Sam

Kistlers are good. Love mine. May get another one. I have to ask the Bait Monkey if it is OK. ;D

Bugs. Bugs and insects flying around your head and eyes while fishing. Waves. Big waves caused by guys running 100 miles per hour in their boats while I am fishing a bank. If I want waves I will fish saltwater. People who think bass and other fish can feel pain. These people are pains and have no understanding of a fish's brain. Dropping a lure overboard when you go to cut the tag line and cut the main line. This is why I tie all lures IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOAT. Lots of houses with people in them or in their yards when you have to go to the bathroom. Don't people know not to watch what we are doing in the boat? Jerks who throw trash in the water. I hope they fall out of their boats. Motors that won't start because the kill switch is on. We need a kill switch alarm to keep us dummies from trying to start the motor when we accidently have engaged the kill switch. Not retieing the bait because we are on the bass and are having fun when the line breaks. Patience. Patience my a*s. Being Type A causes this to happen sometimes. And I hate when it happens as it is totally my fault for not checking the line and retieing the knot. Being outfished by the nonboater. Never happened, so far, but I am sure it will one day. I hope he can hitch hike home. Cold. I hate to fish when it is cold. Anything below 70* is cold. Gloves. Gloves are great but I have not found a pair to keep my hands toasty warm and not interfer with the operation of my reel. Ideas???? Having hat blow out of the boat. I always secure my hat but each season one seems to want to fly out of the boat and into the water. Heard story of a guy whose wallet fell out of his pocket and he had about $100 blow out of the boat. Keeping the bass. It just gets me upset to see people keep the fish. Throw them back. Go out and eat a hamburger. Guys who make up their minds on how to fish a tournament on Wednesday or Thursday and their way is no longer valid on Saturday due to weather changes but they refuse to modifiy what they had planned to do. Having a snake fall in the boat. Came close a few times but so far so good. Had a snake fall out of the bush right in front of me as I was close to the bank pitching the shoreline. It made a big "thump" when it hit the ground. Having a nice fish throw the lure. I still remember the big ones that got away. Going after them next year. I know where they live. Getting up at 2 AM for tournaments. I wish Dr. Jones would come out with research saying that the bass don't begin to bite until 10 AM and quit around 2 PM so there is no reason to get up at 2 AM to go fishing. L-o-n-g tournaments. The ones that start at first light and end at 4 PM. My legs are just not happy about being in a boat for 10 hours. Jerks at ramps, especially the jet boaters and the guys with the ski boats who don't have any idea of how to launch or trailer them. The ones with no teeth, swim wear with no underware and the ones not wearing a tee shirt bother me the most. TV cameras in our vehicles. We need a TV camera to see where the trailer is heading when we back her up to launch or trailer the boat. Using the side view mirrors sucks. We need to invent the Bass Fishing Forums Backup TV and Alarm System so we don't crash the boat and trailer when backing up. Not that it has ever happened to me. Have "suspending" or "floating" written on all jerkbaits so we do not have to stand there and think if red is suspending or is it floating? Great for us old guys who can't remember s**t. This should be a law. Special runs. Having Zoom be able to make a small run of a specific type of color or length of plastics without telling us that we need to order 100 bags before they will do it. Like the one I need for the Hot Side of Lake Anna. It is a special run my friend has and he ain't giving any up. Wrong weather reports. If the weatherman says sunny, then I want sunny. Not cloudy. Not a passing shower. But sunny. Windy. If the weather report says light wind, I want a light wind. 15 miles per hour wind is not light. White caps on a river are not fun. Backlashes. We have to invent a reel to prevent backlashes and sell it for under $500. Or maybe not. Having your partner have a backlash in a tournament is funny. Not to him, but it is to me. Jerks on the Forum. Making nasty comments about other guys or being negative in your response is not necessary on the forum. We have some guys who have bass fished for a thousand years and others who just bought their first set-up and need our help. There is nothing like a stuipd question. Just give your answer in a positive manner and go on with your life. I could go on but I am hungry and want to get breakfast as I am going BACK TO BASS PRO SHOP AT 9AM THIS MORNING TO CONTINUE SHOPPING FROM YESTERDAY WITHOUT MY WIFE. Later!

If memory serves me, I remember Uncle Homer Circle saying that he and Glen Lau saw a number of big bass cower into their cover as a trolling motor came close as they were filming some of Lau's videos. Dr. Keith Jones backs up this observation in his book, too. And I think this is why the pros secretely modify their baits when fishing tournaments. Uncle Homer and Glen Lau summarized that the older and larger bass can remember some noises or vibrations that produce negative responses in the large mouth bass, i.e., to hide when they feel the vibrations or hear a specific sound. This may also be true for some lure presentations but I have not read any literature to this effect. I think it may be either sound vibrations or experience that can casue a bass to get used to the same lure presentation. Feel the vibrations - see the bait - eat the bait - get hooked and ripped out of the water. Do this a few times and the fish may remember. Muddy, we all know that bass are visual hunters and that they can see a moving object better and faster than a human's eye. I believe that a bass will ignore a bait that fails to match their image of what they eat and therefore not strike at it. This proves the bass have outstanding instincts in order to survive. According to Dr. Keith Jones in his book on page 172, he states, "...most feeding bass practice size selection. Scientific literature is chock full of research demonstrating that size is one of the primary criteria by which bass and other predators choose their prey." On page 37, Dr. Jones states, "The bass brain should not be viewed as a simplistic computer wherein a specific input always yields a certain output. Bass brains are constantly modified through exerience. In a very real sense, a bass begins each day as a new creature based on what it learned the day before. Though bass have the capacity to learn, they do not learn all things equally well." Dr. Jones has some wonderful information in his book so the guys and gals on the site with the book can read the research on page 37 plus the other pages in the sensory search criteria pages of the book. Great question and I know you will receive some good input. And I just got a call from the Bait Monkey. He says it is time for Muddy to go out and spend some money on fishing stuff. ;D

With a spinning set up you will be doing light tackle, or finesse, fishing. May I suggest going with mono for treble hook baits and flouro for all other baits? Then, check out the DIAMETER SIZE of the line. The smaller the diameter the better for the test you are considering. Since the 106 has a maximum line test of 12-pounds, go with a good name brand line between 8 to 12 pounds. Make sure the rod is also classified to handle 8 to 12 pound test line. As an example, if Trileen has a .09 diameter for 10 pound test and P-Line has a .12 diameter for its 10-pound test, go with the .09 diameter. I put 10-pound test on my spinning reels and so far, so good. As for the rod, a 6'6" length is excellent for finesse fishing. So rethink the 12-pound test and consider 10-pound with the smallest diameter you can find and go out and have some fun.

I will view the video later after the LSU-Ark-Ansas game. I heard about it on the radio this AM heading out to BPS with my wife. Around these parts we have 24-hour Wal-Marts so we did not have any problems, especially with all the county and city police at the stores today. Wal-Mart has to change their SOP for Black Fridays. Wal-Mart's workers' compensation will take care of the funeral, loss of income, etc.,but I think Wal-Mart is culpable and should be charged in the case. Stay tuned, this is a future Law and Order show.

I wear glasses so I wear one of those "neck cords" you mention. Croakies. They are called Croakies. Get them at Wal-Mart or BPS, sporting good stores, etc. The Croakies are inexpensive. The BPS version are expensive. Had a friend lose his glasses overboard on a fishing trip with me. Went in after them but never could find them. So you need to wear the strap when you are wearing glasses or sunglasses. Go to the sunglass or eyewear section of your favorite stores until you find them. P.S. Did you take the photo of Ike????

Not only did the Lions play bad, but those throwback uniforms are horrible. Just keep the good old Lions uniforms. At least they look nice.

Wood underwater takes a long time to deteriorate. This is why you see the remaining trees out of the water in the form of small timber posts sticking up. Standing timber, a/k/a wood, is productive all year. Look for irregularities such as fallen or leaning trees, roadbeds, dropoffs, ditches, brushpiles, etc. on the bottom among the trees. If you can find a point within the timber coming off the shore give it a try. The point will be better if the wind is blowing onto it. Use a crankbait to locate the fish or go deep to 30 and 40 feet with a jigging spoon or a worm. Isolated trees are also a good place to try. Cedar trees, if any in your lake, can be outstanding. And you need to know your trees. Sometimes the bass will go to a cedar. Other times an oak. And then a cedar. Remember "leaning tree" as the bass will stay under the shadow of the leaning tree. Catt fishes Toledo Bend. This is the best reservior for standing timber so be sure to read what Catt posts. Good luck and be sure to bring a lot of baits just in case you get snagged. ;D ;D ;D

TrippyJai, Great color choices. Love 'em both, especially that Ghost Minnow. Dynamite!!! Try the Sexy or Foxy Shad, too.

Welcome. Check out the smallmouth section and add to it. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Depends on the individual people. If some are "Type A" and need action, then throwing a light crankbait on a spinning rig is a good selection. If they have patience and understand that bass fishing can be slow, then plastics on a spinning rig is a good selection. Why a spinning rig? Easier to use and no backlashes. Senkos have good weight for casting and you can fish them both Texas and Wacky riged so they have two techniques with one bait to try. Shaky Head is another good plastic presentation. Pitching and flipping, mostly pitching, is good with a spinning combo and he can throw all types of plastics, from worms to creature baits and all inbetween. Keep it simple and use a spinning rig and go out and see what happens.

Foster walking to Clepson is just like Pelini going over to Nebraska. LSU's defense sucks without Pelini. I could complete a pass against the Tiger backfield. Hope Foster stays but he would be an execellent selection for any school, especially Clepson that needs some help but of course, we are talking about Clepson and even with Foster they will continue to be bad.

On Wednesday night I listened to a Chicago newspaper sports reporter on satellite radio who covers Notre Dame football and he said Charlie Weiss may be on the way out due to the Syracuse calamity. He added that if Notre Dame does pretty good against USC, that is keeping the score close or winning the game, then Weiss may be retained. Seems good Ole Charlie has been nasty to some people on campus and the reporters covering Notre Dame football and he has harmed his "fat, funny and competent" profile. He also added that he believes the Notre Dame people are going behind Charlie's back to raise the contract buy-out money. Should be interesting to see if Notre Dame retains Charlie or gives him the boot. Can anyone up in Notre Dame land add to this thread on what they are reading and hearing? Phat Phil Phulmer to Notre Dame or Auburn as one of Tubby's coordinators? What do you all think? Stay tuned. This should be interesting.

Yes, named after General McDermott. 10750 McDermott Freeway San Antonio, Texas 78288 USAA Federal Savings Bank. They make banking a positive adventure.

Fourbizz, please consider Catt's advice. Living in the land of fruits and nuts is nothing compared to the deep south, where the weather is always warm, the women are beautiful and the fishing is out of this world all year long. Head south, young man. Head south. You will never regret it.

Lets all take a few seconds to think how great a country we live in and that we can pursue our dreams. Everyone have a fun day, enjoy the bounty, and watch some football.

Nope. He is either sitting in the Grove, drinking beer, or chasing some of those beautiful coeds at Ole Miss.

Good one, Muddy. Thanks for the laugh. Happy Turkey Day.

Eat tacos. Walk by the USAA building. Take a ride on the canal. Walk along the canal and see the shops. Remember the Alamo! Then hit the hotel room for some congratulatory moves on each other. Eat tacos. Walk by the USAA building. Take a ride on the canal. Walk along the canal and see the shops. Remember the Alamo! Go back to the hotel room for more congratulatory moves. Eat tacos. Walk by the USAA building. Take a ride on the canal. Walk along the canal and see the shops. Remember the Alamo! Try to walk to get to on the flight back home. Congrats to your wife. Very proud of her accomplishment. She is in a class by herself. A very high and limited class of men and women who are in the armed services. She is a special person. Join USAA, NOW! I am waiting for my dividend check in December and my 40th membership year extra dividend check in February. Actually, the Bait Monkey is with me waiting for the checks. Join USAA as soon as your wife qualifies. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Same for the IRS. Banks and your friends at the IRS do not send you e-mails. And do not respond. If the crooks know that you are a "live" e-mail address you will get showered with fraudulent e-mails. Thanks for the reminder, Glenn. Happy Thanksgiving.

Something happened to one of the "favored" guys to have such a rule created. The "click" probably made up the rule to appease someone or a bunch of guys who are boaters who are friends or the top buys or others in the "click." To get the rule changed will probably be impossible unless the state director and his board decide to change the rule. As long as the current administration is in power and are kissing up to the favorite anglers you are fighting windmills. Have you contacted the state director and asked for the philosophy of making such a rule? You need to have their reasoning and logic in order to address the issue. May I suggest boycotting their tournaments? If you can get other nonboaters to do the same then the rule may be changed. But if the boaters are happy to have a rule to discourage the nonboaters you are up the creek without a paddle. It is your decision. Just face the reality of the situation. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving.

"Red Eye" suspending jerk baits: Black or sliver colors best. "Clown" (gold body with red head and white belly) good for clear water. Try to get the ones with the white belly. Rapala Rattling Rouge AC Shiner Bagley Bang-A-Lure Bomber Long A BPS High Back Shiner BPS Top Knocker Try some jointed ones, too, like the Red Fin. Remember, best water temperature for suspending jerkbaits is 40* to 50*. Use lighter line, like 8 to 10 pound test. If temperature under 40* consider using 6 pound test. Be sure to pause longer in cold water. Use rod tip to make four or five jerks then pause, giving the bait loose line and then reel in slack and jerk. Move rod about six-inches each jerk. And be sure the jerkbait has red eyes as those are suspending. Have fun and stay warm. Happy Thanksgiving.

Kool. Thought it was great. Nice test. Lots of information learned on the rod.

Have fun. And back to you on Thanksgiving.

THAT is a beautiful dog. What a face. You all did good and thanks for saving Gunhtr's life. Happy Thanksgiving.