justfishin

Let me make this clear first, so I do not ruffle any feathers. If you fish for bedding bass, that is your choice and if it is legal in your area then have at it. It does not make you a bad person. Everyone has a choice. That being said, I have been pounding the DNR to get off their butts and have each bass holding waters to have off limit areas for at least two weeks during the spawn. I want these places posted on a website and any local paper for that area. I have been a advocate of this practice for a long time. Now, I will also say, I used to fish for bedding bass many years ago and it was a blast and I had caught some monsters while doing this so, I am as guilty as the next guy. Before you write and tell me how big a idiot I am I do know one thing for sure. Take a bass off the bed and the bluegills and perch will eat every egg they can, period. If I was in a tourney for 100 grand and were it legal to do so, would I fish for bedding bass?, you bet I would. On a strictly going with a buddy day would I fish for bedders?, NO. It is tempting, I admit but, I would suggest that we as fisherman should set a example for the next generation in order to make it a common practice not to fish bedders. JMHO. I did not write this to judge anyone, I just wanted to make a suggestion in a friendly manner.

New world record dog. Hercules was recently awarded the honorable distinction of Worlds Biggest Dog by Guinness World Records. Hercules is an English-Mastiff and has a 38 inch neck and weighs 282 pounds. With "paws the size of softballs" (reports the Boston Herald), the three-year-old monster is far larger and heavier than his breed's standard 200lb. limit. Hercules owner Mr. Flynn says that Hercules weight is natural and not induced by a bizarre diet: "I fed him normal food and he just grew".... and grew... and grew... and grew.

Happy b day. If you have never been fishing in a boat, wear a life jacket. I think you will teach yourself a lot on that day by trial and error. Thats how I learned years ago when I started. I fished by myself in a old 12 ft flat bottom boat I carried on a luggage rack on top of my old Oldsmobile ( I was sixteen ) and would stick a Sears Seahorse 31/2 hp motor in the trunk. It was a old air cooled motor and everyone said when I came up the river it sounded like I was doing around 50mph but, seems I was hardly moving, lol.That was in the early seventies and I still learn something new every time I go out.

I think the areas RW spoke of look good as well. I would really look on your depth finder for the band size to interpret if there is any hard bottom though. Also, use a tube and a 1/4oz jig head to get a feel of the bottom. Look for emerging grass, chunk rock or a gravel bottom. This time of year, deep water next to shallow flats is the place to look. If it is around 52 or so I would think they would be hanging in the general area of a deep area near a gravel flat. Also, in clear water the smallies might be spawning in up to 12-18 feet of water. Back off and work your way in. I have seen smallie beds in the gin clear lake near me in almost 20ft or water. If it is that clear be sure to use #6 or #8 test. You will get more bites. I think a tube, Senko, jerk bait or grubs would be your best shot. Don't be afraid to use a Zoom Centipede with a 1/4oz Mojo weight about 18 inches up the line either. JMO Good luck.

Who do you guys think makes BPS Excel line? I used to use it all the time especially on my clients rods. It was a little stretchy but, it allowed a lot of leeway on greenhorns fighting big smallies. Some years its the best line you can ask for but, the last two years or so has been terrible. Especially the #6 test. I figured every few years a bid comes up to make this line for BPS. It has seemed very Stren to me this last year or so. By that I mean, its very strong but, kinky. What say you?

I made RW's chili last weekend and it was really great. I love to cook and experiment with different foods. I would like some of Muddy's Italian cooking idea's as well as anyones idea's on some good food. Bring them on and don't forget its BBQ season so some of those idea's would be great as well.

Hey guys, like I said, I am real new to this fly fishing but, have learned to really enjoy it. Any suggestions on line for bass? I am using a Mastery GPX WF line at present. Is this OK for the setup I have? I am using a TiCr Lefty Kreh fast action rod in a 7wt and a Battonkill LA reel. Give me a heads up on line, tippets and lengths of tippets if you could be so kind. I am still looking into DT, WF and yada, yada. I am a little confused on what I should be using. I am typically making fairly long cast. Thanks.

One of my favorite ways to fish is flipping pads. On the Lower Potomac in the creeks like Mattawoman it can be a gold mine of good fish. Some of these pad fields are huge and it used to be intimidating. I started going early in the year before the pads came up and looked for deeper areas such as creek channels and ditches. I posted these places in my head. Later in the hot summer you can get back into these places, sometimes I have to pole in. Example: One field is a average 2-3 ft deep but, right through the center is a old creek channel about 5-8 ft deep. I follow this channel when the tide is low and flip big black or green pumpkin tubes or a Zoom Ultra Vibe in Junebug on a 4/0 Gammy G-Lock hook and a 1/4oz pegged bullet sinker. I use a All Star 7' H, Abu Garcia 5601 C3 and #25 test Trilene XT. You cannot give these fish a inch. They will surge on you and it is over. Its great fun and I have caught some very virgin fish doing this as I don't see many guys that far back in the pads. The occasional Gar or Big Buffalo is interesting as well. Good luck.

> RE: Swearing at Work <RE: Swearing at Work> > > > > It has been brought to management's attention that some individuals > > throughout the company have been using foul language during the course > > > of normal conversation with their co-workers. > > > > Due to complaints received from some employees who may be easily > > offended, this type of language will no longer be tolerated. > > > > We do, however, realize the critical importance of being able to > > accurately express your feelings when communicating with co-workers. > > > > Therefore, a list of 18 New and Innovative "TRY SAYING" phrases have > > been provided so that proper exchange of ideas and information can > > continue in an effective manner. > > > > 1) TRY SAYING: I think you could use more training. > > INSTEAD OF: You don't know what the f___ you're doing. > > > > 2) TRY SAYING: She's an aggressive go-getter. > > INSTEAD OF: She's a f___ing bit__. > > > > 3) TRY SAYING: Perhaps I can work late. > > INSTEAD OF: And when the f___ do you expect me to do this? > > > > 4) TRY SAYING: I'm certain that isn't feasible. > > INSTEAD OF: No f___ing way. > > > > 5) TRY SAYING: Really? > > INSTEAD OF: You'v e got to be sh___ing me! > > > > 6) TRY SAYING: Perhaps you should check with... > > INSTEAD OF: Tell someone who gives a sh__. > > > > 7) TRY SAYING: I wasn't involved in the project. > > INSTEAD OF: It's not my f___ing problem. > > > > 8) TRY SAYING: That's interesting. > > INSTEAD OF: What the f___? > > > > 9) TRY SAYING: I'm not sure this can be implemented. > > INSTEAD OF: This sh__ won't work. > > > > 10) TRY SAYING: I'll try to schedule that. > > INSTEAD OF: Why the f___ didn't you tell me sooner? > > > > 11) TRY SAYING: He's not familiar with the issues. > > INSTEAD OF: He's got his head up his a__. > > > > 12) TRY SAYING: Excuse me, sir? > > INSTEAD OF: Eat sh__ and die. > > > > 13) TRY SAYING: So you weren't happy with it? > > INSTEAD OF: Kiss my a __. > > > > 14) TRY SAYING: I'm a bit overloaded at the moment. > > INSTEAD OF: F__ it, I'm on salary. > > > > 15) TRY SAYING: I don't think you understand. > > INSTEAD OF: Shove it up your a__. > > > > 16) TRY SAYING: I love a challenge. > > INSTEAD OF: This f___ing job sucks. > > > > 17) TRY SAYING: You want me to take care of that? > > INSTEAD OF: Who the f___ died and made you boss? > > > > 18) T RY SAYING: He's somewhat insensitive. > > INSTEAD OF: He's a pr_ck. > > >

One of my best prespawn baits is a 3/4oz single bladed Indiana style. I like to throw it just above the drop offs, let it helicoper down in 2-4 feet of water. I like to let it set a second or so then rip it up off the bottom and slow roll it down over the drop and back to the boat. Its been a good trigger for the bass on the edges. Simply, it has worked a lot for me. I get my spinnerbait body's and blades from Stamina. My best color has been a gold blade with a blue glimmer skirt. Kind of a darker blue on top of the skirt that fades to white. It also has blue flecks in the strands. Its not only a good prespawn bait but, a good summer bait as well for the outside edges of the deeper grass, say around 6-8 feet.

Avid, We are not a star orientated culture. Some are but, I am not in that group. Most of us have nothing in common with their problems, health maybe, but, the other stuff as in acting stupid on TV, using their high profile to get involved in things they no nothing about, along with all the problems of excess. Their drug habits, 0 money problems, alcohol problems, power struggles have nothing to do with the everyday Joe and Jane. They live in a very unique world that we have nothing in common with. IMO I think most of them are very irresponsible with their acquired fame. Some are great but, most have a chance to be role models and do some good and chose not to. I have no respect for that kind of thing. Its selfish and irresponsible.

3/4oz Blue Glimmer with Gold Indiana Blades.

Just a opinion here. I think a 6'6" MH is a good all around rod. You can pitch, flip, worm and crankbait with it. I feel it would be your best " fish all " rod.

I started last year with a fly rod and smallies. Ronnie gave me some advice when I wrote about it in here. He has been doing this a long time and knows his stuff. I bought a Lefty Kreh TiCr rod in a fast action in 7wt and paired it with a Battonkill LA. I love it. A smallie on a fly rod is fun. This year as it warms I am going after that early morning topwater bite and looking for a #6 green bass. For beginners ( like me ) I saw two rods that would be a good start. First, Gander Mountain has a set up for 199.00 that looked pretty good for a beginner until you see if you like it, and I think that 270 combo in BPS looks pretty good. Also, on page 24 in the 2007 Fly-Fishing Catalog there is a nice Lefty Kreh TiCr combo for 339 bucks. I like the combo with the SLA reel. I started with a moderate action rod and did not like it. I caught a 4-12 smallie on my fly rod last year and lets just say you could have nick named me Woody that day, I like the fast action, at least for my style, if you could call it a style,lol.

Very nice gesture Muddy, with that little Muddy " kick it up a notch !!! ". ;D

Sometimes me and bass fishing is a contradiction Avid, LOL. ;D

Hey Avid, thats WAY too much information. ;D ;D ;D After looking around on the net I think it is a Northern Water Snake but, who knows.

I think we put way too much emphasis on what movie stars do, thats what I think.

I was getting a little nervous for a minute and thought this would turn into a ranting on the problems of ethnicity and a venue to scream about personal problems. I agree that one of our strengths is our diversity. Different foods, different ideas, etc. can be a plus. I think to sum things up, at least for me, the bottom line is to use our diversity as a strength but, to remember the bottom line, we are Americans, period. Our heart and souls, no matter where you are from needs to be 100% American. There is no such thing as Utopia, at least not on earth, but we have a good thing here if everyone gets the bottom line. I would really like to see this country enforce this idea and take a stand, period. I think it would solve a world of problems we are having. Thanks Glenn and Mods for letting this post ride awhile and thanks guys for keeping it interesting and civil.

Subject: Theodore Roosevelt 1907 The year is 1907.....but the speaker knew what he was talking about. Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907. "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also , isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1907 Every American citizen needs to read this! I thought about the political aspect of this post and if the mods want they can delete it with no problem or hard feelings. I posted it because I thought it was more of a post on the definition of American. I always thought Teddy R. was one of our best presidents. Glenn, if it you think it has a political flavor, I apologize, I just was not sure how far it delved into being politics or even if it did.----Jim

Unlimited my friend. I posted a link for you. Can't beat it. Check it out or you could try People PC but, I think Toast will serve your needs just fine.

I agree on the killing of snakes except for one instance. Around my house ( I live in the mountains ) I have a lot of snakes. I will not kill a non poisonous snake like a black snake, garter, eastern ring neck, corn snake etc, etc but, if I see a copperhead or a rattlesnake in the yard they are bye, bye. I have been bitten twice in my life, both times by Copperheads and its not a pleasant experience.

Crazy---Patsy Cline.

I read about Cobra X- Tex when it first came out and rushed to get some. That was probably the worst line I have ever tried. It was total junk. I actually respooled my flippin reel with XT in the boat one morning because it was so bad. Easy RW,lol. ;D

I am not much on colors although, I do have my idiosyncrasies like everyone else on using some colors. I think natural colors are best for worms and such but, I thing the main thing to look for, is mainly, either a darker or lighter hue. Prespawn is typically a reaction bite time. The fish that have been wintering are looking for a meal while traveling their migration routes up lake to their spawning grounds using the creek channels, points and contours and a reaction bait like a spinnerbait, rattle trap type bait, or jerk bait are optimum choices at this time, especially when the water gets around 55 degrees or so. JMO.