N Florida Mike

Thanks.They havent made it to my part of the country yet.

what in the world is that?

Away from home Id love to catch some smallmouth ( for the first time ) Dale hollow probably or wherever one of you smallmouth guys would recommend. Toledo bend also. Would also like to fish on Smith mountain lake ( my uncle has a place there.) Closer to home Id go fishing/ camping on the Suwanee river, and Id go Pond jumping / camping in the Ocala nat. forest,although Ive done that. If any time left Id go to some of the local lakes,like Sante fe .

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking about teaching kids how to fish in ponds, and guiding adults occasionally. I probably won't ever do it full time though. Taught my kids and grandkids to fish and guided a few friends. But I can be tearing em up the day before by myself and the next day or so when I take a friend they dont bite. I suspect guiding is often that way.

Just saw a 3 inch bass swimming by the dock !. Bass have been bedding for MONTHS here in Fl.

I also live on a lake with a dock.I have a couple boats down there and chairs etc.If I was out there fishing or otherwise I would expect them not to get too close.But people rarely come down to my end of the lake unless its canoes or kayaks.They have to get through a big eel grass bed so most people turn around.If someone does get down where I am, I try to be friendly.Because of this ,I have met the one canoist/ fisherman that comes down to my place the most.I couldn't imagine being mean to someone in the water that was fishing or paddling around. When the canoeist came last time,I was doing a little casting , he apologized for getting too close . But he wanted to tell me about the bed he saw down by his house.I told him basically,No worries mate . The only things I can think of that would get me riled up would be if they were tresspassing or casting too close if I was out there.It wouldnt even bother me if they bonked lures off my boats. ( It'd be hard to hurt a bass hunter or jb ! )

Exactly my approach.Except I let THEM call the law if they want to.Ive never done it. I dont fish docks with people on them and I might even leave if you're rude,esp. if I have a kid with me.

Hey anyone fishing jax area? Tried a couple ponds yesterday with Trophybasshunter. We fished the big pond behind southside community church with no success.Also fished a small interchange pond at butler/ southside .He caught one dink. Always searching for new ponds. There were a few fish on beds at both spots but they werent interested.Nothing huge though. Also caught 5 the other night at the home lake.Biggest was 2 pounds caught on 5 inch Yamamoto senko- red slice.

Sounds cool A local tackle shop used to do a month long tournament . You had to physically bring the fish there to weigh.There were almost no other rules. It was the top 10 biggest fish of the month and each place had a prize.I placed a couple times and won a nice combo with one of them. It wasnt a high pay- out but was really fun for those of us who fished anyway . You could fish anywhere. It was also great for the tackle store because it produced more business.But sadly,that store went out of business eventually.

Hmmm- great idea. Id love to do that here in jax.

Yeah.One of 3 in my life . The wierdest thing is that my oldest son caught his first bass on a bread ball. Ive actually caught bass on cut dead shiners while catfishing.

I swam for a fish once when I was 15. Was bream/ catfishing with a dough ball on the bottom when I saw the line moving out. Started pulling it in I saw it was a nice bass .It got hung up in a dead tree by the bank and without hesitation I took the plunge.It wasnt a big deal since I wade fished as much as I bank fished back then !My pb at the time! 4 pounds. Dont think Ive ever swum for one since !

Never been caught without it. Here in Florida you must get a freshwater license when you turn 16 I was a bit rebellious so I didnt get one until I was 21. And fished 2-3 times a week or more.Once a friend and me were fishing a local creek and came around a bend and " the man " came around a bend up the creek at the same time at idle. My friend said Oh crap ,and turned into a convenient smaller creek that was right there.When we got in there we took off and went way back.He didnt follow. That was the only close call I remember. When I was 21, we were going to fish Orange lake in N central Fl. I decided to get a license before we went.We go to the lake and were launching at marjorie rawlings park.I was standing on the dock and here comes the Alachua county " man " with those reflecting sunglasses and Dudley do right hat.He says " I need to see your license boy " and I started grinning,then chuckling.He did NOT like that. He asked me why I was laughing.I told him I had just got my license for the first time ever THAT DAY. He was not amused,but I did not get a ticket. Don't take this the wrong way.After that I became a stickler for obeying game and fish laws.Most of it I agree with anyway,as it helps preserve the resource.And I taught my son that too. I honestly believe I will not be blessed with fish and game if Im breaking the law. And its very likely I will be cursed if I dont. Tickets arent cheap here in Fl. And I dont want the government getting any more of my money than they already have to.!!! ?

Not sure.It was a gift.It is actually for hunting but it works great for me.The compartments are perfect for baits and whatnot.I dont carry a lot though.I keep my surplus baits in the truck.

I prefer my belt pack when bank fishing.It has several compartments for storing baits and accessories.I can cast easily with it on. With a backpack its annoying to me trying to cast with one on, and I move a lot so would continually have to keep picking it up and putting it down. But thats just me ! ? Its all good if your fishing.

• I use tackle boxes for storage. • I use clear snap boxes ( what I call them ) in a boat.4 of them fit in a carry box with a handle.The top is open.I can lean over and grab them with ease. • I have a belt pack for bank fishing.

Dont know up there but take precaution against sea- sickness.I took my whole family the first time and my wife,middle son and daughter all got sick.Only my oldest son and me didnt. Take dramamine the day BEFORE you go.

^^^ The winner of this thread ?

Last week my Grandaughter got her new trampoline.One that has a safety net wall.So I spent several hours putting it together over the weekend.She supervised.So we read the directions that it could get blown around by high winds.We havent had anything with high winds since Hurricane Matthew went by in October. So, 2 days after we put up the trampiline,we get a big storm.It woke me up around 3 this morning.Its the same one that hit Mississippi yesterday.So I get up and check the forecast.Fixing to get hit with 45-55 mph gusts.So I get my flashlight and go get some rope out of the truck and I start tying the tramp.to a tree.No problem.Then I tie another rope to the tramp. and run the other end around a small tree (or so I thought ).Now its 330 a.m,I dont have my contacts in , half asleep,its lightning and starting to rain harder.Im trying to hold my flashlight with my neck as Im untying knots in the rope.So I loop around the "tree" and pull the knot toward me to tighten it. And all of a sudden it falls over and konks me in the head.The " tree " turned out to be a 2× 8 that was leaning against the small clump of trees! It hurt like a mug for a few minutes. The things we do for love.....

Thanks for all the help.

One time my son and me were hunting in Nassau county Fl.We were way out in the woods.Went back to the truck and were eating lunch when we noticed something coming out of the woods.A great big ol squirrel walking straight toward us.My son asked if he could shoot it.I told him go ahead.As he raised up to shoot it turned slightly and I could see it was a FOX squirrel so I wouldn't let him shoot it. It had such a beautiful color ,black and creme color mostly.Used to see lots of them growing up but they are pretty rare now.I think they are a protected specie now in Fl. That one we saw that day was the last one Ive seen , and that was in the 90s.

Thanks.I realize Im going to get a little wet but with my weight (270) it pushes down,which pushes the water up and in,and from waist to knees I get soaked. mainly use it in the summer anyway when the water feels good and the lake gets real weedy. The holes are intentional ,so I hope theres a plug that will fit ,maybe west marine would have them,or a kayak outfitter. Or I was thinking maybe a cork would help. I honestly dont fish out of it that much,but for 80.00 I had to get it.

I have what may seem to be a stupud question to some of you.I have a 2 seater pelican kayak I bought for 80.00 from a nieghbor.Having never used a kayak before,I was suprised that I got wet pretty much from the waist down.Lost a cell phone full of pics in this way, even though I had it in a zip lock bag.There are some round holes that go all the way through,so At first I couldnt come up with a reason why ,then I came to the conclusion they were to be used wih poles ? to keep it in place .But they get me wet. My question: Is there a best way to plug the holes so I dont get wet? Drain plugs ? I fish small,calm water bodies dont need poles .Got a anchor anyway.

pit boss.

Good job !