Sam

Yes, ponds and lakes are really shallow. We need some much needed rain in Virginia. The only silver lining is that you can see more of the bank area into the water so you will know what structure is there for future fishing adventures.

Jason, let me tell you a short story that parallels your problem on why you can't find the correct thread. There was a guy from California who never seemed to get things right. One day, he was in his car and he could go left or right at the traffic light to get to work. So he went right and got hit by another vehicle. Then, when it was time to go home he got to the elevator on the 20th floor and it was broken so he had to walk down twenty flights of stairs. This really put him in a bad mood. On his way home he saw a travel agency and decided to change things and take a trip to Australia. He went in and got his trip planned. While flying over the Pacific to Australia the pilot asked for a few volunteers to parachute out of the plane as the engines were not working correctly and the pilot wanted to shed a few pounds. So the guy volunteers. After he jumps he pulls the rip cord and nothing happens. He then pulls the emergency rip cord and nothing happens. While he is falling he looks up and says, "God, why do all these things happen to me?" And out of the blue a voice replied back, "Because you tick me off." Just thought I would share this story and I know you can understand how it applies to your situation. Give it time and keep searching and everything will work out on the Forum for you. Happy New Year!

Hello back and welcome to the Forum. Lots of Virginia guys on the site so ask your questions and chime in with your answers, too. Welcome.

Glad you climbed back on board. I remember going to Iowa for a college conference when I was a s student volunteer for the LSU Mens' Residence Hall. We drove from Baton Rouge to Ames, Iowa, in an LSU car. What I remember most was standing by a fence and looking eyeball to eyeball with a pig. Or a hog. Biggest pig I have ever seen. We had a good time, too, at Iowa State.

No matter what type or brand you decide upon, consider adding a Grass Goat to the shaft. You can thank me later!

Fournette signs bumper and gives it to first responder. May be some good juju for the game today. https://www.news4jax.com/sports/nfl/jaguars/jaguars-running-back-leonard-fournette-not-hurt-in-crash

After you tighten the line, use some fast drying super glue and apply it to the knot. Not much. Just enough to cover the knot. The knot ain't going anywhere after that.

Eagles over the Vikings vs. Jacksonville over Pats. Jacksonville defeats the Pats due to LSU's Fournette's running and catching ability. Of course, Eagles are better than Vikings who should not be where they are if not for a blown tackle. Would not be surprised to see Pats win. At least the weather conditions will be nicer this weekend than last weekend. P.S. Check out Fournette's shoulder pads. They are the ones he wore at LSU. LSU sent them to him at his request. You can see the purple and gold stripes on the pads. Is that great or what?

Oregon, if the public knew how beautiful the fall leaves look in the fall there would be a lot of boats on the water, both private and public, taking photos of some beautiful landscapes. Then add in the birds. Eagles, ospreys, blue birds, even the turkey vultures and you have more people on the water. Throw in sunrise and sunset and add more people to the equation. So let's keep the beauty us bass fishermen see all the time on the water to ourselves. After all, we don't want to go fishing and have lots of jet skis, run abouts, pontoon boats and other larger commercial vessels in the areas we launch and fish. P.S. Your post is excellent. Don't tell anyone.

I suggest reposting in the Southeast section to get the Florida guys and gals to give you their suggestions.

Great information. Only problem is that you need to see the water conditions to decide where to go and what to throw. So many of us guys have our minds made up as to where we are going to fish and what baits and presentations we are going to use. Then, we get to the ramp; blast off at 100 miles per hour; get to our first place before anyone else; and nothing happens. No bites. No misses. Nothing. What we did wrong is not taking the time to look at the water conditions. All of our mental preparation is down the drain when we encounter unknown water conditions. Now don't get me wrong, all of the preparation is needed before you tie on your first bait. But what I am saying is that no matter how much preparation, study, review and looking at historical information cannot match time on the water. If you have confidence in your prep work then keep doing it. But please put the water conditions into your formula.

It will happen to all of us, sooner or later. Way too cold last week to go fishing. Understand that this coming week will have warmer air temperatures.

Holy Toledo! Great news. Sending positive thoughts for a successful adventure and a high finish. Can't wait to find out how you did. Geaux get 'em!!!!!

Yep, the bass were enjoying a little warmer water. We always try to find the warmest water in Virginia when fishing our lakes. We know the sun will warm up the western and northern banks the fastest in the morning and any rocks or riprap will hold the heat. Water temperature and clarity play an important role in your success as does your bait selection. Great that you found the best bait and pattern for the day. The Bait Monkey is looking for you, too!!!!

Maybe you can find a used one at your local cemetery?

Welcome, Wayne, and thank you for your service. As a company commander in Viet Nam I loved my warrant officers. We flew in their helicopters and buzzed the nationals; shot sharks in the beautiful waters off the coast; flew to Saigon for weekend trips; and saw the country from the air. My transportation pool was headed by an old goat of a warrant officer and he was a trip. Brash, nasty, funny all rolled into one. We got along beautifully. But he made sure that I always had my jeep and my troops would always "find" a random radio antenna when mine broke or was stolen. Never knew where they got them but who cares? Great having you with us. Can't wait to read your posts.

Family is always first. There will be other shows in the future. I did not man the Federation's booth. They had way too many people there and then a high school fishing team showed up to overfill the area.

Found this on YouTube. All teachers out there can relate to this. And us regular people, too. Enjoy!

I missed the Reel Snot. Wanted to get some. As for the "Professor" I have his DVDs and they are OK. He knows so much sometimes it is difficult for him to transfer the information to others. He is a great guy. You really needed to talk to him. He will give you all the time you need. Best thing to do is to take your electronics on the water and mess around with them. I am still not totally happy with my side scan and will try to adjust it some more this summer. And I also enjoy G-Man. He made some great points from a pros' perspective that will help us armatures in the future. Sorry I did not know you were there. I would have come by and introduced myself. Maybe next year????

The Expo was excellent. A number of new exhibitors plus many of the old guys. Found a map of Lake Chesdin from George at GMCO. He had two left after my purchase. He found them in some old maps he had in his shop. G-Man was outstanding! Funny and very informative. Worth the price of admission. Nitro made a big splash. BPS had a number of Nitros there as did Ranger. Beautiful boats. Did not buy any tackle at the Expo but I visited BPS on the way home and picked up some Senkos that were on sale for $6.49 a package. Got my three favorite colors. All in all, great day to be a bass fisherman!!!!

Received my BPS flyer on Tuesday of this week. Good price on Senkos.

Now. BPS and other retailers are having their winter sales this week and into the weekend.

Hello and back at ya, Jamie. Welcome to the Forums.

Suggestion: While trying to learn how to better skip your bait with a baitcaster, go outside and cast your bait about 30 to 40 feet. Then take Scotch Tape and put a few pieces across the remaining line on the spool. Your backlashes will go only as far as the Scotch Tape. Experiment as you may want to put the tape on the spool after 15 to 20 feet.

Nope. I keep them. I know, they are worthless if they are not in the water. But I just don't want to chance losing them. I lost two Whooper Ploppers on the Chickahominy River last year, two days in a row. So if I can lose two Whooper Ploppers I will probably snag the old baits. And it is fun to take them out and look at them from time to time.