Deadeye-1

One of the reasons I moved to Florida was the promise of great bass fishing. I came here with an old bass boat and fished every weekend. Then I started a Lawn Care business on the side and the old boat got worse so I sold it. Closed the LC Business and bought a motorcycle. Used to ride just about everyday. Bought another used boat and fished some, but not that much. Seemed like my free time was always used on the bike Once I got a new job (after being laid off for two years) in a Sporting Goods Dept, my love for the outdoors came back. I am out fishing every week, except if I am hunting. I can't really see not fishing anymore, I just love it to much. To fish though I've had to park the bike. There is just No Way that you can do EVERYTHING you like to do, especially here in FL. Good-Decent Weather all year. You just have to make a choice. I, unlike some, love to fish alone. I have had some of my best days when out by myself. I enjoy fishing with friends, but there is something special being out there with it just being Me and Nature.

it depends on if I know them or not when on the water. Guys that I fish with when we meet on the water we will share what is going on and where that day. Others I usually take it as it goes, but never give away any spots. I do work in the Sporting Goods Dept of a Wal Mart, so I get to meet lots of folks. I try to help out those that have no clue of what to do, to help them get the types of things that are working. This gets them interested and into fishing when they catch fish. The ones that know what they are doing I've built up relationships with and we share tips and tricks that are working. Nothing is cooler than someone coming back to tell you that what you shared with them worked. I've spent probably an hour or more helping someone get set up so that they can go out and catch fish. Naturely if we're real busy I can't do that with every customer, but I try to help out each one and do the best for them I can.

Thanks all. Gonna work on it tomorrow,

My favorite T-Rig is a 7 1/2 " ribbontail worm. Usually a Bass Assasion in Black with Blue Tail or June Bug. Also use Culprit June Bug a lot.

I've never had a problem with the line/knot by leaving a hook or lure being on the line. I leave mine tied on.

Thanks for the replies so far. I was trying to Jerk-Pop it along the surface, not doing so well. So if I'm understanding correctly, most of you give it a twitch-jerk then let it sink, then repeat. Is that right?

When I started fishing FL I used the same weight and hop/drag that I used back in PA. Dosen't work well here, the bottoms are to soft and slimey. Try dropping down to a 1/16 oz bullet weight and slowly swim the worm. Junebug always works good as does Black with Blue tail. You'll be surprized at how many bass will hit it this way.

I am learning how to be more effective when fishing with a fluke. When they first came out many years ago, I lived in PA and fished waters that were clear and had stumps and rocky bottoms. Used to use a single split shot about 12-18" up the line and fish them with a slow retrive or stop and go. In Florida where I now live it is a whole different game. When and where do you fish a fluke and how do you use it? Weighted or No? In open water over grass or in pads? Slow retrive or short jerks or stop n go or something different? Since I started trying them here I have only caught 2 fish on them, and was with a slow retrive. Any advise or help would be appriciated.

I'll admit that this would probably be the best to do if you are wanting to learn a new lure or style. Just the other day I was trying out a lure that I always have tied on and rarely use (a fluke). After awhile of not getting any hits, I put it down and went back to my worm rod that I have confidence in. Ended up with a decent catch day. Now If I left the worms at home, I probably wouldn't catch as many. I usually get to fish 1 day a week, due to my work. So for me it comes down to: do I want to learn and possibly not catch fish OR fish what I know works for me and catch fish. Hard choice, but I can see where in the end it would make you a better and more diverse angle.

I prefer amber as well

I have no problem with myself, or someone else keeping a few to eat now and then. I also have no problem with someone that catches what is to them a Bass of a Lifetime mounting it if they wish to. One reason I enjoy fishing is that I get to choose if I take or put it back. Once you pull the trigger the game is yours forever. I fish with a guy that likes to keep quite a few. He often tells me when we start the day that "we're fishing for food today". Trouble is that he gives away as many as he takes home. Seems like he likes to feed half the county with fish sometimes. I'm working on him to tone it down, as are others we know. Back to mounting a big bass, I watched this same guy catch a 7 lb 14 oz and keep it. Then he fillet it at the dock.

I don't fish tournys, but since I work in a Sporting Goods Dept, I talk with a lot of guys that do. Most of them around here are set up as a Boat Team. I like that style. Both anglers work together to get the 5 best fish in the boat. There is no reason for the boater to try and shut out the partner. Most guys say that they use different things and see what is going to work. Most days when I fish with one of my buddies we always throw different. I know what he likes to use, so I'lll use a different color or lure. One day we were out together and by the end of the day I had caught 14 and he had caught 15. He was in the back of the boat that day. We work together so that both of us, no matter whose boat we're in, get a chance to put fish in the boat.

I have a friend I fish with. Sometimes we use his boat, sometimes mine. We both catch fish. He goes a little faster than I do, so when I'm on his boat I adapt. Even if we're fishing the same bait we both catch fish. You simply can not hit EVERY spot. I throw where he does not and so does he.

St Augustine, You'll be fine with your new Tracker boat with the 40. I'd say you made the better choice. The dealer will tell you whatever you want to hear to make the sale, at least some will. With the 1997 Tracker you get to learn running a boat, fishing from a boat, and IF you want to spend the money later for a bigger one. Congrads on your new toy, now go get some fish!!

I fish alone a lot. I find that not only do I enjoy it, I often learn more than I do when fishng with a partner. You are alone, so you can do whatever you want. You can try new things. You can consentrate on what your doing more. Some of my best days on the water have come on days I was fishing alone. Besides, sometimes ya just need to get away from everyone and everything and be by yourself. Clears your mind.

Good one. There is a ton of good info on this site. Glad you were able to use it to help you catch a nice one. Keep at it.

I had a simular incendent to yours. Fishing in a pond where we were not allowed to keep any. Caught and released her (about 3-4 lber) and then noticed later that she was floating. Went back and used the rod to grab her and drag her back to the shore. Worked her by the tail for quite awhile and thought she had revived. Left her go, only to see her shortly back on top. I didn't want to leave her floating dead like that and I wasn't allowed to remove any fish from the property. So I tossed her into a brush row for the 'coons and critters to eat. Haunted me for years. I actually thought I might be bass cursed because of it, as I started having trouble catching anything. I even put two nice 3 lbers back into the pond that I caught somewhere else and transferred there. Stuff like that can mess with your head. I've come to realize that sometimes a fish will die (I had a small one die on me the other day) and sometimes there is not much you can do about it. Return it back to the source to be food for the others that need it or take it home for yourself or others.

Good Job. You fished, caught fish, and learned some new water. Placing on the leader board is like icing on the cake. Good Luck in your next one!

I believe that is true. Here in Florida there is so many things that you can do at any given time. Fish, Hunt, Golf, Ride Motorcycle, Beach, Hike Trails, others. You have to make a decision as to what you are going to do. When I lived in PA, things were different. The weather controlled a lot of what you did and the seasons. This year so far I have made an effort to fish 1-2 days a week. Caught more bass so far this year that I have ever caught, probably in a given year. But to do this I have had to put up the Harley.

I joined a small Bass Club that was run by a friend from work (at that time). I always enjoyed fishing for bass and thought this could be a great time: fish, talk with others about fishing, learn & share ideas. 1st time out I was paired with a guy named Larry. It was his boat and I was the co-angler. Found out later that we were to share the front of the boat, each getting to be in front, half the time. Never happened. I caught 2 decent sized LM and 1 decent SM. Larry caught 1 Decent LM and 2 small SM, one barely making the needed 12" mark. When we pulled up to the ramp Larry says to me "grab us two bags and I'll get our fish ready". We would load the boats onto the trailers then walk the bags of fish to the scale. When I got to the boat with the bags Larry grabbed them and and put the fish from each well into them, handed me mine and took his. At the weigh-in my friend asked me what I'd caught, told him 2 LM & 1 SM. I weighed in 1 LM and 2 SM, including 1 very small SM. They were teasing me that I didn't know a LM from a SM. Larry had switched the fish on me, giving me his small SM and taking one of my big LM. That day I learned that with some people they would do anything to win even a small 13-15 person bass club champsionship. I may join another club again some day and/or fish tournys. But for now I just enjoy spending time learning the water and catching fish.

I was using a straight Black worm the other day, caught a few but nothing like my partner was on Junebug. Switched over to Black with a Blue tail and flat tore them up. I will always have some with me in the boat.