Daniel My Brother

Guy 1: How's about you move the boat so I can make a cast? Guy 2: How's about you shut the #$%$ up, I got a bite (swings and misses). Guy 1: Smooth. NOW move the #@$%ing boat. I know it sounds complicated, but it works.

I like a popper (chug bug) when there's chop on the water. I use a buzzbait when I want to cover a lot of water quickly. I use a frog in and around weeds. I throw a spook when bass are busting shad on the surface. I don't use prop baits much. I like a jitterbug for night fishing.

Many good suggestions, guys. So far I've got baby powder, coffee creamers, and a hose funnel on my shopping list. Anybody else got one?

Some good and twisted stuff here guys! Keep 'em coming.

Every year in the fall and the spring I meet up with a group of 8 friends for a 4 day fishing weekend at a cabin on a private lake. I am in need of a good practical joke. I'm looking for stupid/funny...nothing too mean. The guys are in their late 30s/early 40s, and most are in law enforcement. Half the guys sleep in the cabin, the other half sleep in the bunkhouse. The trip is 10 days away and I've got nothing. Can you help?

Where I'm at the bass are still most active in low light, so yes. Eventually, when they start looking for warmer water, I'll start sleeping in.

This is one of the great benefits of fishing 10hp lakes in an aluminum boat. I have a 5 gallon tank that I top off once every 4 or 5 trips and seldom falls below half.

Congratulations!!!

My heart goes out to your family. Prayers sent.

You're twisted.

When I fish the strip pits after storms I look for a drain pipe, or any other spot where water might be coming in. The fish you find there should be actively feeding so no need to finesse. A jerkbait or a spinnerbait would be my first choices. The pit I normally fish is gin clear most of the year, but it will get a little stained after a good rain, that's when I switch from using natural colored baits to darker baits. If you can't find any real structure, Weed edges almost always seem to produce something. Try to get out Friday and Saturday if possible. Sunday is calling for bluebird skies in so. Illinois, and that can be a strip pit killer this time of year. My skunk beater on days like this is a gulp minnow on a dropshot rig along the weed edges.

Question: I think I'm pretty fast at the ramp, but I do not undo the winch strap until the boat is in the water. I have this fear in my head that the boat is going to fall off on the ramp. Does this ever happen? I notice almost everyone else undoes the winch strap before they back in. Am I just being paranoid?

Welcome!

That's great to hear. I'm pulling for the guy to get it together.

You want to get off shore and fish two people. You don't want to trailer a boat. You don't have a lot of room to store a boat. If I were you I'd be looking for a flatback canoe.

Tough to beat the little mom and pop shops. We have one in town and it's well stocked. They do rod repair, take special orders, and carry a nice selection. Expect to pay full retail, but it's worth it to deal with people who like to fish as much as I do.

Fishing a jig and you think maybe that was a little tap, or maybe it wasn't, but you set the hook just in case and it's fish on!

Sounds like a great time (except for the part about getting bit by some strange creature). I agree that the fish was probably a drum. They make a grunting sound and they'll hit artificials...especially the bigger ones. Plus they look a lot like a redfish.

Agreed. I take a hat light and a handheld flashlight when night fishing. Most of the time, both are turned off.

Welcome from Cape Girardeau!

Swimbaits. I just don't have the patience or desire to work that hard for one big bite.

I bought a cheap Wal-Mart Quantum combo years ago. The reel worked great...for about one season. The IM8 rod is a pretty nice little multi-purpose rod that I still use often.

The Rams are relying on a new coach, a revamped o-line, an aging former pro-bowl quarterback, an electrifying but injury prone running-back, and wide recievers I've never heard of. Hard to predict what this team will be. I do believe the rest of the NFC West is as good as (Cardinals) or better than (Niners, Seahawks) last year...so I'm gonna go with 4-12.

Your cell phone takes better pictures than my digital camera! Great fish and pics!

Yikes! Sharks, Alligators, now crocodiles. I don't believe I would wade fish in any part of Florida.