everythingthatswims

Getchoo sum red label fluoro 4lb or 6lb!

I know there have been a couple other threads on Hyperpigmented Melanosis, but I want to see some more pictures if anyone has them! I caught my first black splotch bass today, only a few spots on the tail but I have always wanted to catch one with that coloration. I think the black splotches look ridiculously cool. He was cool enough for me to put him in my neighbor's pond (yes we can do that in VA) Anyone else have photos?

They are sunning themselves. I usually see this in the early spring when a warm spell passes through, in fact I see it in most ponds I fish each spring, but it can happen any time a warm spell comes through and heats up the surface. The only way I have caught them when they are sunning is with a fly rod, #14-#16 dry flies fished wet so they sink suuuuuuper slow, but even then you can't catch anything over 15". If a big girl is sunning, she sure as hell won't bite (won't even look at a live shiner). Trust me I have spent way too much time trying to figure out sunning bass, it's best to fish other areas since there will be some that aren't sunning.

I would rather be fishing than sitting at home. If I didn't go freeze my butt off trying to catch a fish a few times in the winter I would lose my mind.

Pay attention to the pier rats

I caught a rod and reel at the beach this summer that had been "yanked over by a massive fish" this guy was preaching his story to anyone who would listen...I didn't have the heart to tell him that the massive fish ended up being a sting ray the size of a paper plate

You ever fish light blade baits? (for those same winter pond bass)

That fish is a tank! Did you get a weight on her?

Take a bucket full of shiners and some slip floats out to your local pond this winter and tell me it's a joke

My favorite fishing snack doesn't happen very often, but when we take out boat offshore we try to keep some wasabi & soy at-the-ready...First little blackfin or mahi in the boat gets sliced up! It's a shame you can't do that with any freshwater fish.

They are gold, with a cork split grip

I have had tons of issues with small shimano spinners lately, returned 2 sedonas and a sahara 1000 to the store because they weren't smooth at all, very hard to reel (took apart, cleaned off grease, re-greased gears and oiled bearings, didn't help) there were some reels on display @ the store two days ago, sienna, sedona, sahara, and stradic 1000, they ALL felt very stiff and hard to reel. I used to be IN LOVE with all shimano spinning reels, I don't know what to think now though...

Field and Stream Tec-Lite is a freaking sweet UL/L rod. $50 and my favorite light tackle rod ever, I only fished light tackle until 2 years ago so I would like to think I know what I'm talking about. They have a very fast action, super sensitive, and have micro guides to add to the sensitivity. The longest UL is a 6' but right now I have a 6'6" Light and it isn't much heavier, I think it would work well for you. Have to be careful with the last guide, it is a little fragile.

Quit in September???? Some of my best fishing this year was in October, and I'm farther north than you!

NLMB...So no I haven't quite created a mini CA lake. But I'm close

I'm friends with a game warden and I talk to him before I do anything I'm unsure about. He says its fine. I have been checked while I have live trout too, no issues.

Introduced some "cold water forage" for the bass in a nearby pond... My brothers and I did this last year too, most of the times when we go trout fishing, we keep them live in a cooler with an aerator, then stock them. Good forage for momma bass and a nice active fish to target in the winter when everything else is being very slowww...

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and I have caught thousands and thousands of fish on it, using anything from 2lb test for trout up to 100lb on leaders for Amberjack. The only time I use a different knot is when I tie with braid (palomar). If my results change, I will change knots

I use the improved clinch. 20lb suffix siege on baits up to 4.5oz...No issues thus far, I just take extra care that the knot cinches down perfectly and I wet the knot as well. SD Jam seems to be very popular among the swimbait community

How do you have a photo of a largemouth and 2 peacocks if you release them quickly? I know Dwight puts smallies in his livewell so he can make us twice as jealous by holding up 2 footballs, but you are bank fishing so no livewell.

I kept enough food in the pond that the bass couldn't eat it all at once and would feed as they got hungry. I have kept multiple bass and fed them worms/goldfish etc by hand, they would eat whatever hit the water! Here are a couple videos from 2010 when we had about half a dozen small bass in our pond. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo2-aoKwXLY&index=45&list=UU4y9k2v94ICgi80AsOvyZzQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NYjGUH9N2c&index=44&list=UU4y9k2v94ICgi80AsOvyZzQ

Wow that's quite a deal for a 250

Stock trout in a pond before it freezes over. They are a lot more fun through the ice than half frozen gills and crappies.

Getchoo sum rebel floaters, I ain't making this up.

I was worried it would cost money to read a post about a deps! I would go back as soon as the temps balance out for a couple days, even if it's freezing cold. Bass will eat glides in pretty cold water