Mobydick

Same thing happened to me the other day. I was throwing a bucktail on 12lb sufix for smallies when I hooked up with somethin. Immediately I thought 8 pound smallie, then no...too big. I fought it for a minute or so until it made a run straight up to the surface, it got about 4 feet from the surface and then it turned and I saw about a 3 foot long golden flash, then I though muskie. I finally got it up and it was a 21 1/2 pound common carp. > Talk about ticked off >. It is fun to have your adrenaline goin like that though isn't it? Ian

When I read the water temp the other day here it was 38. We have had a few nights below freezing scince then. I have been going to the river lately after smallmouths and been doin well. If I was you I would try jigs for sure, and maybe some jerkbaits, deep cranks, and tubes. Try the shakey head also . Ian

I agree with this statement, but with one exception. Where I live the water gets hard in the winter, and when the water dips below 48 or 46 degrees, I will almost never have a spinnerbait tied on. I do agree that there is no real definite time not to use them if the water is above 46. They are the most versatile bait in my opinion. Ian

Nothing can describe the feeling when you lose a close friend. I lost a very close friend last September due to a car accident. He was an awesome friend. He loved fishing just as much as I do, and he was good at it also. I will never forget the times we spent. When my friend passed away, we each took our favorite fishing lure and put them all in a box. They now rest with him. And like Catfishking said, you dont realize how much someone means to you until they are gone. I am sorry for your loss. Ill keep you in my prayers and I hope everything goes ok for you. Ian

I can pitch a jig up to 45 or 50 feet, but I rarely pitch over 25 while im fishing. I played around a bit and found my distance that I can comfortably and precisely pitch at, which happens to be 25 foot. So play around a bit and find the distance that you are comfortable at, and place your boat appoximately that far from your target. Practice a lot before you go out too. I practice a few days a week for about 2 hours each. Have fun and good luck! Ian

Got out to the river today, finally! The day started slow, the first 2 hours produced nothing. Dad finally got a bite on a bucktail jig, a 14 inch smallie. It was another hour after that when I tied on a jerkbait and landed 3 within 20 minutes, 13, 15, and 16 inches. A while later Sean (basser89) landed one also, 14 inches. A while later I landed another that was about 13 inches, and lost a nice one that would have went 4 pounds. Here's some pics. Ian

They told me I will choose where I want to be stationed while im in AIT. I will get 5 choices and they will pick one. I am going to basic in Fort Leanard Wood in Missouri, and AIT in Fort Huachuca in Arizona. Does anyone have any ideas where I should try to get stationed at? I heard Germany and Italy are among the best places to be stationed. Ian

Yes I got to choose my job. I scored high enough to do any job so I chose the one I wanted. Thanks guys, I am very proud to serve! Ian

I forgot to mention.....the sense of humor at MEP's was great...when I was walking down the hall to the mens physical room...there was a sign on the door that read....."Welcome To The Fun Factory!!!" Ian

Good luck. Why the five-month delay between enlistment and basic training? I graduate highschool in June and I get the half the summer off I guess. Thanks guys! I hope it is as exciting as you all say, I am really looking forward to the experience! I start my physical training next week also! Ian

Last week I enlisted in the Army, and I just got back from MEP's an hour ago. I passed my physical and got sworn in this afternoon. I am active army and have a job in the intelligence field. I get shipped to basic training in August, and AIT training for 23 weeks after basic. I think it was a good choice. Ian

Standin by the reel counter! ;D Oh really, I thought you brought them home, I thought thats why the ride home was entertaining! . Ian

That was awesome guys, I had a great time meeting all of you! That buffet was wild!!!! Chicken feet, frog legs, and whatever else they had. Those frog legs were great though! I wish I coulda brought those 'reel girls' home with me too, some of you know what im talkin about! Ian

Wait till basser89 sees this ! He's got a story, ill let him tell it! Ian

I like a Yum Twin Hula Grub. I use a watermellon red flake one for all conditions, it just seems to do the trick. Ocasionally I will have a second bitsy bug rigged with a Zoom Fat Albert for a trailer....most times in smoke with the very least of the tail dipped in chartreuse spike-it. Ian

I have been pitchin and flippin in a bucket for 2 weeks now....it takes the edge off. Ian

Thanks for the ideas, they will go to use! We decided to put 5 bucks in and winner takes all. The target options are coming well. We are using the close out type of competition mentioned by BR's very own game modifying thinker upper.....hjerk24! Ian

x2 I wish it coulda been IKE though! Ian

I am so excited to see IKE at the top! I really hope he wins! I cannot wait....ill be on the edge of my seat all night! Ian

Thats a great idea hjerk24! Maybe ill combine that with the strip pitchin and flippin ;D Catt, I have thought up a way to add brush (christmas trees and bush's). That should make it fun! Thanks for the ideas guys! Ian

A lock allows boats to pass around areas such as dams. The boats enter the lock on the lower side of a dam, the lock closes and slowly fills up with water untill it is of equal elevation of the top or upper side of the dam, then the lock opens allowing the boats to keep going. A lock is used when there are waterfalls and such places that boats cannot pass through. I hope someone can give you more details than that, but thats what I know. Ian

While playin around with some jigs, a bucket, and a homemade dock in my yard with some buddies, we thought, why not make this a competition. I brainstormed up these ideas - Pitchin at 10-20-30- and 40 feet Flippin at 10-20- and 30 feet Target would me a small plastic cup, like the ones you use in your bathrooms. How do you guys think we should set this up, as to the format? Should each player have a set time like 10 minutes to try to get as many scores as possible, or each player get 15 casts? Please post any ideas you have! Thanks! Ian

Very cool....and also very big!!! Whats the weight on them things? And is that tinsel on the left one? I like to add tinsel to some of my spinnerbaits. Ian

I have the same problem with my Tennessee Shad color. I havent even used it...just the shakin in the box has chipped the paint off. Ian

I see what your sayin. She is in the bottom, but so are some of the best anglers there. I think by day 3 most of them wil be in the top 20. Something just went wrong today....but you never know...they could all miss the cut. I would like to see Kim make the cut though. Ian