Sam

When I launch alone, I make sure I have a rope tied to one of the boat's dock cleats and I tie the other end of the rope to the dock. I then back the boat into the water, knowing that the rope will hold the boat secure to the dock until I can come back after parking the vehicle. Only once did the rope come lose but I managed to grab it before the boat floated away. I will be tieing a noose to the end of the rope this year so I can flip it over a dock piling. Works like a charm. Give it a try.

Peidy_P, We really need some more information about where you are fishing. The "Mississippi Delta" extends from Lafourche over to St. Bernard, and there are many, many places to fish in this area. What Parrish do you fish most? Do you fish the Mighty Mississippi or the various bayous and canals? Is the water barckish or totally fresh? Do you have a boat or do you do shore fishing? I hope you have a boat as the "shore lines" along the river and bayous can be hazardous to your health. Myabe you need to ask your question in the Fishing Areas section of the Fourm that includes Louisiana for more detailed answers. But to give you some suggestions, shallow water fishing is one of the most "fun" types of fishing you can do. I love it. Try a Bomber 100 or 200 parallel along the shoreline and to the shoreline and back to the boat as they are good presentations. A Mann's Minus One can also be productive. A topwater, like a Spook, Pop-R or pink trick worm can also produce strikes along with a black buzzbait. Spinnerbaits thrown parallel to or to the shore and back to the boat can produce strikes. As for plastics, Senkos, Zoom Finesse Worms, and any other type of plastic you like can produce fish. And a jig and pig with a nice pork or plastic trailer can be productive after the spawn and during the summer months. Throw heavy weighted plastics in the pads and also a frog over the top of the pads and grasses. Use braid line and set the hook if you feel a "heavy" weight on the end of your line. So please consider going to the Louisiana section on this Forum and ask for assistance. All baits will work in your area but you need to decide on the color and techniques that will produce the most strikes on any given day. And remember, Geaux Tigers!

Abita Purple Haze. Try it!

Ike has always been a wonderful ambassador for bass fishing. He was an outsanding presenter at the old Bassmaster University seminars and if you ever have the opportunity to hear him speak you will be amazed at how he relaxes the audience and presents his material in an organized and simple way for all to understand. He is my favorite pro. As for one rule to change in tournaments? Remove all "off limits" restrictions. Glenn, thanks for a great interview with Ike.

Usually"foul hooking" in tournaments is allowed. Just get the fish in the live well. No one will ask you how you hooked it.

Anything Shimano in reels. A good medium heavy graphite rod that costs over $100. Whatever you feel comfortable and that will give you confidence. Have fun and watch out for the Bait Monkey!

AND BE SURE THE "KILL SWITCH" IS OFF. I also suggest starting the motor for a few seconds (hooked to a hose) at home before you leave to make sure she is running properly. And check your trolling motor, too. Be sure to double check the "kill switch" as it is embarassing at the launch site when you can't get the motor started and everyone is looking at you like you are a big dummy. ;D

Outstanding! Congrats. Now go back and catch her again!!!

Remember, light line will sink and disturb the natural flow of the bait. It will also not allow the bait's nose to sit correctly. A heavy line, be it braid or mono, is a good topwater line. But if Roadwarrior says to use the Yozuri Hybrid Ultra Soft the you use the Yozuri Hybrid Ultra Soft line. And it works, too!

May I suggest taking Bassenbratt's suggestion and go to either a 3/0 or 4/0 size STRAIGHT SHANK hook. Use a MEDIUM HEAVY rod. One that cost over $100 can be an excellent investment. Use a GRAPHITE rod when fishing crankbaits to feel the bait and hits better. Point rod tip towards the water and reel in all the slack and then SET THE HOOK. HARD! When setting the hook make the fish's EYES POP OUT OF HIS HEAD but setting the hook very hard. Throw yourself out of the boat or on the ground. Hold the rod high and reel like crazy. Keep rod tip IN THE WATER if the fish jumps. This will stop the jumping. Keep rod tip HIGH IN THE AIR to keep the line tight, even when you "lip" the fish or pull him out of the water if he does not jump a lot. CHECK HOOK POINTS and make sure they are sharp. A sharpening stone is a very good investment. And if you are fishing a Senko or a finesse worm, you may want to watch your line and see if it moves. The fish then has the bait in their mouth and you need to wait two or three seconds and then set the hook VERY HARD. If you feel the "tap, tap, tap" set the hook. SET THE HOOK HARD. If you do not have a fish we want your bait to fly back to you and either hit or fly over your head. Chatterbait hooks are not sharp and you need to sharpen them. You may want to consider changing your crankbait and topwater hooks to more sharper varities. And consider using a straight shank worm hook for your plastics, as mentioned above. And did I say SET THE HOOK HARD WITH ALL OF YOR STRENGTH AND THROW YOUR BODY INTO THE HOOKSET? Good luck.

1. Get a copy of the watercraft guidelines from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. 2. Take a safe boating course and get your certificate. 3. Remember that the Potomac is a very unforgiving river and the weather can put you in an extremely hazardous situation in the blink of an eye. Since you now have a boat it is time to learn what is needed on it and how to safely operate it, especially if I am on the water with you. I hate towing people back to the ramp.

Glad you all did not try your luck at the Pony Pasture. The Historic James River is boiling and right now, Tuesday, May 13, and it is headed to over nine (9) feet which means you need a permit to access the river. So how long will it take the Rapp to calm down? Don't know. It depends on the watershed feeding the river and how much rain the watershed receives and for how long. I would venture a guess and say ten (10) to fourteen (14) days after it stops raining over the watershed. As for ponds, they are full in our geographical area so remember to throw a Mann's Minus One parallel to the shore to aggravate them if they are still on their beds or swimming around. And with the ponds receiving so much rain, they may be stained or dirty so a Rat-L-Trap may produce some strikes. Have fun and let us know how you do. I am going to try to hit the Shenandoah University concrete pond in Winchester today before my meeting in Mount Jackson and then fish a friend's ponds outside Luray on Wednesday before another afternoon meeting in Strausburg. And watch out for snakes. They are being forced to move around due to the high water.

Good lure choice. In the dirty water they could hear the rattles and lock on your bait. The red could be seen as they approached the target. You have reminded us of the fun of bass fishing. Every day is totally different from the day before and the next day. It can drive you crazy. ;D

Welcome. And another Virginian! Super. And even better, he fishes Buggs Island so we can rely on him about Buggs as he relies upon us for information. We are so glad to have you with us.

With the cold front that moved through the area I would think the bass would have moved off the banks and into deeper water. They may have also been on their beds, depending on the water temperature. Hey, fishing on Saturday sure beat cleaning the house of doing laundry.

Putting a bullet weight on "Arkansas" style, meaning that it is on backwards. I still have to think as to which end to start running the line through the weight so that the bullet is pointed back towards the rod tip.

Passed the Virginia Safe Boating Course last year. About time I took it!

Last smallie I caught was on a buzzbait off a dock in the Historic James River adjacent to my American Legion Post around 6:30 PM while I was waiting for the meeting to start in October, '07. I threw the buzzbait into the river over some grass; let it sink to the bottom; and then ripped it to the surface. He hit it before it reached the surface. Fun fish with a lot of fight.

What bothers me is that someone released those fish into the wild. Just like the Snakeheads in the Potomac River, someone let the fish loose. It is not fair to the fish or our environment. But stupid is as stupid does. I fish a pond that has two beautiful Koi swimming around. I don't fish for them but they are nice to watch as I wait for a bass to take my Senko. I guess they are happier in the pond then a fish tank.

Yes, those of us who watch the news and read the newspapers know of Sheriff Joe. He is a great guy with outstanding ideas. I wonder how he would run a big city school division?

I receives some bad news about a good friend today. His cancer has spread to his bones and he will be going to the National Cancer Institute for more treatments. Two years ago he had a "wart" on the bottom of his foot. His family physican called it a Planters Wart and treated it with creams and freezing it. After six (6) months and the "wart" not improving or gone, the family physician told him to see a dermotologist. The dermotologist took one look at the "wart" and sent him directly to the hospital for surgery the next day. Too late. After six (6) months of incorrect diagnosis the "wart" turned out to be a melanoma. Skin cancer. Yes, on the bottom of his foot. Dermotologist told him that skin cancer will appear at the skin's weakest spot, be it on the bottom of your foot all the way up your body to behind your ears or on the top of your head. He has three boys. The twins are four (4) and the baby is one (1). His wife has opend a page on Caringbridge, which is not good. She said that she will be posting updates for everyone to read and do not call the house. So far he is in good spirits. He is such a nice guy that you would love just being with him. He is smart, funny, easy going and you will get "warm fuzzies" being around him. There is not a nasty bone in his body. He is the kind of guy who will tell you where to fish; what baits to use; and then let you go to the place before him. He is always has a smile on his face and a kind word to say about everyone. To say the least I am very upset. Why him? Why destroy a beatutiful family? We all need to closley check our bodies for "funny looking" moles or other blemishes that look nasty on a monthly basis. And don't wait to see a dermotologist. Go immediately if you find anything that looks suspicious. I now know why I fish. Mental health reasons. At least we can forget our troubles and cares for a few hours a week. So please use sunscreen. Wear long sleeve shirts designed to protect you from the sun. Wear a cap with a flap over your neck. And long pants. This is the least we can do to protect ourselves. The Medical College of Virginia killed a good friend last year during back surgery and now this. It just is not fair.

Max is right. Just let 'em dry and they will be fine. Try a RICO if you can. They are super and I like them better than the Pop-R.

You may think the monkey is in his cage, but he is not. He is following you around all the time. He is the one who keeps putting the BPS catalog on the table; the one who steers your car to your local tackle shops; they one who is always watching you. Beware, the Bait Monkey never sleeps.

Congratulations. May I suggest making a photocopy of your safe boating license or certificate or card for future reference and keep a copy on your boat at all times? It can come in handy when your friends from Game and Fisheries stop by and ask you some questions. The safe boating card seems to make them friendlier!

I don't remember where Kurt ended in the Richmond race. But it was a fun race.