CJ

Looks like he is going to hit it on the "pause"!

I agree with Rolo as well, as far as the fish's location.The fish haven't gone far if they are spawning. What I would like to add is that you mentioned the bite being light or they were just moving it.I would try a jig-n-pig(plastic trailer)and cut the weed guard off and make sure you got a very sharp hook.If they are on the beds use atleast a half ounce jig with a bulky trailer.I would fish very slow and make several cast to any spot I felt something funny.If I felt anything out of the ordinary I would have my hammer cocked to set the hook quickly.By using a heavier jig you may get a better bite.If the fish is locked on to the bed it may need to get a good bite of the jig to move it.The reason I would remove the weed guard is that the fish may stick themselves a little then you will feel the bite.It would also promote a quicker hookset.This is just what I might try. CJ

I'm going for a new PB smallmouth, 6lbs.The old PB is 4 lbs. 13oz. smallmouth

Pegging your weight is mainly for grass or other thick cover,IMO.Pegging is breaking off a toothpick beside your line inside the sinker.You peg it with the weight touching the eye of the hook or nose of the plastic.

IF I ain't onto something.I throw every thing in the box.I usually start with something I think will do it.Then I throw something I am not so sure about.Alot of times I'm suprised in what they may want(color).

I fish a tube with a slide in jighead.I fish them deep on ledges,humps,and points.I usually go to this pattern after the spawn.Alot of smallmouth and largemouth become good bottom feeders during the post spawn and throughout the summer months.I present it slow and on the bottom,I just drag it.I know there are other ways to fish them they are very versitile but I have my best luck on them this way. My favorite brands are: Mizmos and BPS 3 1/2 in. tender tube

If you will notice the topic is about Bill Dance's handling.Now I'm not dodging out,I'm going somewhere with this.All of his catches that are shown on his show are mostly big fish.These are the fish that need to be handled with care.Why,the weight factor is one.There is more pounds being supported by its mouth or gills.Another, it seems that big fish are more vulnerable to injury due to mis-handling.At tournament weigh ins I see more big fish die than smaller keepers.These are fish that are a delicacy and we want to see there well being.I agree I myself may be a little rough on a dink.I am not a tree hugger.I just don't want to know I caused fatal injury to that fish. I don't think anybody on this forum is going to quit bassfishing and join PETA.I can't find a video game that gives me the real feeling and logs don't jump.Just getting a bite is a challenge.If you need to hold them up get a pic,give em a kiss,rub on them then go ahead, but there is nothing wrong with having respect and trying to help preserve the outdoors. CJ

I don&#39;t understand ok this is just gettin ridicioulous, its just a fish man, its not like its a peice of gold or a fragile antique vase worth millions of dollars, bass arent on the brink of extinction, arnt endangered and arnt even rare, and now a days ur not "supposed to even touch them or it can be bad for them"?????? like seriously these people need to loosin up alittle, its ok to lip a bass and hold it and look at it if u want, its not gonna immediately die in ur hands, if u rub alittle slime off, i think it will survive...... ((""""" Leave the fish in the water if you can and use a tool to remove the hook"""")) <<<< what the hell is that??? its ok to put a hook through the fishes mouth, but its best not too even touch it with ur hands if u can?????? if these people care about the bass so much, they should just leave them alone and let them live their natual lives instead of hooking them in the mouth and draging them through the water on a line... all this stuff about being careful with the fish is just gettin alittle outta hand. To some of us they are gold.To Luke Clausen they are worth millions.Nobody said you can't touch them.If you think its so out of hand there are other topics to discuss. CJ

First I really didn't notice anybody fighting over this issue.Second I don't yank fish into a boat on 50# Power Pro,by there face.Third I do treat them like a baby once I get them in the boat.I take the hook out and give em a kiss and let them go.Unless I'm in a tournament then they get to go for a ride.All I was refering to is fish have sensitive or fragile areas(gills) on them and you have to be careful with them.I don't like dead fish deduction although I have never had any.

I know that alot of fish tend to suspend when located at staging areas.Is there factors that might cause them to drop down on the bottom?Cold front,cloudy sky,current?

I think the seller is alittle high.I don't know much about Bumble Bee's but I have heard bad things about a Johnson Faststrike.I believe the heads in them like to crack.This is just what I have heard.

That's the best way.Amen davo!

I am bummed!I run a '02 Stratos 21XL Magnum w/Mercury 250 XB and I Love It!

If you use a heavy enough jig you can slam it through the ice!

I don't call it athletacism(however you spell that).I call it possessed(however you spell that)!Yes its the fishing gods their all possessing us and theres nothing we can do about it! .........and the BM is in on it!

I use a bathroom cleaner with bleach for the skum line.I use a general purpose cleaner for the interior fiberglass.I use a polish that has teflon in it.

I will say Bill Dance was the stud in his time and he probally could smoke my butt on the water.He has probally forgotten more than I know.With, that said his show still isn't reality.He has not fish public waters on his shows that I have seen.Ita like he goes to heaven to make his shows. There is a lot of mishandling fish on the tours.It is an issue that a lot of anglers need to work on.

Does the moon enhance photopreiod?Does photoperiod have anything to do with the spawn?

I have to say that is one beautiful fish.Texas has some of the prettiest LM I have seen.Oh yeah there big too!

Welcome to the forum.I never quit fishing.My Dad use to say when you start seeing turtles its time.Probally just a myth though.The Ohio usually is behind the lakes due to the cooler waters flowing in from the north.The fish down here (Ky.) on the Ohio usually spawn around mid-may,pending on the weather.With that said,I would go now!

This one was just a thread.But that's okay.Go back about a page or two,there were some really good post on that thread.I think the topic was "Spring fishing and the spawn". CJ

Hey Senko77,You might want to e-mail Bill.He would probally pay you good $$$ to fish that lake you put her in.

Think about it.He can promote any lure.Those fish in that pond will bite anything.He probally always knows where their at.

I agree that you should treat bass like a newborn baby,but heck,Bill is fishing a private owned lake that is jammed full of lunkers.He's just hurting himself,well and the bass too.I don't watch him that much cause my 5 year old could go to those lakes or ponds and catch a 30lb. stringer.If you notice he ain't never fishing a known resevoir or a river system.Nope,its always that little hog pit of his or whoever's.

I believe that there are some fish that stay shallow but a larger percentage are migratory especially from pre-spawn to post-spawn seasons,on my home lake.I also believe we as anglers are decieved by deep fish being more catchable and vice versa due to the conditions in general and we claim they have "moved up" or "dropped down".Could someone please define "telemetry" for I am only a poorly educated Ky.redneck.Also about vertical movement.I understand swim bladders playing a role in vertical movement.But I know that some fish,who are deep dwellers,still come shallow to spawn.Does this mean they have to have time to adapt to the pressure?Do they just gradually move in?