Sam

I like that taste. Of course, I am from Louisiana where we eat fish bait so my input may not be that valid.

First rule of sight fishing...if you can see the fish then the fish can see you. So stay back far enough to see the fish without spooking them and from throwing your shawdow over the area where he is swimming. Second rule....you need some very high quality polarized sunglasses. Great investment for all bass fishermen. Secure your sunglasses with one of those soft bands around your head to keep them secure and not go overboard. And use your peripheral vision to sight fish, too. Third rule...use a Senko or a Zoom plastic and throw in front of him so he can see the lure hit the water (softly as possible) and then take the bait. Other baits can work, too, but for me either a Senko (Texas or Wacky rigged) or a Zoom finesse worm does the best. Now, if they are on their beds, it is very difficult to have them take your bait and there are loads of posts on bed fishing on this site so search "bed fishing" and see what you can find. And you have to be very quiet when sight fishing. Some guys put their trolling motor on low and let it just run while others use the stop and go method. Remember, if you drop anything in the boat the sound will travel over 40 feet from the boat through the water column and this can spook the fish. Some pros think the stop and go trolling motor method alerts the fish that you are around while others say there is no difference in the way you work your trolling motor. So go figure? So be very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very quiet and don't move around. In other words, have everything ready to pick up easily so you will not have to walk and open a compartment or tackle box or make any unnecessary noise. Sight fishing is a lot of fun but it can be aggravating when the fish you see just will not take your bait. I know. ;D

Probably not. We are baby sitting our granddog but if I can sneak away I may hit a local pond.

Outstanding! Super way to go! And your thought about fighting a big fish from far away from your boat....forget it. I still have nighmares about the ones that threw the hook on the way to the boat. My friends still relate stories of the "big one" that got away on the way to the boat. We must make a law that states that all big females (four ponds and up) must take our baits within ten feet of our boat or shore line. By doing this, we will live longer as we will not have either heart attacks or nightmares after we hook one and then have the fight of a lifetime on our hands. On the other hand....it is great to hook 'em and then fight them to the boat and around the boat and under the boat and by the trolling motor and then back around the boat as our nonboater sits on his fanny and says, "get your own darn net." ;D

Reels - Shimano Rods - Various graphite and glass Lines - Various Weights - Going to more and more tungston but any brand. Spinnerbaits - Terminator and War Eagle Crankbaits - Bandit, Lucky Craft, X-Rapp and Japanese Brands Plastics - Senkos and Zoom Buzzbaits - Cavitron Hooks - Eagle Claw, Mustad, Owner and Gamakatsu Scent - MegaStrike and Jack's Juice Dyes - JJ's Magic Electronics - Lowrance I have always been a "brand" stickler, even when I played sports in high school and later days. I stick with one brand for specific items and that's that. Now, after saying that, I will purchase other lines, weights, hooks, etc. if I like them or believe they will produce strikes. And then I will purchase special stuff, like the Ugly Duckling crankbait which is outstanding. If you go with a national name brand you can't go wrong. After all, the fish don't care about the brand name or its cost. They care about how it performs and if they want to eat or kill it.

I heard that the ramp fee is $13. That's high, even for Northern Virginia and the DC area. Lots of tournaments going out of Leesylvania so get there early. Other than for what Rondef said, all I can add is to throw some weedless plastics and hope for the best. Good luck.

The major brands are usually your best options. I go with Shimano now. 100% Shimano and so far, so good. As long as you stay with one of the major brands, like the Pfluegers, you will have less problems with your baitcasters and spinning reels.

BassMasterRob, Actually, any scale you wish to purchase will suffice. You see, it doesn't matter what your boat's scale reads. It matters what your club's scales or the bait/tackle shop's scales read. All scales will be off by a few ounces. Some high; some low. Your scale should operate as Geroge Welcome says while on the boat to give you an idea of your weights and that's all. Hand held and boat scales are not designed to be the last word on your fish's weight. Only an indication of how one fish's weight compares with another fish's weight on the same scale. So don't go bonkers picking out the "best" scale. Just purchase a good brand and remember to "tug on the fish's tail" when looking at the weight!!!!! ;D

You have to be 18 to be a member of our club. With so many people "sue happy" and the risk of having any minor claim he/she was molested or abused there is always a chance that either something could occur that would place one of our older members in an awkward situation or there be an acquasition that something occurred. I only take kids with me if their parent joins us. So as I view the situation, it is not a matter of how good or bad the young person can fish or operate a boat, it is a question of assuming a risk that you would normally shy away from. In addition, if the minor is injured on your boat the minor's parents can bring a legal action and then the minor can bring their individual legal action when they reach their majority. I love to take kids fishing and help with youth events, but always with another adult around to back my story should there be any charges of impropriety. Call me paranoid but I believe that avoiding the risk is the best course of action when it comes to taking minors fishing when it is you and the minor, only, on the boat. A word to the wise is sufficient!

Congrats on your new PB. Topwaters are fun to fish. Buzzbaits are even better. Cavitron buzzbaits are the best. Did you use a trailer hook? If not, try using one in the future on all buzzbaits. Now go back and catch her again!

Sorry AvalonJohn, It is a secret. And it is far from Winchester. Later, Sam

What size are you throwing, too?

Micro, That is a beautiful bait. I visited the "double secret" tackle shop in my area that sells Japanese lures and I purchased some beautiful baits that you can't find anywhere, other than the internet. The artwork is simply beautiful. Just like the lure you showed us. The one that blew my mind is the Pop Max GG Peacock which resembles a bleeding yellow perch. The details are excellent. It looks like a real fish. The Mr-X Griffon and the Virbation-X Ultra by Megabass are also beautiful. I purchased a Megabass Type-X orange back - goldpearl frog. Never have seen such a frog before. Totally different from any frogs I have ever seen. It is designed to go right, left and upside down and it always turns right-side up. I am planning to throw these "different" baits in four tournaments coming up in June but I just can't help myself so I will be throwing them before to get the hang and feel of them. I also picked up an IMA Roumba in the Bull Frog style. This bait was honorable mention at the ICast show and it is something that I would like to bite. It is a beautiful bait and I hope it produces some nice strikes. Please let us know how you do with the baits. PM me if you can after you give them a good workout. Isn't it great to throw something different that the fish have not seen day in and day out? Thanks for sharing the information. Now, to get boat back from Jerry Cooper's shop and hit the rivers

P.S. Yikes! It forgot to include my favorite topwater...a pink trick worm. Unweighted on 6 to 8 pound test with a straight shank hook. Fish on top of the water and also let it sink and pull it slowly through the water. What makes it so much fun to fish is that you can see it and know when the bass strike it. Give it a try. A pink trick worm. It just doesn't get better than that!

What makes this site so good also hurts the site. I mean, when someone joins and starts to asks the same questions that have been asked before some of our long term members get on them as if they should already know the information. We have to have patience and repeat ourselves with the new guys and gals. It is a part of sharing our information and opinions with others and attracting and retaining members. Also, what helps make this site so user friendly is the elimination of all political banter. We do not need it on this site and the Mods do a super job of eliminating it very fast. If anyone wants any specific informaion they can "PM" anyone and ask for help. I have helped a number of guys and I also will "PM" with some added information to specifically help them when I do not want to "broadcast" the data to the world. And yes, we do kid around with each other, as guys and gals who fish do all the time. It is fun to chide each other, but on a friendly level, about fishing and other subjects. It is how we do things in real life. You know, if everyone knew all there is to know about bass fishing we would not have this site. So it is important that we welcome our new members and treat everyone in a friendly manner. Even if we do make fun of each other now and then.

Oregon! Really, Oregon? Way up in the great Northwest? Wow! There are actually bass in Oregon? So, you can't catch anything, huh? So as Burley said, in so many words, join the club. It happens to us all. Some of us just don't admit it. A few observations for you to consider: 1. What is the water temperature? Are they in their pre-spawn thought pattern or are they on their beds or is it post-spawn? This will greatly influence the bass' appetite and you may be in the middle of the spawn and they just will not bite unless you aggravate them into biting. If this is the case, throw a Mann's Minus One ripped over their beds. Pulled really fast. Make lots of waves and splashes. Like a topwater. 2. Have you scaled down the size of your baits? The smaller the better. You may consider throwing a Roostertail or a small grub. Think small until you start to catch them and then go up in bait size. 3. What is the forage in the water you are fishing? Bream, bluegills, minnows, shad, crawfish, penquins, polar bears, etc.? Match the forage and their colors. Throw out some torn-up white bread slices in the water and see if they bream/bluegills strike it. If not, then you know they are not there. 4. Try either watermealon or pumpkinseed/red flake for your plastics and see if that increases your strike ratio. 5. Have you lightened your tackle? In other words, when searching for bass you may do better using a light weight spinning set-up with 6 pound line fishing a finesse worm either Texas or Wacky style. And have you thrown a drop-shot or split-shot rig? Dynamite rigs. Give them a try. 6. Have you thrown any topwaters? Try a Zara Spook, Pop-R or a frog in additon to a small size buzzbait in the early AM or late evening. 7. Have you considered calling the Oregon Department of Fish and Game (or whatever they call themselves) and ask about the fishing in the bodies of water you fish? I have found these individuals to be very helpful and informative. 8. Have you visited any local tackle shops to find out how the fishing is going in the bodies of water you fish? Tackle shops hear it all and they usually will share their information and suggestions. 9. Before I forget, have you thrown any "moving" baits such as a crankbait, spinnerbaits or a Rat-L-Traps? These are good search baits if the bass are in the area. 10. Read, read and read the articles on this site and visit the sites of the B.A.S.S. pros, such as Woo Daves and Ike. They all have tips for you to consider. Purchase a subscription to Bassin' Magazine. It is excellent and you will learn a lot from each issue. And have you posted any requests for information on this forum in the Oregon fishing section? The guys from Oregon, all one or two of them, can give you some insight. Now, Oregon. I flew over Oregon once on my way back from the Orient in 1970 via Seattle down to San Francisco and then over to New Orleans. It was at night so I did not see anything. And we do kid around on this site (as you may have noticed) and we are all glad you are with us. Keep on trying to find those fish and let us know how you do.

Check out Woo Daves web site for river fishing. Did you go to Google Earth and find the river and then "fly" over it to find the hidden creeks, ponds, etc.? Good luck and go out and beat those Auburn War Eagles, Plainsmen, Tigers or whatevers.

Hey guys, If you want to see a fun movie and forget your troubles and woes for two hours then go see the new Indiana Jones movie. The special effects are excellent and the chase scene is a lot of fun. Just remember it is a comic book movie so Indy never loses his hat or gets his clothes dirty nor breaks any bones no matter what happens. I could go and see it again!

I fish for the fun of it and to get away from all of the world's problems. I have never cheated nor will I as I don't need to ruin my reputation. I also don't care where I finish in a tournament and have given up th front of the boat to others so they could do well and make our club's Six-Man Team. As for guys who cheat...they have some mental problems, and they want to be the "big shot" by fishing. Do you all remember the movie, Saturday Night Fever? John Travolta played a short order cook who could dance beautifully and this is where he gets is vicarous thrills as his job is nothing. Same thing with people who cheat. They get a vicarious thrill by being a big shot while, in real life, they are actually losers.

Anything Cavitron. Any size depending on the body of water and size of fish. 1/4 ounce for rivers and ponds; larger sizes for everything including rivers and ponds. Black skirt early AM or late PM or on cloudy days. White or white and chartruse for clear skies. Blade can be silver, black or gold. Everyone has an opinion on blade color. Just be sure it is a Cavitron that that you are making bubbles with the lure (not in the bathtub) to attract the fish. And read about buzzbaits on this site or in books and magazines. There are some tricks to use, like ALWAYS USE A TRAILER HOOK, and other tips. Have fun.

Excellent question with many answers. There are a number of philosophies that are used to find the fish. Everyone has their own or they use them interchangeably or on different types of water. First, you have to know the season and the bass' patterns for that specific time of year. Then, you have to know the body of water as the bass will act differently in lakes, rivers, creeks and ponds, although they will be doing the same basic things for that time of year. Structure, pads, grass, steep banks, deep waters, humps, boat docks, either floating or stationary, cyprus trees, wood in the water, flats, points, rocks, sand, gravel or hard clay bottoms, etc.???? Where are they? Next, what is the water temperature and water clarity? Any current? Any rain the past few days? Water level can also be important. And the tides? What is the tide schedule on tidal waters? Plus the fact do you have a beautiful blue-bird sky day or a cloudy, overcast day? Now, armed with this knowledge you will have a better opportunity to locate the bass by using some "search" baits. So what are "search" baits? Usually, crankbaits or spinnerbaits. But don't just throw those. Any bait you want to use, depending on the type of water and structure/cover, can be a good search bait. While fishing Buggs Island, my partner was throwing a crankbait and I decided to use a lemon Senko as my search bait as we started fishing around some boat docks. Score after the first half-hour of fishing? Me 2 - Him 0. And the way you fish is also important. I like to throw at the targets a number of times with various baits, from crankbaits, to Zoom finesse plastics of all types, including topwaters. In other words, your first goal is to find where the fish are and their pattern. On Buggs I found them on the rear corner of the docks. And not just any rear corner. It was the right side rear corner for some reason, be it the sun, water temperature, etc. I have no idea, but that is where the were for most of the day. So use whatever baits you want as your search bait depending on the amount of water you want to throw and the other many variables mentiioned above, plus others that the guys can throw into your formula. Do you think that this is why bass fishermen go crazy after a few years???? ;D

Buzzbaits are a lot of fun to fish and you can fish them all day. Please use sunscreen to avoid skin cancer in later life. I know it is a pain but it is better to be safe than sorry. You may also want to wear a long sleeve shirt and long pants to avoid the sun. And don't forget your ears and the back of your neck. Please try the Cavitron Buzzbaits. They are the best.

Ben, What are the baitfish in the pond? Bream? Bluegills? Minnows? If so, this is what the bass are used to eating so you need to "match the hatch/baitfish" with the same colors. Let me also make these suggestions: 1. Throw a Roostertail or a small 1 inch white grub on a 1/64 jig head. These are scaled down baits that all fish will hit. Remember, you have to scale down your biat sizes for a pond. 2. Throw a topwater early in the AM, at sunrise if possible, like a a pink trick worm on an unweighted 1/0 hook; a frog; a Pop-R, a Zara Spook or a small jiggerbug, etc. 3. Always have a Senko rigged and ready to throw, either Texas or Wacky rigged. Use a 4-inch Senko until you find out the size of the bass and then you can go to a 5-inch or 6-inch Senko. 4. Read about the "Drop Shot" technique and try that along with the ""Split Shot" technique. Great techniques for finesse fishing. A watermealon or pumpkinseed color should be used along with any other colors for your plastics that you like. 5. And to really find out what is going on, rig up a live minnow or a Nightcrawler (or other garden worm) under a bobber or just throw it out without a bobber and see what hits it. Although this may be considered "cheating" you will find out what is in the pond and where they are hiding. You can also throw out some white bread slices on top of the water to see if the bream and bluegills will hit it. Remember, your first goal is to determine what is in the pond followed by your second goal of "matching the forage" to determine the baits to use to catch them. One last thought. Are the bass on their beds or have they just finished spawning? Check the water temperatures. 65* is the prime temperature for spawning activities and the higher the water temperature the more active the bass will become, with 85* being the best temperature for bass activity. So "cheat" a little and throw live baits like minnows or Nightcrawlers to find out what is in the pond and then go back to your artificial baits. Good luck.

Live and learn. Two thoughts on your trip. First, did you have the opportunity to study any maps of the lake? Did you talk to any of the locals on where to fish and what to throw? Second, maybe next time you may want to invest in a guide on the lake, if there is one, to show you the best places to fish, the best baits, best techniques, etc. What you encountered is what we all encounter during our fishing experiences. Some of us encounter it more than others. ;D

YOUR DAUGHTER HELD THE FISH! YOUR DAUGHTER TOUCHED THE FISH!! Fantastic!!! Hopefully you can submit one or two of those pics you sent us to your State Fair. I am sure they are winners in the kids photos contest. Beautiful pictures and beautiful children. Thanks for sharing what makes fishing so much fun.