BassinLou

Now that has to be a very cool aquarium fish to have.

That's a pig. Nice Shane J.

AK I like yah, but I don't feel bad for you. LOL. Gives me a fighting chance to pull off an upset in August. Juan, 5/0 hook is a very big hook. Those night time bass sure have an appetite. Night time fluke fishing is all feel based.

Juan, I am glad you are having success with your night fishing. There are definitely learning curves that come with the different techniques. The experience will come with time. As far as the flukes what was the hook size you were using if you do not mind me asking? To have them get so deep hooked makes it sound like either the hook was small, or you were detecting them too late.

I second PSN8, I own a couple of CarbonLites, and they are under rated. Great rods, they are light weight, strong, and I find them sleek looking. You will not be disappointed with this rod. Enjoy.

AK, you are frustrated?? You have lead the entire summer, with no one coming close to you, and you said you are frustrated! LOL. You may be experiencing what many of us have been feeling all summer long.

I have become a lot more frugal as I have gotten older for sure. I research, and research the reels and rods that peak my interest, and once I pull the trigger, these outfits will stay with me for a while. The only thing missing from my arsenal is a Shimano B/C. When my times come I am sure I will also enjoy those reels.

I also have the MG, and its one of my top reels. I have wrestled a couple of 6+lbrs lately with this reel paired with an Avid, and the outfit didn't even flinch. Reel performed flawlessly.

AK, I actually think if the incoming system does make its way here, its way to early to tell. But if it gets close enough to affect us I think it will turn on the fish, before it turns them off. The window will be short however.

I agree ShaneJ. Continue to tear it up.

I have been watching this discussion unfold about the fish measurements through out the day. When this competition was started a few months ago down South, we all assumed it was total fish length. We cannot control what the fish decides to do when we snap the picture. During a real tourney, it's very convenient to do a quick measure for tournament size legality. But during this friendly, and I emphasize "friendly" competition, we are asking to take a tape measure out, extend it, position a creature that is starving for oxygen to stay still while we take out a phone or camera to then take picture that is legible, is a very daunting task, to say the least. Then if possible pose with fish. You guys can run your tourney how you see fit, but do not lose perspective that this is for FUN!! I agree with NEjigger, next month get together and fine tune a set of guidelines that everyone can follow easily. This friendly contest is one way to bring us closer together not have us bickering over 1/4 of an inch! With that said. August is half way through already. Best of luck to all of you.

Quite an ordeal indeed. I had a bait suspended inches above the water once also. A little bass decided to strike and connect with my lure. So now I had a suspended bass over the branch which caught the attention of a big gator. After several attempts and the gator barreling its way toward the little bass, the branch broke off and I was able to quickly reel the bass in and avoid it from being an appetizer.

Just sounds like a slow day to me. Try again another day on different part of the day, or when the outside conditions are different, for example after a storm or on a very cloudy day. Those changes seems to change the mood of an entire body of water. When the ecosystem comes alive, so do the bass. Summers have a tendency to shut things down.

I just saw your post sqhertz, if a MC got to be the size of large pea or lmb. The MC would be the king of the hill no doubt!!

MC's are the scrappiest fighters as well as big Oscars. After a full day of catching those my wrists would be sore. Sadly, however, the last big freeze we had in the glades, really brought down the MC's and Oscar populations.

Oh boy! You have been infected by the top water bug. LOL. Congrats on your over night adventure. There are several topwater baits you can use especially at night. In no particular order.... Yeah right! Who am I kidding. Hollow body frog of course being first, (Now... in no particular order) buzz baits, swimbaits(gambler EZ swimmer), spooks, u-vibe worms, Zoom horny toads. The list will continue. Those few baits I mentioned will keep you busy. Good Luck. The next few days should be interesting with the weather systems. The rain may cool off the water perking up the fish's moods and also cause some water to move.

I would not advise on that type of setup unless you want to experience heartache. With braid as the leader or vice versa for that matter, if the opposing line is to light/thin in diameter, the braid will cut the line on hookset. If you throw in a monster bass into that equation, your chances of landing it will be poor at best.

Martin, that is a nice backpack. I just looked at it with the address you provided.

I try to be very, very, patient and persistent. Summer, is very challenging for me. Especially this year for some reason. Living down here in S.Fl. this time of year is extremely hot and humid I feel it and the fish do to. What I have found to be extremely helpful is to look for areas that have plenty of cover for ex. pads, grass. I thought about rocks, but I have dismissed it because they absorb and put off heat. Rocks are better for the winter. Lastly, culverts. They offer 3 things. Running water after a storm, shade from the sun and ambush points. If you stick with it, some days will be better than others. This summer although challenging for me, has been by far the most rewarding when it comes to bass fishing. I have caught 2 bass in the last two months that have been close 7lbs. Using the 2 tips I have provided you. Good luck.

Hands down, megastrike for me. Affordable, easily portable, affective.

Lesson learned. Fortunately, you have the memory and the experience of the catch. That will always stay with you.

Can't help you without a pic. However, at 19.5 inches and 7lbs, she was a pretty football. Nice catch.

Regardless of the number, its a nice fish. None of us will ever know the weight. You did the next best thing and ordered yourself a scale.

RW no pic?? It's funny, you make it sound like you know all the fish in your fishing spot and the fish you caught was a new stranger in town. LOL. Culverts are excellent places to fish this time of year. I caught a bass nearly weighing 7lbs in culvert yesterday evening.

Fish_Whisperer it's unfortunate that you had that experience. Fortunately, the thieves were caught but I can understand the loss of the pics. I would take two things from the experience you encountered. 1. Have someone, that you know preferably, teach you how to back up your pics and contacts to an external source. 2. Pack light, when you bank fish. Carry a back pack or what I carry, Columbia fanny type pack. Carry the essential lures that are a must in your part of the world. Bank fishing can be extremely rewarding, but sadly, dangerous. People can be observing you while you are clueless, minding your own business fishing. I fish in urban canals a lot and I have to have eyes in the back of my head at all times. You never know who will approach you. Fortunately, for me so far, everyone who approaches me are friendly.