roadwarrior

Go with the Avid...nothing to talk about.

cart7, The biggest largemouth I have ever seen (in person) was caught in The Secret Pond. I have caught several bass over 5 lbs in this pond. However, the pond is dying or dead. It is now completely overrun by stunted bass. It is a private pond and it cannot recover. I may fish it a few more times, but I am basically done with it after this year.

Well, all I have to say is,"It ain't over 'til the fat girl sings." Two months to go...Woo-hoo!

New lures/ techniques Well, not exactly new, but used more often and more successfully: jigs, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Added X-Raps to my jerkbait collection. New line Switched from Yo-Zuri Hybrid to Hybrid Ultra Soft. Experimented with Triple Fish Fluorocarbon, Gamma Fluorocarbon and Maxima Monofilament. New equipment philosophy I will not buy anything "new" unless it has been HIGHLY recommended to me on this Forum or by someone I know (personally) and trust. 2007 I might give Suffix Braid a try on one of my baitcasters. I intend to put even more emphasis on jigs as opposed to soft plastics. I intend to fish all my "brand new" lures that are more than three years old and have never taken a bath. I am going to Lake Fork and will try to fish Dale Hollow and Guntersville. If I can do one other big trip, I would like to fish Stick Marsh/ Farm 13.

The one my wife likes the best is Kick'n Bass/ crawfish. My daughter likes the garlic... NOT! Original Polo Cologne.

I fish a Shimano Calais 200 (6.2:1) for fast retrieve, but for big lures and deep running lures I REALLY prefer my CTE200GT (5.0:1).

When Bud sees this post he will be able to answer all your questions regarding crappie on these lakes.

Your "best value" (new) is probably a combo from one of the major retailers. They are always on sale. For somewhere around $150 you can buy $225-$250 worth of "retail" if purchased seperately. However, we have guys selling "gently used" equipment in the Flea Market section all of the time. I suggest being patient and buying some better equipment from one of our members. I suspect you can pick up a Shimano Curado reel and a G.Loomis or St. Croix rod here for around $200 or less. There are some great deals posted occasionally.

If you fish from a john boat powered by a 10hp motor, 30-40mph seems pretty fast. The point, however is well made: Tournament fisherman seem to think since they are in a "competative event" that they own the lake. Since they are "competitors" they can run by you without regard to your safety or comfort, fish in front of you and control an area that is "theirs." If you are fishing from a dock or the bank, you of course, have no rights and in fact shouldn't even be there. My observation is that this is ALWAYS the case whenever I have any contact with any bass tournament. It is the one or two bad apples that give tounament fishermen a poor reputation, but EVERY group of bass tournament fishermen I have ever come in contact with have a few of these guys. Why is it that this behavior is NOT common among fishermen competing for walley, crappie, catfish or sauger? It seems bad manners, rude behavior and outright arrogance are all common characteristics of bass tournaments only. Maybe is has something to do with "Small Fish Syndrome."

I hope you get the job, too. What types of fish do they produce? After you work there for a while, I hope you will take the time to write a brief piece occasionally about various aspects of the operations. I think we would all find that very interesting, I know I would. I have toured a few state fisheries, but these were all trout farms. I have never been to another operation.

Welcome aboard!

This will probably surprise you: I use Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #12. I have NO issues.

I would also try a hair jig, Gitzit and Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade Spinnerbait.

Let's be nice... When you have a big bass on, or any bass for that matter, maintain pressure on the fish: NEVER give her any slack. Take your time, but bring the fish to you. If it's not pulling drag, it should ALWAYS be moving your way.

Blue Herons eat stocker trout on the White River in Arkansas. The locals claim there are 10,000 birds on the river that eat at least one trout per day or 365,000 per year. Not coincidently, this is a number very close to what the DNR says is "unaccounted mortality". Stockers vary in size, but I would guess they weigh around half a pound. The commorants are a much bigger problem, particularly from a commercial stand point. Throughout the Mid South, catfish farming has become a big business. Commorants are public enemy #1. I have never actually seen them successfully hunting game fish on a lake, but they aggressively attack schools of baitfish. (BTW, many people think they are a type of goose, but they are actually part of the pelican family). Both species are federally protected.

Dancing girls? C'mon, they gotta make a living, too!

Fat Ika 6" Senko Micro Munch Tackle El Gordo tube My goal for 2006 and moving now into 2007 is focusing much of my time on jigs. I hope to make this lure class my "go to" baits.

Now he is a Southern Gentleman, and that's Southern Hospitality!

Jus paac yaa caa behind the baa and I'll meet ya faa a beea. If ya late, daant woouie, I can waate, I got noth'in tado, I waate fayu.

BS, my friend avid. I find this thread ABSOLUTELY fascinating. I read every reference and then googled the footnotes! I had no idea that this technology/ engineering/ design had been quantified in such technical detail. I went so far to have an engineer, who is a friend of mine, look at this in some detail and attempt to explain it to me in English! Man, I'm impressed. However, I am still being stubborn. St. Croix rod ratings seem to be one level less than G.Loomis, at least on the specific rods I own. Let's all go fishin'!

The 4/0 EWG Gammie is fine. The fish you are not hooking up with are probably small. The texture and taste of the bait causes bass to hold on, even when they are not hooked. When you get a bite, lower the rod tip and reel down QUICKLY until you feel the fish, then snap your wrist. You should keep the butt of your rod steady and hook the bass from the rod tip. I call that a snap-set. This hook-set will work about 100% of the time, trust me on this.

Sorry man, It is very unlikely that there are any big bass or ever will be. If this is a pond where you are allowed to keep fish, it would be beneficial if you and your friends kept the legal limit ALL of the time. At some point the predator ratio might be reduced, but the pond is probably lost.

************MODERATOR NOTE*************** This thread has moved away from the original topic. I am not taking sides, but the tone has moved across the line. I am not deleting anyone's comments, but I am putting this thread on lock down. roadwarrior Global Moderator

Welcome aboard!

Really?