TOXIC

I'm being serious here..... Rig up a 5 inch Senko in color 297 (Green Pumpkin Black Fleck) either wacky or Texas style and toss it. If there are any size bass in that water they will bite it.

In JAX I fished the St Johns (couple of tournament series and fun fishing), I had a house right on the river in Mandarin across from Dr's Lake. Job moved me down there and my wife and daughter stayed in Virginia and I commuted back and forth. Been in Virginia for 24 years and was a guide on Anna (both hot and cold side) and the Potomac for 15 years. I just didn't want to get back into it when I returned from Florida. Getting ready to retire so I may pick it up again. I was a pro staffer for Bass Pro for 15 years and I am still under contract but inactive for the time being. I still am on staff for Jack Links, SPRO, Yamamoto, Gamakatsu, Bullet Weights, Koppers, Live Target, Burris Scopes, StackOn Safes, Lansky Knife Sharpeners, Scent Lok, Quantum/Zebco and Gator Guards (KeelShield/BowShield/Hitch Guard/GatorSkinz/Gator Patch) and a few others. So, if you ever have any questions on those products feel free to ask. I travel for a Rep company and work shows for Bass Pro and Cabela's representing different products during their seasonal shows and some of their Grand Openings. As a matter of fact, I will be in the Hampton, VA Bass Pro all next weekend. So, I keep busy in the industry.

You hit on a great point Hawg. Confidence. I once asked Gary Klein when we were working a show together about lure selection and confidence. His answer: I don't know if confidence in a bait helps you catch more fish but I guarantee you if you throw a bait you have no confidence in, you will not catch fish.

As for the nickname, I've had it for years and the story gets told over beers.....multiple beers!!! The boat has been done and now is just like any other (routine maintenance). I sold my guide boat when I was in Florida and moving back to Virginia. In the process of looking for a new ride, I came across a Ranger that had been stored outside under a bad cover for 2 years (owner passed) and it was full and I mean full of mold and creepy crawlers. Lotta hours spent bringing it back. Cleaning, rewiring, updating, full motor service, etc. It is one fine ride now.

One way is to get good on a body of water and become a Guide, that's what I did. BUT.....be advised, once you turn it into $$, it's no longer "fun" it's now a job. Oh the stories I could tell about guiding.

Having been with Yamamoto for 15 years, I have just about every color ever produced and have thrown all of them at one time or another. My attitude was always that there are some "universal" colors (Green Pumpkin, Blue, Black, White, etc.) and then there are some colors that are specific to one particular body of water. Many colors are even named for the body of water they are patterned after. Many believe you have to "match the hatch" and use a color prevalent to the natural forage of the body of water you are on. Confusing right? I have had the privilege of hosting some Elite Series anglers at my residence a few times (I had a house in Florida for a while as well) and one of these anglers that I call a friend set me straight on the topic. His advise was: Don't get hung up on color. Pick any within a group of colors that follow "hues". More specifically a group of colors for stained water, a group of colors for muddy water and a group of colors for clear water. Makes the choice a lot easier. Now I don't know why the Smallmouth on St Clair will sometimes get on a Bubblegum Yamamoto DShad but they do and that discovery salvaged a trip one year!! So, I guess there is another category I would call "off the wall"

Lurked around a little on your corner of the internet and decided to join up. I was a 12,000+ posts member on another site and spent a lot of time helping others over 10 years of membership. Site owner severely wronged some of my close friends and I left on my own accord. All bass fishermen (and women) are a close knit bunch and I couldn't sit by and let that happen. User name is the same here so some may know me. Any way, I have been in the fishing industry for 40 years and look forward to helping out here. Any questions on Yamamoto, SPRO, Quantum, Gamakatsu and a few others in the industry are my strong points (staying within the rules). I run a slow Z21 Ranger that with the help of friends, have rehabbed nose to stern. May take me a while to get up to speed but looking forward to contributing. TOXIC

Having been in the "industry" for over 40 years, I would suggest you get a job in your field and use your downtime to pursue other opportunities. Easier to find a job when you have a job.....and experience.

Was out Sunday bite is tough right now. Shakeyhead, dropshot are your friend. Rip rap will usually hold some fish. Pool 1 will be the warmest with pool 3 being the coldest. I caught them on plastics and cranks, rip rap and brushpiles.