Sam

CONGRATS!!!!

X2. And they are probably deep. Watch for them to hit the shallows to sun and enjoy the warm water. Also, check the water temperature to note if they are on their beds.

I was blessed to take my wife back to the Biloxi marsh southeast of New Orleans to go redfish fishing as I did while growing up in New Orleans. She had a blast. Uncle took me and my two cousins fishing the Biloxi on weekends and it is still a great place to fish and see wildlife. As for freshwater, Audubon Park Lagoon, across from Monkey Island. That is where my cousins and I fished growing up. Lots of fun memories, such as the time we were flying fishing the Audubon Park Lagoon down from the bridge and I tried to cast to the far bank. I fell into the lagoon. Still remember seeing my cousin fall down laughing. Brings a smile to my face every time I think of it.

SML is way too big to give you any specific location. You seem to have the lake under control. They just did not bite for you. We would need the water temperature as the dogwoods have bloomed two weeks ago so the bass are still on their beds, coming and going based on the water temperatures. Everything can work on SML from flipping/pitching to Carolina rig. Check the water temperature and that is your first clue. Please use #2 post to introduce yourself. And Blake, please add your personal data to your avatar so the guys can give you better detailed assistance. Good luck.

Why does one reel cost more than others? Is it the number of bearings? The metal parts vs. plastic parts? The tightness of the gears vs. looser gears? Is the reel designed for casting farther? Can the reel take the pressure of high test lines and big fish? Is the braking system more advanced? Does the metal weigh less than a lower cost reel of its size? And how much in research and development went into the design, creation and testing of a high level reel? My friend who repairs reels tells me that the Shimano Curado was once top of the line based on his experience and the internal parts used. Now, he likes the Lew's reels as he says they are built stronger and have better internal parts. Shimano products are in second place along with Abu Garcia. Would be nice to read what our friend at Delaware Tackle has to say about this. What is puzzling is that the bass could care less if you are using a Zebco or a Steetz. I have caught big bass on Shimano baitcasters and spinning reels with different line test and presentations. Your topic is excellent and I want to close with this bit of philosophy: Confidence. If you have confidence in your rods, reels, line, hooks and baits then that is all you need. Your question boils down to confidence. If you have more confidence in high end products then use them. If you are like me you will go with the lower cost equipment for daily fishing and keep the high end rods and reels for tournament fishing. Confidence. Remember, confidence. Good luck and now stop reading and to out and catch your new personal best with a Zebco using the Banjo Minnow!!!!!

My wife has always wanted to go to this quilt show. I understand it is outstanding. But due to back problems she can't travel. Hope your wife had a great time. The show parallels that of our Bassmaster Classic.

Here is one of the different style fish quilts my wife has made. Please share with your wife. Thanks for the thread.

Very nice. My wife is also a quilter and I must say that the amount of love and time spent creating a quilt can never have a price tag associated with it. Hope your wife put her signature square on it so his heirs will know who made it and when.

Overall, it is a good move on your part. You would have been in an untenantable position in the future and no matter what you did it would be wrong. Good luck in finding a new career. I would also like to suggest you follow your prior company to see if they close their doors. If so, then you got out at a good time. All the best for your future endeavors.

GGH, seems this is your first and last post as all you want to do is complain. And that is OK. Would rather have you join us for one post and describe your frustrations with guys and gals damaging your property. If we knew where your private lake is located we can give you some detailed input about any problems or good times others have had on your lake. As for dock fishing, we all do it and it is a staple in our arsenal of locations to fish for bass, crappie and bream. To stop this practice around your dock please post "no fishing" signs. It may not stop all of the bass guys but it will slow down the fishing around your dock.

Check out Mattawoman Creek on Google Earth and a paper map if you have one as the ramp is on that creek. Learn as much as you can about Mattawoman.

Ask away. Read, read and read some more. Welcome.

Well, you know you are a bass fisherman when you quit your job when fishing season begins. Good luck. Get that resume ready to roll.

Austin, do you know what the water temperature was when you saw the bass? If it was in the high 60's then you may have seen a bunch of ladies resting after or during the spawn. This has happened to me and I remember being on Lake Gaston in Virginia when my budding and I saw a beautiful, large female just handing out outside of a dock. The only way we were going to catch her was to pick her up out of the water!!!! So it is not you; it is not your bait; it is not your technique. It may be that these large ladies are recuperating from the spawn.

As a husband of a quilter I can honestly say that is a beautiful ladder. You did good!!!!!!

Buzzed, be sure to repost this in the Louisiana section of the Forum. As for City Park, you can fish there, as you can at Audubon Park Lagoon across from Toolame University on St. Charles Avenue in the uptown section. Google Audubon Park and note the location and the places you may want to fish and park the car. LSU has the college lakes which you can fish. Check out the lakes on Google. You can always park at the Alumni Association building by Lod Cook Hotel and cross the street or in the public lot on the other side of the lake. LSU lakes have had lily pads and grass so have some topwaters ready like your frogs and toads. As for places to eat, if downtown New Orleans try Serio's. Best roast beef poboys other than for Rocky and Carlo's (ladies welcome) in Chalmette: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g40073-d463871-Reviews-Rocky_Carlo_s_Restaurant-Chalmette_Louisiana.html Serio's and Rocky's and Carlo's have great poboys. Once again, check them out on Google. Rocky and Carol's rates their roast beef poboys by the number of napkins you use. Serio's has football motif with excellent poboys and cold Barq's, Its Good. Consider driving out to the lakeshore, away from the tourist restaurants and hit some of them for crawfish. Williams Seafood and Poboys is excellent., http://williamsseafoodandpoboy.com/ Up scale the taste buds and hit the big restaurants in the French Quarter. Also, Mike Anderson's in NOLA and Red Stick is outstanding. Look at the pics on the wall as Mike is an LSU all American. You can hit Walk-On's by the LSU campus and TJ Ribs off campus. Just remember to enjoy: Roast Beef po'boy loaded and with the debris Shrimp Loaf Oyster Loaf Crawfish (not for fishing) You may have to secure a Louisiana fresh water fishing license so check that out. One other suggestion. Since you have a car how about checking out "Shell Beach Fishing Guides" and do some redfish fishing in the Biloxi marsh? You will have a blast. Even my wife had a good time and she caught some beautiful redfish, drum and sheepshead. My cousin's outfit is "Fishing with the King" but Frank is in Atlanta as far as I know doing real estate but his captains are still working his business. Check him out on Google, http://www.fishwiththeking.com/ Have a blast at the gambling casinos; walk in the Quarter and go to Pat Obrien's for a "Hurricane glass." Beware of the Hurricanes and Cyclones as they have rum in them and they can hit you in the head like a brick as you walk in the Quarter. Don't look in the open doors of the various bars. We don't want you to have a heart attack. Keep wallet items in your front pants pocket. Bail money in your shoe. And if a kid asks you he can tell you where you "got them shoes" don't fall for it. You got them shoes in New Orleans. Havea safe trip and remember to yell "Geaux Tigers" every time you set that hook!!!!! Pics when you get back, please. But only the ones that are family friendly.

Full moon No wind Stable weather pattern This coming week should be fun!

The dogwood trees are blooming in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond is in the middle of the east coast so below us the bass have been on their beds and north of us they are getting ready to spawn. This weekend should be fun trying to find their beds in Virginia. Just thought I would let everyone know. Tight lines!

Dypsis, great and true story. Sometimes it takes time for things to sink in. Everyone likes to fish those baits and techniques they have confidence. Your friend had confidence in the Texas rig but it took you a little while longer to get back in the saddle with it. Add it to your arsenal and as soon as you gain confidence you will be better than your friend.

You have shown us a lot of maturity for a young man of you age and experience. We are proud to have you on the Forum. Hopefully you will continue your education or join the military (and get a real education) which would make us all even more prouder of you. Thanks for the testimony. You are and will be a special individual on the Forum.

Great story. A lot of us have had parallel experiences as you penned so you are among friends. You will have fun purchasing new equipment and we are here to give you our input and confuse you like a Toolame coed in a frat house. Just remember, to catch more bass you need to dress in purple and gold and yell "Geaux Tigers" when you set the hook. Now, with the above a superior base how about some questions????? Welcome to the Forum.

A+

I'll be heading down mid May which for MA would be right around the spawn but I assume it's fair to say the fish will be well into post spawn or summer pattern? - Dogwood trees starting to bloom and the bass will hit their beds the weekend of April 9th and continue to spawn for at least 30-days. Some of my biggest questions are what is the main bait fish forage down there?- Shad. Grizzard shad. Bluegills, bream, yellow perch and crawfish. Are the waters typically clear, stained, murky (obviously it will depend on the body of water but for example usually water up my way is pretty clear)? - All of the above. If it rains the water can get like chocolate milk. Depends where you fish to be ready for clear, stained and dirty. Are the bass down there Florida strain, Northern strain, a mix? - We have Florida bass in the Chickahominy and Historic James Rivers. We have smallmouth and largemouth bass in our fresh waters. Basically I'm just looking for some tips you might tell someone who has never fished farther south than Connecticut. - Obtain a free copy of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries booklet, Freshwater Fishing & Boating in Virginia. Answers to your queries will be satisfied plus you will learn a lot about places to fish, the different types of freshwater fish you can catch and a lot of information. Copies are free and you can pick up one at the Hampton Bass Pro Shop. I will most likely be limited to the bank as well, any critters of the poisonous variety I should be concerned about? Any info at all will be appreciated. - Just copperheads unless you head down to the Appomattox and then look out for water moccasins. Welcome to Virginia. Are you in the military?

Welcome. And you call yourself "intermediate." Those pesky green monsters make us all feel "intermediate" more than we like so join the club.

Current. Rivers have stronger and more pronounced current than lakes or reservoirs. Start by reading all you can regarding fishing tidal rivers and apply that knowledge to fishing your rivers. Then expand to rivers that do not have tidal current and you have figured out how to fish rivers. Good luck. P.S. Been to Iowa and it was the first time I actually stood straight up and was eye to eye to a hog. First time I had ever seen a hog that big, too.