Brian6428

Click on "fishing forums" rather than just the drop-down from when you hover over "fishing forums." Not all the forums are shown in the drop down, but once you click on it they're all there.

Not really. Rod broke, got thrown away. Reel broke, I still have it but don't want to fix a crappy reel. I lost the jig shortly after, as well.

You know what I think is crazy? Those nice Nitros that DO have ladders, but are impossible to pull down! They often have a Z8 sitting out at BPS and one time I was looking at it, and in the warm, dry store I couldn't get that ladder down for the life of me. I can't imagine the difficulty of pulling them down when in cold water. Also, while we're on the topic of clothing, what are some good things to keep in the boat to wear after a dunk in the water? Would I want to take off the wet clothes and change into something dry? If so, what is the best and easiest to store on a boat?

What kind of boat are you in? Sounds nasty. Nice fish, though. Bummer to not get paid.

How'd day one go?

This sounds like a really good way to ask. It leaves them open to just saying they don't want company. Seems like a less awkward situation for the boater than just saying "can I fish with you?"

The typical fall pattern for largemouth in the fall is that they chase shad into the backs of creeks. Depending on your lake, though, this may vary. A small lake around me I fish doesn't have creeks, and in the fall the fish can be seen busting shad on one shallow flat on one side of the lake. Typically fall means the largemouth go shallow, but where exactly varies per lake. Find the bait and the fish should be nearby.

At the moment, I feel much more comfortable fishing/pitching docks, points and brush piles like at LOZ. That said, I would like to learn all the techniques you listed for TRL. Thanks!

I wouldn't expect to have too much success doing this, but it may be worth a shot. Be well dressed, clean cut, and respectful. Don't be persistent if they say no or start making excuses, just tell them good luck and walk away. Also, let them know you aren't a freeloader. You would have better luck trying to meet up with somebody on here. Go to the local fishing forums and give it a shot. Also, put your location on your profile. That will help

I don't want to derail this thread, but what do you guys think about Table Rock vs Lake of the Ozarks? I like LOZ a lot but have never fished the rock before. Is it worth a trip down?

I think I'm gonna go buy a lottery ticket. Between the Tigers and Royals come from behind wins and the Chiefs killing the Patriots, I'm feeling pretty good!

Sorry, I should have mentioned I fish from a boat, not that that detracts from your response. I guess it will just be a matter of practice, like most things.

Rod: 6'7" MH *** 13 Black Reel: Shimano Citica Line: 14lb Berkely 100% Fluorocarbon Lures: 1/2 oz Black/blue Siebert outdoors brush jig with a Black/blue paca chunk 10" Zoom Ol'Monster in Green Pumpkin Green Pumpkin Trick worm on a shakey head Strike king 6xd in sexy shad 1/2oz White/chart war eagle spinnerbait Lake: Lake of the Ozarks

Hey guys, I need some help. Normally my brother and I fish together. This works great. We net each others fish, choose our lures strategically to find a pattern quick, etc. The issue is that I never seem to do as well when he isn't there. I feel like, with only one lure in the water, it is more difficult to find a pattern. Sometimes it is just overwhelming that I don't know where the fish are and I can only be throwing one lure to find them and what they want to eat. Any advice? Also, I can't use his rods and reels because he reels with the wrong hand. Who would want to change hands after every cast?! I only have three combos (2 BC one spinning) to use, as a result. Thanks!

Check the "KC area fishing reports" thread in the Central Bass fishing forum. Not technically a club, but they have a fall meet up and weekly tournament planned.

Here is a pic of my boat. I think you mentioned the front of your boat "popping up." Pictured here is an example of what it should look like as well as a secondary safety strap to keep the bow down if the winch strap fails.

I attached a pic I took at the ramp the other day of a sweet ranger. This is an example of what NOT to do, but is how it looks mid-process (unless you power load). You hook up the winch strap like this (while in the water) and winch up until they eye hits the roller. Basically, this guy is a few turns of the winch from being properly loaded, if that helps any.

Really? Bummer. I thought my brothers new PQ (not from a combo) seemed quite a bit better than mine from the combo. Oh well, I've had it for a year and it is still doing pretty good. Still not bad for $70.

Honestly there is no real way to know. For me it normally depends on confidence. Let's take a fluke, for example. Say I have some reason to believe that a fluke should be working- a reliable fishing report, seeing bass chasing shad, etc. Given this, I tie up a watermelon fluke first. No strikes in 30 minutes, but man, that fluke ought to be working. That is when I will change colors. Why? Because I have significant reason to believe a fluke will work, I just need to find the color. Next scenario: I have been fishing for three hours without a bite, and I don't have a dang clue what to throw. I open my soft plastics box and see a bag of flukes laying on top. I rig one up and fish it for 30 minutes, still with no luck. In this scenario I would cut off and tie on a different lure rather than changing color. Why? Because I really had no reason to believe a fluke would work beyond just a guess. Rather than try another color, which isn't that big of a change, I would rather try another lure altogether, that I feel has a better chance of working by being significantly different. That is when I change lures vs changing colors. I had never really thought about it, though. I guess I just did it intuitively. Good question, I will be interested to read the other replies.

I always research, check the weather, and tie up the night before (assuming time allows). It saves time on the water and lets me take my time to tie good knots, but sometimes i get to the lake and I was just plain wrong about the weather and have to re-tie before even casting.

Oh man, that reminds me of fishing there last fall. The spook bite was on then, too! Nothing like a good spook bite at LOZ in the fall!

How much would you let a few of them go for?

Yeah where I caught my PB definitely isn't my #1 lake. It is too small to even launch my boat on, gets too many lily pads to fish it after june, and mostly has dinks. It does make a nice place to fish in the spring (before the pads come in) from shore. Mostly dinks but that is where I caught my 5 lber none the less.

Just like the other guys said, PQ is a workhorse. Also, wait until it is on sale. I got a pro qualifier rod and reel last year on black friday for $70 total. That is $30 off the reel and a free rod! It goes on sale quite often for $80, which is a great deal.

I like to fish with my boat into the wind. That way I can just put the TM on constant on and fish nice and slow. Fishing with the wind makes me go too fast for my liking. Fluorocarbon helps a lot, too.