Zel

OLD FASHIONED??? THEY'RE CUTTING EDGE!!! Take a look at the BSX Biosonix, the new $699 electronic fish activator unit. And who is the president of Biosonix none other than Buddy Lewis who happens to be the son of Bill Lewis, inventor of the Rat-L-Trap. The BSX unit is basically actual reproductions of the sounds of shad and bass feeding on shad. I guess its a new take on the breakthrough in activating bass via sound that started with the Rat-L-Trap. I like to start out in an area throwing a Rat-L-Trap with Liv-N-Sound to activate the bass. Then I follow up with plastics. I guess you might call my technique The Poor Man's BSX. But NO, you can't program it, and it doesn't have dozens of variations of the sound, but for $3, the Rat-L-Trap serves my purposes just fine.

I have always done best late spring through early fall, about one to two hours before a thunderstorm struck. That I guess would be my ideal condition (and if they were holding tryouts for the Swedish Sun Tanning Team in view of the docks I was fishing well, that would just be icing on the cake).

Okay, after receiving my Shak-e2 jigs yesterday, here is what I came up with. Above all, I wanted something easy to rig up while on the water. It involves a Shak-e2, a tube bait, and a 6 floating worm. I bit off about an inch of the worm to get a flat end, and inserted the floating worm into the tube. After a bit of tweaking, I found that after pushing the worm all the way into the tube, you need to puncture a small hole in the end of the tube and insert a little super glue to get the worm to bond to the tube, so that you get a good hold between the Shak-e2 spiked bait holder, and the tube/worm. I tried the rig out in the swimming pool this morning. The action looks great, and I was impressed with how well the Shak-e2 design remained upright when working the lure. When the rig comes to rest, the tentacles from the tube gave a nice flare action, and then the tail of the floating worm subtly floats upward and also gives it a nice little undulating action to the tube tentacles. I like the bulk look of the rig in the front that the tube adds to the floating worm. I won't get a chance to try out the rig until this or next weekend, but after seeing it in the swimming pool, there is no way the bass will be able to resist this rig (hope, hope). And you can come up with some interesting color combinations between the tube and the floating worm. Well Bobby... so who came up with this one before me? LOL : And one more question. The line tie eyelet is rather small on my Shak-e2's, especially for those of us guys with old age vision. What knot do you recommend, because I was not able to get my line through the eyelet a second time, which ruled out the Palomar knot and the Trilene knot. I'm thinking maybe the Rapala knot might work best. Picture of rig and bass caught to follow...

You've probably heard of this before, but here is a little tip for future reference when staying overnight or stopping somewhere with your rig loaded. Get yourself one of those baby monitors (ones that also run on battery). Place the transmitter in the boat, and take the receiver with you. You can hear if there is any commotion on or around the boat. And if you hear something going on just hit the panic button on your key chain that sets off the car alarm (if you have that type). And if you do have the type of key chain with a panic button that sets off a car alarm, I suggest you keep it handy near your bed at night at all times. If you would ever hear something or someone at night in the house, just press the button and set off the car alarm.

Guys... no whoop, just a little snoop from the troop to try and get the scoop. I have historically done well at tournaments fishing lakes I knew nothing about. It's only when I get to know the lake that I have no clue what to do. :

Thanks for the info guys. But 150 miles as the crow flies is a bit far for a one day tourney for me.

I have an 1989 Javelin 285 F/S, 18' 0'' powered by a 150 Evinrude. I like the ride. If you can take it to a marine mechanic, and he gives it the thumbs up, I'd say its a good deal.

And I thought I had tough times recently! What got to me was the line I just wanted to go fishing with my daughter. I can't even do that. I take my young daughters fishing several times a year, and always cherish the memories. I have a brand new Eagle Cuda 242 still in the box that I purchased to replace my 168 because of wiring issues. An electrician friend fixed the wires for me on the old unit. So the new unit just sits. PM me with your address and I'll ship it off to you tomorrow if you want it. It's not as good as your Hummingbird 565 was, but not too shabby a compact unit either from what I hear. Times will get better!

GREAT JOB TERIA!!! Soon you'll be giving us tips. Went out with my son-in-law Sunday. We started out fishing used water behind a boat with 4 guys, but the area has always been good for me. He again started out with that I don't want to look foolish thing. I immediately pretended to set the hook and yelled DANG, MISSED ONE, and then said so does anybody think I looked foolish... NO. I had him set up with a carolina rigged lizard because it was pretty windy. It was his first time ever using this rig. I said please do me a favor, anytime you feel a tick, see the line move, or something just plain feels different... JUST SET THE HOOK! Well, he relented and reluctantly ageed. Within the first 30 minutes he pulled out 3 behind the overloaded boat of anglers (they had caught none to that point). He would have caught more if he would have listened to me and swept the rod instead of using overhead hooksets, but that's another story. He ended up catching more than me for the day, and not once did I have to perform the deep hook removal method.

LOL, at first I read your post as SPCA... I thought... you dog you! Can you give me a town close to it. Also, does the lake have rocks, any lily pads or weeds or grass, and if the weeds or grass are matted or sparse. If I don't fish it, want some of my secret PA plastics to try out? Thanks

Where is Medowgrounds, what type of lake is it, and what type of structure does it hold?

Dang... my turn to say ARRRRR! I'll come up with something though... the wheels they are a'turnin

Thanks Bobby, I'll call that number. The smallmouth in my local lake are moving deep soon. My idea is to use the shak-e2 with a *** as the weight for a dropshot rig utilizing a 4 handpoured worm about 24 above the shak-e2 NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO CLAIM THIS ONE IT'S MINE!!! (just kidding)

Okay Bobby, you've now peaked my interest. I didn't take advantage of the free offer, but a contest... I like! Now, what am I doing wrong? I click on your [www] button at the bottom of your post and can't locate the shak-e2 on your site, although I did see the megastrike that I wanted to also purchase (I'm tired of fighting with my son-in-law over the one tube I have in the boat).

Does anyone know if Sticky Weight is still made? I only have one full packet left. I like using it wrapped around the hook for flukes when I want it to ride a little lower in the water column, and I think it would also work well on the hooks for the Slim Sticks I'll be getting. I also like that it is 99.999% lead free, malleable and sticky, but unfortunately clean up of the stuff is a real pain in the kazooba.

Could it be Gary LaFontaine's The Mess?

I understand a video of Burley is going to be unveiled this Friday in Denver. Oh wait... got it wrong... that video purportedly shows a living, breathing space alien. my mistake!

Our UPS pickup driver returned from a weekend trip at Champlain. They launched out of South Bay. He said they did good with 7 straight worms fishing banks that offered both wood and weeds together. They also got some on spinnerbaits when it got cloudy.

The guys that fish tourneys are usually great. If it were me, I'd go to check-in and ask if someone could help you get the boat into the water.

First off, WELCOME! As for tournaments. 1. Who cares how good you are with the boat can you catch fish out of it? I've never been in a tournament where they gave out extra credit for boat control. 2. I don't believe it's necessarily harder to catch fish in a tournament. The only thing that poses a problem is if your on a lake you are familiar with, and your spots are well know, you might have some of the tourney guys sitting on them when you get there, or have fished them. And forget about things you hear about what is working or where they are biting fish with what you are comfortable with, and the way you are comfortable with. 3. You might want to check out the Fisher Of Men National Tournament Trail for northern Texas and contact them to see if your son can fish it. (Those under 18 years of age may participate with written permission from a parent or guardian.) http://www.fomntt.com/ Or contact some local tackle shops and see if anyone is running some less expensive Father/Son tournaments.

Went out with my son-in-law this past weekend. It's his second year bass fishing. He was doing what you experienced, and sometimes got very frustrated. I told him it can take years to develop a good feel for the strike. I told him when in question, set the hook, and don't worry about how you look or feel. Even now, with over 30 years of bass fishing, sometimes things just don't feel right, and I set the hook. You are using very good equipment. For me, a tick tick on the line is always a fish (unless it's at night and then it's usually bats hitting the line agravating!!!).

Never been to Branson, but whenever I plan a trip, I check out Tripadvisor.com. It helps me with some ideas of things to do. And I like checking out the Traveler Reviews to see what people have to say about the attractions, and to sometimes get the inside scoop. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g44160-Activities-Branson_Missouri.html

Wow Burley... $2.00 a pound is a really great price!!! If anyone is ever interested in some of the world's greatest tasting chocolates, you've got to try out the Wilbur Buds. I'm glad they now take orders over the internet. I got tired of having to buy 50lbs at a shot every time I went through Litiz, PA and shipping them to friends and family across the nation. http://www.wilburbuds.com/

Attsa lotta diesel... for me it's a point and click: http://www.brooklynporkstore.com/PRODUCTS/all_fresh_italian_sausage.htm

Two years ago, I tore the meniscus in my right knee. Got an operation, followed doctors orders, and got out fishing in less than 2 weeks. Then badly fractured my left knee on both sides last August, and tore the other meniscus. Waited 4 months to get it checked out, and didn't take it easy. The darn thing spider fractured throughout the entire knee. Refused to get the recommended knee replacement or another meniscus operation. Finally got off crutches in April, and have to take it easy on the knee for the rest of the year. Unfortunately they still haven't rulled out the knee replacement.