Bladesmith,

That is odd. I have a Rapala digital scale that does the same thing. I've been thinking maybe I'm using the wrong batteries.

I never said anything about being to old to fish, Kick Master. Since Smalljaw explained it, we've been doing that for years. I just thought that was called flippin', too. The younger generation keeps coming up with new terms to describe stuff we have been doing for years. Remember; there is very little under the sun that someone hasn't thought of before.

I don't know about pitchin' but I've used a spinning rig lots of times for flippin'. I just strip off however much line I'm going to use then close the bail. I still haven't figured out what is meant by pitchin'. I'm old, go figure.

I always have a dedicated worm rod in the boat, always. Best follow up to a missed strike that I know of. I'll change colors according to conditions but it is usually a 6" black grape curly tail. I believe it was Tom Mann that said "Any size or color of worm will catch bass as long as it is 6 inches and purple". Folks, he knew what he was talking about..

Google "Bait Ben". I've had one for 9 or 10 years and it is still in good shape. Still using the original pump. Not much battery drain and keeps my fish healthy. Have transported fish to stock my ponds as well as use for live well.

First; what Catt said. Second; life can throw many surprises at a person and things do not always happen as we expect. All that being said.... that still does not negate an obligation already assumed. No matter what happens the obligation remains until fulfilled. Kudos for the man that fulfilled his obligations, and kudos to you for your patience and understanding. I have been a member here for 8 or 9 years maybe 10 I don't know. I remember names that I don't see anymore on posts. I have observed kindness and a willingness to help and share info from this forum that is rare in today's world. There are some fine people here that make me proud to be a part of this forum. Kudos to Glenn and the Mods for keeping it that way. Just my .02.

I built a rod rack in my boat last summer. Used 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe. Inexpensive and functional.

Good lookin' healthy fish. Congrats!

Wacky works. I have literally had people on the bank laugh at me when they saw me throwing it because it looks so ridiculous.......that is until they saw me catching fish with it. Then they wanted to know what it was and how I caught fish on it.

More than I will admit to but way less than my wife thinks.

I have a pair of "Muck" boots that I got at the local feed store. They are tough enough to go through the weeds and briars that we have here in Okieland.

I have seen patterns that persisted most all summer and some that did not last through the day. There is no way I know to tell how long a pattern will last, although changing weather and water conditions will usually alter a pattern.

I fish mostly ponds locally this year and Lake Eufaula (Elm Creek area) fairly often. Pond bite has been good (all full and some flooding) on smaller single blade spinner baits, square bill crank baits. Eufaula has been spotty, water higher than usual and muddy with brush flooded. Larger spinnerbaits with single blade in black or black and yellow. Fire tiger and yellow sided medium running Bomber model "A"s are what I've been using mostly. Black jigs with craw trailers in gravel or rocky areas. I'll use soft plastics pretty soon as the water clears. I sure haven't damaged the fish population in the lake this year (I release or transfer to my own pond what I catch) but I have caught a few nice bass from lake. I think I'll branch out and spend some time in other areas this year as time allows. Really want to go down to Sardis this summer....we'll see.

HardCoreBassin made a good point. I have a Silver Max that I have used pretty hard for 2 seasons and it has given good service. It is a pretty good reel for the money.

I own 3 ponds. 2 small (approx 30 ft dia.) 1 larger about 1/2 acre. All 3 hold fish although the smaller ones have only perch and catfish. Larger one has a good population of bass, catfish, and perch of several varieties. Water is oxygenated by rain and wind. You are way north of me so I'm not sure what conditions you will have to contend with. Small fish eat mosquito larva.

Generally speaking; I'll go with a watermelon type color or green pumpkin plastics for green water or a yellow or black and yellow skirted spinnerbait, crankbaits will be natural or yellow sides. For brown water I'll use the chartreuse spinnerbaits, fire tiger crankbaits, and black soft plastics. Don't see much red water. This may not be the correct colors to use but the bass don't seem to mind. That is just me. I'm sure others do it differently and catch fish also. I think color is less of an issue than most folks make it out to be.

Too many water moccasins in the waters I fish.

I don't drag the weight with a C rig, I hop it. If I feel any resistance when I pick the weight up, I set the hook. Yup, I've set hooks on stumps, rocks, and other stuff including bass. I rarely feel a pick up with a C rig, just the resistance when I go to move the bait. It is a very effective method to keep the bait above submerged grass. I also have had good success C rigging a wacky rigged Senko on a weedless hook. Keep trying. It will pay off.

My first Ford was a 1967 Shelby GT 350 (wish I still had it). My wife currently drives a F 100. I drive a F 150 4WD, and use a F 350 for work around the ranch. Good going Ford!

A word of caution while fishing around bridge pilings; be aware that people often throw things like pop or beer bottles out of their vehicles as they cross the bridges. I once was narrowly missed by a flying beer bottle that broke on my casting deck and made a mess. I now use care when fishing around bridges.

I would be less concerned with the wheelbase than with the suspension. After all 18 wheelers have short wheel base tractors and do all right. If your suspension is not heavy enough the trailer will whip you all over the road. Make sure the tongue weight does not squat the vehicle too much in the back. My old CJ 5 would not have been adequate to pull such a boat.

I believe that if my temp gauge said above 210 degrees I would be concerned.

Some days I get really good at not catching fish. I can go to a spot where I tore them up a couple days ago and not catch fish. Under these conditions I can not catch fish on spinner baits, crank baits, soft plastics, jigs, or anything else. Although it is thankfully rare there are days when I just can't seem to buy a bite. It isn't all bad though. It tells me the fish have moved or I am doing something wrong for that day, time, and body of water......Then it becomes a challenge. To me that is what it is all about. Where is the fun or sense of accomplishment when all you have to do is throw a lure in the water to catch fish? That is why it is called "fishing" instead of "catching". Just my .02.

As I mentioned earlier this year has been anything but normal. A 10 degree change in water temp in one week is definitely not what I would consider normal. I am not familiar with Dobbs road but it is a big lake. I mostly confine myself to the Elm Creek area as it is the closest ramp to me and the area with which I am most familiar. Any area of this lake will hold good numbers of bass it is just a matter of finding them at any given time. I haven't fished a tournament since the 80's but I was fairly active then so I am aware of the time constraints you have to deal with. Sometimes it takes a while to determine a workable pattern and that is why this lake is such a challenge to tournament fishermen. If you can pre-fish I would try points and bends near feeder creeks. Anyway, good luck.

I don't know the names of the crank bait patterns since I've had them for years but they were both shad colored, silvery grey sides with green backs and a red or orange slash on belly. The water was relatively clear in the area I was fishing (put in at Elm Creek) but it could have some color now due to recent rains. Jigs; I usually use brown w/orange slash and brown or pumpkin craw type trailer. Spinner bait; black and yellow skirt w/ larger colo or indiana single blade. Soft plastics; I like the brush hogs or 6 inch worms in some kind of green watermelon or pumpkin color (senko types same color). In muddy water I will go to brighter colors like fire tiger patterns and chartreuse skirts on spinner baits. I am not saying these are the best colors to use at all times on this lake just what seems to work for me. Good luck on your tournaments fellows.