Pz3

Lawn chair + beer + lake. Im okay with that. Lets be realistic about it, Its harder fishing from the shore, period. If you are fishing from the shore you can only fish where you can and fish won't always be there. I do find that night fishing most of my spots yields better results and windy days do as well. Lowered visibility in the water tends to make the fish move around more. There is always exceptions to this, usually depending on the weather patterns.

I use to agree with you on this but fish do learn and can remember things much longer then most people think. Although how well they are at telling apart one lure from another is still up to debate. Innovation is good it keeps the fish tricked.

Funniest part about all of this is I love fishing in lilly pads and catch quiet a large number of fish in them. The thicker the better but its tough getting them out sometimes.

I go all over the nearby lakes, try tons of different areas and fish them very thoroughly. I have a set method to go through each and everyone of my baits, speeds, patterns, and watch weather patterns, water tempartures to get a better idea on how that all factors in. I've mastered the warm water, cold front, high pressure front. Now this high pressure with cold water im still adjusting to it. Fish seem like their just as bipolar as the weather. Real active one day and slugs the next. It just hasnt been working out at all as of late. So I've come to the conclusion that if this rutt im in now happens anytime in the future. I will just explore new lakes. Here is why...... For example, the past week frustrated me so much. I went out and found a new area to fish from shore on Lake Toho. Awesome new pier, not really deep but tons of grass and open water to play in. I spent all day going through my techniques. Starting with top water, green pumpkin, ultravibe. Then go through all my plastic colors. Changing speeds and patterns. Then I add a little weight and using the same worms go through them again. Then add some more weight.... blah blah so forth. If I can't find them on plastics I will switch to crankbaits, spinners, or jigs. Sure enough out of everything I tried today. Using a beefy Muskrat (similare to a zoom Zhog) in a green pumpkin w/ red gold flake. A monster fish, looked to be over 10lbs came out of the grass rammed it but didn't even open up to get a taste (guessing he didn't like my muskrat very much). Suprisingly he hit it while I was reeling pretty dang fast. So I repeated the technique and tried finding him again. Sure enough same thing again (tried pausing this time and he took off). Then that was the end of bass fishing for me today. The rest of my day was spent exploring the area I was fishing. I even recovered a line with a nice Jig on the end of it from the abyss. Manage to catch a crapie (white bomber), 2 pickerals (black trick worms), and went home. But..... All in all bass or no bass, I had a lot of fun playing around today. Was enjoyable, still got skunked though and frankly, I've caught more crappie and pickerals then bass the past two weeks. Have to admit, rather enjoy the pickerals. Fun fish to catch, makes me think I would enjoy catching snakeheads down south.

I like that accurist too. Having gone through Penn, diawa, quantum, abu, shakespear spinning reels..... spinning just isn't cutting it for me anymore. I miss baitcasting. Its everyones fault here on BassResource!

I have been eye screwing this Quantum KVD baitcaster. Since I seen it in stores..... http://www.walmart.com/ip/Quantum-KVD-Baitcast-Combo/22172335 Anyone here tried it out yet? Curious as to how good its holding up. Sure looks good!

I don't know if you are having the same issues I have been having. Im land locked meaning I can only fish canals and shallow areas. I did see fish spawning a few weeks ago but since then after a few of the cold fronts that came through no fish are to be seen anywhere in their beds. Making me think they all moved to drop offs near the shallows. I have no way to test this theory though until I get a boat! How ever I did manage to catch a few small bass in small holes I found in the canals (est avg depth = 3-4ft and holes were 8-10ft deep). I managed to get them on a Jig and later on lost that jig trying to explore some submerged crypress tree roots. Haven't had a bite since lol.

Haven't had a bait caster in a long time. It just takes some time and practice. Same thing I went through. Was eye screwing the heck out of a quantum at walmart though. Think I might be getting it sooner or later.

He definitly didn't make the baits as a couple of them he even says what it is he painted ( a few rapalas too ). The paint job is awesome as far as I know. I always wanted some good life like immitations. For my first project I decided on doing a Golden Shiner. I drew up a basic design and will try carving it out as soon as I get some basswood. Will also attempt to add a few small weights inside (brass tubing) and a tube with a couple of BBs in it. Hopefully I'll get the weight / balance of it just right on the first shop (im hopefull atleast lol). Once its carved ill dip it in an epoxy to seal it. Add swivels / trebels see how it runs then proced from there. Thanks for the link though. Awesome baits on that page. Bookmarked

fishing in the following lakes the past 3 days.... east toho, fells cove, ajay, heart, and marry jane. Im fishing from shore though so not much area was covered. I've been getting skunked. Lost a wide gap hook, a jig skirt, and a swimming jig. Only managed to catch two small bass (1-2lb). So not the best fishing for me the past couple days and the one jig I lost ended up being the only thing I was getting bites on.

Looking at this page on Ebay... These baits are rediculous! I sure as heck can't afford to buy these with how often I lose lures but it sure does make me want to get into making my own baits. http://www.ebay.com/sch/merchant/nstar2007?_nkw=custom+painted+crankbaits&_sacat=&_ex_kw=&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_sop=12 I have been thinking about building cranks and jerks for a while. This might of just motivated me to do it. I read quiet a bit on how to do it (make templates, using types of wood, etc....). Something I never quiet figured out though is how do you setup the different actions of the lures. Keep it tight and vibrate or lose and wobble? No website I've found helps with this. Is it mostly trial and error?

I have been wondering about this a bit. A purpose built backpack seems logical but I have a perfectly fine bugout bag that could hold twice as much if not 3x as much in it. I think I might just buy some trays and take what I need each trip. Then again the big old school boxes to me just make the most since. Easy to open and quick to get to any bait you need. I guess the only down size to them is things can jump out of slots and more likely to have moisture that could cause rust. None the less check out the Bug out bags if you want some camoflauge backpacks.

So in the last 6 months I went from having almost no tackle (some hooks, worms, and weights) to all of this which is getting pretty stuffed. I never fished with spinners and jigs before 6 months ago. Im pretty much dead set on getting a Plano 9606 in the near future which is a lot bigger but wondering what direction I should go. Large Variety of lures or large variety in the types I like to fish..... Anyways how does it look, what are your thoughts?

I usually look for the discount box at walmart. Has randomness in it but usually it has 2$ bombers and Cotton Cordel lures. I loaded my tacklebox with them. So far they seem to work well. Have caught a fish on most of them this far. Not the greatest build quality but for such cheap jerkbaits. Can't complain at all. Just look for the boxes on the bottom shelf. When they restock the box its usually gone again that same day!

Cant say I've lost many fish on the Rapala Floaters / Husky Jerks. I would say just keep at it too

Texas Rig, Carolina, No weight, fish it anyways you see fit. use a ton of action or no action, slow reeling allows it to bounce and look like a natural worm, while doing stuff like walking the dog makes it absolutely insane like a flook. Awesome worms you wont regret it. Store them in the original bags.

I had picked up a pack of these to give them a test. Haven't had any luck with them by themselfs yet but found chopping the grub in half allows it to be used as a sweet trailer for swimming jigs. Anyone else have any experience with these? * edit* apperently it is supposed to be used as a trailer for footballs. I found it in the discount bin and had no idea what it was lol. So I guess Im just barely smart enough to figure out what their purpose is. So as a trailer. Then yes it works

I never been fishing in the cold (below freezing) but I have done plenty of camping between 80 and -20. Ill talk about gortex in a bit. I was trained to use military grade cold weather gear so I will talk about that. The system I used is called Gen III ECWCS (Extended cold weather clothing system). There are many civilian products which will do the same thing but I'll just explain how I do it. -Layer One = This is the clothing that comes into contact with the skin. Silk bottoms and tops are mositure wicking to prevent frostbite from sweat. Under Armor makes similare products that can be used. -Layer Two = Insulating layer, this can be any soft materials. Jacket liners, or pants materials that will keep you warm. -Layer Three = Gortex Parka/Trousers This is a water barrier layer, keeps the wet out and heat in, Very good fabric to keep you dry. Vapor barrier boots below -10 and Gortex lined boots below 32 Wool Socks! I prefer baliclavas as for head gear

Some of the native american names really drive me nuts too! I respect the heritage and all but yikes. I never know what im trying to say. Found this looking around online. http://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecast/black-bass/

Yep! Same here. Was playing it earlier. http://www.snesfun.com/game.php?id=105

For all the video gaming types on here. What was your favorite fishing game of all time?!

So the baitball does work! Husky Jerk is my go to lure. Consistantly land bigger fish with it then anything else I've used.

A hand crafted lure might be worth the extra $$$ but I couldn't justify spending more then 30$ on one. I would how ever be very much into the idea of making my own which would probably cost quiet a bit.

Lake toho is connected all the way down to okeechobee. Take your pick! More accurate picture of the chain.

Anyone know of some good fish clubs near East Lake Toho, FL?