Valascus

These look like some pretty nice baits. I have seen them before many times at BPS, just never pulled the trigger on 'em. Maybe it could be something to give a shot this season. I would probably fish them the same as the Ika. 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu hook rigged backwards and weightless on spinning tackle and light line, probably 6 or 8 lb test.

Ugh...God I hope this doesn't start a giant storm...this has been debated over and over and over again. We've beaten this dead horse so much it's turned into dust and ash.

There really isn't much. After the accident I had falling through a hole doing carpentry work I have a fear of FALLING...not really afraid of heights. I am not really afraid of needles, but I definitely don't like them. I've been in a situation like this before and it scared the bejeezus outta me. When I was 12 I was fishing next to the Meramec River in the Huzzah Valley late one night for catfish. It was pretty hard to see and all I had was one small flashlight. I started to hear a lot of leaves getting rustled about on the ground. I couldn't see what was doing it, but it was making me feel uncomfortable. I was about 10 minutes walk away from the campsite. About 3 minutes into my walk back my flashlight's bulb burnt out. While I was stopped trying to fix it, I heard the rustling and realized that whatever it was was following me. It was pretty creepy feeling like I was being tracked and I couldn't see what was doing the tracking. I was right next to the river and only had to keep following it's banks to get back to camp. Whatever was following me was definitely bigger than a raccoon, but I think smaller than a deer. I didn't panic and just kept moving slowly fearing that if I ran it would chase and overtake me. It followed me until I got within sight of the camp, but didn't advance any further due to the campfires built. I never saw what it was. I was too creeped out to go night fishing for the rest of the trip. My Mom's boyfriend at the time said that it could have been a bobcat, maybe a coyote, or a stray dog. THAT was creepy. When I am out night fishing on the banks, to this day I keep multiple flashlights w/extra batteries as well as extra batteries to my L.E.D headlamp.

I prefer Bassin' over all of them. If I had to choose only that would be the one I would choose. Very little fluff, seemingly fair and unbiased tackle reviews, an good articles concerning technique.

When you approach unfamiliar water, be it in a tournament setting or just recreational fishing, what steps do you take to locate and catch fish? What conditions do you pay most attention to? Thanks for your time!

Hmmmm...I may have to give this Gamma line a shot. At least it is easier for me to find. I know the BPS here sells in in the store. So far that's been my only gripe about Yo-Zuri...the fact that I have to order and wait forever to get it. And if it's on backorder? Forget about it.

That looks like a pretty good lunch or dinner to me. Mmmmmmm. Feesh.

I would be more than happy to lend you my trolling motor and battery as long as I came with it. Hey, you know what mah friend, I just may have to take ya up on that offer! That is a very generous of you. Thank you. We'll have to get out there and see if we can't put some pigs in the boat.

I already posted how I feel and what I would do on this subject. But, I think it is interesting to note something here. Here is a link to a thread that was posted not long ago concerning the perceived decline in popularity in fishing and the possible ramifications of this decline. Please keep in mind that I am not attacking anyone's point of view or trying to tell them how to run or who to tell about their hot spots. These are just some observations I have made. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1168799464 Now, there are quite a few people who posted in the thread that I linked here that they are concerned about the state of fishing and feel they could do more to help it. Yet, I don't understand the high number of people here who refuse to allow RESPONSIBLE, TRUSTWORTHY people to fish their hot spots. For this sport to experience growth and prosperity I really believe people need to become a little less guarded with good fishing spots and be more open to teaching and sharing knowledge with fellow anglers, not just in places like this, but on the water as well. Now if the person could do major harm to the spot by not practicing catch and release or is the type who may abuse the trust of the person they are asking about the spot, then I can see why you may not share knowledge of the spot with them. I have seen some people who concern themselves more with the "getting paid" aspect of it all when it comes to sharing. What ever happened to the FUN behind the fishing and the joy of good, challenging competition? I, for one, would not mind sharing tournament info with fellow anglers. If I am confident I can out fish them despite giving them the information, then why does it matter if I share this information. And if they were to beat me, then so be it. I just got beat and obviously did not deserve the win that time. I am not a tournament fisherman...have never been in one, so maybe I don't understand that aspect of the sport. But to me when the money becomes more important to sharing knowledge and passion for the sport, then something is wrong. It is my OPINION that is one of the problems strangling the sport. I guess the point I am trying to get at is take the time to show someone the where, how, and why of bass fishing in hopes of turning someone onto the sport, even if it means sharing your secret hot spots.

Good Lord! That is brutal. I couldn't live in cold like that...I'd go insane.

I am definitely looking forward to trying to find "new water" within the "old water". The places fish get POUNDED to death from April to September by a ton of fisherman. But very few seem to use boats even though they are available for rent at $5 a day. I guess they just don't wanna paddle around...sissies . But I plan on trying to key in more on offshore structures that may not receive as much pressure this season. I think that is where my quest for breaking my 5lb goal should start. Another plus to trying to get to this new water is I'll be in great shape...I don't have a trolling motor or battery, so I'll be getting around with nothin' but man power! ;D

I would definitely support the site with a donation. This is a great site and and anything I can do to help maintain it or make it better, I'll gladly help.

With BPS being so close to me I usually just take a little trip up there when I hear the whispers (or frantic yelling) of the Bait Monkey. I have to buy my line from Cabela's online since BPS doesn't carry Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultrasoft line. If I can't find what I am looking for at BPS the first online place I check is Tackle Warehouse.

I will usually help out folks that I know and trust not to tell anyone else about the area. Granted I don't really have any big fish honey holes, but if I did, I would tell my buddies about it and help them hook a good fish. To me it's all about possibly getting someone who is not so into the sport hooked on it and teaching them something new. Sometimes the only way to do that is to show them the thrill of catching a quality fish or a good quantity of fish. If that means showing them a honey hole then I will. If I were fishing with a member of this site at a place I knew well I would have no qualms about divulging the info on the area...but again...that is as long as it's just between us.

Well, when ya gotta go, ya gotta go. ;D

I would be up for it as well. I'd like the chance to improve my record. This time I'll try renting a boat everytime I go out...except that will mean I am fishing the same waters over and over again.

The BPS in Saint Louis carries the Yo-Zuri Hybrid Line, but they do not carry the Ultra Soft. In fact when I asked about it the guy workin' in the area looked at me like I was nuts. The Wal-Marts in my area do not carry it either. When I went to Yo-zuri's website you can look up local dealers. Unfortunately there are none for MO until the Cabela's in Hazelwood is completed. On Yo-Zuri's website there was also a link to all the internet dealers.

I am probably with the majority here. I generally fish darker colors and some darker natural colors. Christmas Tree, Black/Blue, Black Red, Green Pumpkin, etc. ect.

WOW!! That is a HUGE spot! Even though he is using the ancient Chinese method of Holdthefishout, you can still tell that is a larger than average spot. My largest, and only, spot came out of Tablerock back in October off of a 1/4oz. PB&J Eakins Spider Jig with a Cinnamon Purple Eakins Pro Model Craw Trailer. I was pitching it into some standing timber that was leaning up against some bluffs that dropped off like stairs in about 5 ft. increments. He went 2 lb 1oz. and fought his little heart out. I was targeting smallmouth at the time since I have never caught one, but he was a welcome fight. Only fish I caught that day...

Happy Birthday! Growing up sucks, always stay young at heart and keep a great sense of humor about anything as you mature!

As long as I have been serious about my fishing...which has been a couple 2-3 years. I only have three set-ups so far. 1 Shimano Stella FB 2500 1 Shimano Spirex 2500RE 1 Shimano Citica 200D I plan on buying either a Calais 200A or the Japanese equivalent of it which would be the Antares if I am not mistaken.

I am pretty much the same. I normally nail 3-6 fish on an average day. Days that I catch more than that are few and far between. Most fish are small to average in size ranging from the 1 lb to 3.5 lb range. The day I break the 5 lb barrier, I don't care if that's the only fish I catch that day. That will be a great day. 8-)

Wait a second everyone!!! It is not Terrell Owens to Bill Parcells...it is "the player". I don't blame Parcells for not wanting to mess with "the player". "The Player" is far and away the most infamous sports icon on the planet...even bigger than Manny Ramirez, Scott Boras, Rasheed Wallace and other notable "me me me me me" type people.

I have been wondering about this for a while now. Is there any particular color lens that works well for ALL conditions, or do you have to own multiple pairs of sunglasses for different situations? On Solar Bats website, it says that Moss Back Green is the best all around color for fishing (claiming it helps you see more fish), but it also says that Gray is the best all around color for any sport. :-? The lens colors they have to chose from are Amber, Gray, HiConY (yellow/green), Mossback Green, Yellow, and Vermillion(red). All colors mentioned are polarized with the exceptions of Yellow and Vermillion.

Ditto. I use the ones without the weed guard.