Sam

That's it? 30 pounds? Those are minnows in the Historic James River. Only kidding. Great catch and I think it is great that you followed him around before landing him. Is it a flathead????? Please post photos if you can figure it out.

Glad you joined us. Just ask your questions and post your adventures and we look forward to your wisdom as we do for all members. Welcome aboard!

Depends. The body of water, the direction of the wind, and the wind's speed all play a role. For example, on lakes wind can create white caps and turn a beautiful day into a dangerous nightmare. On rivers, wind can turn a peaceful place into a disaster with white caps and difficulty controlling your boat. Also, when you go to trailer your boat, wind at the ramp can make this a challenge. So wind, within acceptable limits, is your friend, blowing baitfish towards the shore or warmer water into a cove, and creating some chop for spinnerbaits, etc. And wind can be a dangerous enemy. So it is not from which direction the wind blows as each body of water is different; it is the force of the wind during each of the four fshing seasons that concerns us all.

Super! Go get them, Ryan!

The last time I hooked a Chain Pickrel was on Lake Gaston and he got to the boat, took one look at me, and cut the line with his teeth. But it was fun getting him to the boat. And he as a big one, too. I would say almost 2 and a half feet long.

What a find! Great story.

Super report. Thanks, I was going to try to go out with Rondef this week or next week but my schedule has destroyed that opportunity so your report is a great help. I will also wear jeans and a long sleeve shirt when I hit the water for my recon mission on Wednesday, September 3rd.

Great story. I have learned that to really get kids into fishing you have to not fish and place all of your time and effort in their fishing. Now she has to keep records an photos to memorialize her personal best.

Did you think of contacting your Wildlife and Fisheries Department with the date, location and photos? I am sure they would like to know about your catch.

Nope. Never heard of them. But a few and let us know how you like them. ;D ;D ;D

Try Gary's son's baits, the Kinami line of Senko style baits, and see what you think.

That was kool.

What is interestig is that my friends in Baton Rouge did not expect to get hit hard. The LSU Alumni Association employees were called in to work today just in case they are needed on campus, etc. FOX and Weather Channel said Red Stick was going to get hit hard and it seems this has come true. I don't know if you can get to Baton Rouge so please make sure the roads are open before you venture out. Be safe.

I agree with the guys....too much skirt. Otherwise, they look nice. Give 'em a try and let us know how you do.

Well Seabolt, it is about time! ;D ;D ;D Actually, you did a beautiful job. The only problem I see is that the boat is way too clean. You need to take her out and dirty her up.

This is an interesting discussion. I like a 6' 6" or 7' heavy baitcasting rod with a 5:1 or 5:3 ratio baitcaster for the winch power when using braid and fishing frogs in slop, pads and grass. Now you want to use a spinning rig, which seems to me to be a little light for heavy braid fishing and winching fish out of the heavy cover. I would suggest the 4000 spinning reel as you will need the power to drag the fish out of the heavy cover, so I vote with dodgeguy. If you use a heavy 7' rod I would think it would balance with the 4000 spinning reel and the extra reel weight would not be a problem. Be sure to send pics of the monstors you pull out of the heavy cover.

Other than Mississippi State losing to Louisiana Tech, all SEC teams have won their opener so far. Today it is Tennessee and UCLA and Tennessee is expected to win that game. Just an observation. ;D

CNN had a discussion on the album this morning and said that the guys were lip sinking the songs and actually the singers are 12 year Chinese kids with buck teeth. It is the buck teeth that gives the special flavor to the music. The kids are also naked when they make the recordings which gives a lot of extra feelings to the music. Check out the CNN web site for more info and details.

Storm is coming onshore closer to New Orleans than it looked like yesterday. My family and friends in New Orleans and Cajun country have evacuated. When I was in New Orleans on August 8 we went crabbing in Reggio's and the marsh was back and beautiful. We caught 18 dozen blue crabs in four and a half hours. We had a blast. The homes were rebuilt in St. Bernard Parish and the trees were alive with Spanish moss. The marsh was breathtaking. Everywhere you looked was a Kodac moment. I hope the area can survive this storm, but no matter what happens, Mother Nature will take care of the marsh and the people will rebuild. My cousin has a fishing guide service out of Shell Beach and he lost his camp with Katrina but found and saved his two boats after the storm. They were about two miles in the marsh after the storm. I guess he may be wiped out, again. George, my friends in Baton Rouge are staying in town but everyone else have vacated. Hope this storm is not as bad as advertised. :-[

Yes, the beauty of fishing. Nature; great people; a challenge; and time to think and reflect. I sure hope things turn around for you, and soon.

This happens all the time. This is one of the major problems that can arise when the boater is throwing one type of bait or technique and the coangler is doing somethng else. Most tournaments give the coangler some time up front. If this was not the case then you were at the mercy of the boat owner. A lot of boaters will cast to cut you off. It is just a part of fishing and it depends on the boater if he will give you any slack. Usually the answer is a 'no" to this question. And since the boater can throw to a target first they usuallly do much better than a coangler. Your boater seems not to have any concern about you and only wants to do well for himself. He is what you call a jerk. But this is a part of tournament fishing so be ready to encounter it in tournament situations. I try to discuss the techniques and baits we will be throwing with my partner and try to match his technique but throw a different bait, be it size, color or type. Sorry this happened to you but it is a learning experience.

Suggest you go to the library and see what Consumer Reports has to say about trucks. Buy American, if possible.

Palamor Knot.

Sounds like a fantastic tournament. What waters did you fish? And I agree with Bassnajr about you fishing or working a tournament. It is best if you stay "neutral" if you are working a tournament.

Glad to have you with us. But did you realize that member number 17,138 gets a prize???? ;D Just kidding.