Whopper-Stopper

In most places, if it meets the minimum size and maximum possession limits it is legal.

You said that you want everyone in this one but I don't have any recent fish pictures; would other pics work?

I do almost all of my fishing at night. I throw topwaters all night long. I haven't really noticed a night bite on topwater this week but I think it is because of a lack of moon. The bite really picks up and hour before sunrise and until about an hour after. It also helps to paint your plugs black. I do best with an 8-inch muskie jitterbug on a full moon. Yes, you heard me right, muskie Jitterbug. I use a stop and go retrieve. I only take in enough line to produce one or two plops out of the jitterbug. (this imitates the sound of minnows surfacing when being chased.) I will usually leave the bug sitting for 15 or twenty seconds. Some times it helps if you twitch it once or twice lightly; but for the most part let it sit. When the bass hits, it will scare the crap out of you every time. There is nothing like it. You get the chance to catch some monsters with the muskie Jitterbug but bass of all sizes hit it.

They taste terrible so be sure to release that fat old girl. ;D

I tried to lip a 4 lber that was hooked on a rattletrap. You guys know the rest. After about 15 seconds of fish flopping and me screaming I sat on the fish and cut the hooks. 15 seconds doesn't seem very long but think about an 8-second bull ride. That's almost doubled on a bucking largemouth and probably just as painful.

Sometimes it's difficult for new anglers to develop confidence in artificial lures. Don't worry about knowing a variety of techniques or switching lures, you're not ready for that. You just need to pick a lure and stick with it. Just work on catching fish on one lure for now. As you catch more and more fish your knowledge will develop and you will know the answer to your questions. I suggest that you fish with a 4" worm with 8 lb line. You don't even have to move the lure, just let it sit on the bottom and fish like you would for catfish. It won't hurt to leave your line in the water for 20 minutes or more. Remember, sooner or later you will catch a fish. You would be surprised with this method of fishing. I caught bass this way for years when I started fishing. You will catch a lot of fish, most of them will be small, but I've caught several bass over 5 lbs with this method. Just remember that you have to have confidence in your presentation. Also, try to pay attention to everything that is happening around you and the lake. When something works, try to figure out why. It would be a good idea to keep a fishing log to help you learn.

38 LB Flathead on my ultralite with 4 lb line while fishing a 3 inch hooktail worm.

The biggest I ever lost was exactly 12.6 lbs. I know because it had scales.

4 or 5 depending on the day. After all, I am a hardcore ultralight fisherman. And I do like to catch bass on a flyrod.

We actually went out last winter when the leaves were off the trees to look for lures. We then cut them down with a pole saw. I got back a lot of the ones I lost plus a bunch that other people lost. I probably broke even for the year.

It's because of the bait monkey. ;D Welcome!

Every day at 4:00 am.

I fish a lake exactly like that And I also cannot think of anything tougher. You need to have an ultralight spooled with 4-lb test green shade line for when the bite is slow. Use small plastics on this rod. I use straight tail worms cut down to 3 to 3 1/2 in long. You don't always have to downsize for clear water. I also use a rod with 17 lb green shade line. My number one lure on that is a white willow blade spinnerbait. Trim the skirt down to one inch and add a trailer and a couple of split shot to keep it running at the right depth. Burn this lure past any spot that looks like it would hold a bass. The trick is not to let the fish get a very good look at the lure. Often the bass will come out and crush the lure. But more often, he will come out and stop short. Since the water is so clear, you can see the bass chase the lure and go back to his ambush site. This is where the ultralite rod comes in. Another method that works for me is using a heavy jig. Trim the skirt to almost nothing like the spinnerbait. Then pitch into anything that could hold bass. As soon as the jig gets to the right depth, Rip the jig like you are setting the hook on a 10 lb bass and then reel like crazy to pick up slack. This can be a killer method but you will miss alot of fish. You can do this down deep or around cover. Also, topwater is deadly in clear water when the conditions are right. Look for days when wind or rain is breaking up the surface. Use something that you can retrieve quickly and that has an erratic action. Try a buzzbait or a zara. These are my two favorites. Also try fishing at night. You cannot go wrong with a jitterbug while fishing at night. You can also get by with fishing bigger lures and slower retrieves at night. Hope this helps.

I've seen this happen when a big flathead lays down in the mud. It stirs up the bottom and releases air bubbles.

PM sent.

I have been catching them on swimbaits this week.

I've heard that they live to 20 yrs. But I could be wrong.

Kevin Van Dam. I won't even buy a product that Jimmy Houston endorses after that high fenced deer hunting deal. What a loser.

It is always better to tell the truth. But when it is for the good of the lake it is okay to tell a little white lie. It would be different if you knew what kind of fisherman he was. I have done this before. When you have a nice place to fish you don't want a bunch of people coming and leaving trash, bait buckets, pop cans, or beer bottles. We have that problem on my pond. I say it's mine but it is not. There are several houses that live on it. I fish there so much that it is practically my lake. Me and a guy that live there are constantly picking up trash. It is very frustrating. So when someone who has seen me fishing there and asks if there are any good fish in it. I just say that I usually catch small fish and that it is a tough lake to fish. But if a respectable guy comes up and asks me if I ever do any good I'll tell him I've caught two 30LB+ catfish and have put several 4 and 5LB+ bass in there and catch them quite regularly; because I know he is a good fisherman that will come there and pick up his own trash and release the fish that I've worked so hard to put in there. There only problem is that there aren't very many guys like that around anymore.

I voted no. It would be cool to have my name in the record book, but that is all it is. It is just your name typed in the state record section of the fishing guide. I guess it would be kind of cool, but that isn't the reason why I fish. I'm not fishing to break any records. I fish because I learn something new and exciting every day that I'm on the water. The whole learning experience is what is important to me.

I occasionally fly fish a small creek for bass and it is loaded with snakes. None of them are venemous. They are actually called northern water snakes. A few years back I got bit by one and it got infected really bad. So when I go fish that creek I usually carry my .22 on my shoulder. I make sure the first round is bird shot so I don't shoot myself in the foot if one popped up between my legs while wading. Ouch! :'( Snakes don't really protect their nests.

Craig, that is a big part of it. The only way you can overcome that excitement is by landing a few big fish.

I also fish a lot of small ponds. When I've located a spot where I'm catching fish. Everytime I catch one I will release it farther on down the bank where I've already fished. Also this time of the year a lot of bass are lethargic so that is probably part of your problem.

It's a 50 gallon (long) tank. There are two bluegill and a Long-eared sunfish. Here is a picture of one of the bluegill.

LBH you may be right on the bass. There are probably other things that could go wrong besides it terrorizing the bluegill. Those bluegill that I have are thriving. You wouldn't believe all of the worms, minnows, and crickets those things can put away. I'm going to have a couple of record bluegill in no time. They even eat out of my hand.