schplurg

My answer isn't listed - I've never fished in one but I want to soon.

I have that one too, I think he said it was 18.6. What a pig! That inspires me.

Exactly what I needed to know, I didn't even think to search the articles about this. I video all my fishing for fun, have a phone camera ready to go, my scale sitting out on the backpack. That's mainly so I can weigh the poor fish in a short time and get it back in the water. No fun holding a fish while unzipping a backpack with one hand. I like the idea about the paperwork. It might even help get you in the right frame of mind - "now that I'm prepared I am definitely getting that big fish" I'm still kinda new to fishing, and I am definitely better at handling a fish properly than I was two years ago. I watch the old videos and cringe heh.

Thank you for the detailed response. Too bad about the scale. When I weighed my PB (5.25) I had a spring scale. It said 6 pounds. After releasing the fish I noticed the scale wasn't zeroed. I didn't touch the calibration wheel thingy, and when I went home I weighed 6 pounds of pennies on that scale. I then weighed the pennies on a very nice kitchen scale. It read 5.25. I then zeroed out my scale and the bag also weighed 5.25, the true weight of my fish. Far as I can tell. I even kept the pennies until my new scale arrived. Same weight. Thanks for the replies everyone! I'll change my profile photo once I get a record BONUS! My cousin just bought a house 5 minutes from Camanche, and there's pond on his road I can kayak fish too. I'm going next weekend to check it out, AND see if my boss can transfer me to a nearby location and get back out of the bay area. Yeehaw!

After looking a bit more the scale has to be accurate enough to be calibrated. Can't calibrate a $10 scale. Well not mine. Okay so probably gonna have to kill the fish and transport it unless you know of a marina with such a scale. @WRB Have you ever had experience with this?

So according to that, it seems like I could use my own scale if it was "certified for legal trade". I looked up scales for legal trade. Most are bigger in size than a typical hanging scale you find in a boat. Well the ones I saw in my 30 second search were. Does anyone know if a pro quality Rapala type scale can be used? I'm gonna guess no.

Most of their names have slipped my mind, but I'm less likely to do it the older I get.

Hasn't happened to me, yet! But I'm curious about what it takes to register your catch if you break, or think you may have broke, a lake record. Or any record. What I mean is, say I'm in my boat and I catch an 11 pounder and the lake record is less. What I think and what I've heard: I believe many lakes have scales where you can weigh your bass "officially". I have also heard that the bass will usually die during the process. Is there a way to do this without killing the bass? Maybe it depends on the fishery and how it is set up? Lake Tulloch has a weekly shootout every Wed night. I would assume that the launch ramp where it begins has a scale for the tournament, and therefore probably one (the same scale?) that would work for official weighing. I would assume every lake is different and one should find out ahead of time how it works. I don't want to assume anymore Just curious and it's winter so....what do I do when I catch "Walter"?

When my step Mom was alive but not doing well I'd visit and fish off my Dad's dock. I had never caught a bass, but I tried and tried every week there. Three summers ago. Every time I'd walk up to the house she'd ask me, "Did you catch one?" "Nope, not yet!" She was a truly great woman. When she was in the hospital with cancer I caught one finally. First bass ever. I think of her sometimes when I fish. She's gone now but that memory is good. I kinda bring her with me sometimes. Sometimes I'll catch one for her. It makes me happy to remember her while I'm doing my most favorite thing in the world, though I'm tearing up typing this. I know if she could see me she'd be happy that I'm doing something I love, and I'm happy to associate that with her memory. In time we can often find peace in our own way.

I'll see your bird's nest and raise you a nightmare... Hooked a branch on my backcast / backswing and let her rip! I didn't even try and get it out for two weeks. Scissors to the rescue. Yours may be just as bad , I never even tried to stop it with my thumb. Didn't have a chance.

I broke a Vendetta I got at a garage sale so can't say it wasn't already damaged, but the fish was only maaaaybe 2 pounds. I was gonna say I've seen a lot of reports of these rods breaking, but one could probably say that about any rod, or many at least. Only rod I've broken so far, and it broke towards the tip. Can't say I'd buy another one.

I love the smile of a person posing with a fish. I don't care if it's a child or a full grown man. A great catch brings the "child" back in everyone's eyes.

I agree with April based on my experiences here.

I'm the 10 year old fishing any local water he can find, except I'm 53. People who fish with me say I act like a kid though when I fish. I get excited and I'm pumped. I'm about catching any bass / numbers right now. I'm learning the hunt, and I love that part. Love to explore creeks and water. It's so satisfying when I succeed. Once I get my yak back out (or a small boat) I am going to alternate between numbers and big fish. I love big fish of course, but I don't target them. Hard to do from shore I think. And hard to find where I live. Tom/WRB has inspired me to hunt for biggies. He may not know that, but he has I always love to teach people what I know. I'll give advice, if I feel I can, to anyone who is friendly to me. I love fishing. I was hooked on bass fishing with my first catch - topwater. Until then I'd targeted stripers on the Delta. "What's was so great about bass fishing?" After that catch, I knew

If a physical therapist doesn't know the motions involved in fishing then show them.* Bring a rod (or bottom section) and reel in to your appointment and show them how it's done. That'll help them in the future, and help you. They may make suggestions that can help, or tell you not to fish at all. * I'm not a doctor but I play one on television. Fishermen are also notorious liars (and sometimes drinking) so don't listen to us.

"Harvesting" sounds so PC. I thought that term was for people who manage wildlife? The guy killed an animal and is going to feed his family. What could be more natural? It's called hunting. Killing. Eating. Harvesting is for hippies growing kale and eating wheat germ.

I have the Loch Ness Monster mounted on the wall at work (wouldn't fit in the house), so anyone claiming to see it in the water (since 1998) is full of dung. And before anyone asks: medium rod, 10# mono and a Beetle Spin with a 3 inch white YUM grub at around 65 feet. Shoulda gone with a stouter rod, must have fought me for 8 hours or more.

I think I'd go with those inflatable yaks on page 1 of this thread. I almost did that before I found my yak. Need an air pump (at least I would), a paddle, and pfd. Get one used for 5 bucks, we just sold a bunch of nice ski jackets. Make a paddle out of a piece of wood if you need to be super cheap. Wood even floats!

Exactly how do the fish know they are "being fished for"? Asking as a guy still new to bass fishing. Is it because they have been caught several times and will associate boat noise to that, or is it seeing their buddies caught? I'd imagine the first scenario is it, and I can't think of any other ones.

Oh for sure, that changes everything. My ex dressed as Mrs. Claus one year and, well....it wasn't much...a hat and er....well no scrooge from me that year!!! This is the first year I didn't have to make up an excuse not to go to Xmas! I told my Dad that and he laughed. I did visit my Mom though, safely. What a year... Edit: I think you and I are the only ones on the forum - seems like we've responded to each other several times in the past 10 minutes in different threads.

Nope not just you.

Not entirely. If that were the whole point then netting a fish would be fine, depending on whose ethics we are talking about. I mean if I were feeding my family I wouldn't care how I caught them as long as it was legal. I fish for fun. Some call it a sport. Sports have rules so that it is "sporting", like no motors in Tour de France, no aluminum bats in MLB. I'd like to see no electronics in competition fishing at all, and I'm sure there are tournaments for this. It depends on how you want to play. To each their own, of course. My Dad will tell you I like to make my life as difficult as possible, so there's that!

I really would rather they stop sending it. Not even sure why. I don't do Xmas, haven't bought a present for anyone in a long time. I'll go to Xmas dinner but that's all it is to me. A time to be with family. I've outgrown the "presents" thing (for me). And I don't receive gifts well - I dunno I just feel unworthy somehow even on my birthday. Or maybe because my old school Dad taught me to earn it myself? I'm thankful but it seems a bit silly. I am VERY glad that my parents are still healthy! That's all I want.

Send me the cash I'll do it for ya

Drinking? What else is there to do?