Daniel My Brother

I've been wondering that myself. He was very helpful with boat advice and had an encyclopedic knowledge of value priced tackle...not just the high end stuff. He is missed! :'(

It's really very simple. When the price of oil goes up, the price of gas rises. But when the price of oil falls, the price of gas rises.

;D ;D ;D Well played. I do like smallmouth fishing, but around here they are only in streams and I've yet to catch one bigger than about 16 inches, so they aren't much competition for the green bass...yet. A year ago Kinkaid lake stocked smallmouth. This lake is deep enough and cool enough to support a muskie population in Southen Illinois, so I hope the smallmouth fishery takes off.

RW, As a smallmouth specialist, I was thinking you could give me a hand. Our streams are polluted with smallies. They're really making a mess of things, eating crawdads and baitfish intended for LMB. Normally I just toss them on the bank, or I might take one home to feed to the neighbor's cat. Any advice on getting rid of these problem fish for good?

I think if you put a permanent bend in a senko you are going to have buku line twist.

Instant classic.

I'm with Avid! I seldom bring more gear than i can fit in a small U Haul. ;D Back to your original post, I don't think you can ever be surprised when somebody outfishes you using a Senko. They are as close to a sure thing any bait in my oversized tackle bag...regardless of the time of year.

Welcome. I'm over in Cape Girardeau, Missouri but fish a lot in Southern Illinois, especially Cedar Lake. Good to have you here!

Everybody has a slump buster, for me it's a gulp minnow on a dropshot rig, around the weed edges in about 10+ feet of water. I can usually scare up something with this in the summer, although the fish tend to be on the smaller side. Good confidence booster...just not a real fun technique.

Another vote for the t-rig...usually with a 1/16th weight if I can get away with it. More if I have to. I like the way these swim and fall, the tails really have a lot of action.

Great fish! Did you get a weight or length?

I enjoyed your post and like the idea of "taking inventory", never thought of it like that. Just keeping it fun is what it's all about.

The first thing you need to decide is where you want to fish. Big reservoirs or 10hp limit lakes? Do you need to get in and out of tight quarters, or do you need stability on big water? Once you narrow down what you're looking for, getting a good deal is just a matter of patience and persistance.

Way to go! Enjoy your shopping spree.

What a great feeling that must have been! Congrats on creating a bait that fish actually want!

I used to fish clear, until I realized how fast clear turns to white. These days I prefer green. It's closest to matching the water color I fish.

I get by with 2 colors: Black in muddy water Watermelon red flake in clear

Wow, this has been an amazing thread to read. Zellamander and thetr20one, you guys certainly have been through the wringer. Best of luck to both of you, and especially your little 7 year old daughter. My six year old had to spend a couple of weeks in the hospital at the end of last year with a bone infection and it tore me up. She's just fine now, but I can't imagine battling the big c at such an early age. You've got my prayers. Back on topic. I agree with Wayne P. If the law say 10hp, just run 10hp. If you don't agree with it, then write your congressman, start a petition, raise a stink...but in the mean time, obey it. Excellent thread. I do appreciate both points of view, and the passion behind them.

Congrats Peasey! You're making us all proud...and a little jealous.

Your photograhpy skills have really gotten...well...nice fish anyways.

I don't know how Florida is, but around here nothing is easy at the DMV...especially when you start with 'no title'. Let this be somebody else's problem. Too many other boats available.

You guys up north are fishing in sweatshirts, while I'm sticking ice cubes under my hat to stay cool! Nice catchin'

Very funny to see a fish held up in front of a busy street. Nice catching!

What Avid said. I've never used Sensation, but I know I wouldn't give any spool of line a third chance to let me down.

Great Pics Simp! Beautiful fat bass. Is that Visitor Pond?