Bladesmith,

If you'll give us Okies an idea which part of the state you will be in we'll be able to be more helpful. There is good fishing water all over the state. If we know where you are at, we'll be able to tell you what is close to you.

Fishing in the wind gives you problems with boat control but if you can manage enough control to fish in it I have had some of my best days on the lake I fish (Eufaula in Oklahoma) when the wind is blowing currents against a rocky bank or across a shallow bar or point. The current blows bait fish up against the bank or bar and the waves injure some of them. Sometimes the bass will stack up on these banks and bars picking off the injured bait fish. The waves and current will also wash craw fish and other stuff out of the rocks and other cover making them easy prey for a cruising bass. Wind is a pain but can also facilitate a good days catch.

I've been a member of this forum for 7 or 8 years. I read a lot but don't post that much. One of the reasons I'm still a member is that I have never seen anyone be intentionally disrespectful on this forum. Everyone tries to be helpful to anyone with a question and is welcoming to new members or beginner fishermen. As far as the term "newbie" is concerned, I have mostly seen it used by people referring to themselves. To Glen and Mods; you continue to have an informative, mannerly, and well considered forum. Thank you for your hard work.

I have used a 1/16 oz maribou jig under a float for crappie for years. The only trick is to figure what depth to set the float. Once you find the right depth you're in business. The action of the float on the water will give the jig all the action it needs. This probably wouldn't work well in real choppy water. I've caught some nice bass this way, too while crappie fishing. I've found it works well, at times, for bass in highly pressured water.

A floating Rapala minnow also makes a good topwater bait. I've used them for years in ponds and smaller lakes.

Traditionally, I have used a jig for flipping in heavy cover and in deeper water (10 feet +) and a t-rig in shallower weeds and lay down timber. Last summer I tried flipping a wacky senko on a weedless hook in the same heavy cover. I no longer use a jig for flipping unless I need the weight. As far as bigger fish? I think that depends on where the bigger fish are at the time.

When I started fishing for bass I had 1 rod; a zebco 606, combo I bought at Wal Mart for less than $10.00. There was only 1 kind of line; mono-filament. A spinner bait was a "Snagless Sally or a "Hawaiian Wiggler". A topwater was a Zara Spook or Hula popper. I caught bass. The only plastic bait available was a worm with a propeller on front and 3 hooks buried in it. Was it the ideal set up? No,but I caught bass. That was more than 50 years ago. Since then bass fishin' has become such a specialized sport that it discourages a beginner because of all the expense. All this specialized and expensive equipment is handy and it makes the job easier but it is not necessary. Yup. Over the years I've collected more gear than an honest man has any business with (the Bait Monkey is a persistent little cuss), but it took years to collect it. There are some good recommendations on this thread. Pick out what applies to you and your budget and go for it. Remember one thing; All the best equipment in the world isn't going to catch you any fish. There is no substitute for time on the water and you can do that with a hand line if you have too. The moral to this is get your hook wet. Knowledge is the key to a successful bass fisherman and that knowledge is gained by experience (yours or someone else's that is willing to share it with you). The equipment is nice but it is after all, only an accessory.

I switched from Spyderline to Power Pro when I was in Idaho for the same reason. Water would glob up and freeze on the Spyderline but not on the Power Pro. Spyderline did OK in the warmer temps but when freezing the water would form drops on the line and freeze up my rod guides and spool. The Power Pro doesn't hold the water so it didn't give me the problems. That was my experience, anyway. I fished in sub freezing temps all winter with no problems using Power Pro. And no, I do not sell Power Pro or any other fishin' gear. It's just a product that has and continues to give me good service. When I find something better, I'll use it.

I have a "Bait Ben" I've used hard for 6 years. It cost me less than the parts to build one. http://www.baitben.com/releasewells.html Note to admin; If this is in violation of the rules, please delete. It is simply a product I have bought and used with success.

I have a small pond on my place which I have stocked with 4 bass. Pond is about 30 feet in diameter with big shiners, crawfish, and perch as forage. These bass have been in this pond for 4 years. I can go out (it's in the front yard) at any time and drag a lure. These fish certainly become accustomed to what not to bite. I am careful not to give them too much pressure (they are my lure testers). They will hit almost anything the first time they see it. After being caught on it, I might as well throw it away. They will not hit the same lure a second time even the following year. This is strange because I have caught the same bass on the same lure on the same day on Eufaula Lake. Go figure. Maybe environment has something to do with it.

What Cobass said, Get yourself a couple casting bubbles ( any small float will work-it's just to provide enough weight to cast). Use a stonefly imitation or #14 nymph (gold ribbed hares ear, etc.). These are what I used in Az, and NM streams and they worked well year round.

50 Pinnacle rod and reel combos. Those kids will have some quality equipment! Great job Pinnacle!

Teaching someone to fish is going to depend a lot on the capabilities of the individual you're trying to teach. I usually start with artificials that are relatively easy to fish. Spinnerbaits in grass or brush and crankbaits in fairly open water. With these lures he can catch a few fish before he has to deal with distinguishing between a bite and a stump as with soft plastics. I never use live bait.

I'm surprised no one mentioned a chrome spoon. You can vary the depth, let it flutter down imitating a wounded shad, or fish it various ways. It has worked for me on occasion.

I live near Lake Eufaula. Fishing is slow here right now but you can still catch a few with soft plastics and crankbaits around rocky points and feeder creeks. Buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwaters are fairly good in feeder creeks early and late. Mid day I look for 8 to 12 ft. of water with structure and cover. Good luck if you get a chance to fish here.

I've been fishing with baitcaters for more than 30 years and I still get an ocasional backlash, mainly when I'm not paying attention. General rule of thumb; if you are casting into the wind, tighten up your drag, make your casts with a lower arc, if you are casting with the wind you can loosen it off. It is better to make shorter casts with no backlash than to make longer casts and spend your time clearing backlashes. With experience you'll learn to follow your lure during the cast and slow it with your thumb just before it hits the water (this also helps prevent splash). Just my .02.

It's been years since I fished Dardenelle but it was one of the best bass lakes I ever fished. I fished it 3 or 4 times a week for the 4 years I lived in Clarksville. In July if it is hot weather (and it probably will be) fish the feeder creek mouths up into the creeks. If fishing the lower end of lake, pay attention to the brush lining deep banks along the north side as well as creeks. If fishing mid-lake, Piney creek was productive (as well as Piney Bay). Also don't neglect Spadra Creek at and above Marina. If fishing upper end of lake, Horsehead Creek mouth and river channel edges are a good bet. Good Luck!

Ever hear of a Johnson Silver Minnow? It's an old lure that has been around for years, but they still sell them. It is a weedless spoon that I fish with a pork frog as trailer. Killer in pads and heavy grass.

Congrats! Takes a long time to get to this point in life but it's a new beginning. Now, your time is truly....your time! Enjoy, you've earned it.

While I probably wouldn't purchase a jig in this color, if I had it I would use it. It looks like a clear water bait to me. As far as a longer trailer, I prefer them. I haven't had that much luck with the pork frog types but the 4 inch Uncle Josh Bass Strip or a plastic worm have been productive for me. I also prefer the old style hair jig over the rubber skirted ones. Just my .02.

Thank you, Bilgerat. You are exactly right. Worked easy. I was about ready to open it with a cold chisel, it's much easier this way (does less damage to the reel, too).

I recently got 2 used Silver Max reels at an auction. They need to be cleaned and lubed. I can't figure out how to get the thing apart. I removed all the visible screws, handle and drag star, but the side plate holding the gears is still firmly attached. It appears to be attached around the flipping switch but there is no visible way it can be attached. I have owned and cleaned my own Ambassadeur reels for years and never had a problem like this. Haven't been able to find schematic on internet so any help is appreciated. Thank You

Fishing is a hobby? Really?

Have recently retired will start fishing Lake Eufaula soon. Looking for recent info on lake. Would like info on color patterns, structure types where you found fish. Not asking for your favorite fishin' hole, just general info so that I may make the best use of my time on the water. I live a few miles from Elm Point Rec area, so will probably fish that area mostly. Thank you in advance for any info you'd care to share.

Paranoia is defined as " unreasonable " fear. If people really are out to get you, it's not " unreasonable ". Besides that, you only have to be right one time to justify a lifetime of paranoia.