FordsnFishin

#WRB , just wanted to send you a big thanks. That is a huge help. Like I said I am new to this part of fishing, (really breaking things down), and you helped me point my head in the right direction. As far as determining bass/forage life depth zone, I'm assuming that's determined greatly by the time of year? Then actually going out scanning for them, depth finder and eyes. You've changed my approach greatly. this whole season I've been to focused on sharp drop offs. An to say the least they have not paid off. Haha Again, I appreciate your time Wrb. Agreed. But I do most of my searching trolling with the big motor. Mark the fish, than go up front. Seems I just need 2x Lowrence hds 12s and I wouldn't have any issues haha. But than I'd be living on my boat as the woman would have me kicked out of the house.

You're wrong. You got 4. I'll donate my money again. Just kidding. Think I'll win it this year.

Is it a totally loaded question if I were to ask... Without even being on this lake, what would be determined or in question, as a "hot spot"? Obviously the time of the year comes into play, wind direction, main forage...ect. But is it totally a experience thing to really break something down? Eventually I'm determined to bring up a map of a lake, look at it, and say these are the areas i want to fish and feel confident about it. As of right now, I don't feel confident about that. I know the more I study it and experience I put into it the better I'll get. I guess I'm just looking for key points to look into. Thank you for your time WRB.

While I'm not new to bass fishing, I am new to reading charts, graphs, and using sonar. This year I finally up'd my game. I've fished out of a 14 ft Jon boat for 8 years, and recently purchased a 21ft 250hp fishing boat. Huge change for me. But I've had big interest in fishing tournaments for years. Now that I'm getting comfortable using the boat, I'm trying to learn the electronics. Lowrance hds 10 with SI and structure scan at console and Lowrance hds 5 up front. So I'm looking to peak my abilities of using this equipment. But what I'm asking of you guys is, from looking at a chart what do you do to break down the lake before actually using your electronics to scan the bottom? Than once you have key spots in mind, what do you look for when actually going to that location? I'll post some navonics photos of my local lake that I fish often. While I've learned hot spots from trial and error in this lake, I'm sure there is so much more I could learn from reading charts and fish areas I would not normally. When my computer quits acting up I'll load screen shots I've been taking on the lake. Thanks fellas. Zachary

Just watched that one with kj rod snapping. Looked like it snapped right above his reel. Gotta love your sponsors.

All this rain, then hot weather has caused rough fishing. Finally picking up. Tournament tonight, caught 9 fish. All were 1-2 inches short of keeping. Got to love it. Another Saturday, maybe I can get things going then.

You're a bit more northern than I thought. Pontiac is about 2 hours from me.

Understood. Having a day like that catching smalls would be one to remember. The other pond that we had permission to fish, there would be days you could throw out a t rig power worm and before it would hit the bottom, fish on. That pond is what got me hooked on bass fishing. Taught me how to work different lures. Been a good 5 years since I've been there. To the OP, my buddy used to always kill me with chatter baits in ponds. Didn't seem to matter what pond. Might be worth a shot.

Was roughly 8 years ago. We were only 17 at the time. Family friend lived on the golf course, we fished his pond out back. This pond was 50 yards away. Honestly didn't know any better. After talking to the ground keeper (told us we needed to talk to the manager if we were to fish it), we went to manager to ask permission. Said it was a liability issue, we haven't been back since. Not sure how I was promoting trespassing, but sorry if it came off as that way. You are correct on the math francho. But it was probably closer to a fish every minute. Nothing of size, but the pond was loaded.

Last one I fished, a buddy and I threw jerk baits. We caught over 150 bass in 2 hours. Would have stayed longer but we got ran off by the manager.

Welcome, I think you need a new screen name. No pun intended.

I don't normally fish from the bank. But I hear of people doing alright from lake paradise and mattoon lake dams. Both can be accessed by foot. Mattoon lake has the main road that lead to the marina. Both sides are the lake and are rock walls. I actually fish these walls all the time for crappie and bluegill when I'm looking to bring home dinner. Which is today's plan lol. You can work these walls around 200 yards on each side if you feel like walking around on rip rap. I'm out here all the time, I'd be glad to take you out on my boat sometime.

Hey there. You're right by me. I'm over in the Mattoon area. I frequent the lake here. There are club/tournaments all over. Charleston embarrass river on Thursday Mattoon lake on Wed, sat morning Mill creek, Shelbyville, and the lake by paris also has tournaments.

Won a trip to Montana, extremely beautiful out there. Cruising around the mountains in our H2 hummers provided for us. It was about sun down and we were out spotting pronghorn and mule deer. Well on our way back we could see a smaller dark figure. As we got closer our trail guide told us it was wolverine. I hadn't ever even heard of them until now. Guide said they were never around that area. Extremely aggressive animal you 5didn't want to mess with. Here in mid Illinois the cat population has really gone up in the past 5 years. Cruising country roads around 10 at night trying to spot deer. Out of nowhere I have a bobcat running side by side of my truck. I was running 45mph and I swear he kept right up with me. Mountain lions are popping up he as well. They just put a season on them here. Bald Eagles are showing up more and more here. Spotted 3 last year. One being a very ugly baby eagle. Saw it and its mother pick up out of a tree and fly off into the sunset. No joke. ..was very neat to see.

It's been easing its way in for awhile now here. Finally had to mow last weekend, grass was a foot high in some places. Now I'm drinking coffee looking out at the yard, and it needs it again. ... It's that time of the year...

Like mentioned, I'd suggest selling your ar outright. Than search for a boat in your price range.

Thank you very much. I actually ended up walking away from this boat. Feel as if the seller wasn't telling the whole truth and sounded more and more sketchy. More boats out there, search continues. Thanks

Trying to make up my mind, so was hoping you guys could give a hand haha. Been looking real hard for a boat the past two months, trying to get one before spawn starts! Anyways i was looking for a good bass boat in the 10 to 15k range. Not a whole lot of luck. Been hard to come by here in central illinois, (looked in surrounding states as well...). But i came across this 1999 Ranger R83. He was looking to get 12,900, i have him talked down to 11,400. Boat has a good 80lb thrust 24v minn kota, dual battery charger, livewell pumps work, 2 chairs come with it, all accessories seemed to work. Has a 175hp mercury EFI motor, water pump and spark plugs recently replaced. Trim works on front and back. Compression was tested last year by a boat mechanic when he bought it. came out as 120 115 120 115 120 115. mechanic stated on report hours couldnt be extracted, so im unsure of hours on motor. Overall it seems like a very clean boat, and hasnt been used much. Thoughts, concerns? I always think 300 times before making a purchase, and as many boats ive looked at wondering if i should pull the trigger. As far as i can see the boat needs nothing, but im looking to upgrade the sonar system, put a hot foot, and possibly a extended deck. So looking to spend a bit more to get it where i want. Thanks guys

Just curious what your guys routine procedures are for loading/unloading your boat. Do you use 4x4? Your parking brake? Any little tips that help you get on and off the ramp faster? The less cluster the better. We already have to deal with ignorant pleasure boaters and what not.

Just curious what your guys routine procedures are for loading/unloading your boat. Do you use 4x4? Your parking brake? Any little tips that help you get on and off the ramp faster? The less cluster the better. We already have to deal with ignorant pleasure boaters and what not.

Found this today. Pretty incredible.

Bahhhh, just noticed this topic 3 days late. Am I still able to get in this for the next tournament?

I typically like a couple of pinches of cope straight in while I smoke a Marlboro red and chew a pack of nicorette gum. But really, I like grizzly dark wintergreen. Chewed copenhagen wintergreen for years, but I feel like the qulaity has gone way down and now has that cheap fake wintergreen flavor.

Very cool! The bear is super neat. What kind of knife, tools are you using? What type of wood?

Just cold here! Currently 0 degrees out! Got a couple inches the other day, so it's white out. Been working out in these single digit days for over a month now. Schools don't get closed here until 6+ inches. Located in mid Illinois.