Sam

So size matters? You bet it does! Go with the smaller version in bone or monkey butt. Just be sure to balance your rod, reel, line test and bait weight when setting up your Plopper.

Good going. Wasn't it fun? Now duplicate those efforts and results and post some pics. Congratulations!

Glad you are with us. Southeast Louisiana - The Redfish Capitol of the World!!!! Be sure to wear your purple and gold when you hit the water and yell "Geaux Tigers" when you set that hook. Keep us up to date on your bass fishing, the animals you encounter, and what salt water species you manage to put in the boat. Redfish Courtbullion - nothing better to enjoy.

Fishin', it boils down to confidence. And yes, tournament fishing is a challenge, especially from the mental aspect of the sport. You have to work through poor tournaments and not tear yourself apart. After all, you can throw the right baits at the right time but if there are no bass in the area it all goes for naught. So continue to have confidence in your techniques, tackle and baits and you will once again rise to the top.

Like all other animals, the eclipse will cause the bass to be ultra finicky and sensitive to their surroundings as there is an unnatural change occurring, even if for only a few minutes. I doubt you will get a bite. But give it a try and let us know what you catch.

I can't get my photos to post.

Happy Birthday. Have a great year.

Senile, I have been through this horrible disease two times: my mother and my mother-in-law. Brutal disease and it just gets worse as days go by. One day he will not know who you are, which is gut wrenching and very upsetting. Just be there for him and be strong for the entire family. There are books on the disease and it takes you through the various stages. I know you don't have the time to read but the books are a lot of help in understanding what is going on. Be brave and strong. All the best to you, your father and family. Hang in there.

8 pounders: #1 - Zoom green pumpkin trick worm on a shaky head fished deep. #2 - Bandit Sexy Shad crankbait fished over wood in less than 5 feet of water.

Topwater, you use oil on the outer parts of the reel and grease on the inside parts. Do what Tom (WRB) says as he has a lot of experience with reels. And I also vote for taking the reel back and exchange it. If you do take it back and get a replacement, open the box at the store with the clerk and see if the replacement makes the same sound. I was told that sometimes the factory grease dries a little if the reel has been on the shelf for a long period of time. I have no idea if this is true but it is a valid theory. Let us know what you do and what you find out about your reel.

Here is how in a nutshell: 1. Spool line on your reel based on rod's parameters and then set up rod with your bait ready to throw. 2. Adjust drag tension and spool tension to stop line from coming off spool. 3. Point rod tip to 11 AM, release spool, and then adjust spool tension so that the spool stops when the bait hits the floor/ground/bottom of boat all by itself. Will take a few tries and be ready to stop a fast moving spool with your thumb. 4. Tighten drag to where you want it and perform 3 above once again. 5. Cast bait to see if spool stops when bait hits water. Have thumb ready to stop spool just in case you have it too loose. 6. Make your final drag and spool tension adjustments and you age ready to go. 7. Do this every time you change baits on your baitcasters. If properly set, you can start your retrieve with your buzzbait, Chatterbait, Whooper Ploppers, etc. as soon as the bait hits the water. So give it a try and practice, practice and practice so it becomes so easy you will not have to have the bait hit the floor.

Use braid. No twist and it works great. Just use braid with a diameter of 8-pound mono. Problem solved.

Saturday, August 5, 2017 Both of these Disturbances needs to be watched CLOSELY Especially 99L. Invest 99L WILL Develop and it will head west. Since this is a Cape Verde storm the MOST important Steering feature here is the Bermuda High (The High Pressure Near Bermuda over the Northern Atlantic). When the Bermuda High stays weak, it tends to recurve storms out to sea since its steering currents remain closer towards the center. HOWEVER, like in this case, when the Bermuda High Grows when a Tropical Storm or Hurricane nears, it tends to push storms closer into The US. This is where some of our most devastating storms have come from and it was the result of the Bermuda High Ridge Building, sending the storms into the Gulf of Mexico. Combine that with the Very hot upper 80 Degree temperatures of the Gulf and you can EASILY have a Major Hurricane.

Nick, you can also go to Robious Landing Park down the road on the Historic James River from James River High School off Robious Road. However, we just had a tragedy at the park this week. Please always keep your PFD on at all times.

No problem. As you know, make sure your line test and the bait's weight are within the rod's parameters. I use the same set up (7-foot medium heavy) for my Whooper Ploppers. No problems.

Hi Nick, how about adding Richmond to your avatar so we can give you better input. Great having you with us. There are lots of places to fish in the greater Richmond geographical area. Do you have the 2017 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia booklet from DG&IF? It lists lots of places to fish. You can get a free copy at Dick's, Green Top, BPS plus Cabela's. As for your kayak, the upper Historic James River out of Watkins Landing has good smallmouth and largemouth fishing. Just check the current to make sure you can get back to the Watkins Landing ramp. Amelia Wildlife's lake is a great place for a kayak, too. As are the Powhatan Lakes. Lake Chesdin is an option, but you will have to pay $10 at Seven Springs Marina to launch. Don't be bashful. Ask your questions and we are here to give you our input. Welcome!

It has been my experience that rivers are extremely dangerous after a flooding situation. Lots of debris in the rivers floating and under the water; fast moving current; dirty water; too much mud on the ramps to launch and trailer boat safely; and the fishing is a challenge. Now flooded lakes are another story. Great fishing flooded lakes.

1. Cavitron 2. RICO 3. H2O Frog 4. Whooper Plooper 5. Sammy

Yes, depending which level of water column you want to attack. I use a 1/8 ounce tungsten bullet weight when throwing flukes to get it down to the 3 to 5 foot range. Heavier weights if I want to hit the bottom. No weight when I fish it closer to the surface. Personal preference.

Welcome. We have a Jeep Cherokee and it is a joy to drive. Been known to hop over some curbs to get to a place, too. Just post your questions and we will do our best to give you our input.

I split "easy" from "challenging" based on the information the fishermen have. What I mean is that a "challenging" lake or river is challenging for the guys who have not fished that body of water enough to know the best spots. In Virginia, our BASS club championships are on Buggs Island. Since the guys in my bass club fish Buggs once or twice a year they are at a distinct disadvantage when compared to the Virginia bass clubs who fish Buggs all the time, both in tournaments and for fun. Every few years one of our club members will make the state team but for the most part Buggs remains a challenge for us. Same is true for our beautiful Pamunkey River. If you fish the 'Monkey for fun and fish the Pamunkey Series you will learn that river. If you fish it once a year in a tournament you are at a tremendous disadvantage and probably won't do well. That's the way I see it.

How about introducing yourself in the Introduction section??? And consider adding your location to your avatar so we will know where you are. As for line, way too many to give you any one suggestion. Guys like Yo Zuri, Stren, Seaguar, Gamma, Bass Pro Shops, Spiderwire and many others. You will need to do a few things when selecting your lines: 1. Check out the line requirements of your rods and reels. Stay within these parameters. 2. Learn which lines are best for specific techniques, with the understanding that there at no set rules. 3. Experiment. Try mono and fluorocarbon lines on treble hook baits to see which ones you like best. 4. Read, read and read some more about what the pros throw. 5. And most of all, always remember that there are no rules in bass fishing. You experiment and then select the lines you have the most confidence. Just stay within suggestion 1 above and you will have a lot of fun trying to find the right lines for each technique and presentation. Good luck and stay with us. P.S. Braid. Think braid for spinning reels. Cuts down on line twist. Just note the diameter of the line as it compares with mono and make sure the diameter and mono test meet the spinning reel's and rod's line test parameters.

Beautiful. Really like your firetiger. Great work.

May I suggest you invest in a long distance phone call and speak with Robbie Patterson at Propeller Dynamics in Chester, Virginia. Robbie owns the leading trolling motor repair shop on the east coast. Both Cabela's and BPS send their client's trolling motors to Robbie's company for repairs. 804.706.1847 Robbie is honest and he will give you his input on the differences between the two brands, and you can get his input about the burned out units.

I have never had any luck with dead bait fishing for bass. I have thrown dead shiners and Nightcrawlers and never caught a bass. Caught catfish and bluegills but never a bass. And Nighcrawlers are a pain as every small bream, pan fish or bluegill will hit them all day long.