"hamma"

try using a pair of small split ring pliers and a pair of hemostats,.. works for me whenever that "lovely" task presents itself. As I too stabbed myself a few times til i came to my senses (about 30 years ago) and realized there has to be a better way

Although alot of my waters over here are mostly natural lakes and ponds, the bass do tend use what I call "highways" into and out of the shallows, and they are the same ones in spring and fall.

Congrats on the new PB, and a great day of fishing for that matter. Lemmie know if you'd still like to fish off the Tracker before the ice shows

November bass fishing in your area? Id recommend a rapala jerkbait or 3. Not only should they still work this year, but the beginning of next they will shine, for a while til the bite picks up. Maybe a floating model, and a couple suspending models should do for now.

Keep in mind that when the "general" lights penetration changes underwater it takes a while for a bass's eyesight to adapt to that change. Sometimes it can be a severe change, and sometimes just a slight change, but change just the same. What I do when the lighting is the culprit is change over to a noise producing lure, or just a noisey version of what I was throwing and this will sometimes be just the ticket. If your using a jig and its producing well before the "lightswitch" flicks to the off position, tie on a jig with noisey rattles, or completely change to a single colorado bladed spinnerbait, and bottom bounce it, or slow roll it to the bottom, then reel slowly keeping it as close to bottom as possible. One of my favorite "adjustments" is to tie on a beetle spin blade, with the jig I was using. That little added vibration, sound, and yes I even believe flash. Sometimes piques their interest, and triggers a hit For when the "lightswitch" flicks off the fish will now mostly rely on the other senses available to them other than sight until their eyes finish adjusting to the new light levels. Vibration, sound, and scent may now rule. And "sometimes" if you hit it just right with your reaction to the light levels change, you can now have the upper hand, and just simply slay them. For they all are under the same criteria, their eyes haven't yet fully adjusted, and they all are relying on the other senses, and have yet "honed" to the change, making them either somewhat easy, or completely the opposite. This doesn't "always" work, but when it does? You also have a shot at some of the waters biggest fish, as they too are adjusting and kinda vulnerable at the moment. I think this is why for ever and a day, you'd hear the old addage that fishing in the early morning or evening can be best time to go, considering this to be a worm/shiner and bobber moment, for granddad, and little Mikey to bond. The fish are that "kinda vulnerable" instance and will react to natural vibes, sounds and scents. If I termed this correctly to get the point across, try it next time this opportunity presents itself. I hope it helps yank some fish over the gunnels for ya. Good luck, and keep ya line wet

For valued old baits, look more for the baits made back in the early 1900's like the really old heddons, creek chubs and such. Google antique fishing lures, that should be a good "start" as Im sure there are a ton of collectors out there seeking the really old expensive lures. And some, can go for big money I have some old lures that were my grandfathers, checked on their value 25 years ago and they were not worth much as they were out of their packages, used, and some were re-painted by one of my brothers. Maybe they are worth something now. As for the risto raps? I have several, never used still in box as I found them discounted many years ago for like a dollar a piece. So if they are worth anything? please let me know,.lol..ty

That smile says it all,...Kudos to you for donating your time for such a cause.

looks like he's hurtin, ...hope you "helped" him out

To find 1 rod for all you described, and still be truely effective, is almost impossible, because a crankbait and a jig require different actions to be correctly effective. Cranks need a softer action, and jigs a heavier action. ,.... BUT,.. I saw on TW yesterday that berkley has updated and released a newer "series one" rod. Which,.. they were a great rod 25 years ago, and I can only imagine what a updated version will act like, "should" be impressive. A med heavy 7' casting rod should cover "most" of what you seek. Add on a nice shimano citica or curado and you've most likely got a really nice setup for around $250. If thats too much cash, take a step lower to berkley's lightning rod, and shimano's caenan reel, and for around $130 you've still got a decent setup for what your looking to fish. Im no sponsored angler, just like both companies products

A med action 6'6" spinning rod, for treble hooked lures A med heavy 7" casting rod, for spinnerbaits and such A flipping stick, for jigs and worms

I found some at bass pro shops, here in store, 3 years ago. Ive been a sidelined landlubber the last 2 years and haven't needed to shop for more. Im sure any craw scent "should" do if you cant find any real craw, but I do strongly believe it is the best. I do have some Smelly Jelly liquid in a "smaller" bottle that I got for the small tackle bag I take on the basshunter. It was kind of a ooops situation as I forgot to take the realcraw with me and stopped at a small tackleshop in route to the pond I was to fish, looking for real craw, and all they had for craw scent was the Smelly Jelly. And yes ,...It did work that day, quite well actually.

Thats Awesome! Congrats on the new PB,...Not a bad day off huh?

Thats one impressive trip! Congrats to you,.. Shimmy.

Simply incredible!, Does that cement the idea of having a net ready or what! Now thats a queen of the lake if ever I saw one,... Congrats to him.

Jig and Pig, smothered in real craw,.... flipping, pitching, skipping, casting, swimming. If you are in a slump? fish it.,... could you be off of the big girls areas? They do command the best area, and the best spot within that area. The queen sized bass of any water also demands certain criteria that might offer a hit,...timing, stealth, approach, direction, speed, all need to be considered when you diesect the cover on structure that posseses the best presence of forage. The mere opportunity isnt as easy as it may seem, you may know all of this already, and be within all of these commands, and still receive less than even a look form her. She can be as fickle as a cat when you put down the best food at dinner time. Im no Doug Hannon by any means, or even a "pro" for that matter. But,.. I have been on a mission for over 30 years now, to find the biggest of the pond bass. And although the last 2 years I've been hindered by health issues. The 28 some odd years previous were spent at the least 3 times a week floating on some premium lakes and ponds, searching that same chance you are seeking. I have caught some beauties, even some double digits. Which has honed some of my techniques, tactics, and abilities. And, I have found that even with all the info I've collected, and used, to hone these criteria. The big girls still arent so agreeable,...cementing my thoughts that luck does play a large part of the equation. So many times I've tossed into the best spot on the lake, and watched her swim away under my boat into even deeper water. Producing some choice nouns, pronouns, and verbage that I cant voice here.,... while adding the situations information into my brains mainframe for future refference. Asking myself "what went wrong?,. what did I do wrong?,... did she see me?, was it the wrong lure at that time? did I move it to quickly? Is she keying in on a certain forage?",... and so on, for the next few days. Its almost enough to drive one to a asylum. You know you were at the right spot, you watched her swimming away into the abyss. You did everything right, but still watched her seemingly arrogant tail flick, propell her away. All the while realizing that a few hours later, little Jimmy with his spincast rod, bobber, and worm can hook and land her, maybe not with ease, but land her just the same. I understand that you may not be seeking the "biggest" of the lake fish, but what Im getting at is that even though thats not your quarry,..bigger fish are actually on their way to be her, and as they grow they too have some "quirks" that you need to be attentive to, some attitudes, that will make the hunt for them just a bit more than just pounding the shoreline. Im not saying at all that you have no abilities, or that I need to "teach" you. Im just a angler thats willing to offer the experiences, and tactics I've found that have helped me, to all. Some of you may be asking yourself, why would he do that, when so many anglers are quite the opposite, harboring their years of experiences to themselves., for a shot at the wallhanger of a lifetime before someone else comes along and beats him to it?,...Why? Seems crazy right?,... Actually it isnt at all,...because I know that, little Jimmy can walk down that ramp to daddy's dock with his bobber and can of worms at any time. You too have that same chance,...and thats key right there. Chance,...we all have a chance at our daily quest on the water, beit for a limit, or the wallhanger, or even just a few nice fish to round out a day. Every day on the water is actually just a chance, and its seems that whatever we are seeking at that moment? The good lord provides us with what we get,... by chance. It may be a few hours we need to wait for the success we're seeking, or a few days, weeks, even years. But,.. with persistence, determination, and available abilities, we can only shorten that timeframe,... again,,.. by chance. Keep your chin up, it will eventually happen, be diligent, giving up wont do any good, actually that does more harm then good, as the bite you may have been on will dwindle. Then you need to find another bite at a later date, starting all over again. Your dilema may just be timing, or any one of the many things that makes this sport of ours so appealing. As time goes on you will find your "groove" again and will be back on the good fish your seeking. I only know this as so many times amungst the past 30 odd years of hunting the "queen" its happened to me too. Slumps do stink, but they also eventually end, and I hope yours does soon. Good luck

Depends on the spoon and what I want it to do. I agree with Catts reply wholeheartedly, because I follow that same criteria. But on a side note, and not to hijack the thread, lets talk about "quality" of snaps and swivels. Because a cheap one could cost you the fish of a lifetime, just as any part of terminal tackle can I use "only" berkley crosslock snaps, and crosslock snapswivels. Do you? If not,.. you should check them out, as over the years I've found them to be the only snap/snapswivel yet that does not fail. Sampo's are good, but the crosslocks are even stronger. Kind of a pain to learn it's quirks, but undeniably unmatched, and worth it. When your at walmart or any tackleshop, look at those generic snapswivels, you know those cheapo ones with that funky flat piece of metal thats bent around the wire to form a "collar" on the snap, which you clip the wire into.. usually they are brass colored and you get a bunch of them for mere pennies. Then look at the Sampo's,..a much better design, and you only get like 3 or 4 for $4.99,.. there is a huge difference not only in the products snaps quality, but the barrel part is much, much better as well. Then look at the berkley crosslocks, they definately have a stronger snap than any of them,..The difference between the sampos and berkley crosslock is evident by just a glance at the snap. Take a look and you'll see what I mean. Cheapo snaps? a real pig can pull apart within that run at the boat. You know, once that big bass realizes she's hooked and pulls with all her might. I had lost one once during that burst of energy, because the snap failed due to the wire part just straightened out, (ironically, while fishing a small hopkins spoon). Discussing this at a club meeting, a member suggested I try the berkley crosslocks. And I've been using crosslock's ever since. Thanks Jack, they do make a difference. And no,... I'm not a berkley sponsored pro, and never have been. As Jack helped me, I hope this helps some of you here as well.

I used to have a long nosed pair of diagonals that I kept on the boat. They were unique, and I could get deep into a fish's mouth with them to snip the hook as close to the barb as possible, but they have disappeared. Guess Im going to have to search for another pair.

Yes, I and some of my old bass fishing buddies have a "pet" largemouth at a local lake. It has a very distinctive tumor on its tail, and I've caught it several times. We named it Henry after one of our other departed friends. (we all formed a small club many years ago, and the real Henry was a member) And whenever someone catches Henry, we would inform the others of Henries continued existence. I havent seen Henry in a while since I have moved and others have either done the same, or passed on. Now that im thinking of it, maybe I will check that lake out looking for Henry. Last I heard Henry was around 9 lbs or so. should be well over 11 by now.

I just tell it as I see it, thats all. How do I know of these ponds?, I use to fish them, until the state did what they did. Now I dont fish them, because of what the state did. Im sorry if you see this as my "skewed opinion"? I see it as hands on,.. end result,... experience. And Im not alone, alot of bass anglers were upset over these 2 ponds "transition", complaining to tackle shops and others while bankfishing I dont need a college degree to see the end result,.. The fish were there, The state interviened, and after they did? The fish were gone,.. That sir,... is a fact. Floating bridge pond is now mosquito infested pit compared to what it was. And Pillings Pond may be better off than floating bridge,..but nothing like it was. I am telling you now, for the record. I "DO NOT" think I know more than a biologist,..But,...... It doesnt take a fisheries biologist to see that, money was first spent on a survey, then application of chemicals for eradicating weeds in pillings pond,...and within the next few years, the weeds returned, and again money was spent to "dredge" the silt. And it was no small feat to complete the dredging, they built a coffer dam, diverted water. then they started digging and the methane stench was horrendous, for months the nearby homeowners were stunk out in mid summer, and finally in fall the pond was "done" I can only imagine what the cost was for that endeavor, but im sure it wasnt $20 So now I got a few questions for you,...shouldnt a highly educated fisheries biologist be held accountable?,.. not only accountable for the decision made to chemically treat a water body or not, but also, (since they are to be the authority on said subject), Shouldnt they known that the shallow silty bottom only needs the smallest amount of an evasive weed, for it to return?,.. Now, as you've stated Im obviously no biologist by any means, but the sticker I pay for to fish in Maine states that I understand the concept of evasive weeds taking over a pond. Why does that simple $25 sticker make me aware of this, but a masters degreed person with several years of experience in the field, isn't aware of it. What Im getting at is, The state wasted funding treating a shallow, silt laden pond with chemicals And for the record,. again,..It was a states biologist that did the ponds survey, and their decision to chemical treat to begin with. wasnt me. Furthermore I said nothing of stocking any ponds with anything.,..I merely suggested that the op takes his daily creel. Im sorry if I hit a nerve Mainebass, the posting was not a shot at you personally I would much rather that the cash strapped New England fisheries management boards and commissions, use said funds to add access to more waters for all to use, and not just lakefront homeowners. also,.. not spend it on weed eradication, that "may" just come back. Keep in mind please, at this point in time I am heavily medicated to relieve pain, If I seem like im rambling,... maybe i am, I just wanted to explain myself thoroughly. No disrepect to ya Mainebass, Its just that these 2 ponds remind me of my dead fishing buddy Henry, as we'd fish them together. And they were "his" ponds,.. so its a sore spot for me to defend, as I did, and I will. Off my soapbox now

no, some may disagree,...but I dont see why not.... I have 2 med lights I use

I have seen many "different things" being excreted by bass I've caught, hooks, jigheads, plastics, etc..,....lol,. bass poop inspection, kind of a sh***y subject,..lmao

Go on the mass f&g site, pick any of the ponds that were electroshocked in the pond/lake topo maps, many will state right on the ponds info page that electroshock produced etc. but other fish are known to be in there, so they are saying that they really didnt capture whats actually there, after spending the funds to find out.. also, weed eradication involving chemical treatment???,...ummm,.. floating bridge pond on the salem/lynn border is still screwed up from the "chemical" treatment that was done in the 90's. Pillings pond in lynnfield was "treated" but still received a "dredging" a few years later, to remove the weeds. (dredging may have been from lake association) but done just the same,.... These are just 2 of my close to my hometown ponds, that I can name off the top of my head. I used to fish, but it was stopped short after "eradication",... Do I really need to dig for info? One failure,..? is one too many. How many ponds in NH received a ramp funded by "anglers licensing", or wallup beroux funds, or whats the other one, oh yeah,.. Braxton Hicks, I think (outdoorsmen funding) only to have the ramp taken over by a lake association, that now has a locked gate? Pine river pond, Belleau lake, and however many more,...again,...one failure is too many. Actually,.. I may be wrong,... but, I think the pond in question "Cobbetts" received a ramp, with "our" funding... thats now not accessable You have the right to question my statement, and, I have no gripe with you, or anyone else, for that matter. But I dont think I need to be a electroshock expert, or, even be familiar with it, to see that a state used "our" funding wastefully. Therefore my statement of not getting a state envolved, when you have the right to a daily creel.

Take a limit when you can, and wait a few years. Dont involve the state. So many waters are so screwed up when the state gets involved.,...they start with messing with electro shock, and when they only get certain fish from it? thats what they determine are in there and anything else is "foreign",... then weed eradication, and before you know it? your beauty of a small pond is a mess So many Mass. waters are still recovering from stuff done by the state back in the 80's

I've had one for over 30 years now, I use 2 motors, and 2 batteries. I kinda center the seat, and I have a old hummingbird wide eye with a permanant base on it. I use a cheap home depot spring type wood clamp to attatch the transducer to the rear seam from top and bottom sections,.or its version of a rub rail.. Mine is the 8' model and fits in my truck with the tailgate up, no straps or ropes to tie off (truck has a cap). Im currently thinking up a way to attach a minn kota powerdrive trolling motor to the front. so I can steer with my foot,, This is gunna be tricky,...but nice

I use a jig from ice-out til ice-in, they vary throughout the year, but I always, ALWAYS, have a jig tied on,..its the #1 bass bait in my eyes, and the big girls seem to gravitate to them as well. Why wouldnt you throw one in late fall? On the main page, read the crayfish article, interesting.