Sam

Crankbaits can have one or two metal balls inside of them that move and cause a rattle. Do the balls make any special sound that would attract a bass' attention? Yes, and you have to remember sound carries farther in the water than we can hear on land. I had a friend who threw a Chug Bug and was extremely successful. One time on the Pamunkey River I put my Chub Bug on my line and mimicked him when the casted, where he casted, and when he reeled in the plug. He was nailing the bass right and left and I could not buy a bite. So I asked him what I was doing wrong and he laughed and said he would tell me his secret: he cut open the Chug Bug, removed the two ball bearings and replaced them with one ball bearing; and closed and painted the bottom so you could not tell it was opened. The Chub Bug then had a different action and sound and for some unknown reason, it attracted the bass better than the Chug Bug I was throwing. All I can say to your query is: go figure!

Please send our congrats to your buddy. Job well done!

GreenPig, maybe we need to put together a Nutria, Wild Boar, and Snakehead cooking book. I bet it will be a best seller!!!!! ?

Hey Rdmao, great hearing from you. I was going to wear one of my pupple and bright gold LSU caps, but thought it would draw too much attention so I went for my dark tan Louisiana Crawfish Company cap. I liked the show. A lot of vendors, with many new ones in the mix. And the place was packed, which was great. Said "hi" to Bobby Uhrig of MegaStrike but he was way too busy to talk. I picked up two All Star Lite baticasting rods for $100. They retail for $130 each at Academy Sports, so it was a great bargain. I have an old original All Star heavy action rod that is still going strong and was glad to see the All Star lineup being available now and into the future. Fishing Pro Tech was out of Frittsides by the time I hit their booth. I passed on all of the other tempting morsels that were there as I just don't need anymore baits for a while. It was nice speaking to the Megabass rep at Lin's booth, too. I thought the Stinky Balls would be something to consider, but after speaking with the guy who created them and finding out that they swell and fall off the hook after 45 minutes of fishing, I passed on them. The most interesting booth was the one from the USDA as they are trying to remove the nutria and wild hogs from the greater Tidewater area. Check out my post in Southeast Fishing to note what transpired. What did you get? Did you attend any of the seminars? Meet any of the pros or vendors. Did you see Tim Horton's two trophies? He brings the Classic one with him to every Richmond Expo I have seen him attend. John Crews was not there as it was his wife's 50th birthday so they enjoyed the weekend celebrating. John is an outstanding guy and you can speak with him about his baits, where to use them, and what colors work best. I was thinking of going back today as many of the vendors will reduce the prices of their merchandise or give it away so they don't have to cart it back to their home. It is an hour ride and I want to watch the Lady Tigers (19-0) battle the Bama Bells in basketball this afternoon so I will probably stay home. And all I would purchase would be the MegaStrike shaky head jig heads as they are outsanding. I know our paths will cross in the future. Next year we need to plan where to have the Forum guys and gals meet and at what time. Keep in touch and let us hear about your fishing and catches in 2023. Happy New Year! Saw a number of old friends, including Bobby Uhrig of MegaStrike, and the Virginia Bass Federation.

I attended the Richmond Fishing Expo this Saturday, January 21st, and had the opportunity to speak with James R. Powell, the District Supervisor for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. Mr. Powell noticed my Louisiana Crawfish cap and asked me if I was from Louisiana and did I know about nutria. In fact, what made me stop at his booth were the nutria handouts, photos, and other information about this big rat and the map that showed nutria moving into southeastern Virginia (Tidewater and west towards Emporia). I had not seen a photo of a nutria in years as my Louisiana friends take them for granted and ignore them in the swamps. Mr. Powell told me that the USDA is trying to remove the nutria. Only problem is that the rats are moving to the west and north, towards Williamsburg and Richmond. There were also some kills in the Jamestown Island area on the Historic James River last year. The USDA killed and removed several nutrias from a very exclusive Williamsburg country club pond that boarders the Historic James River. It is thought that the rats will be traveling north, towards Washington DC, and then as far north as the winter temperatures will allow them to migrate. Freezing winter temps are our friends in that we may not be able to fish, but nutria may not be able to survive a strong winter. I do not believe there are any rules hunting nutria in Virginia, but if you do have a rifle on your bass boat or kayak be ready to use it; know how to use; and always check to see what is behind your line of sight towards the nutria so you do not damage property or persons. A Virginia hunting license would be helpful, too. Wild boars are also in Virginia’s Tidewater area. The USDA supposedly killed all of them but another guy at the show told us that he and his friends have seen boars in the Tidewater area towards North Carolina and Mr. Powell said he will get the helicopter flying to check it out. Here is some information on nutria. First snakeheads, now nutria and wild boars. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutria

Zizanie from France.

No.

Hey Dave. You are welcome. Pleae consider loading up your avatar once again as it seems either this web site or your computer butchered it.

The 2023 edition of the Richmond, Virginia Fishing Expo at Meadow Event Park is on. Check it out. I may be there late Friday afternoon or on Saturday. I may wear one of my LSU caps so be on the look out for me and say hello. https://www.richmondfishingexpo.com/

What ever happened to "Raider"? He disappeared a few years ago.

The bass is a very inquisitive animal, and will listen to the noise coming from your boat. In fact, I would not be surprised if Hook and Look did a show on how playing your radios and sound systems impact the bass' behavior. I read an article a long time ago about a guy who was constructing his dock and had to pound a metal rod into the bottom during construction. He went into the water, lined up the rod, and using a heavy hammer, he started to pound the rod into the bottom mud. He said he felt something watching him as he pounded away. Just a feeling until he turned around and saw about 20 bass hovering 10 feet from him, watching what he was doing. They were attracted by the vibration of hammering the pole into the bottom mud. Now begs the question: do radio and other noises travel from their source into the water and alert all water creatures you are there? And if so, does the noise bother the bass? I would think Dr. Keith Jones book, Knowing Bass, The Scientific Approach to Catching More Fish, would hold the answer, but there is a football game on tonight so I will try to see what Dr. Jones says about the bass' hearnig and vibration detection. Will let you know what I find out.

Growing up in Louisiana, we fished the Biloxi marsh, southeast of New Orleans, almost every weekend with my uncles and cousins. Only one time did we encounter an allagator when we got too close to her nest. She hissed and we backed off. At no time were we ever concerned about gators while fishing out of those 16 foot wooden skiffs. And never saw or heard a gator other than that female. So on Swamp People tonight the guys were catching very large gators in the Biloxi marsh. Shook me up thinking we had no idea there were gators in the marsh or gators that big in the first place; only came in contact with one gator in all those years; and had some fantastic days fishing for big reds, speckled trout, sheepshead, drum, croakers, and then pulled 14-foot and a 16-foot nets behind the skiffs to shrimp when the shrimp were running. Great memories even knowing now that the gators were probable watching us as we fished and shrimped.

X2 Fantastic story. Sounds just like Mike Leach. Tremendous ambassador for college football. Thanks for sharing.

So far, so good. Event on the January 20th weekend and one of my friends who owns a high end tackle shop is planning on having a table. Time will tell.

X2. He was speaking to the AD about stepping down after next season due to his medical issues per Paul Finenbaum. Loved him on the ESPNU college football show. He was outstanding.

Mike Leach was an excellent football coach and teacher and he turned around the programs at Texas Tech, Washington State, and Mississippi State. He had a sensational sense of humor, and usually would not talk football but about anything else that came to his mind when interviewed. He had a law degree and loved to read so he was highly educated. Coach Leach was on ESPN College Sports network with the Pony for about two years between the Texas Tech and Washington State gigs, and he had a great grasp and insight into football and the world. Here is what the LSU Sports Blog published this morning about Mike Leach: And on a somber note, our prayers go out to the family of Mike Leach and the Mississippi State community. Coach Leach suffered what the school said were complications from a heart issue and passed away yesterday at 61. LSU released a statement on his passing: “Mike Leach transformed college football forever. He was an innovator and a visionary whose authenticity and love for the game helped elevate the sport. He made an immeasurable impact on countless coaches, student-athletes, and fans. We celebrate his legacy, mourn his loss, and send our prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones.” Such as shame to lose him at an early age. RIP coach.

This is a beautiful rendition of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Sit back and enjoy. We could start the "pancakes and waffles" debate but this is in a foreign language so it is of no help with the discussion.

In Richmond, Virginia, we have millions of acorns on the ground that have fallen from the oak trees. This is a sign of a winter with with lots of ice, snow, and low temperatures.

At the post office when I have to get a stamp I always say,"One stamp. One stamp only" like Sean Connery. One time the guy behind me in line cracked up. We were the only ones in line and behind the counter that understood it.

Zinc. Take a Zinc table once a day to help avoid and reduce any respireatory problems. Works better than orange juice.

Hey guys, under the current system, the Tulane Green Wave will be playing Bamasux in the Cotton Bowl. Had the system not included the highest ranked second division team, the Green Wennies would have probably played in the Independence Bowl. Tulane has an excellent quarterback and this could be an interesting game. Bamasux's record agaist the New Orleans school is expected to improve to 27-11-3 against the Greenies when the game ends. However, this record between the two teams was created before Tulane left the SEC in 1965 so it means nothing.

Flyers Terrible Yes, when I lived outside of Philly Attended one Stanley Cup game when the Flyers were winning their Stanley Cup Championships Fantastic atmosphere in the Spectrum.

Animal House All the Police Squad movies Hunt for Red October Old James Bond movies Not Christmas movies but all are extremely entertaining.

Yes, for some reason the big ones have disappeared. Happened a few years ago. I hate cold weather so I am not plannig to fish the hot side of Lake A this year. You fish for me and catch one or two of those big ladies that are hiding out there, somewhere. Good luck and be safe.

I remember Ray. Outstanding punter from Southern Miss. What I remember most was the shock and horror of NFL fans when Ray was selected by the Raides in the first round back in 1973. Did Al Davis and John Madden lose their minds??? No. They did not. Just another "looking forward" move by Al Davis. Ray showed everyone what advantages they could have from a strong kicking and special teams program. Now, there are punters, kickoff kickers, on-sides kick kickers, field goal kickers, and extra point kickers. And everyone watching the games know when they screw up!