Fisher of Men

I must admit, I'm a fish-kisser, too. I don't kiss them all (usually the bigger ones), but I like to talk to them. I'll tell the little ones to go grow up and I'll tell the big mama's to go back to making babies (I guess I could tell the little buck bass that, too.) I don't want the bass to suffer from low self-esteem. What's more fun is to see the one's who wave goodbye with their tailfin and do a little dance for me across the water as I let them go.

I just went with mine yesterday. I agree the thrill is greater to see her or my daughter catch a nice one. I'm hoping my wife can get ahold of a lunker this spring though. That way she'd have the fever as bad as I do.

Very true, they always know. I remember a time when I was a teen and was flabbergasted by what my Mom knew. My brother (who was around 17 at the time) co-owned a beer keg. He drove a four wheel drive truck and kept the keg (inside a trash can) in the back of the truck under the tool box. I knew about it, but never said anything. I had my own secrets to keep, too. For awhile my brother would unload the keg and keep it behind the shrubs on the side of our house. I was outside one day after my brother left with another friend when the co-owner drove up and asked if my brother was here. Not knowing, I went inside to ask my Mom. When I went in and asked, she said,"Oh, does T.C. want the beer keg?" I jumped back about 10 feet in my mind. What I (and probably my brother) thought was a secret, she knew. Two years later, my mom died of cancer. Through my grandmother, dad, and some of my mom's friends I've found out that she knew alot more about us than we ever imagined. There's alot of truth to that old song, "Mama Knows". I don't know how they know, but they do. P.S. Men, if you have children, your wife possesses this ability too. So, look out!!

#10- Veinners and crackers. . . not a bad meal, but I'm into those Austin peanut butter on cheese crackers, now. Heck, I can go all day on a pack of those (if the bite's on).

chitwn- I think those are Do-si-do's, right anyone? Whatever their called, their my favorite, too. Followed by thin mints (Timmy's right, cold), then peanut butter.

For me, trailer hooks are essential. My catch rate has been way better since using very sharp trailer hooks. To add the comment regarding losing the bite with a trailer, I wouldn't install a trailer without my trailer hook. I like to use white twin tail trailers and chartreuse in stained water when the bite is slow(er).

I've really enjoyed hearing the birds in the tree outside my bedroom window as well lately. The only downside to that is some morning (later this season) I'm trying to sleep in and a loud-mouthed cardinal seems to be singing right into my window through a megaphone. I have to remind myself that they are one of God's creatures and doing what they are programmed to do. Yes, the birds are wonderful!! In the words of Jerry Clower: "Ain't God good!!"

Aaron, You're not an annoyance. You have provided some very intellingent input to this forum lots of times. Don't underestimate yourself. Glad to have gotten to know you better! -Stacy

Name: Stacy Occupation: Middle School Science teacher/Bi-vocational music minister (Alvord, Texas) Home: Decatur, Texas (about 30 minutes North of Ft. Worth, 30 minutes West of Denton) Family info: One wife, one 8 year old daughter, one Labrador retreiver, one one-eyed cat.

The concept of algae growth relates to the basic food chain of fish (energy flow shown): algae-->phytoplankton-->minnows/shad-->gamefish (or web variations of this) However, Christmas trees do provide cover for both the bass and the baitfish. If placed strategically where no other source of cover is available, sometimes it can be quite effective. I think what made my trees effective was that it was the only cover available at that particular depth.

Al, It sounds like the combo you bought will work pretty well. I have a couple of reels from BPS (mixed in with Shimano's and Garcia). They're not the very best, but they are pretty smooth and reliable. The thing that I've learned over the past few years is this. If you're going to fish two or three times a week, the investment for higher $$$ tackle is worth it. However, for weekend anglers, like me, I do think the lower to moderate end stuff is sufficient to catch quality fish. It just doesn't last as long. Now, if I ever start fishing more, I'll definitely have to upgrade my stuff. "Yes baitmonkey, Yes baitmonkey" ;D

Agreed that spinners work really well (varying retrieve speed and fan casting as stated), I'm going to try fishing some jerk baits off of some creek embankments near mainlake to try and coax some suspenders. I've read up on quite a few of everyone's posts and can't wait to take your advice with the jerk baits. You might try (if it's more your style) swimming jigs or worms (very slowly) especially if there's any wooded cover. The weather here is in the 70's all week with a moderately strong south wind (as usual, that's another reason spinners are good late winter/early spring baits; you can fish them faster). I'm hoping to get out this Saturday for the first time in awhile and try my luck. The downer is that a cold front is supposed to move in Friday night and bring storms on Saturday. I'm crossing my fingers that it holds off about 24 hours.

BB- I've never put any brush down specifically for bass, but several years ago, I put four or five around our boat house (don't live there anymore, darn it) by tying cinder blocks to both ends of the trunk. I put these down in January and did have crappie on them in the spring (my wife and I pulled the biggest crappie we've ever caught off of them). The only other thing I did there was sink an old five gallon bucket (with holes drilled around the bottom) filled with old cat and dog food nearby. Not that I'm a wildlife biologist, but I would assume that natural habitat would attract some bass in a matter of two months or so. Now those PVC artificial things they make now might take awhile for algae to grow on them. Just my .02. -Fisher

Be nice, guys. Seriously, I'm kind of stoked about it starting three weeks early. It will give me some 15 hours of extra "after work" pre-spawn bass fishing.

I'm with you SRV fans. "Little Wing" and "Voodoo Chile" were far better by SRV than by Jimi. I just think fundamentally Stevie Ray was a better guitarist. These two tracks are cleaner and crisper than Jimi's. I still like Hendrix, but for the enjoyment of listening, I'll take Stevie Ray anyday. As far as nailing down a favorite, there's too many for me to think about. I'd probably be able to come up with a least favorite much easier.

AMEN to that!!

Agreed I don't think they would hold up for anything bigger than a 2 or 3 pounder, but they are good numbers baits. I've always wished they'd make one about 4 inches or so with heavy gauge hooks and wire. Another couple of good numbers baits (but for smaller fish) would be Little George's and H & H spinners. They are all cheap and good fish-catchers.

Craig, I couldn't find a copy of the old Angler Ed. handbook, but here's a link to an Acrobat document from Texas Parks and Wildlife. I think this may be the new course handbook: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/angler_education/learnfish_howto.phtml Click on "Fishing Texas" link at the top and the document should load. If you go back from that page and search around, there's other great references as well (including information on fish species). Thanks -Fisher Again, PM me if you need anything else. I also have copies of the pre-test and post test for the course.

Great idea, Avid! Craig, Texas used to have an angler ed. course and we actually had a textbook. The course was designed for youth, but could apply to adult non-fishermen as well. I used to teach it to high school Vo-ag students as part of a Wildlife Management class. For part of the class, I took them outside and had a casting contest into a target I painted on the grass. We also took a fishing field trip (from the bank) at the end of the course. I'll see if I have some of the old materials and would be happy to send you some if you wish. I don't think the state sends out handbooks anymore, but I may have a lead on another book. I'll check on what I have. PM me if you're interested. -Fisher

Congrats Nick, Just try to keep things in perspective. You have three more years of high school to enjoy. Keep working hard, but don't let it overwhelm you. God bless, Fisher <><

Congratulations Bass king!! Here's some advice as you go through life. It's from that black book called the Bible: But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 You can take it or leave it, but it's always worked for me. God bless, Fisher <><

Dance, You mentioned "housewares, etc." in your post. If you look at what target is doing, WM might be trying to follow their lead. It's like Target is trying to appeal to the "upper" middle-class market with designer items everywhere (prices a little higher as well). I saw that same Suspending Rogue as well, but it was in some funky color scheme that I didn't think would work. The temps here are supposed to be in the 70's this week. I'm looking forward to using some of my new tackle this weekend.

Hey Triton, Our's still has them for $1 each. I did, however snag my Minn Kota time, temp, and water temp. gauge for 7 bucks. It was regular $20, and I figured I couldn't wait them out anymore. I also picked up some Tiki lizards for $1 a pack and some split shot weights for 25 cents. I hate to hear that about the gun business at Wal-mart. But,then again, if the Sporting Goods departments at WM go out it should open the door for the Mom/Pop dealers again. The downside of that is that we suffer with higher prices locally. I wonder if the slow demise of WM's sporting goods departments has anything to do with all the Cabela's, Academy's, BPS's, and Gander Mountains showing up everywhere?

Thanks, Glenn. You must have already got it fixed because it's pretty fast this morning (at work, and at work it's usually slow). As always, we appreciate you very much for offering this site at a VERY low cost!! (free). THANKS AGAIN!! -Fisher <><

Like everyone else said, probably not. It's all right here in front of us anyway. If we want to keep it we just hit "print". "Sell to ESPN." NEVER. They'd just kill it like they've done to Bass Saturday.