Sam

LBH, I tell you what I do. I scale down and fish for bluegills and maybe a bass will hit the bait. At a pond last year I was having a great day. Almost every cast got a hit on the Texas rigged and the Wacky rigged Senkos. Then the bite went away. Nothing. Not on any plastic or crankbait or even a topwater. So here is what I did. I rigged a 1/64 ounce silver jig head onto my spinning rig with 8 pound and put a 1/2 inch white grub on it. I could not cast it out that far; only about 10 to 12 feet from the bank. And then it happened. After catching a few bluegills, wham! She hit it right by my feet. 27 and a half inches. I don't know who was more surprised, her or me. After releasing her I went back to my Senkos and caught a few more. So now I scale down and fish for bluegills and bream with smaller rigs and then go back to fishing for bass after 10 or 15 minutes. In tournaments, I will start to throw a Senko, Texas rigged or Wacky style, in shallow water and hope for the best. Or throw a creature bait or a beast or Little Beaver or a jig and pig in the wood and any structure/cover around; or throw my Firetiger Bandit 200 into the wood. Sooner or later something has to give.

Great photos. Living in the south is great. Beautiful girls; great weahter; outstanding food; football is a religion; and the economy is still doing well. Thanks for sharing.

As long as you wear your LSU National Championship tee shirts, sweatshirts and caps you will do well. If you wear anything Tulane you will end up in last place. Just a word to the wise........

Interesting. I wonder how much Skeeter had to pay to knock out Triton? Good advertising and marketing scheme. Skeeter must be looking to increase sales this year.

Great question. Here is my two cents. 1. Club needs to set up the non-boater fee before any tournament based on the current mid-range gasoline prices. Why mid-range gas prices? Because the big motors use 89 octane gasoline. The rate has to be based on one gasoline station as of the day before the tournament. You have to have a listing of the non-boater fees, such as this: "Non-Boat owners shall pay boaters on a sliding scale for the boater's tournament day expenses. The fee will be based on the price of eighty-nine (89) octane automobile gasoline at the closest automobile service station to the Club's meeting location at the time of the tournament pairings. Eighty-Nine (89) Octane Gasoline Prices: $1.00 to $1.50 = $30; $1.51 to $2.00 = $35; $2.01 to $2.50 = $40; $2.51 to $3.00 = $45; $3.01 to $3.50 = $50; and so on for each fifty cent ($.50) increase in Eighty-Nine (89) Octane gasoline prices at the pump. Mid-Range gasoline prices at the closest gasoline service station to the meeting site will be used in formulating the Non-Boater fee. Non-Boat owners shall pay the daily rate without being asked by the boater." Just as long as the fee is upfront and is known and that the non-boater is expected to give the money to the boater before blast-off then you should not have any problems. 2. What happens if the non-boater damages the boater's boat or equipment? "Non-Boaters shall be responsible for damages incurred due to their individual negligence when operating any equipment of others arising out of any tournament activities.' It is imperative that all fees and do's and do-not's be spelled out in writing and agreed upon by all club members before each tournament. This avoids any embarrassing situations or arkward moments. 3. Launching and trailering. Yes, the non-boater can help launch and trailer the boat if you wish. You may have a friend in the club you would rather help you or you may get to the launch site early and launch the boat by yourself. However you want to handle it based on the non-boater' experience launching and trailering boats. 4. Fishing favorite spots. Usually the boater goes to his favorite spots. The non-boater can suggest where to go but it is the boater that has the final decision. The techinques used have to be discussed BEFORE the tournament between the boater and non-boater. If the boater wants to throw a crankbait and the non-boater want to fish a finesse worm the non-boater loses as the boater will move the boat fast. This can cause hurt feelings and anger towards the boater. So discuss where you are going; other options when the first plans fail (and they will); what techniques you all will use; the baits you will use; what structure you want to fish; etc. And don't be afraid to share your baits with the non-boater or boater if they are working. This promotes goodwill during the tournament. The non-boater may also be allowed to take the trolling motor for half of the tournament or be INVITED to fish off the front deck. 5. Refreshments Clear who is going to bring what to eat. Usually the guys bring their own lunch, snacks and drinks. See if the boat has a cooler. And the non-boater should offer to pay for the ice, if possible. Don't litter the boat and clean up the back of the boat and any other trash you generated after you trailer the boat. 6. Talk Talk to the non-boater and let the boater talk to the non-boater. Nothing more uncomfortable than to be with a boater who does not talk to you and does what he wants. 7. Jerks Remember, there are jerks out there so be ready to encounter them. Just don't let them ruin your day, even it they don't know what they are doing. 8. Turning your partner in for a violation. This is usually not done. If the boater forgets to put on his PFD and goes under power; if litter somehow gets into the water; if he runs through a wake zone; or if there is another violation by either the boater or non-boater you usually keep your mouth shut. Unless you really do not like the non-boater or boater and you want to have him disqualified. Your call. Hope this gives you some guidance. Just get all details in the open and agreed to by all club members and put it in writing! Have fun.

Setting that hook sends me over the edge every time. Of course, the fight is fun, but watching your line move or feeling the tap-tap-tap or a heavy line and setting that hook is the best. My blood pressure goes up; my muscles tighten; myeyes double in size; I say a one or two nasty words; the rod is over my head; the line is tight; I can't pull hard enough; I can't reel fast enough to get all slack out of the line and start the fight. What a thrill.

The Pony Pasture in the spring is great. The air temperature is still low enough to keep the sunbathers away. Park police have chased the Mexicans away. Just be careful as the water temps can be in the 50s which is cold. Bass and bluegills start to move around and get ready to go to bed. The big catfish start to move, too. Give it a try and let us know how you do. You can fish the grass and islands near the road or venture out into the rocks. But please wear your PFD and have a friend with you. The James River is a dangerous place.

Father's side of the family is from Russia. The village they were from was destroyed during WWII. We have a map showing where the village was and then on the new maps after 1946 the village was gone. Mother's side of the family came down from Canada and settled in Louisiana and they became the Cajuns. I had aunts who spoke French but they are gone, now. In fact, everyone is gone, except me and my niece and nephew and their children. But I still have the great memories of my Cajun grandmother cooking and telling me about superstitions. And I am still supertious to this day. Go figure.

No one answered you. I guess they are all out celebrating LSU's win over Ohio State. Or ringing their cowbells in Starkville. Or singing Dixie in Oxford. Just kidding. Never heard of the lake. Hope you received some "PM's" about this body of water.

I did not know caiman are in this part of the world and then I remembered that people will buy them when they are small and release them when they grow large. That is why we have a python problem in the Everglades. A guy caught a parinah in the Appomattox River last year. And as we all know, we have Snakeheads in the Potomac. It is such a shame to have this happen to our great country.

I priced it at Green Top outside of Richmond, Virginia yesterday and it is expensive. I think the Extra Smooth and Extra Tough Trileen should do fine this year, along with the AN-40 and Vanish for fluorocarbon. I am going to start using the Yo-Zuri as suggested by Roadwarrier but I will have to go to BPS to get it as Green Top does not carry Yo-Zuri. Please keep us posted on this new line as it is going to be one heck of an investment.

The GEMCO seires is a good map. You can get them at your Bass Pro Shop or large tackle store. You can also go to the GMCO web site and order them. The GMCO guy is usually at the Richmond Fishing Expo selling his maps and introducing any new ones. If you make it to Richmond next weekend for the show maybe he can answer your query on a tidal map. And what do you mean by a "tidal map"? Is this a new type of map for tidal rivers? Just curious as I have never seen a map labled '"tidal" before. I use the tides web page to get Virginia river tides and use the maps for the structure, coves, creeks and depth of the rivers. Consider driving to Richmond next weekend and seeing what maps are for sale at the show.

Keep those pics coming for us guys up north so we can dream about warmer weather. SteveP, great sense of humor. Love it. Avid, you almost smiled. I guess that is why it is snowing in Richmond. Envious? You are darn right I am envious. So you all catch them for us and keep those pics coming.

A phychiatrist? You live in Georgia where the weather is always nice and the girls are sweet and pretty. So why go out in the cold when you can stay home and be nice and warm? On the other hand, if you do have to go out how about a jig fished slow or a worm fished wacky but very, very, very, very, very slow? Have you thrown a pointer? A suspending one with red eyes? They will probably be deep on structure and not willing to move far for a nice meal so you will have to find their strike zones and put the baits close to them. So whatever you throw be patient and freeze your fanny off. Good luck.

Super. Enjoy all.

Drums, The coupons are on small advertising posters sticking out from the shelving. You can't miss them. They are by the Berkley products, espically the line. War Eagles and Rico's are not on sale. I asked. And yes, the guys were supposed to start putting up a 30 foot tent for the Shimano guys. I sincerely hope they show up as I have some questions for them. As for BP48 needing more money....get a job!!!!! ;D

Yes! Most assuradly. One of the best topwater poppers, if not the best topwater popper you can buy. Great hook sets; good action in the water; easy to use. May I suggest getting one and trying it out.

I use a #1 gold hook. A 1/0 weedless hook. A 2/0 weedless hook. So far these have worked on all sizes of Senkos and finesse worms. Yes, you can wacky rig a finesse worm, too. Give 'em a try.

That is super. Maybe they should show a replay of the 2003 LSU-Ole Miss game where he fell on his behind on 4th and goal at the end of the game. Now that is a funny show. Much funnier than Sienfield will ever be.

Super. You guys do a great job. Thanks for letting us know.

I was wondering how the moderators moderate the site. Do they each have specific boards which are rotated among them? Do they each have specific times which are rotated? Is it a combination of both? Or, can any moderator be on-line at any time and look over the posts? And do the mods look at all posts? Just wondering how the mods handle their responsibiities. And guys, the moderators do an excellent job.

Green Top in Richmond has put many items on sale. Not everything, but a decent selection. They are also stocking their new inventory. They are putting items that are on sale along the back wall in the hunting part of the store so be sure to check it out. It is to the right of the bow and arrow area. Their sales starts on January 24. The Shimano guys will be there on January 25 and 26. There are some good coupons for money and products from Berkley so pick up some and get the goodies. I think I saw the Bait Monkey in the parking lot.

I have met a few celebs over the years but never to the degree of going nuts over them. I did meet Jimmy Houston at a Classic plus the pros on the old Bassmaster University circuit. They are classy guys; and not nuts like most of the Hollywood celebs out there. I have seen JFK as his motorcade traveled on Henry Clay Avenue in New Orleans; President Ford at a rally in Plymouth Meeting, PA; the head of the first President Bush at an Indy 500 race; Presidnet Nixon from a distance at Independence Square in Philly; and James Carvill at an LSU football game. It don't get better than James Carvill!

Good question for the Reel Mechanic. Hope he sees the post and replies.

I have the 2500 and it seems to be powerful enough to fish structure off the bank. I will probably put 8 pound flurocarbon on it and see how that works. I have not used it as of today but plan to go to some "secret" ponds, where the kreel limit is 20 inches, next month when it starts to warm up. I use braid on baitcasters as I believe if I am fishing in a lot of grass or bushes or structure you need the power of a baitcaster and braid line to pull the fish out of the cover. Spinning reels are good for finesse fishing; baitcasters are for power fishing as you know. I am sure you will get some good advice from the guys.