Matt Bacola

I've got my trolling motor, battery and fish finder ready to go (thanks for mentioning it). Do they provide life jackets or do I need to bring one?

I'm going to be in the area this weekend and I'd like to check out Lake Mackintosh on Friday and maybe Monday. Any tips? I'm planning on renting a boat, where's the best place to launch this time of year Guilford? What are they biting? I caught em on Jigs this weekend in Michigan but it looks like the water temp in NC will be about 10 degrees higher. What's the best bet shallow or deep?

Just to clarify, I do not have an enhanced DL, just your standard issue...

Just as a follow up, I was a bit concerned however I decided to trust my guide and make the trip with only a DL. My friend who came with me did the same. I believe the place we crossed was Roma, TX? I had my birth certificate with me and I was ready to catch some attitude when we crossed back in to the US. The guy at the border asked if we were all US Citizens, looked at our DL's for all of a minute and sent us through. Easy Peasy. It was a fun trip and I'm already planning on going back next year (hopefully I'll have my passport by then).

The last couple of times I’ve been out it’s been pretty tough. I’m in Ohio and I feel like the LMB are in a bit of a fall transition funk. It’s been unseasonably warm here and I believe that what’s needed to improve the fishing is a cool down. Water temps on Saturday were 66-71 degrees. If anything, they have gone up a bit since then. High of 84 today, 81 tomorrow, 71 Friday, 56 on Saturday, 54 on Sunday. Although I believe a cool down is what’s needed to improve the fishing, I’m guessing the bass will be shut down for a few days after a change that drastic. Am on the right track? Even more so than the other seasons, I can’t seem to figure out what to expect during the fall transition. I’m thinking what’s needed is for the temps to cool off a bit, but also the bass are going to need some time to adjust?

I contacted a guide to fish Falcon Lake and he asked if I'd be interested in fishing Sugar Lake. I didn't believe that would be an option as I don't have a passport and he said that I'll I need is a driver's license. I've seen conflicting information online regarding if a passport is required to cross the border in a vehicle. The guide lives in TX and crosses the boarder multiple times each week, so I would think he would know, but I'd hate to have a problem...

I’m going to be in Michigan on vacation the week of July 3rd and I’d like to do some bass fishing. I’m going to be on St Clair with a guide on the 5th and 6th however, I’ll likely have another free day during the week to get out. I don’t have a real boat, only a 10 ft Bass Raider, so I can’t cover a lot of distance or handle big waves. If it’s flat, I may be able to mess around on St Clair, however I was also looking at Burt and Mullet lakes. I’d be interested in any advice on ramps that are close to decent fishing areas, areas that are protected from the wind, etc.

I'm going to be in area (somewhat) from the east coast the week of June 19th. Dworshak smallmouth have been on my bucket-list. What's the fishing like that time of the year? Any recommendations on guides and/or places to stay?

Cool write up, Chickahominy Lake has been on my list to check out for a while. You mentioned "a bike" mountain bike?

I'm looking for a guide to do some Smallmouth fishing with on Lake St Clair in July. Any input would be appreciated.

I’m going to be in Texas in mid-September and I’d love to do some fishing. I live in Ohio where a 5 pound bass is a trophy so I’d like to have a shot a catching a big Texas bass. I’m flying so the most likely situation would be to hook up with a guide for a day or 2 (unless there’s a compelling reason for a different arrangement). I'm flying into Austin, however I'm not afraid of a drive and I can fly home from a different airport if it makes sense. So my question is, if you had 1 maybe 2 days to fish in Texas in mid-September, where would be the best chance at catching a 7+ pound bass? I fished O.H. Ivey for 3-4 days last February. My takeaway from my time there was that the lake has huge bass, but they bite in small time windows that isn’t conducive to a 1 or 2 day trip. That could very well have been more of a winter thing than the lake itself though? Based on that experience and assumption (which I am very open to changing if someone more knowledgeable educates me) I’m currently leaning toward Falcon Lake. Maybe Choke Canyon? Possum Kingdom? Based on my very un-expert opinion I feel like Lake Fork, Sam Rayburn, Lake Conroe could be tough due to fishing pressure, although I did see a guide that did night fishing trips on Lake Fork which would somewhat mitigate the pressure issue? I’m pretty much open to anywhere in Texas and I’d appreciate any feedback on lakes / guides.

I’m trying to plan a family vacation for June 2023 and I’d like to be able to do some Largemouth Bass fishing. One challenge is that I don’t own a bass boat. I fish small waters in Ohio mostly out of a float tube however I also have a 10 ft Bass Raider. I am open to paying a guide to fish a day or two, however I’d prefer to be able to fish on my own. Anyone have recommendations of good small water fishing in GA where the Bass Raider would work? A couple of places I’ve come across are Rutland Farms, Gum Log Plantation, and Live Oak Plantation. I believe those are all pay to fish areas, however Rutland Farms seems very inexpensive. Any intel on these areas? What areas am I missing (preferable public). I am looking at GA, but I would be open to FL, SC, NC, Etc. I see there’s a place that rents boats for Headwaters in FL so I’m looking into that. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Had a great day fishing with Bryan Labelle (Mega Bass Charter) on Friday. Unfortunately, we didn't get to fish in Thursday due to the wind. Bryan put us on the fish immediately, my son and I both caught bass on our first cast and the morning was fast and furious. We doubled up all morning. I'd highly recommend Bryan if your looking for a guide on Champlain.

Great people on this forum! I appreciate all of the input. I'm set up to fish Champlain with Bryan Labelle June 16 and 17. Hopefully I can post pics of a bunch of big bass after the trip!

Is there a bass "season" that I need to be concerned with? I saw something about the season not opening until June 18th?