew up on the bag actually caused my thumb to bleed, so I guess that makes it my most intimate moment with a northern-strain bass : Roger

I feel your pain Warmer, and the story is the same on my home lake too (Walk-In-Water) :'( Though I haven't seen any published agenda for the state's aggressive spray program, this is my theory. The FWC is accustomed to losing the battle against hydrilla. Although hydrilla is a godsend to the bass angler, it can be a horror show for boating. They know full well that once hydrilla exceeds about 60% of the lake's area, spraying is ultimately a losing battle. Even though it may be taxpayer money down the drain, the FWC is nonetheless pressured by landowners, marinas and local businesses to "attempt" to control hydrilla. Enter the hurricane-trio of 2004, and Big Mama does the job that the FWC can only dream about. Mother Nature literally tore megatons of plant life out of the bottom of the lakes, "root system" and all! During the hurricanes of 2004 (especially Charlie), tall swells weighted by tons of plant life rolled over the lakes like serial rows of churning paddlewheelers. Friends and lakefront residents described to me how rafts of coots and gallinules took refuge under the docks. To no avail, they were sucked out into the towering rollers of churning hydrilla that crushed them to death, along with docks, boats, pilings and piers. You can still see our Walden Shores pier laying in the cattails (since replaced by a new one). After the hurricanes of 2004, I couldn't understand why it was taking the hydrilla so long to resurge, then I finally woke up. In my opinion, the FWC views today's spray program as money well spent, and the proof is in the pudding. After all, here we are 3-1/2 years after the hurricane-trio and the FWC is still well ahead of the curve on hydrilla control (less Toho). Anyway, that's my theory Roger

WRB we share the same opinion, that is: northern-strain bass are more aggressive feeders than the Florida-strain snobs. The statistics you quoted are remarkable but nonetheless credible: Quote> Studies have proven that the NLMB catch rate per man hour is about 3 to 1 when compared to FLMB. Fishizzle, I totally agree. A cold-front in Florida is a real party-pooper, and it sometimes lasts for days. On the flipside, when I lived in New Jersey we were usually able to muster a couple of runts after a cold front as far north as the French River district of Georgian Bay, Lake Huron (Ontario, Canada). Mother Nature apparently designed the Florida-strain bass to withstand hot water, while designing the northern-strain to tolerate cold water. Roger

Thanks for your replies fellows, I really enjoyed reading them. Raul made a point that I hadn't considered. Mexico has both northern-strain and Florida-strain bass 8-) Fish Chris (incorrigible trophy hunter) doesn't consider any bass under 10 lbs a "catch", therefore Florida-strain bass are easier to catch ;D (Chris, she isn't purty, she's beauuuuutiful) Roger

> Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap > Spro Aruku Shad and now I suppose I'm obligated to try the Strike King Red Eye Shad : : When will this endless trail of tackle ever end? Roger

Thanks for the info Rolo! Chances are, your right and the FWC is wrong, but, the article says Jeffrey Smith. I'll be darned, it makes you wonder if he isn't the son or brother of Steve Smith :-?

This catch was no doubt authentic and no doubt taken from world-famous Orange Grove Pond, Bartow, Florida. I didn't see any name attached to this catch, but I wouldn't be surprised if were world-renowned Steve Smith. For reasons unknown to me, the IGFA has recognized bass caught in Florida that exceed the Florida state record! Below is a list of IGFA approved largemouth bass caught in Orange Grove Pond, Bartow by Steve Smith. Smith, Steve, 17 lb 8 oz, Orange Grove Lake, Bartow, FL Smith, Steve, 17 lb 4 oz, Orange Grove Lake, Bartow, FL Smith, Steve, 16 lb 9 oz, Orange Grove Lake, Bartow, FL Smith, Steve, 15 lb 4 oz, Orange Grove Lake, FL., USA Smith, Steve, 14 lb 6 oz, Orange Grove Lake, FL., USA Smith, Steve, 11 lb 4 oz, Orange Grove Lake, FL., USA Other double-digit bass boated by Steve, where he didn't specify Orange Grove Lake, but it's a pretty safe bet Smith, Steve, 15 lb 6 oz, Polk County, FL., USA Smith, Steve, 15 lb 6 oz, Polk County, FL., USA Smith, Steve, 15 lb 4 oz, Polk County, FL. USA Smith, Steve, 15 lb 2 oz, Polk County, Florida, USA Smith, Steve, 15 lb 1 oz, Polk County, FL. USA Smith, Steve, 15 lb, Polk County, FL. USA Smith, Steve, 14 lb, Polk County, FL. USA Smith, Steve, 13 lb 11 oz, Polk County, FL. USA Smith, Steve, 13 lb, Polk County, Florida, USA Smith, Steve, 12 lb 12 oz, Polk County, FL. USA Smith, Steve, 11 lb 12 oz, Polk County, Florida, USA Smith, Steve, 11 lb 4 oz, Polk County, Florida, USA Roger

I usually take along 6 or 7 rigged outfits (for the wife & myself), still I'm always stumped as to which lure to cut-off during a lure change. That said, I'll tie any lure to any available outfit, regardless of the line on the spool (almost always braid). Of course, tournament marketers would like to turn us all into tackle junkies, which in fact they have. But in reality, any lure can be fished on any line, to me at least that's just part of the art of angling. Roger

> Green Pumpkin (Bass like it best) > Texas Craw (I like it best)

Having lived in New Jersey, Georgia and Florida, I've been fortunate in being exposed to both northern-strain and Florida-strain bass. It has always been my opinion at least, that Florida-strain bass are moody Prima Donnas compared to the more aggressive northern-strain bass. Well, at least one northerner who feels the same is Kevin Vandam, and I laughed to myself when I read Kevin's comments. After 18 years, he finally broke his mental block and made his first win in Florida. This is a partial quote from Kevin, published on the Net: I'd be real interested in hearing the opinions of other members on this, who've been exposed to both northern-strain and Florida-strain bass. Roger

Veddy Intedesting 8-) Roger

You're absolutely right, but you're making banana breath Very Angry ;D I'm sure most of us are old enough to remember the "rat". It was obviously named by some city slicker because it looked more like a dead mouse with whiskers. Anyway, it won on Guntersville and made a Big Splash (don't excuse the pun) : Roger

That wasn't my opinion. Quote> "According to a line study conducted by TackleTour" URL> http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfluorocarbon2.html URL> http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfluorocarbontest.html As for my opinion, I dislike all fluorocarbon line no matter what name is on the box. I even stopped using fluorocarbon leaders. Searching for fluorocarbon that behaves the least like fluorocarbon, sends a pretty clear message. Roger

There's more there than meets the eye, and I totally agree. There are two opposing theories why this is so: 1) The additional action of soft-plastic is intimidating to bass with a coldwater metabolism. 2) Soft plastics become a little stiffer in coldwater and lose most of their action. Russ, I'd be interested in hearing your take on this. Roger

12lb 3oz Roger