Daniel My Brother

Gotcha. Sorry for jumping to conclusions.

Next time you find a rod, the decent thing would be to try to locate the owner. Most local papers will put "Found" items for free. Then if no one claims it, it's yours to keep - guilt free. If you don't want to go through the trouble, leave it lay in case the rightful owner returns, This spring I left a small tackle box with my favorite baits on the bank of a lake at a state park. I went back an hour later and it was gone. I figured it was lost forever, but a good samaritan had picked it up and returned it to the ranger's office. I am very grateful for that, and look forward to returning the favor. Food for thought.

Congrats on a GREAT fish. I won't even try to guess the weight.

Brooks, Here's a GREAT combo on sale now for $100. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_59170_100003002_100000000_100003000_100-3-2 If you go cheaper on a combo, please don't go cheap on the rod, especially if you're fishing soft plastics, where the bites can be subtle. I would avoid buying an ugly stick. They will last forever, but they are not sensitive and you will have trouble detecting bites. Also, fishing that heavy cover I would buy a rod that's rated as medium-heavy (MH) with a fast tip. Safetypin style spinnerbaits are a "chuck and wind" bait...Toss it past the target where you think the fish are, then reel it back in front of them. They only have one hook, so they aren't terribly snaggy. If you're worried about snags, just buy the $1 spinnerbaits from Wal-Mart. They work. There is no wrong way to fish a plastic worm, though generally slower is better. Toss it to where the fish are and let it fall to the bottom. You will get most of your bites on the fall. Then just slowly bounce it off the bottom, pausing often, as you retrieve.

Wow Brooks, It sounds like you've got your own little piece of heaven there! You say you don't wnat to spend too much, but it might help if you could tell us how much is too much to spend? And what sort of reels are you familiar with? Spincast (pushbutton) or spinning (open face)? You can pick up a servicable spinning reel for around $40 (Pflueger Trion / Shimano Sonora / Abu Garcia Cardinal ) And you can pick up a decent rod for about the same (All Star Classic / Berkley Lightning Rod ) This will get you a solid combo that will last a while. Buy your rod and reel as a combo and you will save even more. A decent quality baitcast reel will cost a little more. Probably around $70 to $100+... 2 well reviewed lower priced baitcasters are the Shimano Citica ($120) and the Abu Garcia Revo S ($100). Still many people here like the Bass Pro Shops Extreme ($70). A baitcaster will take some practice getting used to, but is a great all-around reel. Again, if you buy your baitcast rod and reel as a combo and you will save even more. As far as baits, it sounds like you were doing pretty good with soft plastics. Just about every soft plastic worm catches fish. The bigger the worm, the bigger the fish. I would suggest size 3/0 extra wide gap hooks, texas rigged (which will help you avoid snags). Color is not that important, but generally darker colors perform well. Welcome to the site, and I'm sure you will get plenty of good advice here. I sure have.

I wasn't there, so I don't know exactly what happened...BUT it sounds like you pulled out in front of him. I'm sorry about your car, but I'm more relieved that the guy on the bike didn't get hurt. Please be extra careful.

Wow Rich, those are beautiful grips! Very nicely done. I do have to admit that I'd be worried about the rod slipping out of my hand during a hookset. I left the plastic wrap on a cork handle one time and almost lost the rod on a hard strike.

I've been hitting the streams a bunch this summer. I'll head upstream using 4" senkos and catch LM, smallies, spots, and goggle eye. When I head back downstream I'll toss a small jig and specifically target smallies in or near moving water. It's a blast and you catch a ton of fish. Great fun, especially in the heat of summer.

Thanks for the warning Ghoti. You've got me re-thinking some of my lifestyle choices. Excellent post on a tough subject.

Welcome from Southeast Missouri.

I'd say a new PB is something special. Nice fish and good luck this weekend!

I would just like to add that Memphis BBQ is overrated.

Excellent fish! Congratulations!!!!

Almost forgot, WELCOME Smallie951!

I fish a 1/0 offset shank hook with a 4" Senko. The smaller hook lets me catch a lot of goggle eye as well as smallies, spots, and largemouth. I see plenty of advantage, and no disadvantage to the smaller hook size in my little river. I use a bigger 3/0 wide gap hook with the 5" Senko.

Ghetto, you ain't alone. My partner never tied a palomar on a small hook for the same reason. It's called a "brain fart" and we all have 'em.

That's HI-larious. What a personality! ;D ;D ;D

Since RW gave you a reel a little above your limit, I'll go a little below and mention the Shimano Sonora for $39 at Wally World. Here's a pretty good review: http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanosonora.html For $59 I'm also very happy with my Pflueger President. Smoothest reel I own.

Muddy, You will be missed. You're quick with the funny stuff, and that's half of what I love about this board. Take care! ...and hurry back!

Thanks Matt, it helps to know a little story behind the story.

Mattlures, Help me out here. Was the part about BSIYOB true? That really told me more about the personalities involved than any other part of the book. Dan

I do it all the time. I fish a big reservoir that is loaded with fish under the slot. The DNR has even raised the creel limit with the hopes of increasing the harvest, but they're finding out that very few fishermen practice catch and keep. It's a strange problem, really...they can't get the fishermen to eat fish. My grandpa would not understand. :-?

I read their pathetic excuse and I'm not buying it. Of course Ehler refused to accept one of Clausen's fish, BUT HE SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD A SAY IN THE MATTER! Name one other sport where a referee asks the victim of a foul how the aggressor should be punished. The point of having a referee is to take these decisions out of the hands of the competitors. "Aw jeez ref, I guess Kobe didn't mean to foul me. I don't need to take any free throws"

If you want to voice your opinion, send them an email info@ultimatematchfishing.com

That was bush league. First Clausen grabbed Ehler's rod out of his hand, which I really think led to Ehler falling in and losing a big fish. It would be funny if it was 2 buddies fishing for fun, but these guys are competing for big money. Clausen should have been DQ'd right then, but I think Joe Thomas and the referee were so shocked they didn't know what to do. Sadly they ended up doing nothing. The worst part was Clausen pretending to feel bad, then not giving Ehler's a chance to fish in the 4th quarter.