Josh Smith

So, the wife and I are on Season 3 ...

What does that entail, carting it on top of a vehicle? I have a S-Blazer with a luggage rack, but have no idea what I'd need. Thanks! Josh

Speaking of canoes, how do you guys transport yours? I've been wanting one but don't want to plate and insure a trailer. Also, with inflatable boats, do you have to carry DNR numbers on the bow? If so, how the heck is that done? Figure I'll ask these here as they're somewhat state-specific. Thanks! Josh

I'm sure it does... I just haven't this spring, yet. Was determined to today, but man, my Frogg Toggs weren't up to the whipping wind. I left. Wasn't enjoying myself, and that's rare. Josh I saw some Falcon and other rods in there last time I was there. They weren't marked down so I figured they were just deposited there by folks finding better deals. I might just have to go back and ask now! Thanks! Josh

Been spending some time trying to break the Houston, and it won't break. Seems pretty sensitive, too. Bought a used Daiwa Triforce reel that looked new, got inside and tuned it, and mounted on another Houston rod. It's not one I'll use but will make a decent beginner rod/reel combo for an adult. Line is 12lb Trilene XL. I'm debating one more rod to mount a beginner's Shimano I picked up, when I get around to fixing it. Should be another good beginner's combo. Josh

What count were you using with the jerkbait? I'm trying to get better with them. Josh

If it's not running true you'll notice it. Just watch it run back as you retrieve and you'll be able to tell easily if it's running to the side.

You'll still need to tune them eventually. They may be better out the box these days, but they lose tune if I fish rocks and such. Josh

You'd not need to go through Indianapolis. We're both north of there. It's pretty much a straight shot from Muncie to Salamonie on I69, about an hour's drive. I'd probably put you on smallmouth, but the river's up right now (The average size is about 15in in the area I go. Lots foot traffic but no real fishing anymore -- we'd go there for walleye all the time when I was a teenager. No idea why folks stopped going there.) Hominy Ridge Lake will be moving into pre-spawn in the next month or so if it's not already; thing is there are a lot of smaller (10-12") bass you have to catch in that lake before you figure out what the big ones want. I have a business without a storefront, so it's easier for me to take off than most other folks. Let me know when you're free and want to come up and I'll clear it with the wife. I'd recommend waiting about a month, though. Regards, Josh

I target pre- and post-spawn fish. I would target bedded males if I needed food. Though I like to sight fish, I don't get any thrill from watching a fish clean house of my lure. I mean, it's literally taking out the trash! Not an ethics problem for me. Just an enjoyment issue. Josh

Are you willing to drive? I can put you on some fish, but figuring out the how and where of the bigger ones is up to you! ? Josh

Thank you for digging this up. I'd not been able to find a complete report and I'd looked. I can speak from direct observation that the bass are bigger and there is less vegetation. Also, they stocked crappie at some point. Josh

Hello, A while back, '60s or '70s, Hominy Ridge Lake was born from one or two small creeks which drained higher ground. It's a simple earthen dam with an overflow -- not an outlet that can be controlled. That overflow keeps the lake levels relatively even. Because it only drains when it rains or snow melts, there's no constant current flowing that way. Mostly, it sets there like a natural lake. Still, there should be some buildup near the dam. Hominy Ridge: The dam, with the arrow marking the outlet: As you can see, there was a little bit of flow toward the dam that day. You can always tell because some mat migrates. Mostly, fishing is awesome if you know how to approach it. Naturally, there are a few places you can only get to by boat, but most parts can be reached from one shore or the other. Still, how would you study this lake? As a reservoir, or a natural lake? Though I fish all over, this is probably my favorite place. It's peaceful. Josh

You know, lots of times crappie jigs serve well to finesse bass when they need a light touch. I mentioned on this board bass fishing with an ultralight at times, in relation to a question about a high modulus ultralight rod. One person who answered started with "If you're going to handicap yourself by bass fishing with an ultralight rod..." Problem is ultralight weight, small lures are all some of them will bite. My biggest bass last year was caught on a small plastic worm whacky rigged on an ultralight. It didn't look like it had ever been caught before, and I'd been through its hangout many, many times with bass jigs, topwater, and pretty much anything else you'd throw on a bass rig. It was a heck of a fight -- the bass did more dragging than I did reeling, I think -- but I eventually wore it out and landed it. I didn't weigh it, but it was of a size I'd not have tried swinging with a M/F rod. I'm also convinced that there are a lot more large bass available from shore than we generally realize. About half my lifetime fishing experience has been from a boat, and I'm currently repairing that boat with new decking etc. However, I'm not as urgent about it as I might be otherwise. I'm finding that I'm primarily a shore fisherman, meaning, even from the boat, I would fish the shore. The boat was just a way to fish from the other side of the shore, and to more easily parallel the shoreline. (Still, there's a nice matte of vegetation accessible only from boat that I want to hit this year with frogs!) Just some random thoughts. Regards, Josh

Me too. Problem is that some of the best feeling rods haven't been the most durable. I recall one from BPS I had once -- the thing was really light but snapped quickly. The Jimmy Houston rod (80 million modulus) I just bought for $10 on clearance originally sold for $60 to $80, and I expected it to bust. Spent a day trying to break it and couldn't. Still trying, though! Regards, Josh

I can't seem to get bit right now. Cold, icy water is not a problem, and neither is warm water. Transition time is hard for me, though. Landed a jig on a bass's head yesterday, made her jump, but couldn't buy a bite. Need to work on that! Josh

Later I'll post some pics showing what I use the MH/F for compared to what I'll use a H/F or XF for. Suffice to say for now that my favorite lake has gone through some major personality changes! Josh

Try these: And, how about an avatar pic? Hope this helps. Josh

I don't know that I still have it. I'm terrible about keeping them! I'll look, though. Regards, Josh

Hello, I picked up an Ambassadeur EON and a Jimmy Houston rod by HT Enterprises (see other threads.) Spent the day fishing and trying to break them. I mounted the EON on a 7' Ugly Stik Lite Pro and chucked 1/2 to 1oz crankbaits about 50 yards out, and burned 'em back to shore. The reel functioned flawlessly. On the Jimmy Houston rod I mounted an Ambassadeur 4600c3 with braid (w/leader) and spent quite a bit of time jerking jerkbaits pretty hard trying to get the rod to snap. The thing advertises 80 million modulus so I figured it would. It didn't. It also bends pretty easily. I'm half tempted to buy another one (they're on clearance for ten bucks) and start lifting weights with it. I'll say this much: It does feel good. It's sensitive, and it seems strong. I can't find the original price, though I believe it was in the $60 range a couple years back. I'll keep fishing it if/when it busts, I'll just go back to my Daiwa that I took the Ambassadeur from. Interesting items. Josh

I use a Shimano MH/F 7' rod with an Ambassadeur 5500c3 reel. It works nicely. I don't need a heavy rod most times. Still looking for one, though! Regards, Josh

Thanks guys. Lots to go through here! Regards, Josh

Thanks guys. So what's a low modulus? 20 million? What's considered high modulus? What's the highest and lowest modulus on the market today? If I have a range, I might be able to work this out in my head. Thank you, Josh

Hello, What does 80 million modulus mean? I don't recall ratings on rods 20 or 30 years ago; we just picked what felt good in the weight and rating desired. I therefore have no frame of reference for modulus count, IM6, 7, 8, etc; or ton. What do these mean in practical application? Can anyone help? Thanks! Josh

I would have found a college that offered bass fishing. Not sure there were any in '96. Probably should have skipped criminal justice and gone directly to gunsmithing, but I've used the criminal justice stuff and I'm not sure a gunsmithing college would have taught me the style I learned. So, no regrets. only wishes for collegiate angling where/when I attended. Josh