Valascus

Eakins Peanut Butter and Jelly 3/8 oz. jig with a cinnimon purple Eakins Pro Model Craw Trailer.

That is a goliath of a trout right there. And on 6 lb line!! Bet that dude about wet himself. ;D

1. Camera (digital or film) + extra batteries 2. Accurate Scale 3. SUNSCREEN (Bullfrog Mosquito Coast ) 4. Hook Removal Tool for deeply hooked fish 5. Wire Cutters in case a hook needs to be cut for safe removal from the fish 6. The Golden Rule Measuring Stick 7. FIRST AID KIT!!!

Bah...that whole schpeel is nothing but an old wives tale. Not a grain of truth to it. Fact of the matter is, it doesn't matter which way the wind is blowing. Any day, regardless of wind direction, is good for fishing. However, I will say this: PAY ATTENTION TO WHICH WAY THE WIND IS BLOWING!! The best fishing will almost always be on the banks that the wind is blowing toward. The wind blows small bits of photoplankon and other forage for smaller baitfish to feed on in toward the banks. As a result, the predators usually follow the baitfish to the wind blown banks. You may have to battle the wind, but it is well worth the fight.

I totally agree with the not needing to spend a lot to catch gills. I have an old Zebco Microspin (shows what I know about a good ultralight ) that just doesn't cut the mustard. My Grandmother has some small farm ponds that were way overpopulated that I have turned into long term project ponds. I have begun my selective harvest of the stunted bass over the course of the last year, and now I a going to target the ballooning bluegill population, specifically the larger gills to help protect the bass spawn. I have already started to see some results with the ponds as the bass have already strated to grow larger since I have been selectively harvesting. I was looking at a combo BPS has which is about $60.00. It is their BPS Micro-Lite Rod paired with a Pflueger Trion reel. I a alright with the reel, but the rod seems a little on the "eh" side to me. I'll be mostly using it to bobber lob using live bait (mealworms).

I am currently looking for a good ultra light set-up in order to target mainly bluegill. However, I am completely foreign to the ultra light game and know very little about what constitutes a "good" ultra light set up. I've been poking around on BPS and Cabela's website trying to get a handle on some ideas. Any suggestions, advice, or help in this area is appreciated. Thanks!

Oh...I'll be there alright....and the prediction for this battle...PAIN!! ;D Should be a fun day on the water. Can't wait for next weekend!

Oh...alright then...now it makes sense.

I'll dig yer hole. That worth a good fishing trip in my book! It ain't that big of a hole anyway.

No offense intended here, but are you insane? :-? I usually try to avoid possible brushes with death and destruction when at all possible. I've been in some pretty nasty storms here in the midwest that have clocked comparable wind speed and intensity of a weak tropical depression or hurricane, and that was freaking nuts. I couldn't imagine trying to weather a storm stronger and much larger than that.

I have yet to have any lips BREAK off these cranks. However, just last week I landed a spirited 2.2 lb largie. He fliped and flopped so much he pulled the crank right off the bill. Didn't break the bill, just pulled the business end of the crank off. That's probably nothing a little dab of super glue won't fix. Other than that, these are awesome cranks and are a staple in my arsenal.

Man...It ain't that far from me. And, to me anyway, $100 is well worth a full day of fishing in waters that are that well stocked, taken care of, and have a large population of lunker bass. Something to consider come next spring for me.

First of all, what type of soil are we talking about here? Is it as hard as a rock, easily moved, or somewhere in between?

I'll fish whatever holds bass. Muddy, stained, clear, warm, cold...I don't care. However, I seem to be better fishing stained water. When I say stained, I mean 2 to maybe 5 feet of visability. Clear to me is anything greater than 5 feet of visability. Muddy, well...anything less than 2 feet of visability is starting to get a bit on the muddy side. Being from MO, clear water is by far the hardest for me to fish. I can catch fish, but it usually takes me longer to get on 'em in clear water.

Someone on here has said this before. It might even be in their signature. Its my favorite. I believe 5bl had a post awhile back that should have went into a post hall of fame but I can not locate it anymore. <------That would be this guy. Good 'ole Steven Wright. Great comedian. My favorite may have to be Avid's Ted Nugent comment. That is a great quote.

Awesome tips there Chris. I love crankin'. I think I am already decent at it, but I am always looking for ways to make myself better at it. This list helps a ton! Question: What is the perfect Rod and Reel set-up for cranking in regard to reel gear ratios and rod length and action that will allow you to get the best action out of the crank and increase hook up ratios?

Wow, thank God you are alright Avid. As it was previously stated the truck can be replaced, you cannot. Take good care of yourself, this site just wouldn't be nearly the same without ya. Glad to hear this didn't set you back any on your physical therapy and recover. Rest up and take care. Nathan

Didn't he ust have a new adition to the family in the not so distant past? That's probably got him pretty busy. I'm sure he'll be back around. Little ones have a funny wayof sucking up all of you attention and free time.

Raul's post was very informative. Checking your surroundings on land is by far the number one thing to do when bank fishing to get a decent read on the underwater layout. After getting a good read on the lay of the land, the next thing to do is tie on a carolina rig. During this time of the year most, not all, but most fish of larger size will be in deeper water close to changes in structure or where easy access to shallower, forage filled water is available. After I find what I believe to be a good area to fish, judging by the lay of the land, I will use the Carolina Rig to start to get a more detailed "map" of the area by fancasting it with the Carolina Rig. Once I find a drop-off or other structural change, I stop and pick it apart meticulously. If ya ain't got a boat, and there isn't any visible forage, then that's probably one of the best tactics to use.

I am not sure if this photo has been submitted yet as the entries of Bassn Blvd and Redlinerobert are both showing up as red X's. But, either way, I think she looks perty in this one! The pic is still quite tasteful and artisitic, yet very sensual, leaving plenty to one's imagination. I humbly submit to all of the mook and mookettes...the winning picture.

Good luck to both of you fine gentleman and hopes for an uncomplicated and speedy recovery! Y'all will be back whackin' some bass in no time!

Yesterday I got a call from one of St. Croix's Service Technicians. Thay said after their review of the circumstances that they would replace my rod under the warranty. He was exceedingly cool about the whole thing and we even yakked a bit about the tactics and presentation I was using the day I broke the rod. On top of that, since I had purchased one their highest tier products they offered me 20% off my next St. Croix rod purchase!! Awesome customer service! Can't wait to get my rod back!

Merry Birfday!! Hope ya go out and stick the NJ State Record! What a Present that would be!

I am truly sorry for you loss...I can't imagine what I would do if something happened to my little girl...I think I would lose it. Thank you for the reminder about what is really important in life...family, friends and the time you spend together. It takes real courage and trust to talk about the kind of feelings that you are dealing with. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family, as well as the family of Derek.

Well, I called the Service Center and was told exactly what was posted here. $20.00 for return shipping and a letter explaining the circumstances behind the broken rod. The Service Representative said that the lifetime warranty applied to manufacturer defects, etc. However, she said the Rod Techs were usually pretty lenient as far as what the warranty covers, ie: slamming rods in car doors, rods being "attacked" by ceiling fans, accidentally stepping or sitting on the rod, etc., etc. So, I got the rod packaged and ready to ship. Just need to get the checkbook from the wife so I can cut 'em a check to put in with the rod and letter. Then off to the post office to be shipped (with insurance) it goes. Hopefully all goes well and I will have the same pleasant experience Avid did. BTW RW, and a great soft plastics combo it is too! Shame I had to go and break it! ;D