atcoha

ya, they are kinda tough. I think I'll stay away from the light wire hooks when I know the bowfin are there. The vmc hooks I ended up using this time are pretty flimsy. They are always at this spot. It's funny, they swim around, pop their heads out of the water, like they are looking around above the water.

Stopped on my way home from work at a little spot I go to sometimes... Tried some new big bites shakey heads and brownish colored trick worms. Got a little nibble, missed him. Nothing for awhile after that, tried some craws on shakey head and swinghead jig, nothing. Just about to head home and put on a senko trig 2/0 vmc hook. Had a huge bowfin on, he was pullin' drag on my penn battle2 3000... then he flopped and turned and was gone. Got off...wth? After several more casts, and several more fish coming undone, I was done. Wondered why they kept coming off, brand new pack of hooks, checked them out...felt sharp, but nothing landed. Oh well, have always had good luck with vmc hooks, but these couldn't hook a wet paper bag. Ever have those days? I had fun anyway. I'll be back Monday, and find that other bowfin that has my jig stuck in his mouth from a few weeks ago....

Tons of lakes in the Kendall area, back in the 70's and 80's fishing was so good, rarely a day you got skunked. But, fast forward, the progress. If any remember when 137 was a 2 lane road, the entire way. You could pull off anywhere at one of the many lakes/canals/rockpits and land some good ones any time you wanted. As a kid, we use to go to larry and penny thompson park (by the prison), nice lake, good fishing. But the development of these areas has closed most to property owners. As a kid, we used to fish devonaire a lot, caught bass and bream, around the late 80's, early 90's it got terrible, rarely anything caught, if anything, a bunch of pacu the local kids would throw in there out of their fish tanks. Even the Hammocks had good fishing in the early development, now it's yuck. The price of progress. Glad I left, it's crazazy at "the bottom". We would even fish the drainage lakes/ponds on the turnpike entrances/exits and catch fish...ride our bikes down there in cutler ridge...til some kid stole my bike as I was fishing the other side of the canal, right there at caribbean and us1. that sucked. Man, we had a blast in Miami growing up in the 70's and 80's. Was a different time, different place. But some GREAT memories.

senko's or senko "type" (other brands)

lol, I wanted a couple more shakey heads, ended up around $70 when TW got done with me...sheesh. Don't tell my wife.

Interested in the smaller sizes also...How about the swing jig with removable/replaceable hook? And would the line tie be horizontal or vertical? Just asking.

Bought a lews ss a few months ago...so far I really like it. Although, I only had some cheap bps to compare it to, it was a nice nice upgrade.

Had luck with both today. air temps were in high 30's low 40's, real windy. Muddy water, landed a couple on rage craw t-rig with a small bullet weight, got broke off and put on a shakey head/trick worm. They went crazy on that too.

Cold front blew in last night here in the south. Had to head into bama country today. Stopped by a little spot close to the river. My last trip got me a single bowfin on a little jig. Put on a rage craw, and hooked into another nice bowfin on 2nd cast. He was too big to "boat flip" him on the bank, lost my jig, went with a little shaky head/zoom trick worm. Hooked up another same size bowfin. Kept casting, landed a little 2lb bass and another bowfin. It was cold, in the 30's today and blowing about 10 with 20 gusts. But the fish were biting around noon. ... having a blast on my "long" lunch. I did get some pics, just too lazy to upload right now.

Wish smaller heads were available. I'd like to try some smaller ones. Sometimes 1/4 is too heavy. Have seen 3/16 on biffle hardhead, smallest I have seen online.

I usually keep pressure going the opposite way the fish is trying to go. Made it a habit not to pull up/back in the direction of my face. I think we have all set the hook on a dink that has flown back to tailwhip our nose at least once.

I have. Think mine are 1/2oz. Used them with a craw...thinking about getting some smaller, TW has a bunch of shapes and sizes. Have not caught anything on them yet, lack of time fishing with them really. Going to put more of an effort with them next time I go.

gonna be a good game regardless. Hope Miami beats the fsu chaingang. That would make my day.

ya, that might be a little tight.

I hit up dreamstrike up in lucedale once in awhile. Last trip weekend before last was not good, right when that cold front was blowing through, and was windy. I have had some really good days there. It's private and not free, has a boat for rent also. I will probably hit it one more time before the cold weather is here for good.

x1

Bull reds/speckled trout in the bays right now, Louisiana bay/bayou bite will be on for sure. It is here in Pensacola.

Sounds like a great trip. Made some lifetime memories with your dad, I'm pretty sure he is one happy dad!

So I hit up a lake I went to a few weeks ago that has produced some bonafide lunkers for people. 12 and 13# fish have been caught there within the past year. My last trip, my son caught a single dink on a wiggler. Nothing for me. Later in the day, a couple guys caught a 3,4 and 7.9# fish. Saw it posted on their facebook page. Figured I would go back and try again. I knew this cold front was coming, but was showing overcast and light wind...turned out to be a great day weather wise. The shad were everywhere, busting the surface, but not like the bass were chasing them or in a feeding frenzy...Just schools everywhere breaking the surface. We tried everything I had in the box. I got a single bite on a small senko, but did not hook up, saw a couple big bass, that we spooked in less than 2' of water. Tough day, and very frustrating we could not get a bite. I would have bet $ the bass would have hit a white shad swim bait, but I would have lost that bet. Was hoping to hook up before this big cold front blows in later in the week...Some days, I just don't understand. Guess the bass were not in the feeding mood?

ya, you hooked up. Nice. Miss those south florida canals.

nice fish, don't you hate when the ladies "show" us up?

Good question that could elicit many responses. You can easily drop $1k on just a kayak, even more. Spend some time, research, go to a local dealer and take some test rides, that will at least help steer you in the right direction. You do not want to buy a kayak that you will be uncomfortable in, you will ultimately not use it. There are plenty of choices, sometimes too many. Narrow down your budget, research prices on accessories. Do yourself a favor, take your time, check craigslist every day. There are good deals to find on there. You will save plenty of $ buying a used quality kayak. The accessories add up quick! Don't go and buy every accessory you "think" you will need at first. Get a decent paddle, life jacket, maybe a rod holder or two. After you have a few trips under your belt, you will know what you "need" and what you don't. You don't want to be packing for a road trip on a kayak. I took the kayak plunge early this year, bought a couple for me and the kids, have them outfitted the same for when me and my son go fishing in the local bays/inshore. I would outfit my kayak a little different if I was bass fishing in a lake. Most local dealers will have a demo day on weekends or just call them up, I'm sure they would be happy to let you test any model they have available for a demo. Good luck, I have had a blast with mine! ps, check out http://www.yakangler.com

I figured the key would be slow today, we did work slow. The wind made it really hard to work an area good. My little jon boat with a trolling motor was like an empty soda bottle floating in the lake today when the winds picked up. Good advice, I will add that to my "to do when cold" list. thanks. It did cross my mind to throw on a roboworm... Any other recommendations for these suspended fish, when crankbaits and jigs are not working? thanks John

Hit the water around 6:45 am. Cold, about 38, 5mph wind. My dad is in town, took him out to my favorite little place. Rigged him up a shaky head on a watermelon trick worm. He caught one about 30 minutes in. As for the rest of the day....not a single bite. Fish were there, they were holding about mid-depth everywhere. Did not see any grazing the bottom. Tossed a senko/drop shot for a long time, went with shad colored swim jig, kvd red eye, and a couple squarebills. Even tried texas rigged worms. Not a good day, wind picked up. Oh well, headed home. Next time.