dink

They are just now coming for you??? They grabbed me years ago. Turns out they just wanted some 8 X 10 glossies of me for their billboards. ;D

I guess it's still Fall at Washington Co. lake. :-? I got out yesterday to 46 degree water on the surface. Located big schools of shad 7 - 12 feet down and marked a few fish as well. An hour and eight different baits later, I admitted defeat. Relocated to the back of a cove where I saw a couple of dimples on the water (baitfish). I ended up with 5 keepers on spinnerbait and jig. The spinnerbait had to be slow rolled SO slow it was going backwards . The jig had to be out away from the visible cover and crawled slowly. All fish between 2.5 and 4 lbs. I am only 2 -3 hours south of you, so stay at it.... they gotta eat sometime.

Even seen one that was a "coffee with cream" color out of MUDDY water. All the markings were there... just in browns and tans .

That is what I'm talking about! This is the way I was taught to bass fish back in the late 70s/early 80s when I was only knee-high to a grasshopper (I'm still only shoulder-high to that same grasshopper, but that is neither here nor there ;D). Another little trick that I still do now is keeping a tight line to the bait while it is at rest almost to the point of moving it slightly. By doing this, some subtle movement is actually telegraphed to the bait often inciting a reaction from a nearby fish.

Wow.

BPS reels are indeed an enigma to me. I own three RCs (two greys about 3 y/o each and a blue about 2 y/o). The only problems encountered with the grey ones were pawls in the worm gear assembly wearing out. Yet, this was after three seasons with an average of five trips per week. They have been worth the money and I was able to cannibalize some pawls from other "dead reels" I still have in my graveyard. I still use all of them. As for the Bassmaster series.... junk. It lasted six or seven months and started to fall apart in numerous places. I attempted to return it and only got pennies on the dollar for what it originally cost me due to clearance. I have personally witnessed three Bionic Blades snap on a hookset, yet were replaced with no problems. I have also heard generally good reviews on the JMs and Extremes from buddies of mine. If this reply didn't confuse you, I don't know what will. ;D

I also straight hook chunks. Just personal preference. That tip Catt gave about the toothpick is a good one I've been using for years... hardly ever lose a chunk.

Lunker! by Bob Underwood. It's a classic.

Some other power plant lakes even closer than Coffeen to you are Clinton L. near Decatur, Sangchris L. south of Springfield, Springfield L. in Springfield and Powerton just off the Illinois River. All of these can be dynamite at times!

Raul, that was hilarious! ;D ;D But I think you may have forgotten just one. "One moderator to lock the thread because it has become a war." ;D

Husker, Check out Staminainc.com for pre poured/painted spinnerbait heads and all the blades, spacers, beads and swivels needed for custom builds. As far as the pliers go, I use a pair of round jaw needle nose from the Walmart crafts section. About 6 or seven bucks. The jaws of these are like two small, elongated cone shapes that squeeze together but do not "mesh up". dink

I have three. Two of the grey ones from 3 seasons ago and one blue one I git in March '05. The two grey ones are starting to show their age but that is after 600+ trips. I still use them today. The blue one was disappointing right from the start until I oiled the bearings a bit. It works just fine and also still gets used regularly. It is a decent value at $68.

I'll be at Wash Co all this weekend. If you get the inkling to come out this way, look for the little blue boat . I'm on Coffeen next weekend... Saturday with Mike and Sunday with my buddy Gary.

What kind of water temps you got over there, Cart? Wash Co is right around fifty degrees on top and they are still killing "the blade". Yesterday, while waiting for a buddy to go crappie fishing, I caught three keepers 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 in a little over an hour. PM me if you want more details. dink

12" worms to 3" Lil' Critter Craws and everything in between in just about any color. That is the beauty of the C. Rig!

I learned that water temperature is not as important as it is often made out to be. A pig caught on a buzzbait in 48 degree stained water woke me up. I also learned alot about the chatterbait and its applications seasonally. Lastly, and most importantly, I learned to trust my instincts more.

Bounce (sheets).

Only Coffeen and Egypt in Illinois have winter schedules for Bass World.

Well put, BF. A slot limit may just be the solution to the problems with these lakes. Try to contact some DNRs from other states to find where slot limits have worked and ask for any data on lakes with them now and in the past. These findings may be benenficial to your efforts. Good luck.

A little off-topic here, but it seems to me that one who is forever trying to legitimize his approach to bass fishing (i.e. big fish hunting) suffers from "tourney ***" otherwise known as "low nubers syndrome" ;D ;D. Sorry RW, couldn't pass it up. Seriously though, Matt is right on the money with this. If anyone chooses to see only the bad side of anything, then that is all they will see. The letter writer had his mind made up before he even got to the cabin.

First of all, let me applaud your interest and fervor concerning your state's conservation program. Now, let me play the devil's advocate for a moment. Having fished for the last thirty or so years, I have spoke with a number of people in various DNRs. What may seem logical and simple about the big bass program your state has, is more likely the result of years of complex research that addressed the very points you are bringing up. And unless you presently have a doctorate in Fish and Wildlife Management, the present regulations are more than likely the best bet for the waters being managed by them. Lastly, and please don't take this the wrong way, just because you and a few others possibly, cannot catch any big bass in your lakes does not mean that they are not there. My favorite honeyhole went through what I thought was a big fish reduction. In reality, it was a big fish relocation that resulted in expanding my techniques and knowledge to find them once again. If nothing else, don't ever STOP asking questions about anything. Knowledge is power. Good fishing. dink

I have a 7 year old Pfleuger Summit with a graphite frame that has been used and abused..... as recently as yesterday... flawlessly. Always exceptions to the rules.

Deadsticking a superfluke might also pleasantly surprise you .

If I am not mistaken, that one (Thunderstick Jr.) is a floating model. If so, short pulls and twitches in varying cadences are effective on calm days in clearer water. You can add some suspendots to make it suspend and then follow those instructions already mentioned.

This is what my dad has called me ever since I can remember. I've always been somewhat diminutive for my age (33 and 5'6", 130 soaked ;D) and my dad taught me how to bass fish. He would describe me to his fishing buddies as the only 'dink' he ever kept. Kinda glad he did now that I think about it. My avatar is just a 6.6 lb beauty I caught a few years ago.