geo g

I too have a collection of rods. There are always at least 6 rigged and ready to go on the deck of the boat, and another 6 at home that don't make the trip. Of the six loaded and ready, I usually use two, but if something bad happens a backup is waiting in the wings. We buy way too much stuff. Most stuff is made to catch fisherman, not so much fish!

Get job, as always!

I will throw a lure in risky spots because if you cant get them out, its only a hook or lure. With age, I have stopped putting the boat in risky spots. Before power poles we would run our boats into masses of weeds to hold in place and flip an area. I would run boat trails not much wider than the boat at speed, hoping someone else wasn't using the same trail. I would fish between standing rotten timber and hope it would stand for just another ten minutes. At 70 years old I don't do that crap anymore, I just don't want to experience the consequences again! Not as daring as when I was young, and bullet proof.

Three words , 1. Early 2. Late 3. in between, Slow

I do believe the most important factors are being a constant line watcher, and knowing what a bite detection feels like, and oh so subtle changes that occur. Having a good quality line with sensitive qualities that transmit the ever so slight changes up the line. To me this is far more important then the actual rod or reel being used.

Just noticed how much weed is in this lake. HB Frog, make a commotion and let it sit. Change your cadence from constant, to stop and go. A speed worm weightless and stop it in every opening you can find among the junk. Heavy braid, and strong gear.

All bass are far from smart. Big bass are just rare, and out numbered 1,000 to 1 by bass of smaller size. The smaller ones just don't make it to large size very often. They get picked off and eaten before making it.

Green tint Costas, although yellow is good in low light.

So true my friend. Unlike lakes further north, they are like cockroaches in the glades!

I have fished the glades for over 40 years in a bass boat. I go at least several times a month, and have fished all the Alley locations, Loxahatchee, Sawgrass, Holey Lands, and the Miami River. I have been charged by big gators on several occasions. I have had the side of the boat tail slapped once, the trolling motor bumped once by a protective mother, and been followed closely by big gators, (less than five yards), for hundreds of yards on countless occasions. While drifting over a flat at Loxahatchee, I have looked down from the front of the boat and been directly over a 8 footer laying flat on the bottom in three feet of water. Certain times of the year are worst then others. Breeding season, and when females are guarding nests. The number of gators can be over whelming on the Alley under low water conditions. 10 footers are not uncommon. Good luck on your trip, I would not do it, but I know guys that have and had few problem! The tail slap on the Alley, was a big guy, and it was intentional, shocked the crap out of me.

I have fished with guys that use the Tokyo rig, but my traditional techniques, like split shot trick worms, and wacky rigs, were just as good those days, and easier for me to rig!

Oh yes for sure. One day at Loxahatchee I was throwing a Fluke when I hooked a fish and during the fight the line broke off. An hour later I passed back through the same area and caught a two pound bass with my #3 Gama hook and an inch of floro line still attached to its lip. Still willing to eat!

When it comes to catching, no two days are exactly the same. Figure out what they want, and how they want it, that day, that hour! Separates the good from the rest!

Summer weather requires special treatment of the live wells. Sometimes unique to the live well itself. The best for the bass is to return it to the water caught as soon as possible. This is sad to see.

I have been on some very slippery ramps here in florida. I looked for weeks for some shoes for the conditions. Someone on the site told me about some cheap Walmart water shoes that are plastic, with a good none slip bottom. I search them out, under 15 dollars, and they actually worked well. They are all black and slip Ons. Much better then my Keen water sandals on slick ramps.

Mike L summed it up well. The only other thing I would add is slow way down, down size bait size. 4” Senko type baits, and wacky rigged trick worms.

I always carry the essentials on the boat after several trials by error. Always have wire cutters to help with hook removal. Always a full roll of toilet paper, and a large industrial strength garbage bag. Three times more water than I need, especially in the hot months. A flight plan for the wife of where I’m going, ramp used, and return time. Sun cover from head to toe in the Florida heat, and CC. A phone charger cord for emergency if needed. Food! Don’t go unprepared it could cost you big time.

Loads of these in my neighborhood. Pure fun!

It happens to everyone once in a while. If it’s big enough get out the scissors and cut away. Picking it out will only weaken the line. Pick up another rod and forget about it until you get home.

I once took a friend from work out fishing for the first time. I asked him if he wanted a bait caster, or a spinning reel to use? He picked the spinner, so I told him I'll cast it out, spray the line, and give it for you to work. I cast a Texas rigged Fluke into the pad field and then handed him the reel. I moved up to the front deck and picked up my rod and reel. While rigging my bait I hear a loud splash coming from the pad field. I look over to see my friend hand lining a big bass toward the boat. I said why aren't you using the rod and reel? He said, it just felt better doing it my way. The fish weighed just over 8 lbs, and 24" long. The first cast of the day, before the sun came up. We laughed for an hour after landing the big girl. I was shocked he managed to get it out of the weeds without a pole or reel. It took him a long time to live down this episode from the other fisherman at work. Life is a constant learning experience!

Congrats, anyone can see that's a Hawg. But it's impossible to give anymore detail from that pick. Enjoy your catch, it will always be in your memory. I hope she was released in good shape!

A long time ago I had a conversation with an old bait shop owner, Pat Fitzpatrick, we were talking about Roland's Helicopter Lure and a big fish I caught on it. Like someone already said, he stated "sometimes a block of wood and a hook will just do the job". Bass will just react to movement under certain circumstances regardless of how ridiculous it may be!

Severe diarrhea on an everglades trip. Had to let it hang over the side and hope no big gators come to investigate. Never leave home without a few heavy trash bags and a fresh roll of T/P! A horrible feeling!

Before trying new bodies of water, I would down size, look for drop offs or culvert pipes, and slow way down. The way I do it is go to a 4" senko texas rigged, let it settle to the bottom, and just let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then just shake it and sit again. Pull it 3 or 4 feet and just shake again without much forward movement. Keep repeating the process. If you have weed lines, where the weed line ends usually means a change in depth. Fish that area slowly, bass sometimes sit at the bottom of the depth change. Culvert pipes with water flow can be magical especially after heavy rains. If that doesn't work then try new water bodies. This technique has saved many a tough day for me.

It has happened to me a couple of times. The fish will live and do quite well with just one eye. They have other senses like smell, and the lateral line. They can still hunt. I have caught one that attacked my bait with only one eye. also. We feel bad but they will survive.