Theangler1

That's the des plaines river

Haha. Thanks. Yea it was only 2.3 unfortunately. And third place brough in a 4.5. One fish. I guess it was a tough day for all

Thanks guys! All day we thought everyone was having a great day. But after a few teams saying they were "struggling", we knew we would be up in the leaderboards, but didn't expect 1st!

Here's our 5. Great day to be out too. Sunny all day. All fish were caught in the morning and the rest if the day was dead

My partner and I took first place at a tournament this year. Pretty excited. 8.35 pounds with the biggest going 2.3. Not too bad considering only 6 teams out of 33 caught fish

Makes tend to have larger mouth-to-body ratios compared to females. Females have much smaller mouths.

I always pre rig my senkos with I rings prior to fishing tournaments. I don't have a problem with it. I always hook them right in the roof of the mouth.

I have that same rod, I went with a New Lews reel called the speed spool LFS (lighter faster stronger) I throw 12 pound flouro on it and it casts like a dream through the micro guides. If you plan on throwing heavier than 17-20 pound line, that reel may not be for you as it is very low profile and small. Great reel and can be found on the bay for around 90$

Nice fish! Great looking spro lure too!

http://www.flipinthebird.com Here is a pic of it

As I watch top water explosion videos online, I reminisce about the summer and how much better I want next years summer bite to be. I found a new top water lure I want to ad to my arsenal. It looks both crazy and effective to move a lot of water. What do you guys think about it? Does anyone have any experience with it?

I have bought a reel in the same price range, same specs as that one: 6.3:1 and 11bb. The reel itself just didn't really fit in my hand. I wouldn't consider it a ver low profile reel. Although the bearings were great and the drag wasn't too bad. The reel doesn't seem to be made poorly either. I have since bought a Lews and am much happier with the low profile of that reel. To each his own I guess.

I have had 2 cases when I have missed a bass on a senko and the senko gets ripped off. I cast back in the same general area 30 minutes later and catch the fish with the senko jammed in it's throat! One of the times it was a 9 inch fish with a 5 inch senko stuck in there! I guess it would depend on the aggressiveness and the way they are feeding on that particular day on that particular lake.

I always close it by hand. Ok I will have to reevaluate it and see if I can try to fix it again. Thank you for the replies

My okuma trio spinning rod has a problem with the bail. It can click to stay open and stays open but to stay closed it does not click anymore after a problem occurred which doesn't lock it anymore. Do you guys know what's wrong with it or should I just take it to the pros at BPS? Thanks guys.

I have been saving my money for a while and was thinking about buying a 7'4" heavy st croix rage equipped with a pflueger patriarch as I think they would look amazing together. I will be using it for top water, some smaller swimbaits, big worms, and big crankbaits. This will be my first 350$+ purchase and was wondering what you guys think about it. Thanks in advance!

I never really mess with them especially when you're talking big snapping turtles. I do not want to lose a finger! If it's not that important you're going to have to play it safe rather than being sorry later. That's what I suggest.

Thanks guys! I will definetly keep these ideas in mind the next time I go out.

I've read that a few of you swear by fishing at night, what do you guys use? I fish mostly ponds and can never manage to get good numbers at night. Do I go slow? Loud? Bright? Any help would be great. Thanks!

I would like to recommend the z9 perch from bass pro. It is the shape of a bluegill and slays 'me by me. Just replace he hook to a red size 4 and you won't miss them. They are also only 14$ for a great deal. I bet you can find the color for you.

Thanks everyone!

I caught my biggest smallmouth bass to date weighing in at 4.6 pounds and 22 inches long. It was like a football. It was caught on a 4 inch bright red senko in a Chicago harbor. Tons of huge smamouth this year. Get them while they are big and still in prespawn!!!

I would like to add the St. Croix rage to the list. I currently have a spinning and am looking to get a casting rod soon. It has amazing sensitivity and have the perfect weight to not seem too flimsy. It can also take a beating. Also St. Croix has a great warranty. Don't be discouraged by the bad reviews, I have had mine for over a year and have fought a couple huge gar, catfish, and a few bass over 4 pounds and the rod is great with everything. It has a sensitive tip yet can still have an amazing hook set.

Owner moquito hooks work great for me 3 inch: size 4 red owner hook 4 inch: size 1-1/0 owner hook The reason i use them is that they are extremely sharp and hold the sharpness fora while. They are also very skinny yet strong so they go into the top of bass's mouths almost every time.

I was in another boat over when my uncle and little sister were fishing together, when she was reeling in a 5 inch or so bluegill back to the boat on a cheap Shakespeare pink rod, when we see a huge pike follow behind it. The width of the pile must've been 20 inches around, but then my uncle takes the rod and gets ready for a fight. The pike takes a huge run and runs back to the boat. He thought it was gone. But then it makes another run, jumps and breaks the surface and it was gone. It must've been a 40+ inch pike. But the little hook in the bluegill was never involved, so it was holding the bluegill the whole Time. around the Midwest and illinois that is a HUGE pike. Too bad it had to be the one that got away.