dale.m

Well I got a chance to get out on the water this afternoon and this new strategy paid off! I researched a few spots before I hit the water and sectioned off a part of the lake that I was going to fish. It was very slow starting out. I worked my way along the banks pitching worms and jigs to possibly get a strike out of a lazy summer bass. The water temp was 82 degrees and it was hot out! After what felt like a few lazy hits and no fish, I was beginning to get discouraged, but I didn't give up. I came up with a new strategy and I decided to fish a nice point I had found in the part of the lake I had sectioned off. I quickly watched my graph drop from 8 feet to 21 feet and decided to sit on the flat and fish a deep crank up the bluff. Boy did it pay off! I caught 4 within 30 minutes and several more over the next hour or so before I had to pack it in. Thanks for the help guys! I'll keep working at it, but it helps to know that I'm on the right track!

Thanks for the encouraging words guys! I think I'll start with scouting out good looking spots on Google Earth, determining whether they might hold fish given the weather conditions, and then sectioning that part of the lake off and limiting my fishing to that one area for the day. I have multiple rods, so I will have a soft plastic, a crank, a swim jig, and a football jig tied on along with a classic top water setup just in case they are looking to get airborne. I'll let you know how it goes!

Hey everybody! After years of owning a small plastic boat with a trolling motor attached, I finally got the itch to upgrade. Luckily, my uncle was getting rid of his fishing boat and he sold it to me with the trailer for an incredible price. I've fished ponds and very small lakes for years, but now that I have the resources to get out on bigger lakes, it's like I am learning to fish all over again. I've been out a few times and I haven't been able to get one strike at all! I know that most of you guys are experienced fisherman and have been fishing bigger lakes for years. Where do I start when I approach a bigger lake? The boat I own now has a decent fish finder, but even with that, I have no idea where to begin. Thank you so much guys!

Spent time with friends and family on memorial day catching bass on a small pond in Thomasville NC. It was nice to take a break from the big water and fish a small pond. The bluegill were tearing up some red worms and that made it fun for the younger crowd. We also caught a 9lb and a 12lb cat fish on some livers. I decided to throw on a black and blue buzzbait and head down to the end of the pond where there was a shade line and lots of cover. On my fourth cast I caught a pretty good sized largie right on the shade line near some standing grass. I was trying to get my tan on, so if you don't like shirtless men with bass in their hands, then dont scroll down.

I'm a fan of the paca chunks because of the color choices and durability.

Somewhere near 5.

You a'int kidding. Just went out this afternoon and hooked into 6 of them. The biggest was 5lbs and she was pretty!

Me and my fishing buddy Adam hit a small lake up yesterday and got into the bass big time! The air was nice and cool and for the first time in months, the water didn't feel like a hot tub! We ended up catching around 11 bass in about an hour and a half. The biggest we caught was a nice 6 pounder on a green/red senko! She was beautiful and not deep! Looks like the bass have started making their way back into the shallows to feed before winter! Here is a picture of the hawg!

A trick worm.

I just got my jigs in yesterday and nailed a 5lb 10oz bass on the New Gill colored swim jig! I ordered some of the black series jigs but I have yet to use them. Can't wait to give them a try though! They look flat out awesome.

Find a cheap setup in the flea market thread. I recently got a 200 dollar reel for 70 bucks that was in perfect condition.

"Ain't no fish in the d**n lake." or... "Too many boats on the d**n lake."

I'd make sure its not too deformed. If the side rails are a little bent its ok. Me and my buddy fish out of a crawdad and its plenty stable for the both of us.

Twas a good night for me here in Greensboro, NC! I wasn't having any luck with soft plastics and it was getting late, so I decided to burn some buzzbaits along some secondary banks at a local pond....the results were magnificent! Man I love getting on a pattern! Anyone have an estimate on what the fish in the first picture might weigh? I wear a size 10 shoe for reference.

Me and my buddy picked up a 12ft jon boat with a trolling motor, battery, net, and oars for 500 bucks this summer off of craigslist. It only weighs about 100lbs and fits in the back of a truck easily. We just finished modding it to have bigger decks and standing room like a bigger bass boat. I'd suggest trying to find something like that.

I slowly decoded it using a guide online and the USCG website.

We finished up the decks and gave the boat a paint job tonight! Can't wait to take her fishing! Here's the pic!

Welcome to the friendliest bass fishing forum on the interwebz. Those are some nice fish!

How do those work out? I've been eye balling them, but they feel kind of stiff.

Hahaha! Even through the pain, that will be a story you and your son will never forget! Welcome to the forum!

A few months back, me and my buddy went in on a small 12ft jon boat. We got it in pretty rough shape for very cheap. Despite its bad shape, it could float and we have caught many fish from it! Since owning it, we've dreamt of all sorts of upgrades that we wanted to do to the boat. We were tired of fishing small ponds and wanted to try some of the small lakes around but we needed to get it registered. We've finally began work on all of our plans and the registration this week. After looking up the hull id, I found out that its a 1988 Coleman Crawdad XT. The capacity plate was all worn out, so using the usgc template I created a new one. The boat will have a front and rear deck and all weather carpeting. Other upgrades include: a fish finder, nav light, anchor light, storage spaces, a new paint job, and possibly a cooler style livewell. So far the front deck, floor, and half of the rear deck are in place and carpeted. Tomorrow me and my buddy will finish the rear deck and begin painting the boat. Also, we are taking suggestions for her name! We were thinking of calling her the Sputter'n Spud, but we want to know what you think a good name is! I will update the tread as we progress through the build. This is what she looked like the night we bought her: And this is what she looks like now:

Still waiting here in NC. Hopefully it will cool down in the next couple of weeks. It felt like it was here about a week ago, but all this humidity from the hurricane mixed with 85-90 degree weather screwed everything up. With all of the rain from the storm, I've found time to put new decks and carpets in my john boat before the fall tournaments begin!

Clear - Watermelon/Red Murky - Pumpkin/Chart I catch 3-4 per hour using these colors in these conditions.

That was some great froggin right there! I like that you used spinning gear too! Does it give the frog a better action?

Nope! Mosquitos do suck (literally), but they're not enough to keep me away from the lake!