Torn Thumb

Xcalibur R.I.P.

Field and stream sugar stix soft plastics. They were 5 for 5$. Tried some of each (senko knockoff, creature bait) and never got a single bite. Then recently I read that fish can't stand the taste of sugar. Don't know how true that is but these baits are junk in my opinion.

The description on the Polaroid has faded so I can't figure out the weight. The mount has definitely seen better days as some mice have chewed on it and some fins have been broken off in storage but every time I look at it I want to go fishing. I have my dad and grampa to thank for my love of fishing. I just wish I learned how to bass fish sooner.

Do we have the same cousin? I've stopped fishing with mine and he's pretty much abandoned the bass to go back to trout. Dude only throws power worms and won't venture to good spots for fear of a tick bite. I've been trying to force myself to have success with flukes and spinnerbaits lately. The fluke never stays on for more than 15 minutes. I'm coming around on the spinnerbait though.

At age 6, I won first place overall in a fishing derby with kids and adults. I got a tagged trout on a nightcrawler and bobber push button setup. I'll have to do another post when I get home from work with the size and a picture of the mount that I received. My grandpa got to keep the 100$ prize for the tag but that never mattered to me because I have a permanent memory thanks to the stuffed trout on my wall. It was the best fight with a fish that I can remember even up to this point. I needed my older brother's help reeling her in. Lifelong fisherman after that, although my patience for trout fishing is almost zero at this point.

I'm definitely going to continue to throw it. I was just giving you a hard time.

Yer head needs to be in the game sonny.

I figured the bass couldn't see or hear it with the water sloshing about in heavy wind. I have been trying to keep it tied on to one of my two rods most of the time also ( have to justify the price by using the crap out if it). I'm gonna throw it in more non ideal conditions now but if I fail, don't be surprised if you get bad ju-ju.

It might be unrealistic depending on the condition of the barn but you can stuff steel wool in entry points along the base of the wall/floor. They get that metal taste and don't want to continue forward. It's worked in my experience but I guarantee nothing.

How choppy of water are you throwing it in and still having success? I'm very interested.

I scored a silver max combo at walmart for 25$ a couple of years ago and only just recently learned how to use it. It's definitely a good starter setup in my opinion.

So, I take it the rain is running up and out of the area out east also. I'm 5 minutes from NY and almost all of our forecasted rain just disappears as soon as it's supposed to hit us.The local lakes and ponds are getting low pretty fast. Lakes are harder to notice but my favorite ponds are getting into scary low territory.

I went to collage once... Best 45 pictures of my life.

I would have to say popper here as far as ease of use. Super fun and when the bass want that type of bite it doesn't get better. Spooks are awesome too. For me spooks work better walked slowly and stopped every few feet if you can help it. I have to agree about bass not wasting time on little bugs. It is probably bluegill or rockbass creating those stirs. I fished topwater exclusively for two years as I knew no better. So i had alot of time with my poppers and spooks.

Thanks WMB. The other day when I got one near the pads it was about 9 a.m. and bright and hot. I have total faith in it working in non-ideal conditions and would have proof but I managed to throw it across the pond and off my line. No more leaving my rods in the car for the summer! I spent a half hour walking around the pond and using a spook to try and catch my plopper back. Finally got it back by burning a senko across the top on a giant screwlok gamakatsu. Side Note: Imagine how bummed I was to drive to NH (3.5 hours) to find out that the only color available at BPS in the 90 size was Yellow Head. I was going there already for my vacation but what a disappointment that Hooksett store is. Great town to put a BPS just based on name but I might avoid stopping there in the future. Selection sucks and grumpy old stockers.

Would you guys care to recommend a color for the 130, excluding loon? I'm leaning towards perch but just minutes after checking out the color selection on TW I have already forgotten them all.

Oh, I hear ya there. I just want to be sure it's in the budget and I'm waiting for some cooler shadier Massachusetts mornings to even be able to throw it. I work third shift so it's a matter of going right after work or waiting until Sundays to fish.

It should be available at all local hardware stores but again be careful!

I had luck the other morning throwing it along the edge of weeds with a straight retrieve reeeeeeeaaaly slow. Rod tip high with the 90 size yellow head. I swear I'm gonna buy a 130 size one of these days.

Not a problem. The proper way to handle it according to the msds was to use a full face shield, rubber apron, and thick arm length gloves. Not many people do that but if you get it in the webbing of your fingers you'll know it. It won't melt your skin or anything but it burns pretty good. I would just be careful if I were you.

If you bought them at Walmart it wouldn't surprise me if someone opened it and stole all the hitchhikers. Most of the spinning combos at my local wallyworld are missing the reel handle or just the nut that holds it on.

Socks should be worn as close to the knees as possible. Sun protection, bug deflection, you name it. Could it be related to the pond that it bled so fast? I fished a lake/pond earlier today where I saw an oil slick bubble to the surface and slowly float away. Maybe some gases in the water if it's kinda swampy?

The only time I'm glad to live in Mass is when I realize that we don't have many deadly bugs, snakes , or animals to worry about. I don't wanna get attacked by a wild animal while fishing. That would ruin the day for sure.

Buy some hitch hikers?

The plastic shop I used to work at used MEK on a daily basis to adhere two halves of spools together. You were provided with cheap particle masks if the smell bothered you. That stuff can be brutal on the lungs and skin. We had a small machine that recycled it and made it usable again. I never used it. Definitely a chemical to be careful with.