Valascus

Happy 21st B-day for the 22nd ( ) time Squid! Hope ya have a good one!

You are flat out rollin' now! That's a good win in anyone's book! Keept at it!

That's a good looking, healthy fish! Nice job!

I too, was not aware of any ailment of Mr. Welcome's. I am sorry to here you were not well, but hope that you are recovering well and will be back to stickin' 'em on the Stick March 13 in no time! Welcome back George!

I have absolutely no problem with fishing for spawning bass. But I do have my own strict set of standards for doing so. If either gender of fish is caught, they get removed from the hook very quick, weighed, a quick snapshot taken, and released directly back onto the bed. I don't like it when someone catches a spawning bass and then keeps it or sticks it in their livewell for later release in a different location. Just something I personally don't agree with. I am not about to tell anyone how to do their fishing, but to me, that is essentially writing a death sentence for the fry. Without the protection they need they are easy pickings for other predators. I also have fiath and trust in the Missouri Dept. of Conservation. If they do not have any regs against fishing the spawn then they must have studies and proof that back up the fact that fishing during the spawn does not hurt a bass population...at least not on bigger bodies of water.

My vote goes to the Rapala X-rap, followed by the Smithwick Suspending Pro Rogue, and that's followed by the Rapala Husky Jerk. I just haven't had much luck with the Husky Jerk. The X-raps and Rogues are another story though. Great fish catchers.

GOOD LORD LBH!!! Those are some fantastic looking...FISH!! I mean...look at the curves...and the features!! Those fish are really well put together man! Oh yeah...the women ain't bad either! ;D

I just wanted to comment on your very inspiring outlook. I honestly can't find the words to describe how...right and how inspiring that outlook is to me. You, sir, seem to know what you have had and what you have in front of you. To not mourn ones passing but to celebrate the moments spent with them is a hard thing to do sometimes...I have the utmost respect and admiration for you. Hopefully, one day your daughter outfishes you something fierce. Anyway...back on topic. Nope...my wife don't fish a lick. Highly unfortunate. I really wish she did. I would love to sepnd some time on the water with her. My daughter is only 2, but I hope I can peak her interest in the sport. Would be nice to have a fishing buddy like my wife or the little one. Who knows...one day...

I agree with what has been said so far. Like GMAN, I think having extra rattles and whatnot hanging off your bait will only make it more idficult for it to come through the brush or slop. But in dirtier water I am a fan of rattles. I think in clearer water they can be used if the fish are not real spooky. If the clear water fish bolt at any sound then obviously I ain't using my rattlin' jigs. Ghoti, that is an interesting train of thought. Worded very well...and pretty easy to see yor perspective. The Rat-L-Trap is a tough one to explain though...maybe it is along the same lines of a buzzbait to a degree. Maybe the loud rattles annoy the fish into striking the bait. The fish is just sitting there minding his own business...suddenly this un-Godly loud noise starts coming at him. The fish thinks..."Man that little thing is annoying...and it's starting to give me a headache...I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!" Then he smashes it.

Name: Nathan G. Occupation: Tax Relief 2nd Chair Assistant, Omni Financial Location: Overland, MO Family: My wonderful, beautiful, intelligent, funny, and understanding wife, Becca. My bubbly, beautiful, smart and getting smarter, happy go lucky, little ball of energy 2 year old daughter, Stella. A goofy 5 year old American Eskimo dog, Jeter (I didn't name the dog...my wife's ex-boyfriend when she got him named him. He's was a hardcore Yankees fan...and a chode.). Likes: Fishing, Cardinals Baseball, spending time with my family, video games during nasty weather, Japanese Anime (Naruto, Naruto Shippuuden, Bleach, Cowboy Bebop, etc. etc.), Rock Music (hard rock, classic rock, alternative rock, metal, older punk rock...can't stand the newer "punk".), TV shows: Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters, House, Heroes, Around the Horn, Pardon the Interruption Dislikes: Household chores, "honey-do" lists, work (sometimes), stupid/disrespectful/discourteous people, being late...to ANYTHING or for ANYTHING, Chicago Cubs , cold and rainy weather, WINTERTIME. Appearance: 6'0", Skinny/Athletic Build (Built for speed 8-)), 150 lbs, Short Dirty Blonde hair, Blue Eyes General Demeanor: I am not really the most positive person in the world ,though I try see the positive side in most things. I am a pretty cynical person whose humor is pretty sarcastic. I can see humor in pretty much anything. I am a pretty goofy person once you really get to know me. I don't really care for real serious conversation topic such as politics, religion, etc. I subscribe to the "if it makes you happy the by all means do it" and "live and let live" philosophies...unless you make me angry or mess with my family...then it is on and you will pay. I am generally a pretty happy-go-lucky dude who is usually in a pretty good mood. Howdy y'all...nice ta meet ya!

Congrats on the wee ones new found mobility!! But...are you ready? Now the fun starts!! She will gain confidence in her mobility and speed up pretty quick. I know from recent experience. My daughter will be 2 years old March 29th. Boy...when she got the hang of walkin' she was gone! Let the chase begin!!! ;D

Happy belated B-Day Skillet!

Wow...there seems to be an exodus to snap land. I remember not long ago when this question was asked the majority said "no." Well, I will be one in the few so far. I DO NOT use snaps. I cannot tell if it alters the action of the bait or not, but quite frankly, I don't wanna even take the chance of it altering it. Another reason I don't use snaps is because t only takes me a few seconds to tie my not, and it MAKES me make sure my knot is a good one. If you are just unsnappin' the cranks from the snaps and not re-tying then you are just increasing the chances for knot failure. The final reason I don't use snaps is I don't like to use all that hardware. The less hardware I have on my line the better for 2 reasons. 1) It looks more natural to the fish and 2) Removes any chances of the snap itself failing.

I also use both. Though I tend to use balsa wood cranks (Rapala DT series) more than plastics. I use the plastics in very muddy water since, as pointed out by Raul and ghoti, that the sound they create is superior to balsa baits. If I am fishing a spot that has a lot of rock or other hard surfaces I will fish the plastic cranks since they seem to have better durability and can take the punishment better than their balsa counterparts. If I am fishing in a real snaggy spot, I prefer balsa since they are more bouyant and deflect off of cover better than their plastic counterparts.

My wife is along the lines of keping it simple for Valentines Day. Got her some nice flowers, chocolates, a card, and a lawn gnome...cuz it was waht she asked for...and lawn gnomes are just funny. We work opposite hours...and by the time she gets home it's too late to cook dinner...and besides...trying to cook an elaborate romantic dinner with a 2 year old runing around is near impossible. I was going to buy her a pair of diamond earrings, but she is just not the kind of girl that likes it when you spend a buncha money on something that she views as something "she doesn't need". Glad I didn't go that route. She seemed pretty hapy with her flowers and candies...heck...she didn't think she was gonna get anything cuz I was pretty hush hush about it. So she was pretty surprisd.

That is a HAWG! Nice fish...gotta love pitching and flippig into the cover in the shallow stuff. Fun and productive!

Exactly. I use Kinami Palm Trees (A.K.A. GYCB Fat Ika). My biggest problem with Kinami baits is you get less in a package but you still pay the GYCB price. Ex. Kinami Palm Trees come in packs of 5 and cost $4.49. That is $.90 per bait. GYCB Fat Ikas come in packs of 10 and cost $7.48. That is $.75 per bait. The Palm trees are actually more expensive per bait. But Palm Trees are the only thing I can find locally...and I am not really into paying shipping for my baits...not when I have a BPS 15 mins away.

I bring everything I got. I honestly don't ever really know what I am gonna use for the day when I go fishing. I have a rough idea which is dictated by the conditions. But, if something changes, then I want to have all of my baits on hand so I could switch according to the condition change or the change in the bite. I would hate to be out on the water and not have all my stuff...I would feel unprepared. Now things I rarely use...spinnerbaits. That's about it.

That pic looks like you are wearing some bling-bling on your shades cuz of where the spinnerbait blades are in the pic! We're all in trouble now fellas...Avid has started to go gangsta on us! Just wait...right now it's just sunglasses bling. Then it'll be the diamond grill, the "krunk" juice, and further pimpin' his canoe! Weeeeeeee...cabin fever is in full swing here...can ya tell? Sorry 'bout the combo though man. Oh well. At least ya tried to find it. Just gotta chalk it up as one of those "$#!% happens" experiences. At least yer still catchin' feesh and enjoying tyour time on the water.

Hooooooo-weeeeeee....man that's brisk! I get cold just looking at those pics. Awesome days on the ice though. Y'all are gettin' it done while the rest of us battle cabin fever. Still...y'all ain't right on some level...it's FREAKIN' COLD! ;D

Did it hit him in the eye? If he would have been wearing some impact resistant eye protection it might not have happened...would have scared the crap outta him but he MAY still have his eyesight. Pity....good reminder to everyone to wear some eye protection out on the water. That pic of KU's sunglasses should be a good reminder too.

I have been so pre-occupied with work and family through out the week I don't really even have time to think about fishing. But when the weekends hit, the fever that I am repressing comes back in full force and I find myself reorganizing my tackle over...and over...and over again. It's supposed to get down to 2 tonight...2. FREAKIN' 2!!!! Cold...God, I hate winter time. :'( The lakes and ponds have been frozen over here for a while now. There are parts of them that may not be hard, but most of 'em are out of casting range. But for the most part all of 'em are iced over.

I think salt or some sort of impregnated scent will give you a second or two more to set the hook. Do I know that....no. But if I have the choice of fishing soft plastics with or without salt/scent, I will go for the salt/scent every time. Like I said...I dunno if it really does give an edge, but the fact that it might is enough reason for me to use them. Same thing with the red hook theory for me. Maybe it gives an edge...maybe not. But the fact that it might is enough to get me to use them.

Lures: GENERALIST. I am pretty comfortable with MOST lures and presentations, but am far from a master at any of them. I am probably best with a crankbait. Water: GENERALIST. I would say I am pretty comfortable anywhere between 0-20 to 25 ft of water. When it starts getting deeper than that I start struggling. I tend to do best in shallower water, but can catch 'em mid range if it calls for it. Water clarity doesn't really seem to have much effect on me. Angler: JUNK. I am really a junk fisherman. I generally use copolymer lines from 6 to 12 lb test and will throw just about ANYTHING on it. Some days I feel like power fishing some days finesse...and most days I just do whatever until the fish tell me what they want.

Happy Belated Birthday Mudster. I always seem t miss these threads somehow. :-[ 56 ain't nothing. Your ONLY 2 years younger than twice my age! Hope ya have many, many more ya Mook!