scaleface

Theres a multi tool on my belt 100 percent of the time when Im fishing and it gets used constantly. I like the Leatherman Charge or Wave. The diamond file is a fantastic hook sharpener. I can even quickly touch up trebels with it. I sharpened the mini screwdriver and use it to bust paint out of the eyes of jig heads. Of course the pliers and knife are used a lot. Ive used the saw to retrieve lures out of trees. Theres even a flashlight in the side pocket. I also carry a Swiss Army knife "Hiker" to be exact. I consider these tools must haves for me .

Try it at night. Use a buzzbait. I fish a small lake that I didnt know held so many big bass until I fished it after the sun went down. My experience is , it takes about two hours of darkness before the bite really picks up .

I learned that if a fish looks unhealthy dont fillet it. Bass can be full of pus like fluids , yukk. I fish a few lakes with slot limit's and keeping fish is encouraged. Also take stealth to as high a level as possible. Sure we all catch fish after dropping pliers... but I rarely catch a big fish after I make a loud noise. It appears to me that even waves slapping on the side of an aluminum boat has negative effects on quiet waters. Noisy waters are a different story but still stealth is preferred.

I am so unorganized . I cant find baits. Bags of worms are just thrown in a bigger bag. Hooks , jigs weights end up in whatever box is open. The only organization I stick with is I carry two tote bags. One holds all lures and terminal tackle in plano boxes . The other holds misc. buoys, stringers , towels, camera...

One day I was fishing jigging spoons off the end of a boat ramp and catching the snot out of white bass. Also reeled in 2 wrist watches, a spinning rod and reel , and dip net. Just think what else is lying off boat ramps.

They reformulated Trilene XL about two years ago and I love the stuff.

Land and a pond would also be an investment . Bass boats depreciate .

Pond. I could always pick up a good used boat.

I fish a 200 acre lake from a small john boat. I can hear rattle baits through the hull. I like to vertical jig them. Rattle traps have worked best for me. I can actually hear the fish hit it on the drop. Red Eyed Shads are cool. When they fall I hear them go tick tick,tick but have not done near as well with them as with Traps. Chrome and blue has worked best .

Black at night. Chartreuse , white or combined during the day.

I think its due to the gap between the point and the line tie being a tad to close. The lure lure often skips through the mouth rather than hook and hold on. At least thats how it appears to me.

Im impressed by all the carp anglers. I fish for them often. They can be very challenging. I like to bait the area , sometimes the day before.Use corn on an octopus hook .Place the rod in a holder , use a big weight , tighten the line up. If Im lucky , the fish feels the weight and bolts , hooking itself in the process. Its quite the sport , watching your rod flatten out and the line stripping off the reel .

I only use singles. Years ago I had a couple of Mister twister doubles that worked really well. They were in line blades and spun in opposite directions .

My latest I havent used yet. Cabin fever I start playing around . I replaced the blade from a spinnerbait with a texas rigged grub . It should work.

I use trilene xl most of the time. The new formula is fantastic. Ive caught quite a few large fish on 12 lb test and it hasnt failed me yet.

Bitsy bug and Mister twister double tail grub is what Id choose.

x 3 . Often you can find long points like this.

Lunker Lure . Catching smallies on a Buzz bait is as fun as it gets. Try using five inch grubs with a large hook for weight , buzz it and watch out.

Texas rigged plastic crawfish like a Guido bug .

Cabin fever has set in. Im back on this forum which I have neglected for a long time. LOL. Thinking about getting the spinnerbait mold out and create some imaginative lures. Im going to use wire and no hooks. When finished I'll pull the wire out and have a bullet sinker that will hold a skirt.

There are other areas of the Salt to fish. Like missourifishin says, you can fish the upper reaches of salt river which are above the Mark Twain lake. Another good spot is the area between the Clarence Cannon dam and the rereg dam. There are two boat ramps there and is a decent largemouth fishiery.

I have eaten freshwater drum a few times with mixed results. The smaller the better. Sometimes they were quite good sometimes they were quite bad. I ate a little one freshly caught over a camp fire , impaled on a stick. It was surprisingly tasty .

Good choice. Get one of the black flexible tripods , that are about 5 inches long and will fit in a shirt pocket. Use the cameras timer and you will get some outstanding photos of you and your catch. I will be purchasing another one in the next year.Ihave the Cannon sx260hs. I dont usually purchase the extra warranty but its a good idea when buying a camera that is not waterproof but is going to be used a lot near the water. LOL

Ive been an angler all my life. When I could barely pedal a bike Id go the Mississippi river with fishing pole in hand. I'd walk the banks with a "Doll Fly" jigging around any cover. Line between my finger and thumb to detect bites. I still hold the line that way 50 years later. Id catch all species , pedal back home and clean my catch for supper .

Smaller will get bites. I have lost a lot of big bass on crappie size hooks though. So when I go smaller , I keep the hook size larger.