BiggerWorm

In our last tournament my partner got all excited because I placed the cull buoy through the gill flap of the fish instead of puntching a hole in the fishes mouth. I am curious how you guys use your cull buoys. It seemed logical to me that a hole in the mouth is most likely unwanted by the fish. The end which attaches to the fish is just like the stringers I used as a kid and it never seemed to hurt the fish, what do you think?

The string deal as described above works like a charm. My fishing partner pulled the string while I held the barb down, it popped right out. I have had one taken out at the hospital. They pull the hook through so the barb is showing, cut the barb off, and then pull the hook out, without the barb it slides right out. For those of you who like to perform surgery on yourself, try this method, it may be less painfull!!

Me and my fishing partner got in a discussion about which is a better fish catcher, the carolina rig or the Texas. I know there are covers that won't allow you to drag a carolina rig. As well the carolina rig is great for covering large lake points. But as far as the fish goes, do you feel one presentation is better than the other. I prefer the texas rig simply because I have always used it. My partner swears I should use the carolina tomorrow in our tournament. What do you think?

With out a doubt, main lake structure (drops, humps) with stumps or brush piles. Texas rigged plastics and jigs. Do my best in the heat of the summer.

There are very few smallmouth in our local resevoir, Largemouth are the typical catch. But if I had my druthers it would be smallmouth. I just caught a 5lbr over the week-end (smallmouth).

I just purchased the Lowrance H20 and the Hot Map Premiium SD. It is actually better than I expected. The SD is interchangable with my Lowrance GPS/Fishfinder on my boat. The hand held is nice when I'm in someone elses boat that doesn't have one. I can share Waypoints or secretly record them when someone is showing me there secret hot spots. I woulkd stongly recomend this hand held

Well for one thing Anna is HOT!! She has never one a grand slam but extrememely nice to watch at her attempt. I'm not sure what happened to Velvick, I will check back on this thread to find out myself.

Welcome to the world of baitcasters. I remember the first time I tried casting one, "Man how do you cast these things?" A great piece of equiptment.

I personally don't throw spinnerbaits too often. But I know some who swear by them, they are definitely the go to bait for many fisherman. From your post it sounds like you know a lot about spinnerbaits, if you like fishing them stay with it, your luck will change.

At what water temperature do crayfish come out of hybernation? Has anyone seen any active crayfish while out fishing this spring? If so, what was the water temp where you were fishing?

Speaking of fowl hooking a fish. I was fishing in a tournament and landed a couple of huge bass which landed us second place. I caught both on rattle traps, but the second one was caught in the underneath belly. I know he took a swipe at it and got himself hooked. I know this is legal and I didn't think anything about it that tournament. But latter me and my partner discussed the topic of fowl hooked fish. Now anytime I take the lie detector test in a tournament this is the first thing that pops in my mind when asked "Have you ever cheated in a tournament?" I know I didn't cheat but it still pops in my mind, and the guy giving the test always has to ask the question twice. He told me it is the most failed question he asks, but he said he usually only fails guys if they fail the question " Did you cheat today"

Looks like my first boat. Good idea to increase the platform. I would bring it up to about 4-5 inches from the top edge. Create some hatches in the floor for storage. Install a live well. If you dont have access to metal, use a cooler and install your own pumps. Take your time and it will be enjoyable, as well as rewarding when your done. But get started soon because fishing time has arrived.

There are several differnect types of cards which can be purchased to make better use of the Lowrance GPS/Sonor units. I am planning on bying the Navionics Fishing hot spots. I live in the midwest and will only be using it for fishing main lakes. Is this what most of you guys are running in your GPS units? Should I consider something different? Thanks!

I thought loadmouthbass was a decent show. I really liked schooled by Denny B, it got canned too I guess. Beat Charlie Moore, to my surprise, was showing some potential but now there is too much going on during the show and not enough fishing. A little play and fun is fine, but I think there is just too much. Get back in separate boats and compete with each other!

Stained and cold is fishable. If it is flat out muddy, look for some clearer water or stay home. If you must fish, I agree with what many have said about using jigs. Throw to cover, fish will be holding tight to it.

I catch a lot of bass between the 4-6 lb weight. I fish deep structure with jigs and large plastic worms. Seem to do best when bass have entered their summer patterns. Can't say what time of the day has produced the best.

Caught my 7.5 lb in a tournament April of 05 at about 1:00pm on a diamond shad. Can't believe it but it didn't get big bass, and 7.5 is a big bass around here

In the Midwest we just don't see the 10lb mark. Last year was my all time biggest bass at 7.52 lbs. To be honest I will be extactic if I beat it at 7.53

C-rig is good for covering a large area, like a lake point. I use T-rig for drops, channels, and areas with a lot of cover. I probably use T-rig 80% of the time.

I primarily fish plastic, I will take my unscented baits and place them in a plastic bag. I than squirt some chompers garlic scent in the bag and let set overnight before a tournament. To be honest I can't say I do any better with or without scents.

Master Hunter, JR hit it right on the nose! Water draw down is key here.

I would not consider a bass fisherman an athlete, not that it takes anything away from it at all. Competative activities range anywhere from football to poker. Bass fishing comes somewhere in between there I guess. Someone may look up Athlete in the dictionary and reply that bass fishing falls under this definition, but to the average person, I doubt it.

I developed this probllem through fishing and actually playing tennis. It is difficult to change your technique to remidy the problem. I purchased an arm band to place on my elbow while fishing and playing tennis. I was amazed at the improvement. The band puts tension on the tendon, I'm not sure what this does but the results were great.

Keep reading the artlcles on this site. As a newbie I began catching bass on plastic worms. 30 years latter it is still my go to bait. I have developed other techniques and use other baits to become more competitive in tournaments, but the plastic worm is my favorite. Go to local tackle store, Walmart is hard to beat, and get the following: A bag of 7.5" worms, 3/16 bullet worm weights, and 3/0 offset hook. Line should be about 12lb. The sinker goes on before the hook and slides freely. This is known as a Texas rig. Cast and let fall. Retrieve slowly, allowing short pauses for worm to settle on bottom. Good Luck!

No I haven't seen a lake that looks familiar, but I do look! Hey Will, are you tall or is Ike that short?