Sam

Beautiful fish. Glad you did not fall overboard for those pants look like shark bait.

Yes! The heavy grass. And I agree with what you are saying. I know bass go deeper than 15 feet. I think Linder meant on the average they do not go deeper than 15 feet. But go tell the guys out west and on the Great Lakes and get their feedback.

Dantatro49 asks a simple question that has produced a lot of responses and is one of the "lightning rod" subjects discussed on this forum. What we need to do is to separate "scent" from "taste" if we are going to have a proper discussion. For us old forum members, we know about Dr. Keith Jones' studies at Berkley's Pure Fishing where Dr. Jones says bass cannot take oil molecules into their sensing areas so they do not smell attractants with an oil base. But what about taste? Bass taste with their lips and mouth area so you want an attractant that tastes good so the fish will hold the bait for a few seconds longer. This allows us to have more time to reel in any slack and set the hook. So, as far as I am concerned, attractant provides the following advantages: 1. It gives us confidence. 2. It can make your bait cut through grass and pads easier, like the MegaStrike product. 3. The fish can taste it, giving us a little more time to set the hook. As for scents, who knows? Dr. Jones says that anise repels bass but for those of us who used to make our own attractants, anise is one of the standard ingredients. And they worked. But you put some scent into a large body of water and it dissapates rapidly. So using this logic, how can the bass smell anything that is moving and leaving a slim trail of odor after it? We all use garlic, for what reason I don't know, other than it is included in a lot of attractants and it smells good to us. But put it in an oil base and the bass are not supposed to be able to smell it. But can they taste it? Is taste the secret to garlic? We need to discuss which attractant 1) has the best smell that the bass can smell and 2) which ones have the best taste. Or, just buy scented plastics and the heck with the entire disucssion.

I did some research this weekend waiting for my flights to and from New Orleans and reviewed Al Linder's book, Largemouth Bass, to refresh my memory. Al discusses tracking studies and he says that these studies show some generalizations: Some bass rarely leave the shallows while others occupy middepths or deep water. One group occupies a definite home while others constantly change locations. Bass become active and hunt prey at a wide range of temperatures. Bass rest most of the time, becoming active and seeking food at regular intervals, often around dusk and dawn. Resting bass are not always in cover but usually spend time near small openings in cover or where two cover types meet. Bass may also suspend at middepths and may feed on the surface in open water. Bass know their way around a large body of water, making their own milk run during the day and by seasons. Bass rarely go deeper than 15 feet. Bass react to changing water quality involving oxygen, temperature and salinity by moving. Now, with these observations, let's look at feeding strategy. There are four basic feeding strategies: 1) running down food; 2) stalking; 3) habituation, and 4) ambush. Habituation means that the bass swim with or hover over or around other species without giving off strike signals and then they swiftly strike at the prey. You know about the other three feeding strategies so use techniques and presentations to improve the probability of having them hit your baits. So what prey are in the quarry and in your opinion, which of the four methods will your quarry bass use to feed? Now, your body of water and the bass. Remember, WEEDGROWTH is your best place to find bass so look for weedgrowth that the bass can swim in, around, over and under plus travel to and from any other weedgrowth they can find. Stumps, rocks and other structure on the bottom will also hold the bass after they leave the hump. Remember the shallows? As you know, bass like to feed in the shallows and like a fast run to the shallows and a rapid escape back to deeper water. So try to find drop-offs and points, especially the ones with grass on them. Look for edges and other variations in the weedgrowth, plus any wood in the quarry. Any flats around? Any flats around with weed clumps? A flat on an underwater point is excellent and it will hold bass all day long. And a hole near a drop-off is attractive to bass. Are your quarry walls going straight down to the bottom? If so, you will have to read about western fishing and how those guys catch bass off their rocky cliffs. So with all of this wonderful information, you can now look at the bottom of your sand quarry and determine where the bass go when they leave the hump. And don't forget that bass follow the baitfish. Baitfish like the weedgrowth to hide themselves from other predators. The bass probably have a pattern so try to figure out when they visit the humpmorning, evening, cloud cover, bright sun, windy conditions, water temperature, after rain, etc. Then you can find them on the hump when conditions warrant. But you also need to find out where they go to rest, in about 10 to 15 feet of water or in thick weeds or pads or by stumps/wood or shoreline undercuts, etc. And why is the wind so important? It helps introduce oxygen into the water; stirs up the baitfish; causes commotion on the surface which can get the bass excited; and it blows the baitfish and their food into an area which the bass will follow. You need to do some research on your quarry to try to find the bottom structure; any cover and if there are any underground streams feeding the quarry, which will also attract the bass. Try to find a map, if possible. Maybe your city or county has a map showing contour lines, etc. of the quarry. What would be even better is to try to speak with any of the people who worked the quarry, if they are still alive, and they can give you some insight. Now isn't this an easy answer to your question????? Good luck and let us know what your research finds and where you think the bass go if they are not on the hump.

We cut chicken quarters into thirds, including the legs. The biat has to be fresh so we changed out, often or when the crabs and bream tore them up or ate them. We went through ten pounds of chicken quarters from 7:00 to 11:30 and still had some parts left over that we threw into the bayou. Give chicken quarters a try and forget the chicken necks.

Wading boots with felt soles. Work great and they protect your ankles. You all need the proper equipment to fish, safely. After all, did you ever see a football player in the NFL hit the field without their helmet? Other than for a fight, that is! The investment will last a lifetime. The boots do not wear out and they keep the rocks and sand at bay. Check out the new BPS just below Ashland when they open in October and they may be on sale. I know they are costly but after all, it is your comfort and protection we are talking about.

Glad you are with us. We have a number of great guys from Florida on the site but I don't recall any from your area. And that is a beautiful bass. What did she weigh?

Glad to hear you are OK. One of the most unusual fishing stories I have ever heard. Thanks for sharing.

Went with my old college roommate crabbing and she....ha ha, I mean he, and I did great. We went to an area by Reggio, towards Delacroix, and the crabs were all over the place. We used six nets and caught 18 dozen. We lost a bunch, too. All were nice blue crabs and three were very large jimmies. And I mean like you get at Lake Catherine. We caught a bluegill and a catfish in the nets, too. There were no snakes, gators or bugs or getting grabbed by the crabs so it was a very successful adventure. South Louisiana is back from Katrina. The marsh is beautiful and abudent with fish. The bass were chasing the bait fish all over the place as were the gar and the mullet were flying out of the water, too. I was sorry that I did not bring anything to fish with as we had that part of the bayou to ourselves. Beautiful country. And Mother Nature has healed this part of Louisiana and it is as beautiful and ever.

Enjoy walking on the dam, now. When the water rises it can be dangerous. Wonderful story and pictures. Gald you all did well and everyone returned home safe and sound. We really need water in the area. I have stopped fishing due to the bass going deep in the local ponds and lakes and are hard to reach from shore. Taking the boat onto the Potomac on the week of the 18th and sure hope the river is doing well.

Beautiful story. Don't know if I could do it. The guy is really a wonderful person.

Yes, I can say some positive things: 1. Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards are doing well. 2. No one has been seriously injured. 3. Tony Stewart still says things as he sees them and could care less what NASCAR has to say. 4. Three friends and I are going to the Richmond Race in September. 5. Maybe with the Goodyear fisasco at Indy NASCAR will start speaking with Firestone and others about tires. So....Gentlemen, start your engines! ;D

Anyone who has a baby knows that you and your wife will be busy and I am glad you have your priorities straight. We will keep in touch plus the fact that I plan to fish the Potomac with your Dad, probably during the week of the 18th. Be sure to send us photos of the baby. All the best to you and your wife. Sam

Good question. The rods I damaged are old and out of warrenty so it made no difference. But really good question. Anyone have the answer?

I received the Advanced Frogging DVD from Johnnythunderbass and to say the least, I was impressed. It is not a Hollywood production and Johnny says so. But it is full of informative information on fishing frogs and I suggest you consider purchasing it. Johnny is down to earth and he tells you like it is. The free Trophy Series Scum Frog was a nice bonus, too. So consider ordering this DVD and adding it to your fishing library. www.catchlargemouthbass.com Or "search" Advanced Frogging on this site and you will see his original post. Great investment guys, and very entertaining.

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, The Bait Monkey wants Your Fanny, Happy Birthday to You. And many, many, many, many more. ;D

Sounds really good. I bet it tastes great, too. We already have our Christmas list and we shop all year long. My problem is what rod and reel I want. I like the All Stars and Kistlers and my G. Loomis is super for a rod. Plus the fact that anything Shimano is excellent for reels. I will give my wife the receipe so I can get a CORE. So, now that you are enjoying the cookies what do you suggest?

The best way to get around the lake is to jump into the water and tie a rope to the boat and place the other end of the rope between your teeth and swim with it to your next location. This is the only way to avoid the tree tops, etc. Of course, just kidding. But you have pointed out the problem with this body of water and why me, and others, do not fish it anymore. Sorry you did not get one of the world famous lunkers.

Ask around at your local tackle shops. In Richmond we have a guy who repairs rods and reels. He has fixed two of my rods and charged only $5 for each. Both work great.

Sorry. Type A. Just can't do it. :'(

The Jets are trying to upgrade their talent and are doing a good job, slowly but surley. Faneca is a tremendous asset to the team and I think Brett will bring a lot of promise and hope to an otherwise dismal season. It should now be fun to watch the Jets and see what the team can do to improve its overall record and plan for the future.

Retiring can be a traumatic experience. Brett just could not handle it. So back he comes, after all of the fanfare and goodbyes he received along with the acolades. How often have we seen that story? I hope he does well. He has already cost one QB his career in New York and it will be interesting to see how long he stays with the Jets. Maybe he will lead the Jets to the Promise Land like Broadway Joe did about 100 years ago.

The Boys from Boone put together a trailer about their opening game against the BCS National Championship Defending Champions the LSU Fighting Tigers in Baton Rouge on August 30th. http://www.nascarmediagroup.com/clients/app_state/trailer/app_state_trailer.wmv It will be the first game between the defending National Champions in the two top divisions in the history of football. Should be a fun game.

Put your request in the Bas Club section of this forum. There are many guys who love to bass fish at UF so maybe you can get the word out in the student newspaper when school opens or put up flyers on campus. With the fishing being so great in Florida and guys from all over the country going to school in Gainesville I am sure you will get a number of responses. Only problem would be boats. Have fun and good luck with your club. Also, we have a blast with SEC and college football on this site and the season starts in less than four weeks so "ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL???" Geaux Tigers!!! ;D

Great to have you with us. With winter coming upon us, maybe you and your dad can watch some DVDs on bass fishing. The Woo Daves series is very good. Anything Kevin Van Dam or Ike are great. Denny Brauer is easy to understand. Jimmy Houston is funny and very educational. And all of the pros productions are full of tips and techniques. The winter is time to organize your tackle and to educate yourself. And there are the pros' web sites that have good information, too. So read the articles on this site; ask questions; and just educate your self this winter. Now, to answer your queries: What color plastics are you using? Black is for night and stained or dirty water. Are you using black on all baits, including your spinnerbaits and buzzbaits? Tried a Carolina rig? With a creature bait? With tail dipped in yellow JJs Magic or Spike-It? How deep are your cranks running? Just a few questions for you to inform us so maybe we can help you. Thanks.