BassinLou

You are receiving great tips from everyone. My question is are you fishing in the ideal time of the day to maximize your fishing experince? I am not familiar with NC but I know down here in South FL, right now the summer is pretty hot and humid. You can throw all the baits mentioned above, but if the time of day, and locations are not right you will be very disappointed. Read over what RW recommended if you haven't done so already to give you a solid baseline to start with. Good luck!!

Sometimes casting in the right place at the right time yields a fish of a lifetime. The challenge lies in finding out where is that right place and when is the right time.... LOL...

I don't think Sparky241, meant any disrespect. He may honestly be a non-boater not familiar with boating definitions and/or rules. It is a tragedy and senseless loss of human life that occurred on that waterway. The statement was brought up that more education is needed. I respectfully disagree with that statement. I feel there should be more law enforcement and the irresponsible S.O.B. that was driving that boat should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Anyone who clearly disobeys visible markers that clearly say "No Wake Zone" clearly knows what they are doing. You have to be completely ignorant to be speeding through an area while everyone else around you is idling by.

Down here in South FL, we get summer, summer, a week of winter and some spring.... LOL.... Summer's are brutal down here. Yes.... I am ready for some change.

Have you handled a premier before? I would answer Fishballer questions. We need more info before this thread becomes a free for all on suggestions.

You will be led to believe that, but that's not the case.

The extent that I touch someone's gear is to check out a different family of reel or feel the weight of a rod I have never held before. Other than that, I will not use someone else's gear. As far as my gear goes, I offer if someone is on my boat, but they must pick up some subliminal vibes because no one even touches my outfits. LOL....

Bassmaster magazine had a brief snippet on braid getting snagged while shoreline fishing several issues ago. I have since used the technique successfully. Basically the snippet stated utilizing an object to wrap the braid around on, providing safe leverage to pull your braid against to help dislodge your lure. For example a fallen tree branch. Let out extra line so not to break your rod tip and wrap the braid around the stick. Pull with the stick and that way you do not run the risk of slicing your fingers. As this has happened to me more than I care to mention. A second point that has helped me is, leaders. This is one case that clearly makes sense to me. If you get snagged, the leader will break way before the braid will. Just wanted to share info that I found helpful.

Congrats... Nice pig!!

I carry the spider wire slingpack. It's amazing how many compartments that pack has. I like how rugged it looks. I can only imagine how much storage the backpack has.

Great tip. If I were to evaluate my fishing, this is one area that I am seriously lacking in. I fish spot to spot to spot. If I were to slow down and focus on one spot a little more, I am sure my fishing quality would change.

It sounds like your braid is digging. Very common with braids below 30lbs. The higher you go in braid diameter the less incidence of digging. I find 40lb braid is the ideal diameter. You get excellent casting distance and small chance of digging and its 40lb braid!! which is pretty darn strong.

I recently converted from a waist pack which served me well for years to a sling pack. I converted because it allows me to carry a few more baits and essential tools more effectively.

Scary situation for sure. Those snakes camouflage so well. Nice spot though!!

My Costa's are 580P's and I also have a fogging issue. Mine is due to the high heat and humidity we experience down here in South Florida. This time of year anytime I begin to overheat a little my lenses will fog. I find this happens when I wear a hat and my glasses are snug to my face. If I raise the brim of my hat and increase the space between me and the glasses just a little, it helps to dissipate the heat, preventing the lens from fogging up.

Cheating is pretty lame and unfortunate. That a person would stoop to that level for a win and make some $$ and then parade around as a legitimate winner really upsets me. Unfortunately there will always be cheaters in sports and life sadly.

PM DVT, he can more likely provide you with the right diagnosis. He is a BR sponsor, just click on DVT on the right side of this screen.

I read these posts and it amazes me the diversity in baits and lures Dick's carry in each store from state to state. Not one store is similar to the other. Some carry this while others carry that.

Yeah.... staying in bed gets my vote too. LOL!!!

That is definitely not a Warmouth perch. Google is an amazing tool. Google green sunfish and that little guy will appear... lol...

Fortunately, St. Louis habitat cannot support alligators. That's how exotics spread. They find a suitable habitat and the they flourish. Alligators are natives here in South Fl, but now we are dealing with pythons and different species of aggressive lizards!!

Green Sunfish

What's the percentage? Hit the water early for a little while, and then get out when the temp rises and the chance of thunderstorm is the highest.

Hawgenvy this time of year in South Florida is tough especially for bank fishing. I was consistently catching nice fish in the canals until June. July came and lights out. Are the big fish gone? Not really, I see them in the canal deep in the trenches. They are just chilling out and inactive. When they feed is what leaves me scratching my head.

Good report George. You pretty much have that park dialed in. Good job in finding fish and effectively reading the water.