Joshua Beaver

I'll have to try weightless next time I'm by the water. Thought about it today but I sacrificed distance over presentation.

I made a trade today which consisted of giving up a few of my soft plastics and an old lure I never used for a small rod and reel that is going to my stepson. Along wit this I received several flukes in white. In an attempt to actually catch something today, I was at a new pond this time, I decided to Texas rigged one with a red ewg 4/0 hook with a pegged weight. Not to sure of the weight but I think it was about 1/4 or 3/8 oz. As usual I didn't catch anything, so how do you usually fish a fluke. Weighted, weightless, Texas or wacky? What works for you? Also, pond was fairly clear with A LOT of grass.

Don't quite have a confidence lure or bait as I think that is just to close to "having luck". I'm not one to think luck has a part in my fishing methods since you can be lucky as all heck and still not get a bite if the fish aren't feeding. I've spent days using just about every thing in my box and not getting a strike, then days where I only tied on one lure and got strikes constantly. So far this year it's been fairly uneventful as I've only landed one bass but got several strikes, hook ups, and jump offs. The landed bass was 14" on a 6" red curly tail worm Texas rigged with a 2/0 (I think) red ewg hook. But going to keep trying different things in different waters. Getting new things as I go.

What color/size did you get the chigger craw in?

Congrats. I still have yet to break the one pound mark this year. Not sure if the big ones in my area are just picky or smart enough to keep from getting hooked. Anyway, congrats and keep on ripping lips.

@Glenn Glad to be here. Good people and great stories, plus useful tips and tricks. Like Google but better. Lol.

Trust and believe next catch will provide pictures.

Very true. It's no lunker for sure but at least I'm catching more than snags. I know there's big ones in the pond I fish but they are fairly picky about what they bite on.

Well, it's official folks, I have finally beaten the slump I was in. For some time I couldn't land a fish, I would hook up and either they would pop the hook or my line would break. Now mind you, my line is Power Pro 20 lb braid so there is no reason it should have been breaking. Went fishing earlier this evening and managed to hook into a fair sized bass for the area I was fishing, a beautiful LMB. Managed to land him, tried to weigh but wouldn't register on my scale as it is analog not digital but I did take a measurement and it was 14". Nice starter for the year so far, had a good time fighting it in. Sadly I didn't think to snap a photo, but isn't that just like me. Actually catch something and I don't even get a photo op.

While both statements are true, they do have a good selection of lures and terminal tackle. Much better than any sporting goods store we have in my area. And I'm not one for asking questions in a sporting goods store, BPS and Cabelas included, I tend to take tips from pros and average every day anglers over store employees anyways. Unless you go fishing, you don't know fishing is my go to statement.

I've been to the Harrisburg location as I have lived there at one point. They have a good selection of items and most are great quality. While it is a drive from your area, it's not as far as Hanover. I would recommend Harrisburg as I have never been to the Hanover store.

To be honest, I would start him off on a five footer simply because it will never be to small for him. I'm 5'8" and I've used a five footer ultra light when I fished for trout last year and even managed to drag in a 24" brown trout with it. Regardless of how tall he will grow, a five footer will always have its uses even if it's just ripping up bluegill from the water for bass/catfish bait. So my recommendation is to get him that five footer to start with. Zebco has a few nice setups that are fairly cheap but good quality, rod and reel for about $20 at walmart. But this is just my two cents and things are expensive.

Don't have pictures to post right this moment, perhaps later today. But as of now, I recently aquire a 6'6" Jawbone MH casting rod with a Quantum Escalade 7.1:1 gear ratio baitcaster reel. Setup ran me about $70 all together, the reel costing most of that at $50. Happy with it so far, add into that the $130 or so I spent just on tackle and lures and I've spent just over $200 this year. My previous setup is a Daiwa spinning rod and reel combo I bought in Virginia while at Chincoteague island. It's a 7' if I remember correctly, was my main big fish slayer for quite some time.

I've been fishin all my life and only in the past 6 years did I really get into catching bass. While trout have always put up a good fight for me, you don't get the spectacular blow ups of bass. It's also great when you actually have to actively fish for instead of just dropping a hook and bait in the water and waiting, though it is always an option too. My malfunction you may ask? Well, while fishing alone can be a very peaceful time to think and reflect on recent event, it gets old quick. I have no one in my repetoir of friends who bass fish, in fact very few of my friends fish at all. I live in Fayetteville, P.a. and I'd like to find a fishin buddy or two just to make things interesting and maybe come up with a bet once in a while. Granted I'm not the best bass angler out there, but isn't a little friendly competition always healthy.

I would if I could brother but work has me hung till Thursday and don't have the gas money to make a trip. Maybe come next paycheck I'll be able to make it down there and do some major hauling in.

Either KVD or Roland Martin. Both great anglers and good people.

Nice fish! And I hear snakeheads are fun to catch. I only use 10 lb test when I'm trout fishing, bass for me require no less than 15 simply because of the fact they like heavy cover so often and most places I fish have either heavy cover or a lot of snags. I have yet to catch a daily limit of anything here in P.a. but I'm starting to hook up so that's always a good sign.

So I finally hooked my first largemouth bass of the year. And wouldn't you know it, he managed to wrap around some lily pads as I was pulling it out of cover and due to this, got slack and popped the hook. He grabbed onto a bright red 7" curly tail worm, I believe it was a 2/0 red ewg hook. Had it Texas rigged weedless. Was not happy when I realised I was not longer fighting the fish, just the pads. Suffice to say, I will be going back again in search of the dreaded "ONE THAT GOT AWAY".

Congratulations on being able to take a trip like that with your boys. Dad trips, as I call them, are a great way not only to bond with the boys but make long lasting memories for years to come. Keep em going and always remember that taking your boys fishing is not a great way to teach them respect for the animals and the environment, but also some life lessons like patience and knowing when it's time to set life aside and take some time to relax and have fun. May your cast be long and your line be tight.

@Jartbek and @FreddoB Bait casting so far has been easy to learn as far as actual casting goes. Backlashes are minimal now, usually only when I'm throwing something lighter than the recommended weight, mine being betweend 3/8th and 1oz based on my rod quals. In fact just got back from fishing and all but had about a 2 lber, but the darn suckered got tangledone in the bank weeds (lily pads) and my line snapped. Must have had a weak spot since it is 20 lb braid but hey, we all lose one sometimes.

As of now I'm strictly bank since I can't afford a boat. As for tackle shop, the I can do here is Walmart and Dick's sporting goods, neither of which can afford me enough information as a lot of people around my area don't fish much unless it's for trout. Travel wise, I don't have the time or money right now to travel more than a half hour to any fishing spot unfortunately. Plus, unless I'm of work (maybe one day a week) I'm restricted to morning and afternoon fishing as I work evening shift and usually start work between 4 and 7 pm.

@Darren. Thank you. Glad to be here.

Been fishing for a bit now this year and haven't had any luck. Is anyone else have much luck? If so, where do you fish, what are you using, any tips for me? All is appreciated, would love to post a nice catch.

@Jigfishn10 It's because I don't have many fond memories of my own father that I know the importance of doing so. Granted my father always worked to keep our place, have food, and such it was hard not being able to do things with him. He never liked fishing or hunting and we always had so little money to do anything. It's a father's duty to teach his kids certain things in life. Though a father isn't the only parent who can, I feel that it takes this mindset to not just be a father, but to be a "real" dad. Like yesterday, fathers day, I took my stepson fishing in a small pond because his own father is not exactly the best. Needless to say, he definitely outfished me and that made me proud... and a bit jealous. Lol.