fatbass

Its a bit south of you but the Kankakee river is good. The Kankakee River State Park has a lot of shoreline access on both sides and a lot of smallies are caught there as well. Good Luck!

While reading the article I kept thinking... What you gonna do when the bait monkey comes for you :(

KVD, Charlie Hartley, Ike, Horton I think its easier calling out those I don't like.... B. Velvick

I recognize a difference in performance using Reel Magic. It seems to help reduce twist and memory. Going to try KVD LLC this year. I apply it by spraying some in a small area of a rag. As I spool my reel, I have the rag in hand and hold the line so that it passes over the conditioner I've applied to the rag. I'll pinch it between my fingers. I'll then spray some on the full spool as desired. Hope that makes sense. I've read articles like this one that do a fine job of explaining. http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/fishingtips/news/story?page=b_ike_lineselection_July_08

The Rolling Stones: Beggars Banquet, Some Girls, Goat Heads Soup The Who: Quadrophenia, Tommy, Who's Next The Clash: London Calling Neil Young: Harvest, After the Gold Rush Bob Dylan: Blond on Blond Just a few of the classics. Where do you stop?

JT, you're in for a treat. I've had mine out a couple times now and can only say "schawing".

Paid $160 for a new Pflueger Patriarch($200) Paid $150 for a new G Loomis Rod($220) quite happy with each. as previously mentioned check seller feedback. I avoid any sellers with ratings below 97%

I've used both fairly extensively. The main difference for me is that I can get 1000 yards spool of Big Game instead of only 300 for xt while shopping at the wal mart.

The ice has finally broke near me so I go to my local pond to try for a bass bite. The pond is still half covered with ice. I'm throwing a jig with a full skirt and big paca trailer. I've worked the bait through the zone and pick up and start reeling in fairly quickly. Out of the depths comes a biggun chasin the jig . I kill the reeling and the fish turns away. I pick it up, start reeling again and here comes this fish and its a giant. Get the bait close to the bank and the fish turns away. Doesn't look like a bass and I know at least one northern pike is in this pond. I throw out again but now start working the bait fast. On the next cast I'm reeling fast and the bait is just under the surface when this behemouth comes a charging this time breaking the surface with a terrific splash but misses the bait. I get a good look at its side and this thing has scales like a carp and that yellow/biegh color. Does this make sense, that a carp would be chasing a jig like that in that cold water? It really didn't look like bass or pike...I've caught quite enough to know the difference. But hang on. I think this thing wants something moving so I tie on a chatterbait (I just had my jig box and keep a couple chatterbaits in there). Toss out the bait and don't you know this thing hits it. I set the hook on what feeks like a concrete block, I see the fish turn, then nothing :'( its gone. I only weep cause it would have been the first fish of the year. I just can't believe a carp would be that active in such cold water. Fact is I've never seen or heard of a carp act like that but that's sure what it looked like. Thoughts?

This year I'm going to try flourocarbon line. I'm planning 17# test for my MH multiple use baitcasting rod. I'll be using it for flip/pitch, lipless crank, spinnerbaiting among others. What I was looking for was input on line performance. What problems can I anticipate in using flouro and what are some ways you have found to minimize the problems? Thanks, Fatz

When T rigged, I have found that by using brass or tungsten weights the muck doesn't stick as bad as it does on lead. I will also use some gel attractant and coat the sinker. I read (not tried yet) that a drop shot presentation is effective in these conditions by keeping the bait above the mess. just some thoughts, Fatz

Chances are the spool is overfull. Ike explained in a 2007 seminar and KVD explains in Bass Strategies 1. Ensure that the line is coming off the filler spool counter clockwise when filling. 2. Use silicone spray and spray it onto a cloth. Hold the line ahead of the reel with the cloth thereby applying the conditioner as you reel. 3. Always close the bail by hand and draw the line to the roller.

So it comes down to preference then. I had read that some of the pro's prefer straight hooks but couldn't recall why. I wasn't going through the mountain of magazines again to find it til next winter. I guess I've used both with no noticeable difference aside from slippage off the eye..

I know pretty much when to use WG hooks. What factors might be considered when choosing a worm hook, either straight shank or offset? just pondering, Fatz

Tough choices. Too many to choose from. Vocals: Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra Guitar: The Edge, Pete Townsend, Luther Perkins, Robert Johnson Piano: Jerry Lee Lewis Bass: Paul Simonon, Bill Wyman Drums: Kieth Moon, Charlie Watts

I really had to bite my keyboard to keep from responding to that post especially since I had nothing good to say. I chalked it up to a bad day for ya and hoped you would come around. I appreciate that you recognized the slight and accept the apology. You da man! Fatty

If I read you right Ouchita, I'm looking for wind into the bank 'cause baitfish are trapped. Boat placement downwind with casts into the wind. Start at the deepest part of the point and work toward the bank. I'll presume I need to keep the boat slightly off the point and casts across it typically into the wind. Does that about sum it up?

I don't fully understand this concept. Is there something directional (wind) in nature? Am looking for wind across points or into the bank? Generally speaking, will bass orient toward the wind or does that not matter any? Its just some thoughts I have whenever I read "fish windblown points." Thanks, Fatz

I would've liked to have seen that scrap. That's funny, I don't care who you are. ;D

purple worms? yes, I need those. Tubes? Better try a package, I read somethin bout tubes. Countdowns? well it says "Rapala" so they must be good . I swear, they all say that a spinnerbait is the most excellent thing, even though I've never caught even a cold with one, I think I might try this one: it's only 4 bucks. WOW! they even have a monkey for sale, I wonder how it looks in the water. ;D I'm not sure which is heavier, my monkey or my tacklebox. Fatz

I'll apply for the grillmaster job and in the off time I can help sample any Madhouse27 beverages.

could it be another candleholder? that would explain the need for all the lighters. Doh!

This is the first site I ever visited when searched for bass fishing and the only site I've visited since. Its all here. Creative handle you got "Master_Baiter"

I've had the rod jerked from my hands runnin buzzbaits. Couple days ago, while lifting my pop'r out for another cast a bass come out of the water and nailed it. I figure the fish was just as startled to see me as I was to see it by the way it turned and bolted. I was holdin the rod with my pinkie now it got jerked so hard. It was only bout 1.5#, but it gave a good scrap.

I suffer the same issue. One pond in particular, the water is stained and I just slay em, the water is clear as it has been all summer I struggle. Most of the fish I've caught so far is during the low light times. I've tried downsizing but still suffer cause I know there are plenty of good fish and some hawgs as well.