RoLo

Shimano Symetre, you won't be sorry. Roger

Although Christmas trees are readily available and free of charge, their effective lifespan can be very disappointing. While the trunks will last for a few years, the foliage (needles) wastes away at a fairly rapid rate. I really don't believe that Xmas-tree reefs are worth the effort, and hauling coniferous trees in a boat IS a major project. On the other hand, manmade reefs of Cinder Blocks and 4 Slotted Corrugated Pipe (from Lowes) will last indefinitely. The possible configurations are limited only by your imagination, I've seen some pretty clever designs (hidey holes). To get the best return for your effort, situate the reef on the ledge of a drop-off. Depending on the lake involved, the depth of the reef is critical, and the impact of drought must be factored into the placement depth. Roger

To me, the flavor of striped bass is very similar to gray weakfish. I've eaten so much striper flesh, I'm surprised I don't have chestnut-colored stripes running down my flanks (BTW, I used to sell striped bass to restaurants in New Jersey) Very nice photograph Chris! Roger

"RoLo" is the binary term for Roger & Lois, my fishing partner of 43 years. Roger

As already stated, when the line-class record is vacant, it either means that no certified catch has satisfied the minimum weight requirement or that particular species is unavailable in that state. Years ago, I was friends with the original owner of Greenbrook Sporting Goods in New Jersey. Lou would select a fish species with a line-class vacancy then vacation in the most promising area of the United States. I don't know the actual number, but Lou held many world records. Ain't that a Kool Hobby? 8-) Roger

Why is this website so slow? I think I can answer that question, but it didn't get here yet ;D

What is my least favorite fish to catch? A largemouth bass weighing 22 lbs 4 oz > Roger

Congratulations Catt, those are some highly impressive stats! 8-) Kevin VanDam would be proud of those numbers, but then again, he's just a tournament fisherman. Once again, the superiority of the T-rigged plastic worm has been reaffirmed (no surprise there). I will definitely give the Ring Worm a go this year Roger

Due to the torn skin at the shoulder, no visible dorsal thread and the lure blocking the jaw configuration, I'm not able to positively identify this fish. However, the lack of a shoulder patch and an upper lip that appears to overshoot the lower lip suggest a skipjack herring (grow to 20). Most significant to me are those "small eyes". The eye-diameter of threadfin shad and gizzard shad occupies about 35% of the head height, while the eye-diameter of the skipjack herring is only about 25% of the head height. Freshwater Shad http://www.fish.state.pa.us/pafish/gizzardm.jpg http://www.dec.ny.gov/images/fish_marine_images/gizzshad.gif Freshwater Herring http://myfwc.com/Fishing/images/raverart/Skipjack-herring-sm.jpg http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/images/skipjack20051213RichardWoodruffrecordWH.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/fish/shad/skipjack/angler/&h=336&w=490&sz=41&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=6dnTCwzpX6pokM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dskipjack%2Bherring%26ndsp%3D18%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN Roger

Instead of buying from the "top-down", I select all fishing tackle from the "bottom-up", by preparing a list of desired features. Instead of brand loyalty, this puts the onus on the manufacturers. Provided you know exactly what you want, the winning brand is totally immaterial (it's a self-fulfilling prophecy). Very rarely will you find a manufacturer that will satisfy all your requirements, so I normally wind up settling for the brand that provides the most attributes. Depending on the use intended, the feature list for a largemouth bass spinnerbait might look something like this: <> Single-Spin <> 3/8 ounce <> Gold #5 Colorado <> Black Silicone Skirt <> Premium Heavy-Wire Hook <> Long Arm <> Ball Bearing Swivel (no barrel-swivel) <> R-Bend Eyelet (no looped-eye) <> Bullet-Nosed Head Roger

Randall made my day It's rare to see someone who also appreciates the Daiwa Light and Tough, it's a heckuva blank. Though it's often overlooked by anglers, braided polyethylene line enhances the sensitivity of the outfit just as effectively as increasing the tensile modulus of the blank. IMO, if you're using braided polyethylene line, there's no need to spring for more than IM6 graphite (intermediate modulus). Both the daiwa light-and-tough and the Loomis GL3 (which I also own) are built on an IM6 blank (intermediate modulus). However, the daiwa light-and-tough has significantly greater latitude, in fact, it has the greatest cast-weight range I've ever seen, and it's realistic. The guides are inserted with ceramic guides (aluminum oxide) which will still have no wear-lines after I'm dead. Infuriated by inopportune hangups, I've been known to pull on the light-and-tough for all I was worth, so angry that I wouldn't care if the blank exploded. It never has 8-) Roger

Hopefully the accident that your creek is now dealing with is no worse than the one that took place in 2003. I say that because, judging from the size of the bass you caught, they almost certainly were over 5 years old, which is a good ***. In the meantime H.B.A., let's hope for the best. Roger

I look for two important traits in a fishing companion, and two traits that I hope he will find in me. I like to see a strong passion for fishing, and also someone who can feel happy every time a fish comes over the rail, no matter whose rod is bending. Then of course there are your Standard Rules of Boating Etiquette: > No getting seasick > No bellyaching about mosquitos and gnats > No fretting over alligators and snakes > Never doubt the boat's ability in heavy seas > No getting tired before dark ;D ;D ;D Roger

I heard that Believe me, it's tough on the ego ;D Roger

You probably know, but the town of Kissimmee is actually closer to Lake Toho (west tohopekaliga) than it is to Lake Kissimmee. Anyway, many years back before I lived in Florida, I rented a rowboat and motor at "Richardson's Fish Camp" on West Lake Toho (1550 Scotty's Road, Kissimmee FL 34744 (407) 846-6540) Lake Kissimmee is brimming with Fish Camps and many of them claim to rent boats. In any event, here are some of the fish camps on Lake Kissimmee: Grape Hammock Fish Camp (863) 692-1500 <Southern end of lake> http://www.grapehammock.com/ Middleton's Fish Camp Toll Free: 1-800-347-4007 <Northeast shore> http://www.mfctoo.com/ Camp Mack Toll Free (800) 243-8013 <Northwest corner on Kissimmee River> http://www.campmack.com/FishingLakeHatch.asp Shady Oaks Fish Camp (941) 692-1261 <Southern end of lake> Oasis Fish Camp (941) 692-1594 Camp Lester (941) 696-1123 Roger

Here's My Question: How come THAT one, is always in my wife's tackle box? > Roger

Look at the response to this thread: 47 replies vs. 401 reads Anything over 1 : 10 is very high

As far as shore-fishing and kyaking goes, I can't help you. But you might want to know that in 2001 Lake Jocassee SC yielded a 9-lb 7oz bronzeback, the 10th largest smallmouth bass on record! Roger

Phew, that describes my situation to a Tee! Lois and I will be targeting a 12+ largemouth bass (28" plus). If we get back to Canada my goal will be a 47" (30-lb) northern pike Roger

River Ranch is on the Kissimmee River (I live about 13 min west on the north shore of Lake Walk-In-Water). You'll be surrounded by world-class waters, the choice is yours: Lake Walk-In-Water, Lake Kissimmee, Lake Hatchineha, Cypress Lake, Crooked Lake, I could go on. If you wanted to punch out from there, you might book a trip with George Welcome on Stick Marsh/Farm-13, and there's also Lake Toho and Lake Istokpoga (all good stuff). Roger

I don't use Silver Thread line, so I can't offer anything from experience. But based on different line tests that I've read, Silver Thread is a top-rung line that appears to be under-recognized. Roger

Nice going Matthys, and what a great birthday present! 8-) Roger

You bet. All the eggs of the cow do not ripen at once, which allows her to service more than one nest. By the same token, practically every bed site will be visited by more than one cow. For this reason, the difference between the pre-spawn, spawn and post-spawn is a hazy gray area. The significant overlap makes it almost impossible to positively identify the current disposition of bass. According to In-Fisherman, once the cow's hormones are on the wane she enters the post-spawn stage regardless of eggs that still remain. Roe-laden cows taken from deep water are frequently mistaken for spawning bass, even though they may be done spawning. We've all caught bass containing yellow roe "after" the cow has finished spawning. I think it was ouachitabassangler who wrote, if she's only been sparingly selected by male bass, she may contain a substantial cache of leftover roe. Roger

A very interesting read Randall...as usual I think we're both on the same page fourbizz. Like you said, the role of the buck during the post-spawn is to protect the fry, and his aggressive disposition makes him especially vulnerable. Meanwhile, the cow has completed her mission and leaves the shallow flat. ""Supposedly"" the cow retreats to somewhat deeper water in a notoriously negative mood. You make an excellent point however...How can a cow recoup without eating? I don't know answer to that question but one thing is sure, the number of big cows that are reported during the pre-spawn period will decline dramatically during the post-spawn. On the other hand, the Topwater Bite (consisting of bucks) gets into full swing during the post-spawn, due to the winning combination of belligerent bucks in warm shallow water. By the way, I don't buy that garbage about anybody knowing more than anyone else! The great thing about fishing is that we all learn from one another, a process that goes on forever...and ever Roger

Nice post FourBizz. I totally agree with you, the post-spawn can be an excellent season for bass fishing. As a matter of fact, if I were asked to choose the very best period in Florida for "Topwater Action", I would pick the post-spawn period hands-down (late April/early May). On the downside, tradition holds that cow bass are recouping during the post-spawn period and that certainly appears to be the case. In Florida, the action during the post-spawn will consist almost exclusively of buck bass (bass under 6 lbs). I can't speak for the others, but when I touted the pre-spawn period, I was referring only to trophy-class bass. Roger