Mobasser

A-Jay, thank you. I'm not giving up on them yet.

A black Arbogast Hula Popper was my first real topwater bass lure. I caught many bass as a kid in murky ponds casting to the shoreline with the Hula Popper. Now, I'm fishing a clear water lake two or three times a week during season. Poppers have produced poorly here. What works are moving topwaters. Zara Spook, buzzbaits, or any topwater bait that stays moving across the surface are the ones that draw strikes. The Spook sometimes draws strikes from deeper areas also. We'll probably never know how far bass can actually see. But in clear water, they get a much better look at your surface lure. This is my own explanation for why the fish won't hit poppers here. They can spot a fake, and reject it. It's just a guess? I've tried walking some poppers and fishing them quickly across the surface with no luck. Has anyone had this experience with poppers in clear water? I might add that I love poppers. They're a blast to fish, and I've got several. I just can't catch them on a popper over clear water. Any thoughts or similar experience?

I started wearing glasses at age forty. Starting with cheap reader type glasses for one year, I eventually got prescription eyeglasses. I've had several pairs over the years. I also have soft contact lenses, which I wear every day. By afternoon, I'm ready to take them out and put my glasses on. Contacts brother my eyes if I wear them too long. I recently got new glasses, and a six month supply of contact lenses. Next month I'm going to get prescription sunglasses also. I want a good polarized pair for fishing. Once you get prescription glasses, there's no turning back. You'll need them all the time. Tying on small jigs with 4lb mono is still tricky on bright days, but I live with it. It's part of getting older- 65 now. How is your eyesight? Do you need and wear glasses or contacts?

I often launch my canoe at first light in the morning. It's a great experience to be there when things are just waking up. The fog lifting off the water, no crowds to contend with etc. It's a good time to just be out there.

I'll say I agree with this quote. I love being outdoors and fishing both. If I don't catch fish, I don't worry about it. There will be another day.

I was trying for a new PB fish last season, and didn't catch one. But I didn't give up, and, won't be giving up on one in 2023 either.

My own goal is to continue to remain healthy, keep my weight in check, and continue with a sit up/ pull up workout I've started doing each day. For fishing, much of the same. Throw some crankbaits early, which I've gotten away from, and improve my catch rate of numbers and size of bass. The remain healthy part is #1 on my list.

Happy New Year everyone!

I like that Rage Menace grub!

I used to talk about it a lot when I was still working full time. A couple of the guys I worked with fished also. Now I don't talk about fishing very much. But, I make up for it by thinking about fishing much of the time.

Like many of us, I've managed to accumulate way too many baits over the years. So I definitely didn't need any new fishing baits for Christmas. But my wife surprised me with an old craw finish Arbogast Mud Bug, which she bought at an antique shop. As soon as I opened it, the memories came flooding in. The Mud Bug was the first diving bait I ever bought, back in the early 1980s. Mine was a craw finish, I I think 5/8 oz in weight. I threw it shallow while bank fishing, and deeper when I got my first flat bottom jon boat. I caught a good number of bass on it too, before I finally lost it to a snag. This one was recommended to me by a tackle shop owner, who was also an experienced bass fisherman. I'm tempted to sharpen the hooks, and cast it this spring, but I'd hate to lose it. Certain baits, like this one, bring memories, and have a sentimental value. What were your experiences with the Arbogast Mud Bug?

I'm doing good today. I would avoid cheap off brand oils. Stick with a good name brand, and it will be fine. Enjoy your oil change.

For hooded sweatshirts, do you like the pull over style, or the zip front style? I have both, but prefer a zip front type the best. Carhartt has been my favourite brand. What style do you prefer?

Great bass A-Jay. Some really nice fish!

Missouri is 12.00. Trout stamp is 7.00. At age 65 you don't need resident fishing permit, but still need a trout stamp. Correction. Trout tag is 10.00 in Missouri.

The Grand Canyon was amazing to me. Hard to put in to words.

This is how I feel about Missouri. I'm a Missouri home boy for life.

This is what most guys call boat rash. If she's setting her reel down on rocks each time she unhooks a fish, it looks like she's catching them very well. Good for her. She's probably a good fisherperson. Reels come and go, but building good memories is more important.

Heddon Moss Boss. Its so old lots of younger guys haven't heard of it. Johnson Silver Minnow is another one.

The reason most guys will say bottom contact is because of strike detection. You can usually tell quickly when you've got a strike on a lipless or spinnerbait. I'd say get what works best for your style of fishing.

Always a dog person, from the time I was very young. I love dogs.

Very nice! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and your family also sir!

He's doing very well A-Jay. He's working for the County Road crew, and has his own apartment. He plans on taking some online classes, to get a business degree. He's been going with a girl who's really sharp, and is a big motivator for him. We all feel blessed that he's doing so well. Thank you for asking about him, and have a great Christmas!