Bladesmith,

I am probably a better fisherman when I am by myself. I do not mind others in the boat on occasion but when I'm alone I am more likely to spend more time in researching new areas and trying new things. I also enjoy the solitude with no pressure to produce fish. My wife is my most likely fishing partner and sometimes the pressure to find active fish detracts from my enjoyment. Years ago when I belonged to a Bass Club, I enjoyed the camaraderie and the tournaments. Now days I'm more content with the relaxed atmosphere of solitude on the lake. For this reason, I do not fish on week ends or holidays (retirement does have some advantages in this respect). At any rate, I catch more and larger fish when I am alone with the lake (many of which wind up in one of my ponds).

I love brush hogs. I usually texas rig them with or without weight depending on conditions and how far I need to cast them. They are also effective with a carolina rig especially on a grassy bottom.

I have made my own for many years. I use a #3 Hildebrandt single bladed spinner and a dressed treble hook. I dress the hooks with squirrel tail in different colors that I get from a fly tiers supply. I have caught fish from Idaho, New Mexico, Arizona, Arkansas, and Oklahoma with them. Everything from rainbow trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, all kinds of perch, and some things I didn't even want to catch with them. You can make the hooks weedless by turning the thick end of the hair back over the hooks and flaring it out. They wear forever and are tough to beat for a light spinner. If you want something a little heavier, a lure called a "Snagless Sally" (I believe it is made by Heddon) is hard to beat.

In some states they can confiscate all equipment associated with the activity which was in defiance of the law. That includes rods and reels, tackle, boat, and tow vehicle. It is rarely done, but they can do it. I would be nice to these people and hope for the best. Most Fish & Game Rangers are pretty decent people just doing a thankless job. A fishing license is cheap insurance against a possible disaster.

I was in Wal-Mart the other day and saw a bag called "Okeechobee" something. It was only $20.00 and came with 2 larger plastic boxes inside with room for several smaller boxes and pockets for more. I fish mostly from a boat mostly and take several larger bags for all my junk but I'm going to get one of these and stock it for pond and creek fishing.

The other responses have given good advice. Yes, everybody fishes a little differently but they usually stick with the basics. All the different kinds of lures will catch fish under the right circumstances. I would recommend fishing a senko on a Carolina rig if you need the extra casting distance. I do this quite often when fishing from the bank or in deeper water. That will give you the casting distance and will get the senko to the bottom faster in deeper water. I rig it wacky style and give it action by shaking the rod tip a little in short hops rather than dragging it. I have had good success with this method.

I fish the Elm Point area mostly. There is a camping area at the ramp. Fish are hard to find sometimes but they are there. If you fish that area get a map. I printed out a google earth view for mine. Early season (now) I stick to the mud creek and blue creek channels and surrounding areas. If you want crappie the bridge on hwy 31 farthest from ramp is a great area. If an old man with a beard shows up in an aluminum boat, don't crowd me out. There is an old hwy that runs parallel to hwy 31 flooded now north of hwy between the 2 bridges that usually has 2 to 6 ft of water over it and drops off to 12 to 15 ft on the north side of hwy that usually holds bass somewhere along it. You can see the old bridge abutments so it is easy to find without electronics. There are also some bluffs nearby with flooded timber at each end that holds bass and crappie. The timber isn't visible without electronics, though. If you decide to fish there PM me for more info.

"Baiting" a spot is normally called "chumming" and I believe it is illegal in Texas.

The only time I don't throw a buzz bait is in the dead of winter, or when I'm fishing deeper water. They are good early, late, or in the middle of the day. Since I told y'all that; you can no longer fish on my lake. (Tried to put a smiley on there).

I used a belly boat when I was younger. I finally got rid of it after a water moccasin tried to climb up on it with me. Casting was no problem but the snakes were.

Semper; use a Palomar knot. It will not slip and is quick and easy to tie.

Hello. I am near Eufaula Lake in OK. You mentioned that you don't see a lot of fish on your sonar. Are you sure it is adjusted properly? You also mentioned the lake has a lot of brush; are you mistaking submerged brush for fish? On my sonar, if I go over a submerged tree limb it will give a fish "V" mark. Also, just because it was stocked does not mean that it now has a healthy population of fish. There are many things that can prevent a stocking from becoming a healthy fish population. Try to talk to others that fish that lake and see what their experience is in catching fish. Watch others when you see them fishing the lake and try to notice what baits and methods they are using (do not infringe on their fishing space, though while watching). I keep a small pair of binoculars in my boat for observing wildlife (handy for seeing what baits others are using without intruding). If you've seen someone catching fish, go over and see what kind of structure and cover they were fishing after they leave. There are many ways to learn what works on a particular lake, if the fish are there.

Here in OK I fish heavy brush a lot. You mentioned the fish pulled out your drag. When the fish are in heavy brush I tighten my drag tight. I want to be able to pull a fish out of the brush quickly before he can hang me up. If he can pull out the line against the drag he can hang you up no matter how stiff your rod is. I use 50# Power-Pro for jigging and I'm thinking of going up to 65#. Another thing to consider is you want a strong hook. I've noticed some jigs have thin hooks. Get a quality jig like Siebert's and you'll be able to pull them out of cover, no problem. Just remember you have to react quick or they will hang up for sure.

Look at that smile on that short fellow's face. He'll remember this forever. Good for you Mr. Forrest Wood.

I have 7 dogs. All rescues. All different breeds. I only wanted 1 dog as a yard dog and to warn me of night time visitors. They range from a Great Pyrenees to a dachshund. They all came to me at different times and were in need of a loving home. I cannot now envision my life without any of these dogs as they have become part of my family. Each and every one has a unique personality and each and every one offers a degree of devotion of which no human is capable. I should also mention that I also have 40 acres of mountain woodland for them to roam. If you have the opportunity to rescue a dog from being put to death in a shelter, I recommend you give serious consideration to a rescue animal. Be reasonable about it. If you live in a city apartment, you have no business with an animal that needs space (such as a Great Pyrenees, or German Shepard, or any other large breed). If you have young children, a pit bull or doberman is likely not the best choice. The shelters are full of dogs that people chose unwisely, and the dog suffers death for this irresponsible choice. Be a responsible pet owner. My .02.

THANKS A LOT! You just gave away one of my favorite tricks for pressured water and finicky fish! I have a bunch of 4" pink trout worms I bought for catching those big yellow perch on Lake Cascade in Idaho. I discovered by accident that they are killer for pressured and finicky bass here on Eufaula Lake. Haven't tried rigging them wacky, though. Thanks for the idea.

I never use a snap on anything. I have lost too many good fish when the swivel or snap came apart. A palomar knot is quick and easy to tie, works on all kinds of line, and doesn't slip or come apart under stress. I do use split rings on crank baits to allow for action and tie to the split ring.

Something no one else has mentioned; is it possible that these fish were striking short thereby not getting the lure all the way in their mouth before you set the hook. One thing that I have noticed is with the high speed reels available now days there seems to be a tendency to crank the lures too fast. You might try slowing it down a little bit and see if that helps. Ol' Grandpappy Bass didn't get to be Grandpappy Bass by chasing bait all over the lake. He got there by hiding in ambush and pouncing on his food before it could get away. A slower bait gives the fish more reaction time especially if the bait comes from an unexpected direction. Just my .02.

I'm of the older generation (66) and I don't use split rings or snap swivels on spinner baits or buzz baits. I've lost too many good bass because a snap swivel (even the expensive ones) came apart. Instead, I use a palomar knot. Easy and quick to tie and works well with all kinds of line. I tie it directly to the hook for soft plastics and jigs, to the eye or bend for spinner baits and buzz baits, and to a split ring for crank baits. I think the palomar knot is the best all around knot you can learn.

It has been years since I fished Hefner. That being said, I could usually drag up a few bass on white Colorado single bladed spinner baits on the east end. Used 1/8 oz. marabou jigs (no trailer) and caught a few small walleyes (1/2 lb. or so) on the dam end. With the droughts of the last couple years I don't know what kind of condition the lake is in. There are several guys from that area on BR that can probably give you more detailed and up to date info.

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Darned nice catfish.

Nope. Never have owed the company store. Saw that scam at an early age.

I have been using Power Pro since it came out 10 or 12 years ago. I use 30 or 50 lb on spinning and casting rigs. In all that time I've had no detectable damage from the line. I tried Spyderwire stealth and it's good line also except in colder weather. It holds water and will freeze up the rod guides. I haven't tried Power Pro Slick yet. As far as knots are concerned, a palomar knot works but if I have time I use one of the knots on the insert that comes in the box of line. I believe it's called an albright knot (I could be mistaken on that name).

My wife informs me that our grocery budget is $150 per month and she will not spend more or less.. She keeps an accounting of everything she buys. That amount includes eating out 2 or 3 times a month. We do have a small garden but don't get much out of it (more of a hobby). There are just the 2 of us old folks but we do eat well and healthy. My wife is a very frugal shopper and buys on sale and in quantity when she can bless her little old pea pickin' heart (thank you Tennessee Ernie Ford-you young guys won't get that). We have a full large pantry. I am blessed with a frugal wife, and she fishes so she doesn't give me too much trouble when the bait monkey makes an appearance (as long as I buy 2 of everything).