Daniel My Brother

A few big advantages ponds have over lakes. 1. Most are private. That means little fishing pressure and stupid (easier to catch) fish. These ponds don't necessarily make you a better fisherman, but they can surely make you a happier fisherman. 2. Ponds are small. This means the fish have fewer places to hide. One of the farms I fish has 6 ponds. Some I can fish every inch of shorline in an hour. Others I can spend the day on. 3. Ponds are more easily managed. Through stocking, selective harvest, feeders, brushpiles, even old tires (for channel cats) a pond owner can create an environment where different breeds of fish thrive. I like the challenge of fishing large bodies of water and I enjoy the scenery, but I will never turn down a chance to fish a new pond. It's like a box of chocolates.

Great pic. I love the way the markings show on that fish. How big, and what on?

I catch a lot, except when I don't.

Tent, but I need my air mattress. And yes, I am a whimp.

I don't fish spinnerbaits often, but when I do they normally have a trailer. I like the big Dixie Spinnerbaits, and most of them come with a 2" grub on a trailer hook. There have been a few times when I was glad to have it.

Very Nice! How big is that monster in the lower right?

Great post. Jack had something Tiger doesn't, competition. Jack had to beat Palmer, Player, and the rest. Nobody seems to want any part of challenging Woods. Either Tiger is just that dominant, or the rest of the field is just happy cashing 2nd place checks (I think it's a little of both).

Wow! And you can tell he's on steroids just by looking at him? You are truly gifted. So you think that if Phil Mickelson got out of the donut line and into the steroid line he'd be as good as Tiger? Same with John Daly? Interesting. :

Good point...and don't call first. It's easy to tell a guy no over the phone. It's a lot harder to turn away a guy who's standing at the service desk holding a broken rod.

Sounds like an awesome night of fishing. You get no sympathy from me.

Great pictures...as always...and definitely some interesting lures. Dan

The nice thing about holding a bass close to the camera is that you actually get a good, detailed picture of the bass. That detail can help you identify the fish when you catch it again the next year...unless of course you choose to mount it. There is nothing deceitful about holding a fish this way...as long as you're honest when you tell the story later.

Water is wet. You just blew my mind.

Darrin, Tough times for you guys. Here's hoping the water recedes quickly and the damage is limited. On a related note, My sister works at St. Lukes Hospital and my brother-in-law works for Rockwell Collins, they live in Marion and their home is surrounded by sandbags. I don't even remember seeing any body of water anywhere near their home when visiting. It's just crazy. Dan

I'm not good at guessing from pictures, but that's a GREAT smallie! Congrats, Dan

My fishing buddies think I'm hardcore, but compared to the rest of the Bass Resource faithful, I would say I fall right in line with the norm. Here's my favorite story: My friend was fishing in a small cove, when a storm blew in. He could literally feel the change in air pressure. The fish went crazy and he was catching 'em as fast as he could get his bait in the water. At one point he caught 3 four pounders on consecutive casts. He didn't want to leave, but knew he'd better head in quick. At this point his wife calls from the cabin and says "there's a tornado warning, get back here now!" He says "Where exactly is this tornado? If it's north or east of here, I should be ok" His wife responds with a more emphatic "NOW!"

Great catching! :)

This year we've had plenty of rain and pleasant temps. The fishing has been as good as I can remember in both quality and quantity. I hope it continues!!!!!!

The Cardinal is a fine $30 reel. Some day, when you have a little more disposable income, and can afford the latest and greatest, I'm betting you will still remember that Cardinal and the good times you had with it.

The deeper we get into the science of bass fishing the more I want to just sit in a boat with a bucket of minnows, a cooler of beer, and tell dirty jokes while watching a bobber go under. 8-) btw...I like your last post RW.

Just a few weeks ago at around 6am. 7lbs 4oz green tiki stick in shallow water However, most of my bigger fish have come around sunset on topwater.

Simp, My apologies. I didn't mean to challenge your baitcasting skills, and I do understand that sometimes when you're fishing from the bank you really do need every bit of casting distance you can get. You guys in Southern Illinois are really blessed with a lot of great water to fish. I've only fished Visitor Pond in the Crab Orchard refuge, but the whole area is beautiful. Take care and good luck! Dan

Great fish Risk! Congrats on a NEW PB!!!! :) I really I hope I can join you all in 2009

Sorry about your biggun'...but a good story just the same. Don't give up on the baitcaster with the Ribbit. Even without a weighted hook you should be able to cast 'em pretty far. If you're looking for a heavier frog to cast, the Rage Tail frogs have good action. Again, congrats on a good day. (Where were you fishing?)

She's a beauty anywhere. Congrats.