BASS fisherman

I like scum frogs, but mainly because of availability.

Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, I don't get it. :-?

Welcome back!

I like some horror movies. I like the ones that are original, or the ones that don't rip off of other movies. An example would be "13 ghosts". I don't like horror movies that are corny like "Child's play", where you have a little doll chasing you around. I always wonder why the people being terrorized don't turn around and kick the stupid doll's head off, or pull it's arms out. All the "Scream" movies are really horrible. Basically I like most slasher type films, and just about any movie with ghosts. Another couple movies that scared the crap out of me: Gremlins- I was 4 when I saw the movie for the first time, and had bad dreams for years. I cant remember the name, but it had a scarecrow that came alive every 25 years or so, and would kill people then after 24 hours of something, it'd go back into it's "sleep". Very corny, but I had a few bad dreams after watching that, and then going to sleep.

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/habitat.html http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/river_fishing.html A couple articles that mey help. When I river fish, being in Pittsburgh the only bass in the rivers are smallies and spots. I like to bounce or drag a tube across the bottom. Also try finding a factory with a warm water discharge. The warm water usually attracts lots of different fish species.

I have never lost a fish from switching hands after a cast. I usually cast with both hands, so my left hand is on the butt of the rod. As soon as the lure hits the water, I put my left hand on the reel. At first it seemd odd, but now it is second nature. It most likely takes only another millisecond to switch hands as opposed to reaching up to the handle and starting your retrieve.

I'd try a jig if I was you. Pitch it into bass holding structure, and just jiggle it up and down.

All the norms in my area. Pike, musky, crappie, smallmouth, big cats in the 3 rivers, I have seen some huge carp in a couple of the lakes I fish also. But carp would be last on my list.

I agree with Phil. I hear lots of good stuff about that reel.

Wow that is pricey! When I saw the pic, it reminded me of one of those crank arm apple peeler and corers. You can get one for like 20bucks, and modify it.

I wear mine when the motor is running, club rule. If the water is cold is another great time. But if I am fishing in a small row boat, or electric motor jon boat, I wouldnt bother.

Good stuff thanks

DBM, did you find a club yet?

I learned a tremendous deal of information about bass fishing this year. Caught a decent PB, and upgraded all my gear. Can't wait for next spring.

Sam, the world needs more people with attitudes like yours. Personally I would have politely told the guy he's going to have to pay for that rod. And if he'd of refused, well pickerelpiney has that part covered.

When I was 5 or 6, around 1986-87, my uncle took me out to fish for the very first time to his small pond across the street from his house in Ohio. I can vaguely remember that trip. Later my Dad used to take me to a local pond where we would catch bass and catfish and blue gill on home hunted nightcrawlers. We used to go out after a good rain and hunt for them with a flashlight. I don't think I ever got any but my Dad was a pro at catching worms. The first nice bass I ever caught was around the age of 10. I was again using nightcrawlers, and hooked into what I would guess now as around a 4lb LM bass. When I started reeling I had no idea how to play a big fish at the time, and I remember seeing her jump and shake my hook. She could have only been a pound because things seem bigger when your young, but she was big nonetheless. Around the age of 12, I got to go out with "Papy" the father of my mom's friend. He had a pontoon boat and we went to a local lake for some bass fishing. Using live minnows I was pulling little bass out left and right. Lots of fun to a kid. When I was in my early teens I got to go trout fishing up in the streams of lake Erie. We used egg sacks and waded all through Walnut, Elk and a few other creeks catching steelhead. I trout fished the majority of my teenage years mostly at local lakes that stocked trout, aka "the bass buffet". Never caught much of anything and around 2002 I stopped fishing for about 2 years. After the 2 year "break" I had the chance to go back up to fish the Erie tributaries for steelhead again. And remembering the fun I had before, I had to go. This trip rekindled my love of fishing and got me back to the local lakes fishing for trout again. I moved out to Gettysburg Pa in the early spring of 2005 and found several lakes and streams in that area to fish for trout in. One day as I came in from work, I noticed a new tenant moving into the building where I was living. I saw he had several fishing poles lined up along the hallway wall and a huge tackle bag sitting next to the rods. I hesitated to check out the gear, and he came out to get the stuff. I introduced myself and welcomed him to the building. He asked me if I fished and I said yes I do for trout. He gave me a sort of dissapointed look as he told me how he likes to bass fish. Thats when it all really started. A few days later he asked me if I wanted to go fishing at a small pond behind the Gettysburg college. I said sure, but I don't know the first thing about targeting bass. He taught me alot of basics such as worm fishing, crankbaits and jigs. He helped me find a decent spinning rod, and got my tackle collection started. His name was Jeff Jones, and he used to tell me about tournament fishing and how much fun it was. I can remember watching the classic in Pittsburgh from Gettysburg, and wishing I was home and could go downtown and watch those guys fish. Jeff taught me alot of basics, a few great techniques, and even gave me some lures to fish with and keep. Most of the time he caught many more bass than I did, but on a couple occasions I was catching all the bass. After moving back to Pittsburgh, he got a different phone number, so we have since lost contact. If only we could go fishing together now.

Great advice! I never thought of that, dah. I did think about emailing GMC and asking them if it'd be safe after I get the boat and know it's total weight. But with all the cutbacks they have been making in the past, I doubt they even have anyone to answer emails anymore. ;D The reason I asked about the tow vehichle is because I had heard from an old head fisherman that it would not be safe, but from a few others that it would be safe. I guess what it comes down to is looking in the van's manual for the info, and if it isn't listed there. Try towing the boat anyway at a slow speed gradually working up. So stay out of OD, and continually shift gears? 1st to 2nd etc... Or just put it in 3rd and go? The van is a cargo van used for hauling furniture, so the back-end is rather light. No backseats or anything. You guys are sure this is safe?

Man who stand on toilet, high on pot.

That's cool. I looked up the price on the uhaul site, and it said it would be $199.99. I figured alot more than that. I'd rather get it done right than try to do it myself and possible do it wrong. Plus it's easier to pay someone else to do it. Does anyone know if using a 1/2 ton Savanah cargo van would be safe? It does have an anti-sway bar or stabilizer bar installed on the van. The boat is a 16foot Hydro Sport bass boat. It's hull is made of kevlar and it's overall weight is supposedly heavy, but I am not sure what the boat and trailer weight is yet.

What is meant by "drop"?

Before I got into baitcasting, I used to flip and pitch mostly senkos, with my spinning setups. Now I do as K_Mac stated. I use my baitcaster for f/p heavier lures, jigs and spinnerbaits mostly, while using my spinning rig for lighter baits.

I used to "help" my dad by giving him tips to try, and all he would ever do was whine and complain as your friends seem to. So I got sick of it too. Instead of trying to explain that you are right, prove it. Just simply keep catching the fish that you are, and sooner or later they will either ask you for help again, or quit fishing. My dad has asked me a couple times to help him out, and I refuse due to his ability to rant and rave and his lack of listening. He is now at the point where he is going out and buying his own books about bass fishing. You can't get them to listen to reason but you can show them how a sucessful angler uses skills more than luck. If you pick a spot that looks good to you, tell them why it looks good. When you find a pattern tell them what it is. If the pattern consists of a finesse worm presented in a certain way, explain that to them. Once they get tired of always going home without any fish, or not as many as you, chances are that they will listen. If not oh well. Some just arent serious about bass fishing, and you shouldn't force them to be if they aren't.

With me getting a boat in the near future, I need a trailer hitch, and I need some help. Should I attempt to install the hitch myself while not having a clue as to how to install one, other than what I have read on the internet? Or should I have it done at a dealer? How complicated is installing a hitch for the average person not having much much knowledge on hitches? What is the average price for a decent hitch? With and without installation. The tow vehicle will be a 2000 GMC Savanah Van Thanks in advance for any advice.

I got an email from the guy today stating he will get back to me either Sunday or Monday. He decided to go to Texas first and get his boat, and then bring his old one over. As I said before, as soon as I see it, Im taking pics, and will have them posted ASAP. Im going to need help with this one. ;D

In Pa it is illegal to use goldfish as bait. If you were to release several goldfish into the lake that you are fishing, they could have an adverse reaction on the lake. Basically you cant use goldfish as bait for the same reason you cannot transport fruits or vegitables into or out of the United States. If the goldfish have deseases they could effect the resident fish population. In some states it is completely illegal to use live bait do to similar reasons. Idaho is one such state with a similar law in effect.