BASS fisherman

Ya your right KU, taking a rented boat out into an unknown lake at night isn't the best idea. I plan on fishing 95% of the time since this may be a once in a lifetime trip. I'll be spending as much time on the water as I can, whether Im in a boat, or beating the bank, it's going to be alot of fun. I didn't think about the trolling motor batteries. How long will they take to recharge? Less than 9-12 hours I hope. Who all is bringing their state's beer? I plan on it, but honestly I don't like any of the Pa brewed beers, I think they are all mostly bad, but then again I like Budweiser, go figure.

I use my user name on lots of other sites too. Yahoo Answers, and Photobucket to name a couple. I think it is fairly obvious why I chose that name, I am a BASS_fisherman. The avatar pic is me holding the biggest bass I have yet to catch. I am a big fan of quotes because the good ones are bits of info to take with you through life.

So another words, I can take the boat out at night as well? I didn't think that was possible, but as long as I put the gas back in that I used during the night, I don't think Avid would mind. Maybe he'll want to go as well.

Oh NO! When I said roaming around, I was thinking that I'll be walking around parts of the lake near the fisherman's cove RV park, and fishing late into the night.

Thanks guys, but I was refering more to wildlife, dangerous wildlife to be exact.

I have a general question for the Texans, or others familiar within the area of Lake Fork. What are some of the things that "out of towners" should lookout for when roaming around the lake, or town?

So apparently I am a little slow. Here is what I see: 250 Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing Pkg NON-RESIDENT $ 55.00 253 Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing Day Plus Pkg NON-RESIDENT $17 first day/ $8 add'l days What does the Pkg stand for? Package? What is that? So If I get the non-resident freshwater fishing pkg, I'll still have to pay another 5 for a freshwater stamp for a total of $60.00. Or I can get a 5 day non-resident freshwater fishing day plus pkg for $17.00 first day, plus $8+$8+$8+$8 for a total of $49.00 with an additional $5.00 for the freshwater stamp, for a grand total of $54.00. I think I'd rather spend the full $60.00 and hope for the best next year, or maybe we could all spend that extra $6.00 and plan next years trip for 1 week earlier, as suggested by Keith. Then we could save some molla next year. What do you guys think?

Boy oh boy oh boy! I just cant wait any more. Is it time to go yet? How about now? Thanks to Alpster and the Alpster mobile, I have a ride to Texas, and a place to stay. And thanks to Avid for going 50/50 on a bass boat for when we get their. Everything is primed and ready to go, so is it time yet? Can't wait to meet all the folks I talk with on this excellent forum. It is going to be one heck of a time! And some good food taboot. Leave the possum at home who ever said they are bringing that, uugghhh! nasty!lol-j/k but I aint eatin any.

Most of the time when a male is guarding the nest, anything you put in that nest will be picked up, and moved to the outside of the bed. You just have to set the hook when the male is moving your bait. Alot of anglers do not fish for bedding bass, because apparently sometimes when you pull a bass off the nest, sometimes it doesn't return to the nest. That inturn leaves the eggs in the nest vulnerable to predation. Not the most ethical time to fish IMO, but hey if it works, it works. I try not to target spawning bass, but at Fork that may be neccassary.

Just a reminder to everyone going who is not a Texan. Don't forget to get a Texas fishing license before you leave. They can be ordered online, but I don't know what to buy. Texas has alot of different choices, and I need to know which one to get. Im non-resident, but what are packages? Do I need a freshwater stamp? Here is the list's link: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/public/recreational/index.phtml

Don't worry to much about it, like senile1 said, it is going to happen and you have to get used to it. I have caught several fish that were hooked through the eye. Fish have what's called laterel lines. Without eyes a bass could still survive using the laterel lines to sense vibrations of forage in the water. Granted it would not really thrive IMO, but most likely a blind bass would survive. As far as the gut hook, I have caught plenty of bass with hooks already imbedded in there throats. From what I understand, a hook will work the hole from the hook bigger than the hook, and the hook will eventually fall out. I am not sure who the user was, but on this forum a member posted about fishing one day, and hooking a bass with a crankbait and then having the line snap as the bass got away with his crankbait. A few days later the same member was fishing and hooked into another bass, this time landing it, and what do you know? It was the bass who stole his crank a few days before hand. But the interesting part is that the crankbait was across the bass's mouth. So the bass only had a small area to get food through, but he still tried. Now as unbelievable as that sounds, the member put up pics, so unless he posed the picture, I believe it. I have only lost fish when I try to get the hook out of the throut, and the bass starts to bleed profusly. Then it seems the fish usually dies. I carry a pair of side cutters, or wire cutters with me in my bag so that when I gut hook a bass, I try to cut the barb off and back the hook out. It the barb is deeply embedded, I cut the hook down as close to the bass's throat as possible. I have only had 1 bass die from a gut hooking, that I saw and know of first hand. All the others swim away.

I am worried about the waters in Pa due to a regulation called the Big Bass Program. This program only allows anglers to keep bass, be it largemouth smallmouth, or spotted, that are 15 inches and larger. I believe that due to this regulation, the lakes are being heavily populated by tiny bass with an average length of 10 inches. I sent this email into the state DFG in hopes of getting someones attention, and maybe pursueing a new program to be implemented bringing back a healthy population of bass in Pa water ways. To whom it may concern, I am an avid bass fisherman, who loves close to home fishing. The problem is that the majority, if not all the lakes in the county I live in, as well as the surrounding counties in Pa, are all waters regulated by the Big Bass Program. The Big Bass Program only allows anglers to keep and take home bass that are 15 inches in size or larger, therefore making the smaller bass that are thriving only compete for any available forage. The higher numbers of small bass, or "dinks" as I will refer to them , over run the lake, and become stunted due to the massive numbers of similar sized bass. And the fact that most of these smaller bass would be forage fish for larger bass, but the larger bass are simply not present in numbers to thin out the massive population of dinks. I think Pa should mirror the efforts of the highly successful Texas, and California by implementing the sharelunker program. This program allows anglers to contact certain representatives of the state, and deliver larger bass to the representative with the bass alive, in order to breed these larger bass, therefore continuing the larger bass's genetics on to the next generation who will also grow to be larger than the average bass. The dink population in Pa is growing at an ever steady and out of control pace, and larger bass are being caught by uneducated angers, who keep these larger bass to hang on the wall, thereby completely depleting Pa waters of lunker bass. It has been brought to my attention that through implementing a program that allows anglers to keep bass that are within the lengths of 10-12 inches, and not over 15 inches as with the Big Bass Program, the bass population in Pa has a chance of replenishing the number of larger bass for the serious anglers to fish for. I can understand the intent of the Big Bass Program, but as of yet, I see no difference in the numbers of larger bass that I fish for approximately 250-300 days per year. I think the Big Bass Program would indeed be successful IF bass would only spawn every ten years, but in fact they spawn each spring, increasing the numbers of smaller bass in each lake in Pa. Please talk to the appropriate powers to try and get this problem resolved. I seriously love fishing in beautiful Pa, but feel a need to move and stop spending my money on a Pa license due to the large numbers of tiny bass due to the Big Bass Program. If you cannot help me with this matter, will you please send me some information so that I may take the appropriate steps to get this massively growing problem taken care of in the near future. Thank you very much for your time, My name was here Do you think there is a way to persuade the state department of fish and game to change the laws, so that the big bass population has a chance at rebounding? Would a petition help in the process?

Thank you Matt, I have to look into that.

Do they have other boats if those 7 or gone by the time I get there? Does anyone already have a boat reserved who needs a fishing partner? I don't have the means to reserve a boat, but will have the monies at the lake.

Matt, I don't think your post sounds harsh at all. It is an excellent tip for those of us who choose to try and make a living from bass fishing. I think it is a great idea to get ahead of the game in anyway possible and you just gave me another way. You made several pertinent points as well, regarding a sponser. It is a must that you know the companies products, and how each product performs. If a sponser sends you to a trade show to represent them, you better have a good presentation to give, or else what it boils down to is less revenue for that company. A pro fisherman is simply a walking billboard, whois a dime a dozen, and has sponsers to help pay the way, in return for product placement. I really love your blue gill swim bait, and I recommended it to all my friends Matt. I have caught so many big pigs on it, I lost track around 20. Do you suppose I could have a few for free to try out? I can't but feel guilt when asking you for free products. A sponsership is a mutual relationship. You bring them money from product placement, and they help you with gear, lures, entry fees, etc.. It is just that simple. Great post! I love it.

I simply can't wait for this trip. I think I might have to pass up on the boat I want to buy just to go. But for know it is the trip of a life time. Sure I can go to Fork anytime, but not with the other forum members there at the same time. I can't wait to meet some of you guys in person, and put a face to the names. And I especially like the chance to pick up some pointers first hand. You just can't beat that. I'll be surprised if Alpster doesn't fill those spots in the next 24 hours also. Quite a deal.

Hey Ronnie, That sounds great. I live literaly 10 minutes away from I-76, road wise. The turnpike passes about 3/4 of a mile away from my house. Is the 400 dollar figure a guess, or what? I want to take you up on that offer, but what if it's just you and me? I can't afford $800.00, and could go for alot cheaper by myself. Granted I'd have to sell my car once I get there, and then hitch hike all the way back home. ;D

Don't forget about Raul, he will be attacking from the south. ;D

You Texans better watch out, the yankees are a comin. On a serious note though, I look forward to meeting all the mods, and Glenn, as well as the other members who make the journey. I've already set out a budget per month just to make it to the event. I can't wait to fish in the south. I will actually have the chance to catch a double digit toad. What are the temps like in Texas in March? In Pa the temps are still in the 40's and low 50's on average. I am thinking of maybe getting a spot at a campground but not if it is too cold. Unless I can find a couple others to share the expense of a room with. Any takers? That is too nice of you to deliver beer, and food Matt. What a nice guy. Maybe I'll bring some Pa beer for you guys to try out.

I have been saving nice looking duck feathers for a while now to do just that. But the longer I wait, I have thought of a couple reasons not to dress a few trebles with the feathers. With the duck feathers I have, I think that when they are wet, they would stick together, and wouldn't fan out like one would think. I also don't know if having a feather on the treble really makes a difference or not. Matt, have you noticed a difference when using the dressed trebles, verses non dressed trebles?

All I can say is WOW! I had no clue as to how many different aquatic plants existed. I only knew of maybe 5 that are common in my area. Thanks for the site GMAN, I added the page to my favorites list to reference later on. Thank you.

It sure would be great to put a face with all the names on here. How does it run? Is it run like a tourney, or just a fishing trip?

I'd love to be there, but whether I can or not depends on several things. Money, expenses, and money. Any other Pa guys feel like driving down to Texas? And shareing a room? I might consider driving if you want to be crammed into a cavalier for 3 days, as long as you throw in some gas money. Hey LBH, you titled the thread "2nd annual BassResource.com roadtrip!!!", flying doesn't count as a roadtrip. We should all meet up somewhere and drive down together. Like a big happy family. Now Im hungry for chinese food for some reason. ;D

Way2slow, your 1st answer was great, I just don't know what a few of the terms mean that you used. No big deal anyway. I talked to the guy and he said the boat is an 85 Hydro bass boat with an 88- 110Evinrude. The motor runs fine, but could use a tune up. The wood is soft in a couple spots, and other than that, the boat shows it's age. I still haven't looked at the boat yet, but for only $1000, it seems like a steal. I have talked to a couple of other members in our club, and they say they thought about buying it just for the motor. The guy selling the boat used it in the last tourney, but I missed it, and supposedly it ran good, no problems all day.

Details, details people. I need details! Where do I get a compression gauge?How much does one run? The boat is a 1985 model, not sure about the motor. What is a leak down test. Come on, can anyone answer the questions with some detail, and explaination?