CDobber

Hoping to find a spot around here to fly fish for smallies, haven't done so yet.....still waiting for my first hook of any kind with that medium, had some good creek chub action on a hopper pattern a couple weeks ago, and I suspect as the water cools down here this month that I may finally get a bass or trout on something near here.

Trout are my guilty pleasure, and I must say I'm enjoying learning how to walk in the waters I'm fishing versus bank beating or hauling out the toon.....and have even added fly fishing to my repertoire this summer, though I have yet to actually catch a fish via fly/hopper/etc.

Sure, or you can go buy a kit for about $4 that has extra tips and glue to fix it.....I did that to a pole a couple years ago that broke off while beating brush to get to a shore spot....lost about 3" on it but still works fine. Pole wasn't old and probably could have done a warranty exchange, but would feel guilty knowing it wasn't workmanship defect but my own fault. Something like this: http://www.***.com/Berkley_Rod_Tip_Repair_Kit/descpage-BDRDK.html (the stars were from TW....forgot it blocks out site names on occasion)

First one I read a couple years ago was Think Like a Fish by Tom Mann....mentioned previously. Didn't necessarily learn much about fishing tips from it but was a very interesting read on one of the great pioneers of this sport, and I don't hesitate to support the cause when I happen upon an old Mann's lure or jelly worm somewhere, plus I prefer Humminbird (and yes, I am aware he sold the company before his passing so it isn't directly helping his family. Based on a similar thread going into last fall, these were my Amazon purchases from the used department around this time last year, heading into a long, boring, fishless winter here in Wisconsin:

After researching this model here and other places and reading glowing reviews almost universally, and driving over to Cabela's today to play with one in person, I'm about to hit submit on an order for one. By ordering via website, I save myself $50.

What did you hear back on this, flyfisher?

I'm right with you Manny....started from shore and still find myself there about as often as I am from my pontoon.....a lot of it is learning the lake and finding underlying structures (submerged timbers, boulders, weed edges, etc) as well as just time building confidence from the boat. Electronics help (mine is also very rudimentary...fairly certain I couldn't see a thermocline on it before the transducer broke off) bt things like a jig/pig can help you "feel" what is under the water as well. I still have skunk days, but they are getting less and less...and I hope by improving my electronics, it'll help increase the learning curve as well.

Very interested in your feedback....started researching upgrades this week as one of the kids kicked my transducer off of my Humminbird Piranahmax 160, which was too basic to really help me find what I'm looking for anyway. Might as well upgrade....and though I started with the search wide open to brands and models, I'm very much leaning towards a Helix 5 SI model. I fish from a pontoon and have been reading that SI will be of great benefit for the sheer size of the boat.

Great to hear, especially with the way your back/health have been and accessibility issues!

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all!

3/8 black with black with purple fleck trailer and skirt has been my #1 lure all season and has worked at times of the day it shouldn't if you read other threads on buzzbaits here. My Dicks (and anything else around here for that matter) don't carry Cavitrons, so its likely always been a Strike King. I find the 1/4 oz a bit too small, especially for casting out with my spinning rigs, though I still try them from time to time.

I'm going on a muskie charter in the morning. I don't target the fish but will be excited to try, especially with help from a pro if/when I land one. I'm not a big fan of toothy critters and haven't handled many fishing solo. I will not care one way or the other if the guide fishes tomorrow. I am not attempting to learn techniques from him or lure presentation, or I'd be watching and listening closely. If it were a bass charter (as it was originally going to be), it would be way different, though I still wouldn't be offended if he were fishing or not.....though I would be grilling him/her much more for what he is looking for depth/structure wise, presentation, specific locations he's going to (and mentally noting them to return with my pontoon), etc. Tomorrow is all about doing something different and enjoying the morning, albeit with temps 25-30 degrees below average to start. I hope to get at least one for the sake of checking yet another species off my list. I guess it really depends on the situation and the attitude and opinions of the paying customer, and if one is in doubt prior, ask questions before booking.

If you see my red Acadia parked along Paoli, stop down for a visit. I'm there many late afternoons a week usually, balanced around my kids after school activities.

I have 2 Stradic FJ's and love them....one I got used in the flea market here, other as a gift. The casting distance, smooth retrieval and quiet, lightweight feel all are so much better than anything else I've tried. I have them both paired with Shimano Compre rods of differing lengths and love them. I haven't found a technique that doesn't work with the two setups for bass, though I have to exhibit a lot more patience in reeling REALLY slow when dragging soft plastics along the bottom.

I was down there for the game.....ugh, laid an egg in the 2nd half. Mostly cordial fans from LSU but d**n they were LOUD, especially in a dome.

This statement here is exactly why I spend so much time on this forum. I know I can catch bass with a simple bobber and worm. I have proven that I can catch them in many other ways as well, but there's a certain amount of satisfaction from reading up on a new technique here (to me anyway), practicing it and finding success with it. I've still got a long ways to go learning and applying which techniques to which situations I'm presented, and would like as many different ways as possible in my repertoire. I have no designs on making any money on the venture, but I love the learning aspect and the challenges it provides.

Congrats on that beautiful PB

Thought that hat in your PB thread looked like a wave W. Welcome, fellow Sconnie.

I'd guess 19-21" and around 4 lb Either way, its a fish to be proud of and glad you have a pic of it. Congrats on the PB!

I have only done it a couple of times and caught all sorts of flack from the wife when I did. If/when I do get into fly fishing though, I will likely practice that in the backyard a fair amount to get the timing down.

I haven't been out fishing in over a week due to a short vacation, school year starting and other factors. The weather has cooled down some the last couple of days, and had about an hour of daylight left tonight to get down to my usual quarry from shore. I threw my normal buzzbait to no success, then picked up my other rig that I alternate between a T rig setup and a drop shot setup, though its usually drop shot. After trying on and off with this rig (and previously my ultralight setup) with texas rigging, I finally caught some bass tonight, 3 in total. None were very big, the last 2 were 10-11" and had some fight in them, the first was pretty small, but glad to finally get the monkey off my back with this setup. Many of you swear by it and I'm not entirely sure what the difference was tonight, though I did put some Yum crawfish spray on my senko, something I don't always do, and I tried to drag it much slower than normal. I believe the water was a bit more stained from recent rains, it is normally fairly clear, but the time of day made it hard to read the conditions. I was surprised to actually feel the bite, pleasantly. I thought it might be more of a line watching exercise, though I clearly felt all 3 takes and even one or two prior that didn't result in a hookup. All 3 seemed to take a bit less hookset than I would have thought too, both of which will lead to more confidence and usage down the road.

Welcome, fellow Sconnie. I echo slonezp, being in that part of our state, you should be able to find some salmon in shallow or in the tribs off the big lake now and into the next month or two. I've never come down there for that (did 2 salmon charters last summer on the big lake though) and have thought about coming down that way for some fly fishing salmon at some point after I get much more experience in that realm. I know Lake Delavan is a great bass lake that likely isn't too far from you, though I've never fished it myself. Lots of tourists on weekends from what I've read. Can't say as I have much else that I've come across from perusing sites like Lake Link for bass, though many lakes (including here in Madison) seem to be overly tight lipped on them due likely to bass tournaments.

Jolly Green.....as you're driving down Paoli towards the park, look for the bench on the east side of the road. There's a stone staircase immediately in front of it that leads to a few nice spots with a fairly easy to walk path in between them. Also, there's a path cut into the woods down by TDS on the same side of the road, little harder to walk but not bad, that leads to a secluded lagoon area and 2 other spots. I haven't caught much out of the lagoon yet but know it will produce at the right time, but the next spot to the right (south) on the little path has produced nicely.

I've gone to braid on all 3 of my spinning setups. For me, its a confidence thing, fishing from the shore and don't lose as many lures. I've had too many pop on a mono or fluoro setup (even as a leader) when casting or on a snag that it became more economical in the long run.

FWIW, based on this thread and previous threads on the same topic, I did some Amazon shopping this morning. I don't ice fish, so I have a few months left to go for fall bass and then I'm bored for a few months, relegated to increasing the learning aspect via forums and books. Picked up: Exploring Wisconsin Trout Streams, 2nd edition, used for $9.98. I am returning the same book to the library today, it was well written and provided nice detail as I learn that aspect on trout/bass in streams. I'm more novice to that angle than I am with bass fishing. Big Bass Magic by Doug Hannon, used for $2.99. A steal, as I previously mentioned I wanted to read more of his work. In Pursuit of Giant Bass by Bill Murphy, used for $12.62. As suggested by BR readers more than once, including above in this thread. In Fisherman Largemouth Bass, used for .25. Yes, a quarter, and there were other options for a penny. I have the smallmouth version already. Also looked up Kevin Van Dam books but passed, for now: Secrets of a Champion was as low as $7.95 used, Bass Strategies: Handbook was $21.99 used Also, aforementioned Knowing Bass: Scientific Approach was expensive as previously mentioned.....$74.58 used, almost $350 brand new.