Valascus

I think I may have run into a problem here...I read over St. Croix's Warranty Policy and it says that "all parts, including broken ones, must be shipped to St. Croix". After I broke my rod, I couldn't find the piece that broke off. When I fell, the piece fell into the water, which was all muddied up from me slipping. I looked for that one piece for a few hours, but had no luck locating it. I dunno if it got buried in the mud or went downstream a bit or what, but it was gone. I guess I'll call 'em today and just hope for the best.

Boy...ain't that the truth...

Well...went out fishing today and the trip quickly went down the crapper. I was fishing the Big River wading the banks using my St. Croix Legend Elite ES70MF/ Shimano Stella Combo. I was using a T-Rigged tube crawling it over stumps and rocks. On my third cast, I get hung up. Eh...no big whip. I already had tension on the line so I could see where the snag was. So, I start to reposition my feet in the water so I can try to work the bait loose of snap the line if I must. next thing I know, the rock I was using for balance in the mud bottom shifts and I go falling straight backwards. ***SNAP*** > :-[ :'(. Those smilies pretty much relay the emotions I felt when I looked at the rod which had about 9" to 10" of the end of the rod is snapped off... I felt so sick to my stomach that I just stopped fishing...that was it for the day. So now what? I know the rod has a lifetime warranty and I did register the rod. Will this be covered though? And if it is, then what do I do? Please...HELP!!!

I remember seeing Alton Brown do that on an episode of Good Eats. Looked darn tasty. I think you can look up the recipe on the food networks website by filtering your search by tv personality. By the way, a good way to get rid of some of the strong fishy taste and smell is to soak your fillets in buttermilk overnight. Makes pretty much ANY fish freshwater fish taste and smell more mild, even catfish.

Wow...eh...at least ya tried...unfortunately you have tried on what may be one of the webs biggest sausage fest.

Wow...I am with you Buds...I would lose it and probably go completely berserk. I feel so bad them...the boy was probably tickled to death to just go out fishing with his grandpa...and likewise for the boys grandpa. :-/ The police officer should have known beter than to fire his weapon without taking a very thorough inspection of the surroundings and warning anyone in the area that he was going to fire his weapon. It was a freak accident, but is still about as tragic as it gets. :'( Thoughts and prayers to all affected by these events...

Whew...this one got out of hand quick! I have already learned my lesson about letting my emotions cloud my judgement and lashing out at other members. Let's just take a deep breath everyone and relax. I understand both points of view that have been posed here. I am very much for C & R and practice it the vast majority of the time. The only time I keep a bass is when the body of water I am fishing is in need of seletive harvest for the greater good of the overall ecosystem and health of the fishery...and those I keep are usually dinks. That is simply my preference. If this person has decided to keep his catch, then as long as he has purchased a fishing license, obeys all length and limit laws, and doesn't do it ALL the time, then he is well within his rights. I can see how some of these pics may be tough to see. I am not horribly fond of them either. Those are indeed quality fish, the kind I usually release so they can grow bigger and tougher to catch to pose a greater challenge and thrill for those who will catch it after myself. But again, as ,long as it was all done following the letter of the law, then so be it.

Wow...site is running faster than greased lightening! Great job on such a mammoth task and taking care of it in just a week. Impressive!

I have found that I am bothering less and less with putting the fish to the scale and taking a pic. Most of the fish I catch are in the 1 to 3 lb range. I have yet to even break 4 lbs this year... . If the fish is 3 or over, the fish will get weighed and have it's pic taken.

I don't mind the heat at all. It could be 100 degrees out and I will still fish for 8 hours...done it beofre, and will continue doing it. But, I make sure I keep the sunscreen on, and have plenty of cold fluids such as water or Gatorade on hand. Jumping in is a good solution if the area you are fishing allows it. Problem is pretty much ALL the areas I fish don't allow it. Cold, for me, is the enemy. Once it gets below 50 degrees I am not a happy camper, I rarely egt out on the water when it is below 50 degrees cuz I HATE being cold...that and fishing in cold temps from the bank is PAINFULLY slow fishing.

Bingo...I was out using them last weekend fishing with Dink. We were getting a lot of bluegill nipping at the tails and even hooked some bass that were about as big as the worm. But make mistake...these are bigger fish baits. We were using them t-rigged, unpegged, with a bead fishing them on a big 5/0 Owner or Gamakatsu Extra Wide Gap Hooks. Dink caught some pretty good fish on it. We were throwing them shallow jumping them around stumps and through laydowns. When he got a bite you could see the line mving as the bass was trying to carry the worm off, then he nailed 'em. It was fun to watch.

"And if they are out of control, overpopulated or otherwise endangering the very balance of nature, are you in suport of their removal?" Very much so. If the local authorities such as the State Department of Natural resources deem a species as overpopulated to the point that it will start to negatively effect the balance of an ecosystem I am all for bringing the species into balance with the ecosystem by means of controlled culling of the population. I think there is a thread concerning blackbirds in that very light somewhere on the boards. As I stated before...there are only three reasons I can see for killing an animal. 1) I am gonna eat it. 2) It is getting ready to do severe harm to me and I have no other option but to defend myself. (Most of the time I will just try to drive it off) 3)If the State DNR states that the animal is causing a problem with the environment due to overpopulation and needs to be culled. One of the best places to go to educate oneself regarding the species that may be in question is your state's Department of Natural Resources or Conservation website. More often than not there is very valuable and highly educational information there regarding almost any species one could come in contact with while outdoors. They also usually have nformation regarding any species that are causing issues that are affecting the ecosystem and information on how the public can help the situation in a controlled manner.

Earlier on I was very fired up about the post concerning the turtle. I probably was aggressive in my post, which for that I will apologize for to John J. and to everyone else who my tone may have offended. However, I do still very passionately disagree with the reasoning behind some of these posts. It seems to me fairly often I see a rationale of "I hate (insert animal here)!! I kill them when I come across them!" I understand that this was not the instance with John J. I am sure if he came across a snapping turtle away from his parents property, he would not harm it. I am not one of those PETA freaks who just run around screaming about us trampling animal rights and yada yada yada. But I just want people to understand their effects on an ecosystem. When it all boils down to it, I want people to be educated about not only the environment that should get out and enjoy, but also it's inhabitants and their impact that could be had from their actions be they good or bad. Usually I refrain from beginning conversations such as this or voiceing my thoughts on the subject due to the fact that it is a hot button topic for many folks. However, I feel that all of us as outdoorsman have a duty to be educated, respectful, and should have the desire to leave the environment we have had the privilege to enjoy in better shape than when we arrived that day. This does not ony involve having a "live and let live" approach with it's inhabitants but also other things such as not littering or picking up existing litter, and educating your fellow outdoorsman as I try to here...just not in the poor manner in which I chose to do so. Again...I apologize for my ill conceived rant in the other thread concerning the turtle.

If the blackbirds are causing an unbalance in the ecosystem, and the Department of Natural resources is saying it is necessary to begin thinning the population a bit, then you are helping do the ecosystem a service.

I agree! I usually do not read them as it does get me fired up, but I have noticed more popping up as of late. I respect everyone's right to post what they wish and my right to read it or not read it as that is indeed the very basis of our first amendment right. I just felt it necessary to post my thoughts on the matter. I just want to clarify one thing. I don't mind posts regarding a sucessful hunting trip or anything like that. Just posts concernign the killing of an animal "just because" bothers me. I am not trying to get under the skin of any hunters here.

Hurrrrrr umph. As a student of weather phenomena, allow me to pontificate. Storms are associated with low pressure. the lower the pressure the more sever the storm. As an example Katrina had one of the lowest pressures ever recorded. Most bass fisherman agree that a falling barometer is good for bass fishing. Apparantly the bass get stimulated to feed before the storm hits, kinda like Squirrels (that's the little furry ones Deb) gathering food before winter. Fishing approaching storm fronts, is fun and productive. Unless your timing is off "AVID....HAS SPOKEN! " ;D

HA! BaitMonkey on a leash. Shoot, he's running the thing! ;D

I am going to take time to air out my views on a disturbing trend I have noticed on this site regarding animals such as snakes, snapping turtles, or other such animals that are "hated". Those of you who feel it necessary to "dispose of" these animals based on your hatred for them sicken me. Why do you "hate" them? They have done nothing to you at all. I am no tree huggin' hippy here, but I am pretty sure none of these animals that have ever been posted here as being killed by some ignorant outdoorsman did a thing to deserve their fates. I am pretty certain that none of these animals start their day thinking, "Gee, I think I'd like to go bite an unsuspecting human today." These animals are not malicious towards humans in any way, shape, or form. Those of you who feel the need to dispose of these animals are based on two things and two things only: 1) FEAR and 2)IGNORANCE. I am not saying it is wrong to be afraid of such animals as that is a common human reaction, but killing these animals who are an essential part of their ecosystems and doing nothing more but living their lives in their HOMES because of your fear is wrong...PERIOD! Let's get another thing straight here too...YOU are in that animals home. That animal has more right (in my eyes) to be there than you do. Being able to enjoy nature in all it's glory is a PRIVILEGE! So to all of you who feel the need dispose of these animals, please...I BEG YOU...take the time to research these animals to learn their important roles in mother nature before you un-necessarily harm them. A note to the moderators of this site. Please know that this thread was not created in order to cause trouble. I simply wish for everyone to enjoy the outdoors resepctfully with care and knowledge of it. If this thread is deemed to be too inflammatory, then I apologize for it, and ask that it be removed. Thank you for your time and for upkeeping this great site.

I, my friend, don't do this very often. This is the first time I have taken the time to post my thoughts on a subject such as this. And yes...I do feel this way about all animals. I deeply respect nature. It is a retreat from my daily life. I am not against hunting or anything like that...though I am not really sure how I feel about sport hunting. If I am gonna kill something, there will be only three reasons for it. 1) I'm gonna eat it. 2) It's getting ready to severely harm me. 3)The State Department of Natural Resources has deemed that the population of said animal has become to large and will beging to negatively impact the balance of the ecosystem in which it resides and that some culling will be necessary. As far as me being aggressive, I am not the one shooting animals with a 12 gauge shotgun and triumphantly posting my results of slaying the animal. Heck, I don't even own a gun. Never been in any type of physical type of alterication since I was maybe 10 years old and needed to defend myself from some midle school kids. If I am lowering myself for "one single animal", then so be it. I will gladly "lower" myself in order to educate about mother nature in hopes that some folks will gain a better respect for her due to my attempts of education.

I am pretty sure that animal didn't wake up one day and say "Gee, I think I'd like to bite off one of John's digits today!" I don't care if you were living in a house boat on that pond! There is a very simple approoach to keeping yourself safe from this animal. Are you ready for this? LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!!!!!!!! I am pretty sure if you mind your own business and not handle the turtle, you aren't gonna get bit by it. Imagine that!

Some of the posts here have been nice in showing their disapproval of this...this one will not be. I totally agree with LBH here...sad...not only sad...it was just plan stupid. So since you seem to be completely ignorant of how that turtle was helping your lake far more than harming it, allow me to eductate you my trigger happy friend. "The Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), or more formally referred to as Common Snapping Turtle when distinguishing them from their larger cousins (Macrochelys), and are popularly nicknamed "snappers". They are large freshwater turtles of the family Chelydridae, ranging from southeastern Canada west to the Rocky Mountains (and beyond, where introduced), and south through Mexico to Ecuador. Common snappers are noted for their pugnacious dispositions when out of the water, their powerful beak-like jaws and their highly mobile head and neck (hence the specific name "serpentina," meaning "snake-like"). They have rugged, muscular builds with ridged shells (though these ridges tend to be more pronounced in younger individuals). The carapace length in adulthood may be nearly 50 cm (20 inches) (though 20-36 cm, or 8-14 inches, is more common), with C. serpentina and its subspecies commonly weighing up 4.5-16 kg (10-35 lb). Exceptional individuals may reach 34 kg (75 lb). In some areas they are hunted heavily for their meat, a popular ingredient in turtle soup. Common snappers have lived for up to 39 years in captivity, while the lifespan of wild individuals is estimated to be around 30 years. Common snappers have long tails with spiky protrusions, as well as long flexible necks which can reach one-half to two-thirds of the length of their shells, making handling dangerous. They cannot fully retract their head and appendages, relying on fierce displays when aggravated. Their snapping jaws and sharp claws are capable of inflicting serious injury up to and including amputation of digits. Four subspecies of Chelydra serpentina are typically recognized. C. s. serpentina is the form present across the majority of its North American range, occurring east of the Continental Divide into most of southern Canada, the United States, and parts of northern Mexico. C. s. osceola occurs only in peninsular Florida up to the Okefenokee area of southern Georgia. C. s. acutirostris and C. s. rossignonii are neotropical, C. s. rossignonii occurring in southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras while C s. acutirostris ranges from Nicaragua across the Central American isthmus down the South American Pacific coastal region to Ecuador. The genus Chelydra is exclusively North American. Its earliest occurrence is from the late Barstovian (middle Miocene) of Cherry County, Nebraska. This assignment is based on a single partial right hypoplastron that is described as being markedly more massive and rugose than C. serpentina. No species assignment was made for this specimen. Published reports of Chelydra from the Pliocene involve very scant material. A large, undescribed fossil member is known from upper Pliocene localities of northern Florida. Specimens of this new species are by far the largest Chelydra ever discovered, reaching a carapace length of over 127 cm (50 inches). Abundant records of Chelydra from the Pleistocene have been published. These turtles spend most of their time beneath the surface of any permanent body of water, whether shallow ponds, shallow lakes, or streams. Some may inhabit brackish environments, such as estuaries. Common Snapping Turtles sometimes bask - though rarely observed - by floating on the surface with only their carapace exposed, though in the northern parts of their range they will also readily bask on fallen logs in early spring. In shallow waters, common snappers may lie beneath a muddy bottom with only the head exposed, stretching their long necks to the surface for an occasional breath (note that their nostrils are positioned on the very tip of the snout, effectively functioning as snorkels). Snapping turtles are omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter, and are important aquatic scavengers; but they are also active hunters that prey on anything they can swallow, including many invertebrates, fish, frogs, reptiles (including snakes and smaller turtles), unwary birds and small mammals. Snappers will also travel extensively overland to reach new habitat or to lay eggs. Pollution, habitat destruction, food scarcity, overcrowding and other factors will drive snappers to move overland; it is quite common to find them travelling far from the nearest water source. Snapping turtles mate from April through November, with their peak laying season in June and July. The female can hold sperm for several seasons, utilizing it as necessary. Females travel over land to find sandy soil in which to lay their eggs, often some distance from the water. After digging a hole, the female typically deposits 25 to 80 eggs each year, guiding them into the nest with her hind feet and covering them with sand for incubation and protection. Incubation time is temperature-dependent, ranging from 9 to 18 weeks. In cooler climates, hatchlings overwinter in the nest. It is a common misconception that a Snapping Turtle may be safely picked up by its tail, with no harm to the animal; in fact, this has a high chance of injuring the turtle, especially the tail itself and the vertebral column. A handler must also be wary of injury to themself. Snapping turtles are aptly named, as they can snap with amazing speed and power; a full grown snapper can easily nip off a finger. The safest method, of course, is to avoid handling a snapper at all. If moving it is absolutely necessary, scooping and lifting the turtle just off the ground with a shovel (especially a snow shovel), if done quickly, may be safest and easiest for all concerned parties. Lifting the turtle with the hands is difficult. Some snappers can stretch their necks halfway back across their own carapace. Manual lifting (which should be done only if no other options are available) is best accomplished by sliding fingers behind the turtle's hind legs, with the tail between the hands and gripping the turtle between the fingers and thumbs. The handler then proceeds to lift the turtle only just off the ground. The turtle will probably squirm and try to dislodge the handler's hands with its hind legs. Even a small snapper is relatively powerful for its size, with long sharp claws; further, due to their aquatic inclinations these turtles are often slimy and wet, and they are good at causing prospective handlers to lose their grip. In any case that a snapping turtle must be handled, it is best to have the turtle on the ground or very close. Wild turtles may be covered with a smelly pond slime and may also defecate, urinate, or musk on a handler. When raised in captivity, a snapper may sometimes become docile and show preference for its keeper. It may show signs of recognizing individual people and will seek out those whose company it tolerates. Some can be taught to obey simple commands, but this can be a long process, as snapping turtles display the stubborn nature that is a defining characteristic of all turtle species. Common snappers kept as pets can become quite corpulent (up to 39 kg, or 86 lb); and even properly fed individuals may be difficult to move without their cooperation - and moving may become essential, as turtles require frequent water changes to remain content and healthy." Congratulations, you just ignorantly killed a great asset to your pond in helping manage your bass population. That turtle would have helped cull small, weak, injured, or diseased bass on the rare occasion that it would catch one. I pity you in some ways...the fact that you decided to shoot the animal, based on your poor knowledge base of the animal, before taking the time to research it to see what possible impact it could have on your body of water, either positive or negative, says a lot about your total lack of respect for nature. Just "doing what your folks asked" is no excuse as it sems that they were poorly educated on the subject as well. Just a little research would have kept that turtle alive. Quite frankly, that turtle had more right to be there than you did. It was in it's natural environment...it's HOME. Just because it was viewed as "in your way" or a "nuisance" it was killed.

I usually get out when I can, be it early or late. If I have time to pick up a rod and reel and get out, I go. Anytime is always the best time to fish. Now, if it is a trip I am planning with a friend, depending on the season, I like to be on the water about an hour before sunrise. We'll fish as long as the buddy usually wants to, cuz I'll stay out on the water until the cows come home...and then some.

I will fish when a storm is approaching, but I clear out as soon as I can hear the thunder or catch a glimpse of lightening in the distance. Like Avid said...ain't no fish worth getting fried over. As far as why the fishing gets better before a storm, I have heard a few reasons related to a fishes biology that make sense. Never heard of the bug thing before, doesn't mean it ain't true though. I have heard that when a storm is on the way, it causes a drop in barometric pressure. This drop takes pressure off of the basses swim bladder, making it more mobile and aggressive. The bass takes this opportunity to actively hunt whatever forage it has access to in the area...be it baitfish, crawdads, bugs, or your bait!

I use crankbaits a lot. When fish are suspending, I usually try to choose a crank that is the same depth or where the fish are suspending. I have found that the way the fish is hooked doesn't have so much to do with the direction the fish struck the bait, but more so the aggression level in which the fish struck. Most of the time when the fish just aren't committing fully on attacking the bait, I get a lot of poorly hooked fish that are always hooked on the back treble either just barely in the lip or somewhere outside the mouth slightly, no mater what direction the fish struck from. I think this is caused by the fish half-heartedly "slapping" at the bait. On the contrary, when a bass is fully committed to hittng that crank, they will almost inevitably get both trebles and have the bait physicaly in their mouth. when this is happening, I don't really pay attention to which direction they are striking from, but what speed, depth, and action causes that aggressive, committed strike.

My biggest bass I have ever brought in was 4lb 9oz., don't have a pic of it unfortunately since I wasn't in the practice of bringing a camera with me (didn't have my digital yet anyway). That was almost two years ago. I have been trying to break the 5 lb mark ever since then. Caugt it on a Zebco 33 (my only rod at the time) and a texas rigged ZOOM! 7" Pumpkin/Chartreuse U-Tail Worm working the worm through a large weedbed lining the bank. Pretty much ruined my reel. ;D