BigSkyBasser

Hopefully the FLW and B.A.S.S. step up and make a fuss about this as well. That fishery is one of the very few in the west that still draws the Elite Series out and is a staple for tournament fisherman at the high school and collegiate level. Above and beyond tournaments, those sport fish are the main source of draw for recreation and tourism around the country. A similar situation happened in a lake in my home state called Flathead lake. Lake trout we're introduced (which actually did have a large part in killing the salmon.) But to solve it they started Gill netting for years, and the found they we're catching and killing more native Bull Trout and Westslope Cutthroat, than they we're Lake Trout.

Thanks everyone for being so forthcoming. The advice caters to my fishing style. Im planning on attacking with finesse tactics as much as possible as Jigs, Shaky head, Texas rigs, and drop shot are all strong suits of mine. This will hopefully produce at least a limit for all three days. I am hoping that we can get some riled up on top water too. Those days are always dreamy for any angler.

I believe we're launching from Echo Bay......or somewhere below Echo bay where the water allows lol. We're hoping for rain all year down there. I'd love to fish pre spawn-spawn in April. I'm used to fishing deep, cold, clear water lakes being from NW Montana, but I've heard this lake is a fickle temptress.

I qualified for the Western B.A.S.S. Regional on Lake Mead April 2016. I'm super happy about being able to represent an underrated state like Montana! My Biggest concern is that I have never wet a line in a desert lake before, and my work schedule will leave me with zero opportunity to pre-fish it. If anyone could share some basic advice for Lake Mead or desert lakes like this in general I'd be eternally grateful. As I understand it, by April these fish are mostly done with spawning and are making the transition to post spawn locations. There is virtually no advice on the internet about this lake, and the articles covering B.A.S.S. and FLW tournaments here give anglers 0 advice to glean from except for the winning pattern occasionally. These are my notes so far. Lake Mead pattern possibilities: Texas RIgged Lizards T Rigged Tubes Football Jigs Creature baits either t rigged or jigs Hula Grubs Drop Shot w/ Senko brown and dark purple or blue colors brown and orange oxblood roboworm shad baits (jerk baits, cranks, and rattle traps) Virgin Basin, Boulder Basin Smallies and largemouth bed shallow very early in the year depending on water temp and level Assuming based on average water temps that spawn should be almost completely over by April, early post spawn fishing, fishing ledges and transitions.

My fiancee surprised me with the Minn Kota Endura Max 55 for my birthday coupled with a wonderful inflatable Sea Eagle boat for us to cruise around the Northern Montana lakes in. Lovely woman I have! We take if for our first test drive and I have it hooked up to a 29 Deep Cycle Marine Battery to make sure I'm not bottle necking it's performance. Right off the bat we crank it up to speeds 3, 4, and 5 and the motor makes a pretty disturbing and loud abrasive humming/whining sound and appeared to be struggling. Thought maybe this was it just needing to be broke in (I'm an absolute noob with marine hardware.) We back trolled in reverse for a couple seconds and noticed it did this the worst on this speed. I'm guessing my motor isn't supposed to be doing this. It ran terribly and I have no idea what to do or look for. Anyone else have this issue?

If you're lucky and it's a smaller hook like a #2 drop shot and the fish has taken it on the outside of the gullet I will get a pair of forceps. Grab the hook with the fish in the water and push towards the gills in short jerking motions and %90 I can pop it loose without any problems.

My experience with drop shot on casting gear was with 1/4 oz weights which cast really nicely on 10# flouro. Felt like I had more intimate control of the bait and and didn't miss any hookups or lose any fish. And I second that my Curado has no problems throwing a weightless 4 inch laminate senko wacky rigged, Just can't cast it more than about 15-20 yards.

I was fishing a Curado w/ 12 lb flouro on an Okuma Reflexions 6'9 MH. Seemed to do me well. Had the same sensitivity and general feel as my spinning gear. However if I were fishing for smallies I might not attempt such without different BC gear. I see what you mean about having a very streamline drag especially for a rig like drop shot.

Went out for the first time in about two weeks hoping to catch some Montana LMB starting to transition to shallow water for fall. Started throwing larger jigs and rattle traps and wasn't getting the reaction I'd hoped for. I finally decided to hit the drop shot even though I only had my flippin' combo w/ me. I've seen Aaron Martens throw this rig similarly in MLF before. Just wondering if anyone else messes around with this on baitcasters or has any reasons why it wouldn't be advised? BTW following the switch to drop shot I proceeded to catch my best largemouth of the year and several others close to it. Was a great day to be on the water!

I was introduced to bass fishing through my friend. His parents we're tournament fisherman and took me up to their cabin several times every year in grade school. They also convinced me to fish several of the junior basser youth tournaments. My favorite youtuber for fishing is flw semi-pro Justin Rackley. His YouTube channel is LakeForkGuy. He is a northwestern Texas angler and fishes from every platform including bass boats, shores, and kayaks. Used to be a guide as well. The guy is a solid fisherman but is also very educational and hilarious to boot.

They must have been pooped out from a good fight! I can see the feces jokes spiraling out of control on this thread xD

Jimmy Houston has a way about integrating lessons into some of the best fishing stories I've ever heard. His humor is timeless and he is can get a message across in a really tasteless manor. I read one of his books recently and took way more from it than I thought.

Have snagged but could not retrieve a porcelain toilet. I knew I should have used braid!!!

I've been prepping myself mentally for that one day, far into the future, where I know I will take the plunge into trying to make it as a professional fisherman. This includes me reading hundreds of articles in book and on the web to better understand everything that it entails. I came across this article during my daily lurking over the bass master page. ---------> http://www.bassmaster.com/blog/who-are-you This made me take a moment to think about the anglers and outdoorsmen that I pull my inspiration and wonder from. They are as follows: - Doug Stange (In-fisherman Editor) - Al Linder (Angling Edge Editor) - Aaron Martens (if you've never heard of him, then look him up....he's the best) - Tim Johnston, he is a local fisherman from Kalispell, MT that has qualified for the bass master classic 3 times through the Federation B.A.S.S. tournament trail. I learn from all of these people, all in different ways. I have fished the latter of the four and dream of fishing with the rest but still am taught by them on a daily basis. Who are any and all of your inspirations and mentors?

May seem weird but my buddy tried some of the tv advertised glowing jigs and such. Slayed the smallies for several night consecutively. Just have to find them on those shallow isolated structures as they do move in much shallower after it cools down for the day. I've only ever succeeded in catching largemouth at night. They seem to be a lot more predictable and less fussy. Never liked night fishing much anyways though. Good luck!

Love fishing drop shot and a jig from back of the boat. Also a spinnerbait if I'm power fishing. Often times you can get a good reaction bite from tossing back at his fish. I've also ticked off a boater who despite not trying to catch that fish anymore claim it was their fish when you catch it. Only happened once but I'd imagine I'm not the only one.

I definitely respect him as a balanced angler but I'd give it to Brent Erhler before Lucas primarily because this guy has some of the more impressive wide range angling talent I've ever seen. He and Aaron will be the ones to dethrone KVD if anyone does. However I loved watching Lucas on the Cali Delta. He Killed it! That kicker was pretty sweet.

I always hook nice pike while pitching under trees for largemouth w/ senkos. They swallow it every single time!

That is what I think when a largemouth will sit in front of my bait and flairs is gills, then slowly back away or shake his head. Has been a big F U while gliding smoothly away into the weeds.

I've been watching the elite series events a lot closer this year and they even have extensive live coverage on the websites for all who didn't know! Personally I'd love to see Aaron Martens take AOY again this year but Dean Rojas is still in the lead. Not sure if the numbers have updated following the Bassfest results. Anyone else have favorite anglers or predictions for who they'd like to see take the title?

No, he has just found a way to cast across entire bodies of water. Not sure what frogging has to do with confidence, I'm no less confident with a frog than I am any other top water bait.

I like to fish with big ole 4.5" SK flipping tubes on a 1 ought Wide Gap Trokar T rigged with a 3/16 Tungsten Bullet. I've heard you can punch mats really effectively with tubes with a larger/heavier screw in punch weight. But they cost a fortune and I hate punching mats. Would rather beat the bank all day or fish deep for iso structure.

I would recommend for better hook sets using a Gamakatsu Drop shot or finesse wide gap instead for wacky rigs. Also gives a better presentation for the bait when fishing for skittish bass.

A huge confidence booster has been making a smooth transition to baitcasters and catching lots of fish while learning on them. Sure makes practicing a lot more fun. Really lucked out on my rig as I found an Okuma Reflexions 6'6" Medium Heavy in a pawn shop. Traded my Abu Garcia Orra which was in HORRIBLE condition straight across for this still factory wrapped rod. It's a beast! Has the backbone and hooksetting feel of a loomis! Paired with my left Curado 51e from a couple years back is amazing. I can toss a wacky rigged 4" senko a mile on 12 lb flouro.