Mudwalker

Sounds like my normal outing at Ni. I only fish there if I have to.

Check out this site: http://www.flow-rite.com/marine/livewell-builder It can answer most, if not all your questions. I would not use water from my bilge to fill my livewells. You want to have fresh water coming from outside the boat.

I would have to pass on going Pro. I am one of those that believes it would be too much like work. I fish for the relaxation. If I catch fish, great. If I don't catch fish, great. Just being on the water is what I enjoy. Catching fish is a bonus for me. Going out an having to catch fish would add a level of stress that I do not want. I fish local tournaments for fun and only when I want to. Now if I could get a gig with sponsors that would allow me to fish when and where I wanted...

I have fished a couple club tournaments at Ni and it is my least favorite place to fish. From the results of the tournament I would recommend going to the laft arm as you leave the ramp to find the fish this time of the year. That's where most of the fish weighed in came from. Most were caught on soft plastics. Chatter baits were also productive.

Although I do not post often, I find that BR is the best place to find information that is useful. Other forums I have been to have too much B.S. to filter through to get to the information I am looking for. I even went as far to print out several of the articles from the site and I read them over to keep the info fresh in my mind, plus it makes the train ride each day go by faster. This site also has the best atmosphere among its members. On other sites I have found that if you are not part of the "grou" and post a question or response you get slammed or dismissed.

I carry a Y harness similar the ones used for pulling an inflatable tube and a 40' rope. I connect the Y harness to my transom and the end of the rope to the towed boats bow eye. Works like a charm plus I have the rig is I need a tow.

Minn Kota

I never fully pack it in. I just take small breaks when the water ices over.

The only thing I would have done differently would have been to report him sooner. Good job in doing the right thing!!

I fished Hunting Run on the 11th expecting it to be heavily stained and a slow bite. The water ended up being clear and the bite was good. We caught over 25 fish. Most of them were 1/1 lb at around 10inches. Brought a a few over 12inches in the 1.5 - 2 lb range. All-in-all a great day compared to the last few outings!!

In addition to many already posted: A co-angler who constantly gives reports of what they see on the finder. "There's a fish!" "Oh look, a whole mess of something down there!" or even, "We need to move cause there's no fish on the finder.".

I have read several posts and articles saying to leave the hook in with enough line to cause drag, but I was never comfortable leaving the hook in. i usually run into a hooked gullet when I am working with a Jr. Angler group I am involved in. I bought a set of long neck wire dikes and cut the eye from the hook then use long needle nose to work the kook all the way through. Kinda like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood do when they are shot with an arrow. Obviously i skip the gun powder to coterized the wound part.

Good info Micro. I made the run up river, abot 3/4 of the way first thing and that is where we caught the two fish. We went into Shipyard creek and Morris creek. The finder was fill of fish but nothing was biting by that time. I will definitely head back there this season when the weather isn't so rough.

I used a small oiler can (thumb pump) and it sped the process up some. I also read a post somewhere to use a high temperature gasket sealant on the threads of the plugs to keep them from leaking or coming loose. Been a year and no leaks or problems so I guess it was right.

We were in a boat.

We fished the Chick on Saturday as planned even though the weather was not looking too good. We hit the water around 7 am and caught two fish within the first 30 minutes then nothing. The tide was outgoing and true to Sam's info, the bite dropped at slack tide. It never picked up with the incoming tide but the wind sure did! All in all, everyone had a great time and were happy with the two that were caught. Thanks for the info!

I have one of those little metal stick on EGAs between the Mercury and 200 on the back of my motor. It looks good matching the Merc symbol on the boat. The problem is, it looks too natural to be there and I have even had to point it out to other Marines. Trained observers huh? That's funny. What ever happened to "Attention to detail"!

I frequently volunterr to be a boat captain for Jr angler tournaments and it has been nothing but an awesome experience. I would recommend anyone with a boat volunteer at least once. I have been doing it for over two years now and plan on doing it until mt daughter puts me in an old folks home.

I have a Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor that covers most of the windshield. I also have a B.A.S.S. sticker and that's it.

I joined a club with the BASS Federation Nation of Virginia this year. It is best if you go to the site and find your region or a region you want to fish in. Most of the clubs have a web site listing their home waters and contact info. Our club has boaters and non-boaters who we pair up but it is common for people to fish alone. One or two of the members are fishing to move up in bigger tournaments but most of us just do it for the fishing. http://www.vafederationnation.com/

X2

My wife is the one who has to hide her tackle from me!

I fish with my wife all the time. We are members in 2 bass clubs (1 is all electric). I have no problem fishing with women. I help out a local youth fishing club and the girls in there are great anglers.

It is very similar here in Virginia. I use the same baits in the river here for smallies as I do for LM in the lakes. The only difference is the colors and I use a kayak for smallies since the river is too shallow for the bass boat. It may be different in other place though.

No offense here. I have learned that there are many ways to do things and no particular way is 100% correct. Except for which end of the pole you should put the reel on of course!